Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Zoey Update

To all who's been asking, & that way I can tell all at one time. Baby girl Zoey is growing like a weed... At her 2 week check up she weight 10 pounds. She is now at the end stages of baby acne & cradle cap & is now starting to look more like our beautiful princess. Thanks mom for the tip on baby oil/lotion!!!

Her big brother likes to hold her a lot & be next to her every time we put her down.

Oh, we just got her boppy Tuesday & it's all pink. After cleaning it, we put her in it (& of course she was in pink) it just swallowed her up. (Pictures to follow in a later post).

She loves being held all the time, which we're trying to break her of that habit. However, it's a hard task. Who wouldn't want to hold our precious.

She loves sleeping in the hammock, especially w/mommy & daddy. One night mommy, big brother & baby girl were in it together.

Miss Zoey loves to coo and smile at the drop of a dime, okay so mainly when she wants to, but it's to darn cute. The best is when she grins real big and all you see are her toothless gums, makes your heart melt.

For now I'll leave you w/these breath taking photos. Enjoy...

Love Always,
The 4 of Us....


Happy 3rd Birthday Conductor Dominic

Well as most of you are already aware, our little man turned 3 on November 3rd. His birthday fell on election day this year, as will ever 4 years, and was also on a Tuesday. So we celebrated it the Sunday before (01 November).

We thought long and hard about how to celebrate as it would be tough to beat last years competition (just refer to past blogs); we even asked Dominic what he wanted to do. Finally we came up w/bowling, so we had a bowling party. We had taken him bowling before his birthday & he seemed to like it so we thought it was a cool idea.

The kids (about 10 children - varying in age) dinned on cheese & pepperoni pizza, fruit punch & root beer. We got to bowl, but keeping their attention on the game was hard, so we only got to bowl a half a game. There was a two hour limit, so by the time we finished pizza, bowling & cake it was time to go. We opened gifts at home, which stunk, because little man couldn't enjoy them w/his friends.

This years theme revolved around Thomas the Tank Engine. Dominic's really into Thomas at the moment. His presents even revolved around trains; one was even a train set to go around the Christmas tree. I can't wait to put it up.

Well hope you enjoy the pictures from the birthday bash festivities.....oh, please don't think baby girl was neglected. She actually was sleeping through most of the party.

Love to all,
The Duong's


Halloween 2008

The day before Dominic's big hair cut, was Halloween. We had asked him in the weeks leading up to Halloween, what he wanted to be. So of course we fulfilled that wish & made him Spider Man. He wore the mask & gloves too, to our surprise.

That day his class had a trick-or-treat event in the local community, so mommy, daddy & Zoey got to tag a long. We took pictures & did video. That night we went to base to do some trick-or-treating. Please forgive us, but left the camera in the car. Tam & I had met up to take him trick-or-treating as Tam had to work a little later.

The children from school made their own trick-or-treat totes out of capri juice boxes (they were bats). They get to do some pretty cool crafts.

All in all the day's trick-or-treat events were great. We really enjoyed the excitement on his face when saying trick-or-treat, but had to remind him to say Thank you. The only thing we could've done w/out was people saying how cute Spider Girl is; thus leading to the hair cut & to our dismay no one has called him girl since.

Sorry for the short supply of pictures, but we do hope you enjoy the pictures from the day trip though.

Love to all,
Nyoka, Tam, Dominic & Zoey


Tuesday, November 04, 2008

New Age, New Hair...

Well the Terrible 3 age is here and it does not seem to be that bad. Dominic has always been a character and a little hyper active. That was such an understatement. The day that he took his first step, he has not stopped walking. Again, such an understatement…the kid is a runner. One day he is going to make us proud and be a world champion marathon runner or something.


Anyways, this is an update on his hair. Nyoka and I have been talking about cutting his hair for awhile. It always ends up with me saying, “We are not cutting his hair. I am not ready to cut his hair yet.” As I look back at the many people that would mistake him for a girl, I finally came to my senses and agreed to give the poor boy a haircut. The only stipulation to the haircut is that he must have a tail. He had his appointment for that haircut on the 2nd of November. I did not want to be there when he was getting it cut. It would have been too hard for me and if I were there, I would have probably stopped it. From what Nyoka was saying, he enjoyed his haircut and he would not sit still.

Without further ado, here is the new Dominic…




Saturday, October 18, 2008

New Edition to the Family...



It has finally happen. Family and Friends can stop wondering if Nyoka had the baby. A wonderful baby girl was born into this world on the 16th of October, 2008 at 1024. This date and time of birth is according to Okinawa time and not state side time. For those out there who is wondering, the time is expressed in military time. Anyway, her name is Zoey Nhung Linae. She weighed in at 9 lbs 2.5 oz and measured at 21 1/2 inches long.

Dominic took to his baby girl real well. He even wanted to hold her, so we let him. he sat down next to mom and and held his sister. It was a magical and Kodak moment. He even gave her a kiss on the forehead. Dominic was very gentle with Zoey. I can see him being very protective of Zoey as they grow up together.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

POW / MIA

Since putting on the next rank, it brings w/it of course more responsibilities. Well this year I tackled my first ceremony. Now annually we have a POW/MIA Recognition Day & I chose to tackle it as my first Master of Ceremonies (MC) event.

Here's a little history about POW/MIA Recognition Day:

Until July 18, 1979, no commemoration was held to honor America's POW/MIA's, those returned and those still missing and unaccounted for from our nation's wars. The 1984 National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony was held at the White House, hosted by President Ronald Reagan. At that most impressive ceremony, the Reagan Administration balanced the focus to honor all returned POW's and renew national commitment to accounting for those still missing. Subsequently, in an effort to accommodate all returned POW's and all Americans still missing/unaccounted for from all wars; the National League of Families proposed the third Friday in September, a date not associated with any particular war. National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremonies are now held throughout the nation and around the world on military installations, ships at sea, and even state capitols.

This year national POW/MIA Recognition day was held on 19 September 2008. Our guest speaker was a retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major (SgtMaj); SgtMaj Peter “Ski” Gorczewski; who served 3 tours & 2 extensions in Vietnam. He's a very well decorated marine & his decorations include: the Legion of Merit, two Bronze stars with Combat “V;” Seven Purple Hearts; two Navy Commendations with Combat “V;” four Navy Achievement Medals; Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver and Bronze Stars; Good Conduct Medal with nine stars; and 33 various awards. He immigrated from England & then joined the Marine Corps in 1961.

Needless to say his speech made me sniffle, but then when the bugler played taps at the conclusion of the reading & set up of the POW/MIA table I was a goner. SgtMaj is very passionate about POW's & MIA's. Nearly 63 years to the day of our ceremony his own father was once held as a POW. Maybe I was just hormonal, but thankfully my co-chair closed the ceremony.

Please enjoy these photos of the ceremony. After all the planning and watching it unfold; I was very proud of how the ceremony turned out.

Love you guys,
Nyoka


Reflecting Back

As most of you know Tam & I met here in Okinawa, roughly 1999ish. This is where our life's journey began & now we are back. This was a place of many firsts for us; our first date, walks to the beach & our first Hospital Corpsman Ball.

So w/out further a due I'll let this post speak for itself.




This time around we had a "special guest" in the oven.....can you tell?

Love to all,
Nyoka, Tam, Dominic & Baby #2

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Final Day

For our last 1/2 day in Tokyo we ventured off to see Tokyo Tower. So after checking out of our room & leaving our luggage w/the bell hop we were off on our last adventure in Tokyo. Yes, all this time our adventures included a lot of walking and subway riding - again a great way to ride (stress/hassle free).

A little history of the Tokyo Tower...

Built in 1958, this Eiffel Tower-like structure supports an antenna that broadcasts television and radio signals for important Japanese media outlets such as NHK, TBS and Fuji TV. In addition to being a television and radio communications tower, Tokyo Tower doubles as a major Tokyo tourist site. Over 2.5 million people annually visit the tower's recreational Foot Town and two observations decks.

Our journey took us to the observation towers where you could look out and see the entire city of Tokyo (or so it seems) as well as Mt Fuji. However, this particular day it was over cast, so the view wasn't as spectacular. We also visited the Guinness Book of World Records museum & the Wax Museum. We wanted to go see the trick museum, but one of us (okay I'm guilty) thought we had to meet the bus back at the hotel at 1:00pm. So we made a mad dash back to the subway and then to the hotel only to find out we didn't have to be back until 1:45pm. Oops more time for souvenir shopping at the hotel.

Please enjoy the pictures.

Our love to all,
The Duong Family


Tokyo Disneyland & Disney Sea

Day #2 in Tokyo we ventured out on the subway (way cool transportation) and headed to Tokyo Disneyland. Okay so Tokyo Disneyland is the same as any other Disneyland I've ever been too, but it's nice to say we've been there. Over all it was a lot of fun and worth the hassle to see Dominic's face light up when he saw Mickey Mouse and all the other characters. My advice just don't go pregnant. There are ride restrictions and the people (not the workers) were pushy. Chenoa, I now know how you felt when people kept bumping into you when you went to California Disneyland pregnant w/Christian.

It did rain while we were there, mostly in the morning after breakfast, but we made the best of it. Then once we returned back to the subway down from the hotel it rained and we had about a 10 min walk, let's say we came back soaked.

While at Disneyland we went on the following attractions: Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin; Mickey's House & Meet Mickey; Donald's Boat; Tam & Dominic did Autopia; Penny Arcade. Went to the following shops: World Bazaar Confectionery; Grand Emporium; Camera Center; Town Center Fashions & we ate breakfast at the Great American Waffle Co. We snacked throughout the day, but decided to eat dinner at TGI Friday's in the Roppongi area. The rest of the day we spent taking pictures w/all the characters we saw; there are even some that we haven't seen at California Disney. All in all we'll brave the madness again and go one more time before we leave (after all baby #2 needs to say he/she's been there besides mommy's tummy).




Day #3 in Tokyo, we ventured to Disney Sea. It was a little more relaxing than Disneyland, but a lot more ride restrictions & this time not just for the preggers. Poor Dominic could ride most rides unless he was a certain height even w/a parent. Before we headed out though, we ate Sunday brunch at the Hotel (great tip from a provider of mine). Then we were off for Disney Sea...once we got off the subway we headed to the Disney Resort Line where it took us to Disney Sea. You'll see that this subway was fashioned after Mickey Mouse.

While there we road the following attractions: DisneySea Transit Steamer Line; Sindbad's Storybook Voyage; Caravan Carousel; 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (not so exciting). We ate at the Cafe Portofino in the Mediterranean Harbor. We did go into a few shops, but they carried the same items as those at Disneyland; California Disneyland's shops have HUGE selection compared to these. Also most of the attractions we rode on were in other parts of the park as well; you had to get off and on at the various stops, not ride all the way through.

Since we ate brunch at 10:00am we didn't really eat until after 3:00pm so our eating schedule was off. Once we got back to the subway near our hotel it was raining yet again & yes we were soaked again. We ate from food we ordered at the bar. Dominic knocked out - what can we say he had a blast.

Each night, except Sunday, we went to the pool to relax & unwind. Totally an awesome experience. Please enjoy the pictures.

All in all we enjoyed this vacation. After all it was our very first family vacation just the 3 of us (oops the 3 & 1/2 of us). Very exciting times.


Tokyo Trip

This first post is at the beginning of our Tokyo Trip. These pictures (which didn't fit into our picture categories for Disneyland or Disney Sea) capture some of the beginning & end of the trip.

Our trip started out at 8:45am when we meet the group at Kadena Schilling Community Center where we boarded the bus to Naha airport. Dominic was so psyched to ride the bus. The pictures then transition into our arrival at Haneda Airport in Tokyo when we are on yet another bus bound for our hotel. We stayed at the New Sanno Hotel (really nice & for Military).

Since we arrived in Tokyo and made it to our hotel a little after 4:30 pm we decided just to venture out to the Roppongi area.

So please enjoy these pictures and then the next two posts containing our adventures at Tokyo Disneyland & Disney Sea (not to be confused w/sea world - totally different).


Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Butterfly House-Garden

Since we were in the neighborhood, we also stopped off at the Butterfly House-Garden.

After walking around to try and find the actual entrance, man who would've guessed it was inside the store; we were off on our 2nd adventure for the day. Now we were under the impression that there was a wide variety of Butterfly species to observe. Maybe we just went at the wrong time of year/day, but there was only a handful to view.

Dominic had the right idea though. After all the walking and eating/drinking from the Pineapple Park, he passed out for the most part. Although he did wake up towards the end. To add to our day, it certainly was hot.

Enjoy...


Pineapple Park

August 9th, we went up North to the Pineapple Park. We rode in a cart to tour the park and learn about the various kinds of pineapple's and other plants. Along the ride we were asked a question...What do you think pineapple stands for? We were all racking our brains to come up w/a somewhat educated answer. Then the guide said, "it stands for Pines & Apples." Duh, we knew that.

While there we were able to see tons of shells, tour the grounds outside & see how the pine apples grow. We were also able to sample many things made w/pineapple as ingredients. They was wine tasting (for the guys), juice tasting (me & Dominic & the guys) & tons of cakes, cookies, chocolates etc. Hey did you know they even make perfume w/pineapple as an ingredient? Well they do, along w/bath soaps, face wash and loads of other things.

Well let the pictures speak for themselves.


Aquarium Trip Round 2

We went to the aquarium for a second time w/another friend of ours. It was a rather hot day, almost to the point where you felt real miserable. Thank goodness for the misters and the water fountain. Dominic really enjoyed cooling off in them, although it took him a little bit to go completely into the fountain. In case you're wondering, he followed a girl through the middle. Man what a ladies man he is.

Hope you enjoy.


Tide Pool

Just thought we'd share some adventurous pictures of our little explorer. He certainly isn't afraid to touch anything, of which you have to be careful at times. But that's exactly what little boys are supposed to do, as long as he doesn't come home w/any thing in his pockets.

You have to admit, not only does he love the out doors, but he loves playing in water. By the way I'm referring to Dominic, but he gets it all from his Daddy.

These were photos take up towards the northern end of Okinawa, a place called Cape Zampa. There's even a light house there, if you go a little further up. Karen next time we're there, we'll take a picture for you......

Enjoy the show & love you guys.


It's a Plane, It's a Bird...No wait it's a Plane

On Kadena Air Base they have non-operable planes that you can go view and take pictures of and with. Every time we drive past, Dominic calls them Big Jets and wants to see them. Finally we made a point to stop one day & he's been hooked on planes since.

On July 4th & 5th, Kadena hosted their first AmeriaFest since Sept. 11th, 2001. The first day was just for military & the second day was open to all. We went the first day as it was less crowded. We were only there for 2 hours and all we saw were the planes. Dominic loved it, although we couldn't get him to crack a smile or say cheese he had a blast.

Please enjoy the picture show:


Saturday, June 28, 2008

A Day @ the Aquarium

A little while back we went to the aquarium at the Northern end of the island. We went w/some friends of ours & their children. Dominic had a blast; he really enjoys hanging out w/other kids, especially older kids. However, these 3 that went w/us really loved playing w/him. Well I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Hope you all enjoy.

Love,
Nyoka, Tam, Dominic & Baby #2 ;-)


School Days......

Sorry for the delay. Here are some copies of Dominic's school pictures from the school he attends; Sunshine Montessori School. He really enjoys his class, teachers & friends; not to mention he has learned a lot.

Of course his hair is still long, we'll cut it when we're ready. Well I'll let the pictures speak for himself.

Love to all,
Nyoka, Tam, Dominic & Baby #2