Saturday, March 24, 2007

Tribute

This post is memory of my late uncle: Frank Tombrello, Sr.; 1947-2007

Wednesday, my cousin called to inform me that my uncle passed away, after a long battle with MS. Every year we participate in the annual MS walk helping to raise money for the cure. We've always walked it for him & Chris, but this year we'll be walking it in his memory.

Here's a little brief background on my uncle of whom I love very much:

Occupation(s): Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army; production line worker @ AT&T; & a Lt. in the Auxiliary Police Division of the Shreveport Police Department.

Uncle Frank had been married to my lovely Aunt Geneva for 39 years. During which time they raised 3 boys: John, Frank Jr. & Chris.

Dear Uncle Frank,

You are with our Heavenly Father now. You have a new and able body and are no longer suffering. Please know that we love you and think of you often. Everytime we came home, we'd make a special trip just to see you. But now you're in heaven looking down, keeping a watchful eye on us. We love you, Uncle Frank. Always have & Always will.

Until we meet again,
Tam, Nyoka & Dominic

On the Road

Well sometime last year, shortly after Tam returned from the sandbox we both bought bicycles. Since then, we've only rode them once. Seeing as how Dominic's too young to ride on a bike all his own, we've been doing some serious searching for him too. We decided on a bike trailer, that way if we were to fall he wouldn't.

The next step was to the bike store to place the order. We walked into the store told the salesman exactly what we wanted and we ordered it and for that we were given a 10% discount. Psst, there wasn't even a sale going on. A week later it was ready for pick up.

So after we pulled ourselves out of bed on Sunday, 18 March, we decided to go for our first family bike ride. We went for a lovely 7.8 mile bike ride down the San Louis Ray River Bike Trail, w/Dominic in tow. Every hill we went down you could hear him laughing and giggling. He had his toys to keep him busy and the occasionally chat w/mom.

About 300 yards from the finish line, Dominic started to get fussy. I bet he was getting tired of being buckled in. Mommy told him he had the easiest job, just sit back and let dad give him a ride. With that said, daddy & Dominic beat mommy to the finish line.

All in all, we had a blast. Here's a few pictures from our 1st of many bike adventures.


Zoo Trip

Almost 2 weeks ago I went down to San Diego, with mommy & daddy of course. I had a hearing check up, of which I aced. Shucks, now mommy knows that I hear her when I'm pretending to ignore her. Rats you audiologists. Any way, while we were there, mommy & daddy took me to the zoo for the first time. Man did I have loads of fun or what.

When we arrived, dad put mommy in charge of the zoo map & told her to be tour guide. What were you thinking, dad. You know mom & maps don't mix well. You navigate next time please.

Along the way we got to see many cool animals. Among them were orangutans; apes & gorillas, monkeys; polar bears; hippos; a lot of birds in the aviaries; pandas; some reptiles & fish. At some point mommy & daddy decided to get on the guided tour bus ride. We sat at the top where we could see everything. I for one had the best seat in the house, moms lap. Our first stop were the giraffes, man those are some tall animals. The next stop were the elephants, but at that point I was long gone. You see I sat in my stroller all of a minute before I put up a fuss to walk around. Sure was fun keeping mom & dad on their toes, but who knew I'd be pooped by the end of the day.

I certainly can't wait to go back. Well please enjoy our snap shots our our lovely new TV.

Your Pal,
Dominic



Isabelle's #1

Birthday Bash, 17 March 2007

The Birthday Crowd: Natalie, Karlene, Riley, Kat, Regina, Izzy, Nyoka, Dominic, Frances, Cameron, Gloria & Jordan


About a year ago, I posted on our blog the announcement of Isabelle, the daughter of Regina & Joe. Well now she's one & we had some fun. Tons of food, fun & nonstop entertainment was had by all at her birthday bash last weekend. Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.

Congrats Regina & Joe, she's a beautiful little girl.




New buddies, Riley & Dominic




"Tough Guy, Riley."




Aunt Kathy & Star Princess Izzy




The future: Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Duong (just kidding)



"Hey, Isabelle. Thanks for inviting me to this hopping party."


"Okay mom, let's go shopping."

Saturday, March 17, 2007

My New Year

Okay, so you've been given a history lesson on the Chinese New Year. So I will spare you any further agony & share w/you a few pictures of my first official New Year's w/my father's side of the family.
This year the New Year started Sunday, February 18th. Mommy, Daddy & I traveled up to Los Angeles where my Co hai & Co ba live. We met up w/my grandparents and went to a street fair a few blocks away.

My grandparents gave me my very 1st red envelop gift (of which will be placed in my account), and I was able to wear the traditional New Years costume from my father's native country. My grandparents gave it to me for Christmas. Hope you enjoy my pictures. Sorry there's only a few, I don't sit still to long for pictures these days. I just have a short attention span, but my father says I have ADD.
Your pal,
Dominic

You did get my good side, didn't you?

Just for me! My first red envelope.

Oh boy! Thanks for my gifts, Ong Noi & Ba Noi.

Mommy, me & the pig.



My 1st Super Cross



Let this race started, oh, they already did. My bad.
Sorry everyone that it's taken me awhile to post the pictures of my very 1st Super Cross. However, I'm still very little & need lots of help working the computer. Here's my story.
Picture it Saturday, February 17th, 2007, Qualcomm Stadium. There's lots of people, vendors and food. I got to do a lot of running around before we settled down in our seats, yippee. I saw one of the new 2007 Toyota Tundra's, even got to sit in it. Then we were off to check out cool new dirt bikes & finally last stop, was our seats (oh, no).
The event started w/a major fireworks display, the national anthem of which everyone stood. Then the announcer introduced the riders and the race began. Okay, so I am only so little, so naturally I couldn't sit still long. So I bounced from mommy's lap to daddy's & back again. All the while I was flirting w/everyone around us. The bikers were awesome too, but everytime the race started there was always someone who wipped out around the first turn. During the half time little kids, a few years older than me, were able to ride the track. Mommy & daddy promised that someday I'll be able to ride a bike, dad says it's loads of fun.
I decided that I was getting a little hungry so daddy went to buy us hot dogs, pretzels and water to "wash it down with." Oh boy, my first stadium hot dog & pretzel. Do I have the best parents or what!?!
I continued to watch the bikers and flirt and finally came the last race. I held out as long as I could, but my little eyes were getting so heavy. I just couldn't hold them up any longer and before I knew it I was fast asleep on mommy's lap, which was quite comfortable. Hey, who knew that the last race lasted for 15 laps. Someone should worn a person of my size next time. I don't remember much after I fell asleep, so please enjoy my pictures.
Love you all,
Dominic
P.S. Can anyone tell me who won?
Looks pretty crowded down there.





They flew by in a blur.






Way to go, whatever your number is.











Can I legally drive yet?











Come on let's get started already.












Look mom, no car seat!!!
















How do you start this truck?





Me & my best pal, my daddy.