Thursday, November 23, 2006

Happy 5th Anniversary...



Well, we finally hit half a decade, that's five years of marriage for Nyoka and mysef. So many things have happen since we got married. Lets recap; Nyoka went to Physical Therapy School. I went to Preventive Medicine Tech school. The October 2003 San Diego fire, Aron and Chris staying in California, transfering to Camp Pendleton, moving to Fallbrook, moving 3 different times in San Diego, conception of our first baby, the birth of Dominic, and fianlly me deploying to Iraq and making it back safe and sound.

I was in Iraq when Nyoka had decided to make plans and arranged for our anniversary. I was going to plan it but she sounded so thrilled and wild about plannung our anniversary. Even though she was planning the event, I thought that I would just look and plan a back up plan. Temecula is a neighboring city just north of Falllbrook and there were lots of things to do, especially out in wine country. Our 3rd anniversary she had planned a weekend out that way and she wanted to explore the wine country but something came up and we did not do what she had planned for us to do. Anyways, I thought that I would make it up to her.

One day a got a message from her saying that the Bead and Breakfast that she planned for us to go was not in the business anymore. I immediately wrote her back and told her that I'll plan the anniversary. I got back on the internet and started to look for B&B's around Temecula. I was also looking for something exciting to do. I ran across and hot air balloon tour and thought, now that is a great idea. I also found a B&B that was recommeded by the hot air balloon company. Mind you that I was in Iraq looking and planning. The balloon company also launched their balloon at a vinyard, which was perfect because I had pallned on taking her for wine tasting.

When I got back to the states, I immediately started to make plans and book reservation for the B&B and the balloon ride. I told her that we were going to do base jumping for our anniversary. She did not mind it at all, so she says.

Well I'll stop typing and the pictures well tell all. Enjoy.


Saturday, November 04, 2006

Dominic's First Birthday...


One year ago from today, we were eagerly anticipating the arrival of our most precious gift & as most will remember the best part was not knowing whether the baby was going to be a boy or a girl. Well on 04 November 2005, God blessed us w/the most precious baby we’d ever laid eyes on. On this day, Dominic Loc Luciano Duong made his, long awaited, grand entrance into our HUGE family.

The day we were leaving the hospital to come home, there was a saying that we saw painted on the wall & oh how true. Here’s what it said:

A Son . . .
There is nothing like the blessing of a little baby boy to fill your home w/sunshine & fill your heart w/joy. With hugs & bugs & footballs, baseballs, toys & grins, you’ll cherish all the memories that you will share w/him. Take the time to walk & talk, to share his dreams & plans, all too soon your little boy will grow to be a man.


Looking back over the past year, granted the journey hasn’t been smooth sailing, my how time fly’s. Dominic, you have grown from a state of total dependence, to one of wonder and curiosity. Our little explorer, you truly have amazed us in this past year & we can’t wait to see what lies ahead, however, no rush. Thank you for filling this chapter of our lives w/great joy. We love you, mommy & daddy.




Ok, enough of the mushy stuff. We had a big to do @ the house w/loads of friends & family. The theme was baby Einstein & as for the food…It was a mixture of both cultures. We had Vietnamese fried rice, egg rolls & shrimp chow mien, w/pasta salad (the Italian side) & veggies. Dominic received tons of gifts, gift cards & cash (which ended up in his bank account). But more importantly we spent the day w/all of whom we love and care about. To all thanks for making Dominic's special day the best.

Well hope you enjoyed the “brief synopsis,” now enjoy the pictures.





Halloween 2006...

This time last year Dominic was still "baking in the oven," so to speak. This year we got to share the fun of dressing up w/him. The daycare center had a Harvest Festival where each class would go from room to room trick or treating. Each class was dressed differently. There was a class of commandos, a class dressed as lady bugs and such. Dominic's class was dressed up as pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. They made their hats, and little cuffs for their legs out of construction paper. The cutest part was their shirts. The pumpkin design was already their, but the little tykes got to finger paint their pumpkins. Let's just say that all still need practice coloring between the lines.

Later that evening we got dressed up as a family. Obviously Dominic was a monkey, Tam decided he wanted to be a punked out clown & I was trying to be Jane Jetson from the cartoon way back in the day. Let's just say when I dye my hair, red won't be the color I choose. We thought Dominic would be afraid of his daddy's costume, but he kept poking him in the eyes and laughing. Since Dominic is still to young to eat candy we decided to stay home and pass out candy. Dominic tried his best to be a big helper, but all he wanted to do was keep the candy for himself. All in all it was a great time had bay all.

Now please, if you will direct you attention to the slide show below. Love ya'll.