Mark, Vân And The Munchkins

At the football game with Mark

2011-11-20T18:32:00.000-05:00

FHE flowers game

2011-11-20T18:27:00.001-05:00

We got some good laugh. Emily didn't want to do it.

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-11-05T17:05:00.005-04:00

Khai's Field to Debuck farm

2011-11-05T17:00:00.000-04:00

another way to enjoin reading her book
Khai's field trip at Debuck Farm

our church close friend Meadival Wedding theme

2011 school pictures

2011-11-05T16:58:00.000-04:00

Fun Pictures

2011-11-05T16:56:00.000-04:00

Camping trip 2011

2011-11-05T16:45:00.007-04:00

Happy Birthday sweetheart

2011-11-05T16:17:00.006-04:00

2011-11-05T16:10:00.003-04:00

Kelsey surgery day. she was so braved

in recovery room

2011-11-05T15:51:00.007-04:00

Swimming lessons

catching firerfly

having lot of fun with Grandma

event Polly and Lady

2011-11-05T12:05:00.027-04:00

Kelsey's friend Birthday

Summer starting .....

Sleep over big brother room

July 4Th activity

they like fire cracker but our dog is doesn't

at water play ground

trip to the Detroi Zoo .

one of pictures of Father and son camp out

Graduated 2010

Visited Jared's family april 2011

Hands On Museum 2010

Home pictures

Lady and Keet

2011-03-24T10:43:00.004-04:00

Keet realy wanted to play with our dog Lady, he doesn't know what is Lady capable of, he kept now and then flying around made Lady want to follow him, and Lady she realy want to get that green dude but she know she can't , its funny when she look very sneaky when she watching us and the bird same time.

New update

2011-03-24T10:12:00.025-04:00

Now is a crazy kids time faces.
Bây giờ là làm mặt tức cừơi cho Mẹ.

Something difference about Khải? yeah that's right he has glasses now, big change for him too, he like it a lot, and the girls are pretty in dresses ready for church.
Có cái gì khác thừơng về Khải nhỏ,đúng là Khải nhỏ có mắt kiến cận nè, nó rất thích, nhìn thấy rõ hơn nhiều lắm, còn hai cọ con gái thì sửa soạn đẹp để đi nhà thờ đó.

Emily hairs are more little thicker and longer enough to make a tiny messy bun.
Tóc Emily dầy và dài hơn chút đủ để làm cái búi nhỏ xinh xinh, tóc nó mọc chậm không giống ai trong nhà hết :)

She is being pretty little model for me :)
Thích làm ngừơi mẫu nhỏ cho Mẹ nè.

No matter what she wears the sparkle red shoes always on her feet.
Khi nào mặc cai gì cũng vậy bao giờ đôi giầy đó cũng ở trong chân của Emily.

Like Mark's sideburns, he look handsome with those, wait a second lol that little bad guys is tough.
Thích caí kiểu tóc mới của Khải, nhìn đẹp trai ghớm chớ, Khaỉ nhỏ làm ngừơi xấu tí hon đi đánh nhau với Bố.
Aw how sweet, Emily always so sweet when she around Mom and and Daddy, her bossy button turn on when she is play with Kelsey, Khải and our pets.
Emily lúc nào cũng dể thương với Bố Mẹ, bả sẻ lanh hơn va ồn ào lắm khi choi voi anh, chị và với con vật trong nhà.
Kelsey wanted to grown her hairs long now, don't know how long she wanted it to be, she is cute with long hairs too, that made me like to do stuff for her hairs more. I got the left over wedding's materiel, decide to make some hairs things for the girls, can't stop now lol
Kelsey thích đề tóc dài hơn, không biết là sẻ để dài bao dài, nó dể thưong voi tóc dài luôn, tóc dài để Mẹ làm tóc đựơc nhiều kiểu cho con, Mình có đồ trang đám cứơi còn dư của Mẹ chồng cho, lấy cái đó làm hoa, nơ, bứơm kẹp tóc cho hai bé gái, chết rồi bây giờ thì không ngừng đụơc. haha

Kelsey invited Daddy to a Daddy and Daughter dance. are they just so cute?
Kelsey mời Bố đi dạ vũ cho các con gái và Bố của họ, hai Bố con dể thương hen.

My princess, công Chúc của tui nè.

My new project, My sister sent some left over materiel so did something about it turn out i make Kelsey new scripture bag, Shh she didn't know yet till this Sunday :)
Đây là nghiên cứu mới của tui, bà chị lớn cho vài thứ vải dư, bây giờ thì biết làm gì với nó rồi, tui làm cho con gái lớn túi để sách kinh thánh, bí mật Kelsey chưa biết cho đén chủ nhật này.

Did Khải try to rubbed Emily head to sleep or what :) that i loved to be when my sister did that for me.
Khải xoa đầ cho EMily đi ngũ không?
Aw , Lady loved cuddle with us, when the older kids are not home she is following me everywhere, event always have to be in front of my feet when I'm walking.
Lady rất thích ở bên mình, khi không có hai đứa lớn ở nhà là nó cứ đi theo tui xuốt ngày, đa số là chạy trứơc chân tui nưả , xém té mấy lần luôn
wow i did it type ENG and Viet same post , if i click on spelling check button, a bunch of red error for Viet worlds, lol, whew i finally done.

Our kids short movies

2011-02-05T23:03:00.005-05:00

Kelsey had concert last two weeks, she did her part great job, she is doesn't show much of shying. also we got Kelsey cute acts in a song. love you baby.

The boys got invite to an cool auto show from our friend , lot of awesome cars there, khai was playing XBox Kinnect car racing, that's what they called, if i just watch they moved i don't know they were driving in the game lol

we just loved Khải smile, his smile bright up all his face.

Here and there

2011-02-03T20:33:00.015-05:00

Here are some pics of even MORE snow! our kids loved the snow , they play out side like hours every time, drank hot cocoa in out side, we like the snow but not to drive in it or shovel the drive way, mark did all the shovel clear the drive way, Mark seem doesn't easy get cold as me, winter this year i got stuck just once lol, we got a blizzard last Wednesday and tons of snow today, i couldn't see the lane I'm driving on, the whippers got froze couldn't wipe as good as before.

Also, Khai and Mark got to go to the Detroit Auto Show. It was a blast. Every display was interactive (which Khai just loved, surprise surprise), and the picture of Mark (that looks like he just heard the price of the car behind him) is a screen with a camera that gauges your facial expression. If you don't smile, it shows one icon and text, then smiling or grinning like a GM exec changes the icon and saying. It was pretty fun!

Oh, and our dog got glasses. (See next to last pic)

Random pictures

2011-01-06T09:48:00.012-05:00

Our kids and puppy name Lady like to mess up in a pile of leaves that we just raked.

They loved Lady so much and can't wait for their turn to hold her.

Khai is so excited about the puppy

Winter this year seem like you don't have much snow as last year or a year before when we just move here, even a tiny bit of snow Khai and Emily in a second they will cover with snow.

We invited to a friend family tradition Christmas eve dinner, its was fun we have dinner, tons of food there , we sang songs and we joy in the Christmas play about Christmas story

Mark fixed a nice dinner every Christmas and New Year, i was yummy our tummy. Thank you honey

Daddy woke the kids up on Christmas morning. Kelsey was sat up and Said Merry Christmas even thought she not really wake up or open her sleepy eyes.
We can only gather Kelsey presents to take a picture, they was so excited with all new presents

Khai played his Bakugan like hours that morning, that is his new favorite toys
Even Lady have a gift too

2010-12-24T13:01:00.000-05:00

2010-12-21T12:48:00.002-05:00

♥ Most Special Man in the World♥
With all the love
A heart can hold
Because you mean
...the world to me.
♥ Happy Birthday♥My Husband ♥

We got our moves too.

2010-12-15T09:21:00.012-05:00

Lady

2010-11-12T11:36:00.003-05:00

Lady is new in our family. she is a cute sweet little puppy. she is 3 months old, she very is easy to house break, we teach her some dog comment she picked up fast, she can sit, wait, back up, let us know when she needs to go potty, so far she good dog for our family, and our little bird Keet started to play wit...h her too, Keet fly over Lady head few time , Lady gave her kiss . Lol , hope that Lady will get along well with Keet. Our kids loved her. gonna love puppy

Happy Halloween 2010

2010-10-29T22:43:00.005-04:00

Kids had a so much fun tonight at trunk or treat. They were so happy finally they can put the costumes that I made for them on. What a fun holiday.

Pumkin patch

2010-10-26T09:30:00.008-04:00

Time to pick out some cute pumpkins for our family this year, we saw there are difference color and shape how cute they are. Kids so excited to pick out their own pumpkins, it was a cute pumpkins patch.

Family Camp out 2010

2010-10-26T08:57:00.014-04:00

Last month before kids start school we went camping, with 2 other couple of our friends for a few days, it was so nice to spend time with family. Here we go
She loved little animals
At the farm

Feeding the billy goat

Our good apple
Aw he was loved to pat the camels

Haha the little horse tongue

Ready to rock and roll
A magic school bus, come on lets take a bus drive

Hey big buddy

The moose got her

she loved dog as you can see.
such a cute things

Good morning

How many time do we need to tell ask our kids to wash their hands a day, when they loved to get dirty in the sands

Ready to have breakfast everyone?

Hiking path up the hill woot woot.
Lets go fishing

I loved the beach
Almost there come on

Baa ...feed me

Giddy-up
Ready to go camping princess?
Be cute for us from the back seat

Can i go to the beach first please?

On the road again back home

Michigan Advanture

2010-09-14T11:03:00.006-04:00

We went to Michigan Adventure with my sister family and my brother, Emily couldn't comes but she has a fun day with my Mother at home. we spent a whole day there , there is rides for us and kids, also a big water park that we spent our day most of the time but we don't take any picture in the water park :( Oh well next time we will . Here they are
Khai loved to ride this bumper car by himself , but he's still short for that so his drove with his cousin Mai. He is good at it though.

Oh boy , now i can drive in my way which is i can bump and scratch all the car i couldn't before hi hi
Kelsey was nerves at first, but then she is zoom away..
Look at this picture of khai and my brother , after that ride he said he doesn't like the ride hihi he is silly
I have a bad experience with the roller coaster in Six Flat before, but this ride is so fun that i can ride with my kids, we got wet though
Long line to the log ride grr
Look like Kelsey ready for a real drive. Hi hi of course not
He is loved it keep asking to go back to a long line for this rides
Daddy where do you want to go ? I'll take you .
We got home at 2am, all the little one fall to sleep 10 minutes after we drove off the Park. what a fun day

Munchkinz first day of school

2010-09-07T14:30:00.004-04:00

Today is our kids first day of school . Kelsey in 4Th grade and Khải is 1st grade . Their smiles telling me our kids going to have a great school year. We'll see when kids got home to hear all about their story at school.

Karate kids

2010-09-03T09:30:00.004-04:00

Kelsey and Khai had fun in Karate class over the summer, they learn lots of moves. They did great job. Kids are in yellow belt now . Dare to mess with them :)

Picnic in Frankenmuth

2010-09-01T11:00:00.010-04:00

Its were a beautiful little town. My sister drive down to meet us there along with her daughters, my Mom and my big brother. It was a nice day for our picnic.
Down to the lake
kids a blast there.
kids love to swing on the willow tree branch.

Emily pretending walk Rhino ( my sister's dog ).
Love my little munchkins
Emily her snack need to be fruit.
run run as fast as you can son, go get them
This onw is cute picture.

Its was nice that we just hang out with family and relax out next to the smooth lake.
She thinking where should she walk the dog to?
They were trying to catch the crawfish's there. end up they sit there like 20 minutes play with water

2010-08-23T22:54:00.001-04:00

Oh man 80's attack.

2010-08-23T14:50:00.000-04:00

Hike to the Indian Ruins

2010-08-19T10:47:00.002-04:00

Mark's Father took us went on a hike at noon , this Indian ruins was not open for tourist, because its not easy to get there or to find it. Its was so hot day , all we packed in our backpack is water, we hiked like 12 miles both way to the Indian Ruins and back.

This is the way we got down the cliff , its not easy to go down or go up, because when we go down tried not to slice down too fast , got to find the rocks to step on, that will stop us to slice all the way down, some cactus are hide behind the rocks some show so we don't want to fall in there, but some of us did. We took a lots of water break on the up walk back up the cliff.

Loved the view from here it was beautiful

Here we are at the Indian ruins, it was such a worthy hike , its awesome place we so happy that we made it . its awesome when we see the Indian Ruins place where they lived, cook, stored food

Say we are supper good, we made it to the Indian Ruins, oh yeah

We trying to climb to the second floors

We found some pottery left.

The stove

Kelsey sat on the edge of the third floor door, mostly the third floor are gone.

Our family strong

Awesome Grandpa, he took our kids hands walk far ahead of us, we were like" Dad can we take a water break ?

This what they made the Ruins out of mud and woods.

Oh boy , oh boy

Kids are hungry got to find something in food stored

We want to stay a little long unless Mark and his Father got stung by a killer bee. So this is it for the family Reunion. what a unforgettable family Reunion.

The Gibbons Clan Reunion in Sedona AZ 2010

2010-08-04T10:43:00.004-04:00

There are 34 with one on the way and one about to get married.
From up left to right and down start from the right are : Aaron, little Jane, David and Heather, Tom and Magi ( magi holding Lucy ?) mark and van, Mark;s sister Heather, Parents in law, Leighann,Heather and Greg holding baby Carlie, Gwen and Scott, Melissa and Will, Rachel, Becca, Elizabeth, Sarah, Jacob, Kelsey, Emily and Khải, Anna, Beth, Mathew, Tommy.
We drove 4 hours to fly to Phoenix from Chicago. Check out the cool bird's shape, to make that there are all kind of small air plane they put together, cool huh

At Phoenix airport a nice Lady had two puppies let my kids hold them for long time, they loved them
Looking around in the airport store.

Welcome to Arizona . Arizona is very beautiful place. did i mention Mark was born here ? We have a great time there with families member, We visited grandma Gibbons. Mark show our kids places like come back to see his parents houses when they build and grew up in , schools , visited old friend, his first job....I think Đà Lạt city (in Vietnam) is almost similar to Sedona.

Grandma Gibbons and us

Visited Kelsey Mark's high school buddy.

We play down the river behind Grandma's house
Emily called that is chocolate river.
Mathew, Kelsey and Anna like seining

My son loved to play in the river a lot.
All the kids are decorate their shirt, this is our son's shirt he done decorated when stand by his girl cousins.
Can't see her but its Emily . Kelsey when are you going to be done :)
Fun play in the pool with cousin Beth and Anna

Twins cousins Lucy , Emma and Emily
Being cute
Do you have enough sun tan son?

Here we are.
Everyone like seining, gotta catch a big one.

walking to the river

Our monkey is back to his tree

Our kids and some old cousins like catch blue belly lizard, they are so quick catch.

Gwen my sister in law took this picture of our son under the water. cool huh?
families get together
we made camp fire and had dinner there at the camp side . We got neg bug bites all over

We hiking 10 miles around the hills try to find the hidden cave, this is where Mark's father took his boys when they was young. ( Mark's Father is the one in front caring the red bag)

We got lost some time in here.
We took lots of water break. everyone had sweaty and tired fun that day.
Thanks to my parents in law to put all of planed to made the great Reunion together.
To be continue...

Fun kiddo

2010-07-27T09:06:00.005-04:00

Khải's pulled out his first loose tooth, He so excited when he know tooth Fairy will come.

What do you call these costumes ?
Our kids have their own costumes box, but look they created new costumes of what they found in the house.

It's Khải's day

2010-07-24T12:04:00.003-04:00

2010-07-24T12:03:00.002-04:00

Khải's Concert

2010-07-24T11:19:00.007-04:00

Khải so proud of himself, he wanted to show off he can do it.

Toledo zoo

2010-07-06T13:44:00.007-04:00

we went to the Toledo zoo for Khai's field trip day, its like a little over an hour from our home. we went with our friends which is their kids go same school with our kids. It's was pretty fun to see how much kids love to see all the animals at the zoo. Here are some of fun pictures we took.

Safa and Kelsey running away from Rhino.
Emily think the baby elephant would like to try some of her candy.
Hanging there I'll take you to the fairy land.
Guess who ?
Wait a minute where is Kelsey?

Kelsey, Jacob ( Khai's buddy) and Khai

Our three little monkeys finally come back to their home. haha
Emily and my Mother keep like to have pictures taken at flower bushes
we went swimming the pond, Kelsey loved it Khai had enough after stay in the pond for a little bit he wants to play with other boys that went swim there more, Emily don't want to touch the water at all.

Kelsey & Emily randon pictures

2010-06-30T00:24:00.006-04:00

Kelsey made it to top ten spelling Bee of three other 3rd grader classes, she did a great job.

Emily loved to play with her big sister

This is one of my favorite picture of our little one
Kelsey and her best friends

Camp out with Daddy

2010-06-16T23:42:00.004-04:00

Khai been wait for a year for this Father and son camp out. He was SO Excited to go with his Daddy.

They had fun together even sleeping in the wet tent Because of the rain that night.

Kelsey's Concert

2010-06-12T12:05:00.002-04:00

I can you know

2010-06-08T22:48:00.007-04:00

Another fun field trips.

2010-03-20T20:00:00.004-04:00

Khai has his field trip to Explore station. We learn about how our important body work and how to keep our body healthy. Can you see the germs ?
Cool I can hear my heart beat by holding on this .

wiggle wiggle
This time we got to go to Scrap Box. where they keep and make things out of recycle. Got shoping

She wants one to make something look like la ittle Alien.
Kelsey did a good job to creat these. she made a fun looking dog.

Khai's Birthday update

2010-03-13T20:54:00.003-05:00

Khai's Birthday he wants to pick out his own cup cakes and lunch choice. He is six now time does fly so fast. He was so happy all day and keep telling us he is six years old now. Does it mean i can do what i want ? Haha

2010-02-28T08:34:00.001-05:00

Another Snow day

2010-02-22T20:47:00.006-05:00

Kids had another snow day. We had had fun today, We shovel the drive way and Sidewalk , had snow fights, make snow man. They loved it made big messes. Haha look forward for another snowday.

2010-02-04T22:05:00.001-05:00

We made big and Little Egg rolls

Kelsey's new glasses

New Family Pictures

2010-01-19T11:19:00.004-05:00

Finaly we have new family's pictures. whoo hoo.

Our Fun Christmas 09

2010-01-02T18:30:00.001-05:00

Kelsey's Recital

2009-12-13T16:20:00.002-05:00

It's been a little over a years Kelsey doesn't take piano lesson, she has been practice where she left off, she starting read more in music book and play it. this is a Recital at church when her grandparents came visit us

Corn Maze again

2009-11-23T19:46:00.003-05:00

We went to corn maze again , this time we went at noon with my sister family and her dog . It's was so much fun, it's way easier than last time i went with other group. it's took us 55 mins to find the way out. we like it.

Which way now?

Cute This corn field way tall
ready to get lost.lol

Corn Maze

2009-11-10T10:09:00.003-05:00

we went to corn maze with some group of girls activity and their Mom. We enjoyed to walking around to find the way out, till it's got dark some girls in our group start to get scared. we been lost in the maze an hour and haft then we meet the other lost group, even we have the map show us way to get out but we still lost, how funny ! Maybe it's dark we can't see far enough then we got rescue from the other group that made it. I just enjoined very much with my daughter.
This is picture of corn maze took from the satellite, no wonder why we got lost.LOL

Happy Halloween !

2009-11-02T23:07:00.005-05:00

This year just just wear our old costumes, Kelsey been asking me from last year make her little Mermaid costume.Emily has two fun costume a little witch and Elmo. Last hours Mark and i wanted to do family costumes of the Simpson but then it's cost more and i don't have enough time to make them all ( i picked the wrong fabric for costume of Marge Simpson, oh well )

Most of the house here have steps. Emily was wearing Elmo costume, her hat keep fall down cover her eyes. so my niece was helping her every time she need to go up or down the steps. she doesn't like it. We caught this on of film she's too cute.

My Girls

2009-10-28T12:23:00.002-04:00

I just loved make her hairs straight sometime. Does look cute ?

She decided that her baby need a nice bubble bath. That's my little mama. Lol

Ready for church

2009-10-22T10:00:00.003-04:00

Our Munchkins are dressed their best and ready to go

Kelsey loved this dress i made like 6 years ago.

Apple Orchard

2009-10-16T13:21:00.001-04:00

New Pictures

2009-10-06T09:07:00.004-04:00

Oh boy ! How i feel I'm getting older my kids are growing everyday. We love them SO MUCH.

Kelsey is very sweet daughter.

Khai always surprised us with his thought and his reading.

Our little princess

Gone Fishing

2009-09-24T09:43:00.005-04:00

I took our kids went fishing one day at the trout farm, our kids have so much fun. none of us like to hook the worm on the hook it's soft and wiggle. So glad Mark's glove coming handy for me .
Adorable little fish

Come on fish , here is a worm for you , come get it
Any day now fishes
Khai caught his first fish at third try, he so proud of himself
Kelsey got the biggest one. She did not like to touch the fish, when i came close to her to get her picture with the fish caught, every time that fish wiggly Kelsey jump out far.
We came home with little over two pounds trout. they were on our dinner table that night yummy

Back to school

2009-09-18T09:06:00.001-04:00

Our kids go back to school about two weeks now, they have full summer break. They're excited, Kelsey in third grade and Khai is kindergarten, our baby are growing up. So far they like school, they came home tell us all the fun things they had. Khai is so exciting be in same school with big sister, he's come out of his shell.
And yes i made Kelsey uniform, it's took me 2 days to finish because i just do it when i can during the day.

Minneapolis Continue

2009-09-14T13:45:00.002-04:00

The wedding reception is at Chinese restaurant, it's a cool place. Here are two short video some of show we watched. It's our first time eat at this kind of restaurant, we enjoin it, my friends kids loved it. That was our last day of our vacation. we left Minnesota after that. what a wonderful time we have.

Minneapolis Continue

2009-09-11T09:23:00.007-04:00

Day 4 : Wedding day. That rainning day my friend and i got up early get things ready and go get her hairs done. Wedding ceremony was at the church, aren't they cute couple. They have 3 cute kids. The rest of the they we hung out all day.

Minneapolis Continue

2009-09-06T17:23:00.005-04:00

Day 2:
We all went swimming in indoor pool and later steam room, goodness we all sweat more than we're live in Vietnam, it's felt good. Thought we may go watch Harry Porter, there is quiet a few little movie theaters close to our friend's house. So then we decided to watch the movie in the Mall. The Mall of America is huge one we have ever been to.

Day 3: The guys went shooting, the girls went get hair cut and have our nails done, then we go to the Mall of America for our friends shopping. This Mall have a lot of activity for all ages. There is rides for big and little kids, family golf course, underground there is aquarium, there are 3 and half floor, each floor have food course and restaurant. If i check all the shop out it's would take me days, No kidding.

Minneapolis Oh yeah!

2009-08-31T10:51:00.000-04:00

We drove to Minneapolis to visit my friend. 5 years we haven't seen her. we know each other since we were kids she is my next door neighbor friend. We went there for her wedding, and spent about a week without our kids. Mark's parents took care of our kids while we were gone, and the kids loved to spend time with the grandparents in Missouri. They're awesome grandparents, aren't they? We sure missed our kids, but it's nice to go on vacation with just the two of us sometimes. No cooking, no crying, no whining (except Mark!). We didn't have to wake up early to check on our kids while still half asleep like a Zombie ha ha.

Here are pictures of our vacation in the State called the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes. Minneapolis is the most awesome state I have ever been to. We drove around the city and spent a lot of time by the the lake. We saw a lot of people walking and enjoying nice days outside and swimming....it's a crowded city. I loved it because I grew up in Sài Gòn and am familiar with crowded cities. It's similar to Minneapolis and there are some Vietnamese markets and restaurants.

Days one & two: My friend took us to a Vietnamese market for shopping, oh boy ! They almost have all the things I used to buy in Vietnam. Then we saw some snails and my friend and I said we should get them for a snack. When we cooked the snails, the boys ( Mark and Ryan, my friend's new husband) said something smelled like dead animal. And we bought silkworm too! My friend likes the way I cook the silkworm and we had that for lunch. Yummy!
The next day our friends took us out on their boat to go fishing in a very big lake. Did I mention that I love fishing? There were a lot people going fishing, and a lot of little and big fish. We kept getting bites with little fish, even though our friends brought all kind of live bait like earthworms and leaches. I didn't like to touch them, but I did like catching the fish! It was so much fun fishing.

Flash Back Friday

2009-08-21T22:47:00.005-04:00

It's been one year since we moved here. We're now doing fine. Take a look back on the trip when we left California to move to Michigan. Here we go...
Day 1 : At noon we left California to go to Cottonwood, Arizona . We stopped to visit Grandma Gibbons and have dinner with Grandma and some friends.
Day 2 : Before leaving Arizona we visited the Meteor Crater and museum. It was awesome to see. Then we left to head to Adrian, Texas where we stopped to get some sleep. During the day we got to stop a few times to stretch out and for a break time. Before we left California, Kelsey was sick, and then, when she felt better, it was my turn to get sick. It was hard because I couldn't take turns to drive...Mark drove the whole time that day.
Day 3: To Joplin, Missouri we went. I felt better the next day, but Mark wouldn't let me drive. Every time we go on a trip, Mark always drives more than I do. Maybe he doesn't want to die LOL. Thanks to our kids who were very good the whole time. We told them we made it half way to Michigan. Day 4: In the evening we got to Hannibal, Missouri where Mark's Parents live. It was wonderful to see them and Mark's younger brother's family (David and Heather). We got some more rest and hung out with the family. It felt great to know we only had 8 hours more until we would be in Michigan, our future home.
Day 5 : We arrived in Ann Arbor , Michigan. Mark had his first day at work just three days later. We stayed at the Red Roof Inn for a week while we were looking for a house. It was hard to choose between apartments, houses and good locations to live, but we finally chose to stay in the house we now live in. It's a good neighborhood and, on the first day we moved in we made friends with the neighbor next door. They're a good family.
The mover didn't bring our stuff until a month after we moved in. Thank you SO MUCH to Mark's Parents, My Mother and My Sister, Tom and Magi and Greg and Heather for helping us through the hard time. We appreciate what you all did for us.

Kelsey's Birthday

2009-08-19T15:33:00.008-04:00

After Kelsey's Baptism we went home, we hang out almost all day with Mark's parent, my sister's family and my oldest brother. We play board game, kids play dress up...Later we went to the park let the kids play. we sang to Kelsey, her favorite part is open the presents of course. We surprised her with a bird cage, she loved birds , she name her parakeet is Peaches.
Kelsey so proud being eight years old, seem like a whole new world open to her.

Our Liltle monkey

Kelsey's Baptism Pictures

2009-08-16T14:14:00.005-04:00

It's was very special day for Kelsey and both of our families, We were so glad Mark's parents drove a long way and my sister drove down to be here for Kelsey's Baptism. We bless and so proud of her. She was touched by the spirit and got choked up. Oh my ! Our first baby now already eight.

Air Show

2009-08-11T09:40:00.003-04:00

We went to see the Air show with some couple of Mark's friends, it was 4 hours long, some of the plane i have no idea what kind is it, It was awesome.
And these are some pictures of air plane Mark took.

Plish plash...

2009-08-04T11:28:00.002-04:00

Kelsey's Very Special Day

2009-07-31T12:14:00.005-04:00

Kelsey's Baptism

2009-07-27T16:50:00.003-04:00

Our silly Little One

2009-07-23T11:47:00.006-04:00

She's ready to go swimming.

Whew ! We're glad it's a stuff animal.

Something To Post About

2009-07-14T11:59:00.006-04:00

This is my brother Dũng he 's the last one just came to United State from Vietnam 2 months ago, we didn't have a chance to take his picture. He's very exciting to be here, our kids adores him.
I love my little sister.
Before the summer start, we talk about teach our kids how to do dishes for over the summer, we began with Kelsey and she did good, then we begin with Khải at first he kinda doesn't like it, now he's good with that and no do dishes for me until the weekend. We may keep this as a new chore for them

Is he cute?

Happy The 4th In Gaylord

2009-07-07T21:16:00.020-04:00

For the 4Th of July we drive to my sister's house. It's was a nice visit my sister family we really enjoyed, we all have a blast.
Kelsey really likes my sister's dog.

In the back is my brother who just came to United State from Vietnam.

Is my turn to play with the dog.
We on the way to see the concert.

They just love play on the trampoline, they can stay there for hours.
The next day is the 4Th of July at noon, we went to the park cook out, a lot of people were there, we missed the parade. There were games for kids, adult and family too.
Relay-For the whole family games, they give each family a glass jar and each family member got like bottle lid, a spoon, a tower,a medicine dropper, a cap with many holes or even use one hand to keep the water, we have to run and try not to lose the water which what we carry, run to the jar and run back, which team fill up that jar first is win, we didn't win that one, oh well.
Good job son.

And there were a race for 2-4 years old, look at she ran haha.....so cute.
Race boys 5 years old
Race 7-8 years old girls
Throw a tire to see who throw furthest is win.

Money Pole
I have so much fun Momma.

5 years old boys sack race.

7-8 sack race.
Egg toss : which couple throw and catch the best and furthest is win, oops clumsy me.
First time experience the caterpillar. Mother and child egg toss, My son did better than me. way to go Khải.

Our cute little boy.
On the way to Boyne city Kelsey tried on her cousin eye classes she said it's look clear to her, is it a sign the she need an eye Dr visit ? But it's sure cute on her.
We're second winner for the couple sack race.
We at the Boyne city lake wait to see fireworks, we got to sit closer that give a good view of fireworks , it's was AWESOME. My sweet Daughter.

Here is a short movie of fireworks. It's was so much fun for us, we wanted share with you guys something that we done that day.

Sleeping Beauty

2009-07-02T10:34:00.016-04:00

We put her down for a nap. Then later we saw she's sleeping like this, we're not sure she just sneaky or she went potty then fall to sleep

Other night again, this time she took off her wet underpants, now we know she's just too tired to get back to her bed, LOL.

Like Daddy like Son

2009-06-29T09:15:00.002-04:00

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-25T09:35:00.009-04:00

Back when we were dating aren't we cute together.

Just holding your hand makes me feel that there's nothing we can't conquer together....
Just watching the way you make being a dad look so easy....When we know it's not...
Just knowing you'll be here day after day for me and for our family fills me with hope and happiness.
Iam truly blessed to have found such a perfect partner ! With all my love on Father's Day

Learning How To...

2009-06-22T08:47:00.007-04:00

Kelsey been asking me when I'm will teach her to cross stitch, well at the first day of summer i told her if you ready to learn, she very exciting said Yeah, i teach her basic step like need to look at this, you should do like this and you need to do that ........I show her how to cross stick twice, then she just doing it.

She did it Kelsey made a little duck , so cute ! she going to make a little cat after that.
She seem like she like cross stich. I can't wait to teach her the rest of basic learning.

Guess Who Is Who ?

2009-06-15T12:54:00.009-04:00

This is pictures of both of our girls were just turn 2 ha ha.. guess who is who ??

Our Munchkins

2009-06-09T22:27:00.008-04:00

The other day when i choosing some book to read to our kids, We heard our boy reading some words in the book to little sister, i thought that he look at the pictures and guess, when we ask if he could read that word again and another words he did, Yay ! for our boy , he starting to read simple words now.
She being cute for the camera
Kelsey was flying the kite. Cute toothless smile sweetie
Little sister fiting with brother over the kite .
Run run ......
Catch me if you can

Big week, big Post

2009-06-02T16:06:00.008-04:00

This is Kelsey little project from school that they been working on about camping, in the project there are camp fire, tent, boat..... by the water fall. She want us to take a picture to show everyone.

Yay ! She lost her two front teeth almost at the same time, she was not feel comtable with these teeth keep bothering her , everyday with little help from Daddy and Mom wiggle the teeth, the first one was off ....One tooth still hanging there.

Kelsey tried to pull the second one too, she is so brave, Good job sweetie

Last Friday our ward had father and son camping so Mark and Khai went there, they have a blast together. Khai like to help set up the tent, stay up late.........got dirty.

Playing marshmallows gun

Silly Daddy

My stud

Getting breakfast

Here i go

Get ready to get dirty.....haha

Khai's Preschool Graduation !

2009-06-02T13:02:00.004-04:00

Khai is our graduate. He graduated from Kaiser Preschool. We are so proud of him. We cannot believe that our baby is going to be starting Kindergarten.
He is growing up so fast.
Congratulations Love Bug!
We love you!

Time To Do Your Hairs

2009-05-28T10:16:00.009-04:00

All done! You look so pretty now puppy. LOL

My Very First Field Trip

2009-05-27T17:04:00.000-04:00

Last week of School Khai got to go to the zoo on his very first Field trip in Ohio with Daddy on a School bus, He was too exciting about the trip, and he still tell about the field trip with Daddy. Here are some pictures of animals Daddy took.

Pictures and Movies of our kids

2009-05-17T13:47:00.007-04:00

Emily's funny hairs, she wake up like that ha ha..

Where is butterfly go ?

Giving Mom a kiss

Ice cream ! Here i go.

play in my back yard

Kelsey's teacher

Spring concern, Kelsey in second bottom round, there were a lot of people there that night we couldn't get closer

Nice day to ride my bike

You are funny girl

Khai is almost ready for no training wheel bike but then couple day later his bike got flat tired, Oh well he need to wait untill we can fix it.

Yay ! I tide my own shoes now, how excitting.

Funny boy

The Munchkins New Pictures

2009-05-11T13:15:00.003-04:00

Sugar & spice

2009-05-04T22:36:00.004-04:00

At Mark's parents house they have a cute dog little puppy, when we came to visit they like to play with her a lot, so this is Emily new fun thing.. woof woof good puppy she said to herself.

Our 7 years old model, lately when we took picture of Kelsey she always post like that, how funny

This one i took it when she starting potty train just a few days, she always ask for a pen or books when time sit on potty chair so our little 2 years have make her first art.

Kelsey sometime asked me if she can help do dishes, she like it to help around the house and so proud of it, she teach Khải how to too, ha ha ha not very soon they'll do the dishes for me.

I'm Two

2009-04-28T20:26:00.010-04:00

Last weekend we went to Missouri visit the in-law, we wish we could stay longer but it was nice to see them and we sang to Emily, she's turn two the week before. Here we go
She said I'm ready

Make a wish sweetheart

My sister in-law made a amazing Jasmine birthday cake for her

Jasmine Cake Closer look

Cousins Tommy helped open the present.

She love Grandma and Grandpa

Yummy cake ! sometime she use left hand to eat.

Silly Emily,

Funny Emily

2009-04-19T13:07:00.002-04:00

We were secret took this movie, she singing and tapping her little feet or talking every time she sitting on the potty chair, since potty training she sometime still have accident, she tell us she need to go before or she tell us right on time, i can feel it she getting there :)

Marshmallow Drop

2009-04-19T13:06:00.002-04:00

Last week we went to a park there were thousands of marshmallows been dropped from a helicopter to be turned in for a prize.In honor of Wayne County Parks 90Th birthday, there were special marshmallows with the number 90 printed on it. If someone find one of these marshmallows, they'll win a special prize!
There were a lot of people came. They separate age 4-7 and older kids, group of younger kids go first when younger group left to pick a prize,then helicopter dropped more marshmallows for the group of older kids, Kelsey and Khải each one have one marshmallow, Kelsey, Khải and Emily very excited were there. Then we went to turn the marshmallows into prizes after that we went to play at the play ground.

Happy Easter

2009-04-11T21:28:00.008-04:00

Today we had Easter hunt for kids with some family member in Church at 9:am, i know it's early right, because some family they got women basket ball game to play and we'll go to Baptize after that, So our kids had so much fun and it's so freezing , Sometime we had to sit in our car to warm up for little bit then we go out again before the kids go find those eggs. They're so exciting to be there, Kelsey was helping Emily find more eggs the hold time at the park and Khai was asked if anyone would want some eggs because he had a basket full. we thought they just too cute. Happy Easter

We played at the park . This is our little monkey.
And here two more.

It's Time

2009-04-06T14:47:00.000-04:00

Today we're starting to potty train Emily, sometime she sit on the little toilet pretending she use it and seen diapers are expensive, and of course we turn the heat up to keep our house warm enough for her because she'll walk around just underpants. We hope she'll like it just like Kelsey when was this small. Wish us luck.

Our Funny Faces

2009-03-28T10:49:00.003-04:00

Big brother give her a nail-polish, look what she's done

I gave her a another hair cut in back and front isn't she cuteLately Emily like to make silly faces, She some time just come to us and act funny or make funny noises made us laugh ,we think Emily is a clown in our family

Emily already talk back and fight over toys with big sister and big brother, she talk like Khai's big sister.

2009-03-27T16:12:00.002-04:00

Oh WOW! I can't believe how big the kids are getting!! They are all looking so good. I wish we were closer, like in the old'n day, to stay up way too late playing games and wondering what was being said when the prayer was said in Viet. We sure miss you guys. I would love to have you guys around with this new wonderful life we have up here. Take care of yourselves. Keep on smiling. Love you guys.

The Cannons

Kelsey's Award

2009-03-24T08:59:00.005-04:00

she had this certificate last week, this is her second time, She did her best in school earning this certificate, she's very good at reading, writing and math, she showing that she can do better in everything and on time, she's challenger. We love this school they always challenge their students. We're so proud of you daughter.

Cute Movies of Emily

2009-03-19T23:07:00.004-04:00

Our kids like to play bubble. Emily saw big sister and big brother blow bubble so she try it too this is how does she look.

Hooray! This week we had a nice weather , we get played outside, actually we lean up the back yard ( My big brother is raking the leaf) try to rake the leaf before spring time come, our kids helped pick up a buch of leaf too, Emily love to play outside just for a short time.

Khai 5 Birthday and Random pictures

2009-03-19T21:49:00.002-04:00

Khai is 5 now, he'll be in kindergarten for the 09 school year at Fortis Academy (same school as Kelsey-yeah!). I still can't believe how old he is now! Time sure goes by fast, to us he's still our baby. He is our sweet little boy, he makes us laugh, when he knows exactly what we need when we're doing something. He says please, thank you, sorry every time, and he is definately a morning person. He likes his 'finger play' at school (they make their hands be animals). We're so proud him.

Spending time with Daddy. they love to play, read books, play boardgames, and wrestle with daddy. Cousin Mai Ly. She'll be 13 soon.
Freeze!
Cute oh wait it's scary :)
BED TIME

Emily is now in a big girl bed , She likes it a lot, she doesn't get down her bed unless big sister or big brother do, she could get down and tell big sister and big brother go back to their bed then she play with them too.

Oh no ! they don't look tired at all :P Kelsey set a good example for little brother and sister never get down and keep them quiet and little brother and sister stay in their bed.
Play time through Khai's eyes (he love to take pictures).
Adorable little Cinderella she pick out this outfit, she loves princess stuff specially princess Jasmine.
A cute fairy enjoy practising her piano piece. she could goes 30 mins or more if she feel like too. An officer playing hide and seek or sardines. He's always ready to play.

HOW DID THE BIG DENT GET THERE?

2009-02-16T14:33:00.000-05:00

Our friend sent us this. I think it's fun to watch, by the way...HEY we're women driver to right. I know we drive better than that. I NEVER drive like that or i will someday if my kids driving me crazy from the back seat, I hope it's will not happen to me neither to you :)

Great day

2009-02-15T22:19:00.002-05:00

On valentine's day Mark got beautiful flowers for me and our kids got little gifts too. we have a fun day before Mark go to work.

Kelsey got her face painted for Valentine at school, they got to dress up and she picked out the costume 80' she love face painting a lot and want me to post and show everyone.

LIKE BROTHER LIKE SISTER
when i made this movie my heart is ready to jump out of my chest. She fuigue out another fun way to get up the top bunk bed, she said : she doesn't need help to get down, of course from that moment on she'll not be able try to do that ever again .

WHAT ?

Khai helped her to say a prayer, when it's come to part of bless our family member she got lost to follow Khai and being silly, we tried not to giggle the whole time. we love to watch them say their on way so cute. We thought she's so cute and want to share with everyone since we're not live close together :)

Another Tag: Thing About ME

2009-02-08T20:32:00.000-05:00

25 Random Thing About ME....Share Share
Rules:
1. Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you.
2. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
Thanks to my Sweetheart. He helped me to correct the words i wrote in this.
1. I like music: R&B, Rap, a little Country, Disney, sometimes Comedy (if it's easy to understand).
2. I love to cross stitch. My goal is I want to make the biggest one I have ever done within 1 year and without any classes.
3. I love to sleep in on the weekend (if my kids let me).
4. I married to a wonderful man ever in my life, I'm happy to grown old with him.
5. Piano and Karate are my favorite things to learn when I was little. I really want my girls to play piano and Khai to learn Karate.
6. I love outdoors...camping, swimming, bonfires, going to the lake... We are planning on camping in the summer...cant wait!!
7. I love fishing. I also like to eat raw clams, snails dipped in wasabi sauce, and raw egg yolk.
8. I love seafood. Have you ever had Shrimp steamed with coconut juice? Or clams on the grill, or grilled crabs?....yum
9. I want to get back to doing aerobics like I used to do when I was 17 years old.
10. Every 2 years the Gibbons's have a Family Reunion. Next year we will be in Arizona...can't wait.
11. I like to watch Disney movies, scary movies and action movies.
12. I like to play on the computer.
13. I can't go to bed without cleaning up the house.
14. I like to ride on on seadoos.
15. I want to take sewing and cooking classes.
16. If we can, I want to adopt a Vietnamese baby boy.
17. I'm not an open person.
18. I like the weekend and I'm not a morning person.
19. I drive no less than 42 miles a day on every weekday.
20. I love Michigan, but I don't like to drive and clean the driveway after a snow storm.
21. I used to get lost in the Apple Valley church building.
22. I love to drink chocolate milk after shaking it up to make many bubbles.
23. I love Mark's Jokes and tickling him.
24. I used to like riddles and books.
25. I used to be a bartender but don't ask me how to mix drinks to make a new drink because it was 10 years ago.
26. I don't like to talk on the phone more than 20 Min's.
27. I know how to kill and clean a chicken and get it ready to cook. Does that sound gross? :D
28. I would love to go back and visit Vietnam with my family before my kids grow up and before Mark and I forget how to get around the city all by ourselves.
29. Maybe you are, but I'm not good at talking or speaking in front of a bunch of people. Hey but I'm getting better at standing up to give a sacrament talk likeI did 2 weeks ago.
30. I really want to have a date or get away with Mark for a couple days or more, since we haven't had a chance for 6 months now :(
Ok...So It's not 25 random thing and it's not all about habits, or goals...it's my likes and dislikes and what I do everyday...lol
I tag : Melissa wheeler, Sabrina , Crystal, Will & Melissa you're in. Oh wait! That is not 25 people right? Oh well.

I was Taged!!!

2009-01-26T13:53:00.000-05:00

Tagged The Rules:
1. Go to where you store your digital photos and open the 4Th folder.
2. Post the 4Th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people.

In my 4th folder i only store Movie, is it count :)

August 19/08 On the way moving from CA to Michigan, we drove by Arizona, Mark said: there is a awesome place he been always wants to visit when he was little, so we stop there to check it out, you may been there or heard of it anyway for me it's a incredible place i ever been.

I tag: Melissa & Will, Gred & Heather, Dave & Heather, Chad & Heather. You're in.

Chuc Mung Nam Moi

2009-01-16T14:07:00.000-05:00

(Happy New Year )
We add pics of flower market, a massive flower market was organized on Nguyen Hue Street in Ho Chi Minh City .

Sequence of the Tet Celebration
Preparation. During the week before Tet, some families visit the graves of parents and grandparents. Fresh earth is placed on top, weeds removed from around it and incense is burnt to invoke the souls of the dead from the other world to return to visit the family home.
The Kitchen God (Ong Tao or Mandarin Tao) is also called the Hearth God, the Stove God or the Household God. This god who was privy to the family’s most private business and intimate secrets for the ending year, returns to Heaven to make his report to the Jade Emperor. This report includes the year’s activities of the household in which he has lived. On the 23rd day of the 12th month, a farewell and thank you dinner is given to the Kitchen God by the household. The Kitchen God will need a week for his mission to Heaven.
Folklore has made the spirit of the hearth into a picturesque character, a buffoon who is the butt of crude jokes. Although he is a messenger of the Jade Emperor in Heaven, he is depicted as so poor as to be unable to afford much clothing. He wears an important mandarin hat but goes about with bare legs because he has scorched his pants in the hearth fire. Another version tells that he was in such a rush to get back to Heaven that he forgot his pants and ascended in only his underwear. Efforts must be made to put him in a proper mood to secure a favorable report to the Jade Emperor of the family’s activities. Offerings are made to him. These gifts certainly aim at influencing the outcome of the report. But no one considers such gifts to be crass bribery. Such pleasantries merely sweeten the god’s way, as perhaps cookies placed by the fireplace will please Santa Claus, who might be tired from delivering so many gifts on Christmas night.

The paper carps, horses and clothing (hats, robes and boots) will be burned by the family and thus transformed into a spiritual essence usable by Ong Tao in the world beyond. Like Santa Claus, the Kitchen God is loved and respected. Both have the capacity to bring fortune and happiness into the home depending on the previous year’s behavior. Although beliefs about the Kitchen God have changed over the years, he remains an important figure in the rich texture of Vietnamese New Year. The Kitchen God travels on the back of a brightly colored and powerful paper horse or sometimes a grand bird with great wings, such as a crane. Or he might ride on a carp with golden scales. Paper images of these vehicles are purchased at Tet or a living specimen of fish is bought and later set free. The day of his departure is marked by the calls of fishmongers from the countryside carrying baskets of fish hanging from their shoulder poles and calling "Fish for sale, fine mounts for the Household Gods to make their ride!" Live fish held in tanks of water and plastic bags are released into ponds, lakes, rivers and streams to impress the god with the kindness of the household. In Hanoi, the Sword Lake is a favorite spot for releasing Ong Tao’s fish-vehicle. In some cases, three fish are released to account for the possibility that one must please all three Hearth Gods.

Most frequently we hear of only the Kitchen God, but many legends support the trinity of Kitchen Gods. Ong Tao represents the blending of all three.
In the old days, and still in some countryside homes, cooking occurs over clay tripods. Three stones were all that was needed to hold up the pot over the fire. Few people spend time thinking about the nature of the Kitchen Gods or the specific meaning of the items that are associated with them. The three Hearth Gods are represented at Tet by three hats and shops sell sets of three miniature paper hats: two men’s hats and one woman’s. These are burned as offerings to Ong Tao. The God will also need a new pair of boots to wear as he travels to Heaven. Two favorite gifts for the triad of household deities are gold and wine.
In the central part of Vietnam, cooking tripods or blocks that make up the family hearth, even if they are still usable, are ritually discarded when the God leaves. One week later, new blocks will greet his return or the arrival of his replacement assigned by the Jade Emperor.

After the Kitchen God has left, preparations for the New Year festivities begin in earnest. The week before New Year’s Eve is a period of Tat Nien. Tat Nien (literally meaning the end or ‘to extinguish the year’) is the celebration of the last session of a period, such as the last class of school, the last bus home, the last day in the office, even the last bath, all with parties and great ceremony. There is a festive holiday atmosphere before New Year’s Eve with dragon dances.
Some families set up a Tet tree in the week before New Year’s Eve. The Tet tree called cay neu, is a bamboo pole stripped of most of its leaves except for a bunch at the very top. The Tet tree has Taoist origins and holds talismanic objects that clang in the breeze to attract good spirits and repel evil ones. On the very top, they frequently place a paper symbol of yin and yang, the two principal forces of the universe. Sometimes a colorful paper carp flag will fly from the top. The carp (or sometimes a horse) is the vehicle on which the Hearth God travels to make his report. This tree is more common in the countryside now than in the city. It is ceremonially removed after the seventh day of Tet.
Sweeping and scrubbing is done in advance as tradition discourages cleaning during the holiday itself. During this time, shops and restaurants close while the cleaning spree proceeds in earnest. On hands and knees, the floors will be scrubbed; bronze will be polished to a brand new finish. Closets will be ransacked for old clothes to be tossed out. Shoppers swarm the streets at temporary Tet stalls that have sprung up, lit with tiny gaily-flashing lights. Everything needed for the celebration from food to decorations is at hand and in abundance at these Tet markets.

Two items required for the proper enjoyment of Tet are flowering branches and the kumquat bush. For the sale of these and other flowers and plants, a lively flower market is held in the center of the ancient quarter of Hanoi on Hang Luoc Street. A massive flower market was organized on Nguyen Hue Street in Ho Chi Minh City and attracts crowds who walk up and down the street admiring the flowers, meeting old friends and making new ones. However, this was moved out of the center in 1996. Throughout the country on bicycles of roving vendors, flowers create great splashes of color. In the south, the bright golden yellow branches of the mai apricot are seen everywhere. In the north, the soft rose-colored dao peach flowers decorate homes and offices. A truck driver will adorn his truck with a dao branch to cheer him on a long-distance run.

Miniature kumquat bushes about two or three feet tall are carefully selected and prominently displayed. To carefully choose a kumquat bush, the buyer must pay attention to the symmetrical shape, to the leaves and to the color and shape of the fruit. The bushes have been precisely pruned to display ripe deep orange fruits with smooth clear thin skin shining like little suns or gold coins on the first day. Other fruits must still be green to ripen later. This represents the wish that wealth will come to you now and in the future. The leaves must be thick and dark green with some light green sprouts. The fruits represent the grandparents, the flowers represent parents, the buds represent children and the light green leaves represent grandchildren. The tree thus symbolizes many generations. Guests will caress the light green leaves about to sprout and compliment the discerning host who chose so carefully. The Sino-Viet pronunciation of the word for orange sounds like the word for wealth and the tangerines signify good luck.
Crowds of shoppers at the markets become thicker and more frantic each night, holding up traffic as they jostle each other to reach the counters with the best buys. Prices are a bit higher, but then thriftiness is not considered a virtue at Tet. Everyone is wishing each other Chuc Mung Nam Moi!
One must purchase the sugared fruits, banh chung and the colorful decorations before the afternoon of Tet.

While shoppers roam the streets, banh chung patties wrapped in leaves are steaming in giant vats. The outside has taken on a lovely light green tinge after being boiled inside a wrapper of leaves. Banh chung in the north is a square patty measuring seven inches and two inches thick, filled with shreds of fatty pork surrounded by a dense mixture of sticky rice and mashed ground green beans. In the south, a similar dish is cylindrical. It is given as a gift at this time of year and has a similar long life and social significance as the western Christmas fruitcake. These are frequently called sticky rice cakes, but are unlike sweet cakes in the western sense. There is however, a sweet version made without meat but with sugar added called banh ngot (sweet rice patty).
Suddenly, as if by command of some magic wand, the spree of activity, the light, the noise, all vanishes. By early evening, markets and shops are abandoned. Shops, stalls and restaurants are locked leaving a notice hung on the door announcing the date of reopening. Special dishes must be completed that are expected to serve the family and its guests for the first three days of the new year. People desert the outer world and disappear on the requisite trip to their home villages and inside their homes for intimate family celebrations.

Giao Thua. As midnight approaches, all eyes maintain a close look on clocks and watches. The Giao Thua ritual occurs at that most sacred moment in time. At midnight on the last day of the year, every Vietnamese family whispers similar fervent prayers. Bells ring and drums beat in temples. The old year gives over its mandate to the New Year. The words Giao Thua (Giao means to give and Thua means to receive) mean a passing on or a receiving and handing down of life, and the recognition of that gift by the present generation. It marks the magical transition time from one year to another. Those who practice Buddhism will pray in the pagoda.
In the Gia Tien (family ancestor) ritual or calling of the ancestors, invitations are extended to the deceased relatives to visit for a few days in the world of the living family. They are lured home and kept happy until they leave. The head of the household lights incense and folds hands at heart level in the position of prayer. The prayer may proceed as follows: "In the year of…. And the date of…. Make these offerings and invite all of our ancestors to join in eating Tet with us."
The past generations are invited to share the family’s joys and concerns to enjoy a meal with the living, to catch up on the family news and to lavish riches and honors on their descendants."I pray to the Heavenly King, the Jade Emperor, to his assistants and to the Earth God and the guardian spirit and to any other spirits present. On behalf of the …family, we offer you incense, gold and silver, fruit and flowers, alcohol and fixings for the betel quid. We are all here to make these offerings so that the next year will be free of disasters and harmful occurrences and that the family will prosper. Please bless us all, young and old, with happiness, prosperity and long life. (Here he might mention some events of the past year such as the birth of a child, someone’s new employment or the successful entrance of a child into a good school). Please forgive us any transgressions we may have unknowingly committed against you or others."
Bowing motions, called Le, are performed at least three times and the ceremony ends when all have prostrated themselves (or in more modern families, folded hands and prayed) before the altar. After the "money for the dead" and other paper gifts are burnt in the courtyard, the family watches the ashes dance away on warm currents of air, a sign that the dead have received their gifts. The spiritual presence of the ancestors will be palpable during the days of Tet.
In recent times, a new tradition has evolved to celebrate the important evening of the new year. Those who are not at home praying at this momentous time may be socializing with friends. In the cities, there will be community fireworks displays that will draw the young from their homes into the square or park. Although firecrackers are now illegal in Vietnam, some kind of loud noises will be made. It can be the banging of cans, the use of electronic popping firecrackers or human voices whooping it up. People will break off branches and twigs that contain newly sprouted leaves to bring a sense of freshness and vitality into their home. This follows a Buddhist tradition of bringing fresh new leaves and "fortune bearing buds" into the home from the pagoda.
First Morning or Head Day is reserved for the nuclear family, that is, the husband’s household. Immediate family members get together and celebrate with the husband’s parents. A younger brother, if the parents are not alive, will visit his older sibling. Faraway sons and daughters journey to be with their parents on this day. Children anticipate a ritual called Mung Tuoi, or the well wishing on the achievement of one more year to one’s life. With both arms folded in front of their chest in respect, they thank their grandparents for their birth and upbringing.

Reciprocally, the grandparents will impart words of advice or wisdom to their grandchildren, encouraging them to study seriously, to live in harmony with others. The promises made by the children are similar to New Year’s resolutions made during the western New Year. Adults will make silent promises to themselves to improve their lives, habits and relationships in the coming year. The children accept small gifts, usually crisp bills. Ideally, part of the gifts will be saved for future "investment," and part spent for Tet amusements. The words on the little red envelope in which the bill may be tucked read: Respectful wishes for the New Year. When there was a king ruling Vietnam, the mandarins of the royal court formally wished the King and Queen, "Happiness as vast as the southern sea; longevity as lasting as the southern mountains." Each trade and professional guild in Vietnam has a founder or guardian spirit and on this or one of the next several days, the craft workers will make offerings to their guild ancestor.
The family displays the offerings of food on the altar table for the first meal for the ancestors since they have returned to the world of the living. The head of the family, dressed in fresh clothes, steps respectfully in front of the family altar and presents the offerings of food, liquor, cigarettes, betel fixings, flowers and paper gold and silver. He lights three sticks of incense, kneels, joins hands in front of his chest, bows his head and prays. The names of the deceased of the family up to the fifth generation are whispered as they are invited to participate in the feast prepared for them.
The core of the "ancestor calling" is the eating of a shared meal together—a form of communion. The same ceremony will be repeated for the morning and evening meals of the three days. Traditionally, the items considered necessary for a traditional Tet are included in this popular saying: Fatty pork meat, pickled onions, brightly decorated bamboo Tet poles, firecrackers, red parallel sentences, and green banh chung.

After the ceremony, the entire family sits down to enjoy the meal typically consisting of steamed chicken, bamboo shoot soup, banh chung and fresh fruits. They reminisce with their ancestors.
The Vietnamese do not say "celebrate" when speaking of Tet; the words "to eat" are used as in the expression, "Will you eat Tet with your family?" or "Where will you eat Tet this year?" It does not refer to the filling of one’s stomach, although in the old days, when hunger was a constant problem, Tet time was a time of plenty during which one could eat one’s full. "To eat" here means more to be nourished by, or to partake in the mutual communion with others, a spiritual eating or being nourished.
There is a Vietnamese saying related to ancestor worship: "Trees have roots; water has a source; when drinking from the spring, one must remember the source." Thanks are offered to those ancestors who labored long ago to dig irrigation channels and remove mountains for this generation to have an easier life. The present is only one link in the cycle of coming back to the past as one looks to the future.
The second day of Tet is for visiting the wife’s family and close friends. Some shops have opened and a few lottery stands are busy selling chances to people who feel lucky. Everyone is out on the street parading around in their new clothes.
On the third day of Tet, the circle of connections becomes larger and is extended to the broader community outside the family by visits to teachers, bosses or a helpful physician. The Vietnamese visit teachers and physicians although long out of school and long cured of their illness. This may be the time to have one’s fortune told to see what the coming year will bring. These days in Vietnam, there are fortunetellers using computer software. People are also especially interested in the significance of their first dream of the new year.
The evening of the third day marks the departure of the ancestors by burning votive objects such as gold and silver, for them to take with them on their journey back to Heaven.
Now the connections to the world beyond the family can take place. The non-family member who will be the first visitor is carefully chosen. The "first footer" is an auspicious guest who is considered to be good luck for the family. The first non-family visitor to the house brings in the year’s luck. This figure’s karma will charm the household for the entire year and determine the luck of the family. It is customary to invite a respected person to visit at that time, so that this turn of luck is not left to fate. This person, whose aura is believed capable of promoting the fortune of the household in the following year, is usually someone healthy, successful and prosperous. Some Vietnamese lock their doors to all chance visitors until after the visit of the chosen "first footer."

On the fourth day, banks and shops reopen. Transactions, although slower, will be conducted more cheerfully than usual. Offices open and work resumes. Careful attention is paid to the resumption of activities. The first outing is the first time in the New Year that a family leaves their home. A propitious time is chosen in advance for this outing and one sometimes asks the advice of fortunetellers.
Formerly, scholars initiated their new brushes and paper with a small ceremony with the wearing of new clothes. This also requires an auspicious hour. The theme of the proverb or poem is considered carefully and newly purchased high-grade paper was used. Today’s students are less formal in their initiation rites, but most enjoy a new pen and a fresh notebook for the New Year. Everyone determines to do what he or she can to help fate along to make the next year most successful.
In the countryside, there are rituals to enliven the land out of its winter’s rest. The Rites of Dong Tho activate the soil to bring it alive from its sacred rest. When there was a king in Vietnam, he symbolically initiated the harrowing of the first furrow of the planting season in a royal rite.
A hundred years ago, on Hang Buom Street, a ceremony was performed right after Tet called the Beating of the Spring Ox. This ceremony initiated the breaking open of the agricultural land and chased away the winter cold. A ceramic image of the ox was beaten with sticks until it broke into pieces. Everyone scramble to grab and take home a piece of the sacred ox.
On the fifteenth day of Tet (called Ram Thang Gieng), the first full moon, there are ceremonies in Buddhist temples. This is considered the most auspicious day of the Buddhist year. "Paying homage to Buddha all year long is not as effective as praying on the 15th day of the first lunar month." The devout flock into pagodas, their eyes stinging with the blue haze of incense. After prayers, shared blessed offerings from the temple keeper are stuffed into bags carried with them for that purpose. Over the years, this Buddhist sacred day has transformed into a holiday of other cults.
It is also called Tet Trang Nguyen or the feast of the first laureate. There is a legend associated with its beginnings: the emperor once staged a banquet on the full moon to which the most prominent scholars of the kingdom were invited. They drank exquisite liquor and each man composed a formal poem on a theme chosen by the emperor. On that day, many families celebrate Tet all over again by eating banh chung.

This is also called the Little New Year or full moon New Year and celebrated by farmers following an indigenous practice of welcoming Spring at the first full moon. Later, it became infused with Buddhist meanings.
The Vietnamese traditionally celebrated Tet from the fifteenth day of the twelfth month to the fifteenth day of the first month.

Vietnamese Transportation

2009-01-11T23:27:00.000-05:00

This month we'll post all about Vietnam seen two more weeks will be Vietnamese New year. I thought we could share something in this special time of the year. Anyway here they are.
In Vietnam there are a lot of easy and fast way to transportation beside Taxi , train ...Those pics are real life in Vietnam.

This is kind of a moving bike cycle
when live in Vietnam i actually never see this kind of transport.
This is a waiter he delivery lunches in Hanoi
He got himself a ton of beef
Fun ride to school

Who lets the dogs out ?
High school students
Just in case if the police stop him when he didn't wear his helmet .
Country side transportation.

we never think about try to ride like them when we were in Vietnam.
Daddy will take you all there

There is no free ride if they forgot to pay for their ticket or this bus is not working.