Grafton Lakes State Park

After saying our goodbye's to An's family, everyone else headed to Grafton Lakes State Park to enjoy an afternoon in the sun.

Ryan regretted riding with the girls as they sang the entire 40 minute drive.

Trung the dolphin

Lydia gets a lift from Kaitlyn

Tai and his little girl

Abby loves the water; Gavyn not so much

Trung loves him some cheeks


Trung and his girls

After the park, we drove to Trung's college to see the new changes.

The parking lot where Trung's car caught on fire

The "famous" bridge

Exploring Albany

After spending the entire day at home the day before, we decided to get out and do some shopping. Christina volunteered to represent Vietnam for cultural day at the local library, so we dropped by to support her and listen to her presentation. Then we went to a nearby mall to shop and walk around. We had yet another delicious dinner and got to visit with Trung's old high school friend Randy, who came over for dinner with his family.

Christina's impressive set-up

The twins enjoying their day out

Lydia, Sophie, and Fiona go driving

The next day we chilled at Mai's house once again and just enjoyed the family time.

Everyone enjoying Christina's piano playing

Our sleeping headquarters aka the basement aka the game room

A failed attempt to get a picture of the kids

Sophie playing with Abby; the toy cow was the cutest thing

Ma and gelatinous goodness

Family Reunion

We didn't wake up until 10:30 AM and everyone was anxiously waiting for us to open the door to the basement, where our family slept. The girls were very shy at first, but soon warmed up. Everyone but Trung's oldest brother and his family (they had planned a Bermuda trip way in advance) were in attendance and it was wonderful to see the new cousins. We spent the entire day at Trung's sister Mai's house and caught up with everyone. 25 people in one house = crazy fun!

Mai's second daughter Kaitlyn

Our newest niece Abby

Christina, Mai's older daughter, teaching Lydia how to play cards

Cousins

Trung's second brother An and his older son Jacob

The younger cousins trying to transport an immobile Kaitlyn


Tai, Trung's third brother, and Paula feeding the twins

Trung's younger brother Sing and his daughter Fiona

Making smores after a scrumptious home-cooked Vietnamese dinner

Up in the air

Our flight to New York had a three hour layover in Las Vegas. We spent the time riding the tram back and forth, playing angry birds, and having dinner. Finally around 5:30 and on a slightly delayed flight, we took off for Albany. Thank goodness Trung won an ipad2 from work to keep the kids distracted, otherwise the flight would have felt much longer than it already was. We arrived during the wee hours of the morning and didn't get to bed until 3 AM and needless to say, we were exhausted, but the kids did quite well probably because of the three hour time difference.

The girls got in trouble for messing with the slot machines at the Las Vegas airport

Riding the tram to kill time


Sunset

Sophie watching "Tangled" on Trung's computer

Sophie has a thing for peeing the minute she wakes up and wet her skirt and undies when she woke up from her nap on the plane. Fortunately, I packed a diaper just in case, so she arrived in Albany looking like a baby.

Pink's Hot Dogs

Today we hung out with Sophie's Mommy and Me class friend Faye and her sister June, who is a few months older than Lydia. The four girls played dress up and did all things girly. For lunch we went to a famous place called Pink's Hot Dogs, where celebrities go to get their hot dog fix. We didn't see anyone this time, but I did run into the owners, who were being interviewed by a Spanish news station. After lunch, we went back to Faye's house and the kids splashed around in the kiddie pool. What a wonderful afternoon!

The cutest Minnie Mouse outfit

My hot dog with mushrooms, bacon, and cheese...I was so stuffed!

Posing with Beverly Pink

We didn't get to see the royals, but we were thinking of them

Sophie and Annie bringing back the Frisbee that June tosses

Playing fetch

Kids at Kidspace

Rather than just the girls and I going to Kidspace Museum this time, we had an entire carload; Amani's family and Tuesday joined us this time and made the trip all the more fun. The girls dined on a $3 macaroni and cheese, fries, and fruit dinner at my favorite La Grande Orange Cafe and were all oh so happy. We definitely have to do this again!

Tiny archeologists


Four little girls in a jeep

Getting ready for biking...the coffee filters go under the helmets for sanitary reasons

Sophie's new chauffeur

Beep beep


Impatient Lydia kept rear-ending Tuesday


Poo table


Amani, Ines, and Mounia completed an entire dinosaur puzzle


A fun afternoon at Kidspace!

Celebrating the Fourth

We ate breakfast at a cafe facing Main Street and watched the Santa Monica parade as it went by. The kids loved catching the candy and any other thing the participants handed out.


Mobile cupcakes


American pride


Joining the masses


The only time the kids get to walk in the middle of the street


Enjoying a short game of frisbee


My girls


Apparently there is an old school bike inside the cupcake



Sophie danced to the music while Lydia's nose was in a book

After all-you-can-eat Korean Barbeque with Trond, Guro, and Norah; we watched the fireworks at Redondo Beach from the comfort of our car, which was parked at a left turn only lane. We couldn't find parking anywhere, but our spot was good enough to watch the entire show.

At Pinkberry to celebrate the nation's birthday

Taking it easy

After a busy Saturday, we took it easy today. Trung biked to Culver City and we met him at Cafe Laurent for breakfast. After a visit to The Market at Santa Monica Place, I spent the afternoon going through boxes of clothes while Trung took the girls to the library.

Sophie enjoying a chocolate croissant at Cafe Laurent

Oh my smurfness at Santa Monica Place

High five!