My Dad

I just got home from a trip to Maryland during which my father was buried.  He died on his 75th birthday during an afternoon nap after a good morning with my mom and his sister. 

Many people have asked if I am okay, and I am.  When my brother, Jon, died almost 17 years ago, I spent a lot of time pondering and praying about what I truly believed all the way deep down in my soul.  I believe that life continues beyond the grave.  Our spirits return home to our Heavenly Father, and we will be reunited as families after death. 

AJ and I went to the Washington, DC LDS Temple Visitor Center last Monday, and I captured this shot of the DC Temple.

Temple as special to Mormons, because families are joined, or sealed, together for eternity.  This promised blessing gives me great comfort. 

 

First Ever Nguyen Family Halloween Costumes!

This year, we decided to coordinate Halloween costumes for our church (ward) Halloween party.  Here we are, including my beautiful daughter-in-law!

New Family Pictures!

A good friend of mine offered to take updated family pictures for our family, and I am thrilled with the results.  Here are a few of my favorites.

A Much Needed Haircut!

Just in case you don't know, I've become quite good at cutting boys' hair with clippers.  I guess that comes with practicing on my four sons.  I don't cut the older boys' hair, but AJ still gets a basic clipper cut (5 on the top, 2 on the sides).  His sideburns were growing out of control, so I cut his hair today.

Here is a before picture.  And he's actually smiling a real, genuine smile!

And an after picture.  Not such a genuine smile in this one.  He says I take too many pictures.  Someday he will appreciate them, right?

Much better after, huh?

Buffalo Wild Wings

Ever since David's first year at BYU, he's been raving about Buffalo Wild Wings.  He wanted us to go, because he was sure we'd love it as much as he does.  So, over Christmas break, we finally took the plunge. 

It was pretty good (even though I don't eat wings), and everyone enjoyed their meals.

Another Belated Christmas Post

We went to the Los Angeles LDS Temple in December to view the Christmas lights and the nativity display at the Visitor Center.  It's become an annual tradition, and we look forward to it every year.

Yes, I'm Aware That It's March, But Here It Goes... Christmas 2013

I'm a little behind in my blogging.  Sorry about that.  I will catch up... eventually.

We had a lovely Christmas last year.  Small, but nice.  We try to keep Christmas focused on Jesus Christ rather than on the gift giving, so we try not to go overboard with presents.  We have consciously chosen to keep Christmas on the small side, but we also remember all of the excitement that Christmas presents bring to children of all ages.  We try to take a nice middle of the road approach, and it works well most years.

Yet, as our kids get older, they notice that we choose to make Christmas "less grand" than some of their friends, Michael especially.  I asked him how he feels about it, and he says he's fine with it.  He recognizes that his friends receive more gifts and fancier gifts, but he's generally happy with what he receives.  I hope so. 

We feel this will give our kids a little bit of that Christmas "magic" without giving them unrealistic expectations or overdoing the gifts, so that they no longer value them.  I guess time will tell, won't it?

Well, without further ado, here are some pictures from our Christmas 2013 celebration.  Some are a bit blurry.  Sorry!