Dominican Days

The weather was muggy and rainy almost our entire stay at the Dominican Republic, so we remained in our room most of the time watching cable TV. Every now and then we would pop out and eat or walk around the resort, but for the most part, we were happy to just not have kids to deal with.

The first walk on the beach

Mad mangroves...check out those roots!

Our second day, we went to Ocean World, about a fifteen minute walk away from the resort. We just watched the shows, but the "zoo" had interesting features, like swimming with tigers with only a thin layer of glass between you.



I found the seal show quite entertaining

A glimpse of the dolphin show


Being "loved" by lovebirds


I must say, the Dominicans are some of the craziest and funniest people that I have ever met!

Dominican Republic

We arrived in the Dominican Republic around 5 PM (3 PM C.S.T.), and the weather was a humid 80-something degrees. After a 30 minute drive to the resort, we got settled in, and went straight to dinner. Then we explored the resort and met "Coca-cola", a young Dominican who told us about the dance performance that night. We only went and stayed because we didn't know what else to do, at least we got to see some interesting costumes.

Lifestyle Hacienda Resort

The entry

Casa Blanca, an all-day buffet

Our bedroom

The pool bar

Our view of the Atlantic everyday

The view from our porch

Our porch

Left Behind

We are leaving the girls with my father and mother-in-law until next Sunday while Trung and I enjoy a much needed vacation in the Dominican Republic. We have not left the girls in over a year and a half, so I hope they do okay without us. Just last night I got teary-eyed as Trung and I were explaining to Lydia how we would be gone for awhile, but would be back for her and Sophie. She seemed to understand and she seemed to be okay. I'm hoping that she can help comfort Sophie if she "most likely" gets upset. I'll miss my little monsters, but will of course try and have fun too!

Orlando Magic

We were not in Orlando/Kissimmee for vacation, but we were busy converting the garage to a game room, amongst many other projects.

Before...

and after. Not bad, huh? I did the detailing of the red and white paints.


Busy brothers

The Hunt

The girls, my in-laws, and I went to Downtown Orlando for some roast pork and Asian groceries. I dropped the in-laws off and left Lydia with them while Sophie and I went to the mall. I lucked out and entered the mall the entrance closest to Gymboree and White House Black Market, so we were in and out in no time. The rest of the afternoon, I helped paint the game room a lovely shade of burgandy.

Yummy lunch of roast and barbeque pork

The investment property across the street. The garbage can next door got knocked over and attracted about a dozen vultures. Wouldn't you rather stay at our house? :)

Lydia was awfully quiet after waking up from her cat nap...here is what she was up to.

Kids and Kissimmee

Saturday night, while waiting in line for the 11:45 PM showing of Avatar in 3D IMAX, we received news that our niece Fiona was born. Yay, we can't wait to meet her when we return to Austin!

Princess Fiona

DAY 7

After a very late night/early morning of watching Avatar, we handed the kids off to the in-laws and slept in. When we finally got up, we had breakfast of biscuits and gravy at Toan's house. YUM! Then back to Ma and Ba's house to pack and eat again. Finally we were off to Orlando (Kissimmee, to be exact) to check out and improve the investment property we purchased with Trung's siblings a few months back.

The girls having a mini pajama party

Blankets (be be) are a must! Lydia loves sleeping in the "bumpy" bed.

DAY 8I found the community playground, only two blocks from the house. Too bad we went right around sunset and had to head back for dinner.

This style of sliding has resulted in numerous collisions.

Lydia has become quite adventurous

After dinner, we had the first Flordia strawberries of the season.

DAY 9

"Unc" An succeeded in getting Sophie's love and affection. What an achievement! :)

Lowry Park Zoo

First thing in the morning, we went to Lowry Park Zoo, which Parenting Magazine ranked as the number one best zoo. After interacting with giraffes, riding a camel, and seeing animals I had never seen before, I would have to agree that it is indeed the best zoo that I have ever visited.

White tigers at play

Underwater tapirs

Rhino and baby

A shoulder with a view

The zoo had tons of babies...they were so cute!

The girls had no fear of the deadly Komodo Dragon...

even the real one.

The girls always want to ride on every carousel that they see.

Sister search

Here's looking at you, kid.

Licked! Apparently I didn't taste very good.

Lydia and Sophie were traumatized after the giraffe encounters, but they lightened up real fast when they got fruit snacks.

Lydia didn't seem to think the camels were scary; little does she know that they spit.

The Funniest Home Video EVER

After the collision, we made Lydia happy again with another ride on the scary panda on the carousel. Sophie did not appreciate watching from the bench.

Oh the misery!

We feel your pain, Orangutan

Ly Family Christmas

We went to Toan's house bright and early to open Christmas presents. The girls got lots of fun learning toys and red envelopes

Lydia assisting Sophie in opening her present

Presents for everyone! Check out Lydia's facial expression.

The local Wal-mart had the very popular zhu zhu pets. I now understand their popularity because they are so darn cute and the girls LOVE them!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

First days of Florida

DAY 2

Tuesday morning we slept in and took it easy. After lunch, we went to the local mall and hung out all afternoon, shopping and entertaining the kids. We passed on the double push cars when we saw the huge carousel, but ended up finding one later...those things are lifesavers. After dinner, Trung's oldest brother Toan dropped by with his family and they got to meet Sophie for the first time.

Trung (and Sophie) taking a snooze in the hammock in the kitchen.

Lydia enjoying Ma's sweet bun for breakfast

Everyone on for game of peek-a-boo

Having fun on the huge carousel in the mall

DAY 3

We hit International Plaza right after breakfast to beat the crowds. After a quick run to my shops while the kids played in the Looney Tunes corner, we ate lunch and were off to Westshore Plaza Mall. Yes, lots of shopping...what can I say, I have to check out the Gymboree stores when I'm out of town. :)

She's tiny...

she's toony, they're both a little loony.

Lydia learning to play tag with a new friend

DAY 4

My niece Amanda accompanied me to the mall, Office Depot, and Wal-mart to purchase some last minute presents. After lunch and the kids' naps, we headed over to Toan's house to chill and have steak for dinner.

The girls love their cousin Amanda, mainly because she gives them snacks.


The girls are scared of dogs, but are slowly adjusting to Toan's dog Sanibel.