Engagement photos- Pete's favorites

So here are some of the pictures that I (Pete) liked that have not already been posted.

This is the picture where Sara said I looked like I wanted to shoot her.

Until next time,

P.s. :):)

Engagement photos- Steph's favorites

Hello hello!

As promised, here are a few of our engagement photos. These are my favorites- let's see which ones Pete chooses as his! We chose most of these to go into the guestbook, so you'll see them again!

This last photo was the only one to not make it into the guestbook. Apparently, it was too silly.

Hope you're enjoying this strange weather day! So far, we've gotten clouds, rain, snow, and lots of sunshine. Keep Portland weird, Mother Nature.


p.s. :):)

Tribute

Hello family and friends!

It's been a rough holiday season, but Pete and I would like to thank everyone for all the warm wishes in all forms- calls, texts, hugs, etc. We hope you and your families had a wonderful Christmas as well.

As a tribute to my late uncle, I'd like to share two of my favorite photos of him:

This photo is really dark, but it's SO cute!

Doesn't he look so refined and distinguished here?

I will always remember you as the biggest prankster ever. Even after your passing, you wouldn't stop messing with everyone. Every time I jump out from dark corners to scare Pete, I'll think of you. Every time we hang out with Chi Thuy and Chi Van, we know you'll be there too. You bred two of the coolest chicks we know, and we're so happy they likes us too. Cau Tham, you will be sorely missed, but we are all eternally grateful to have had you in our lives.

As Christmas came, everyone did their best to be in good spirits, but it was truly all about finding normalcy for the kids.

As far back as I can remember, Christmas with the Nguyens has always been loud, crowded, fun, and full of love and laughter. We miss you most at Christmastime, Grandma!

One of my favorite kids to photograph. He's always up to something...

Baozy and his Ong Ngoai

Cheeeese!



Emma and her gorgeous dimples!!



I heard it was very difficult to get a shot of Isabelle, but I GOT HER!

The kids anxiously awaiting their name.



Kristina and her awesome hat from Ma Dung!



Chom Chom with his UNO Moo from Cau Khuyen!



"Do I want to share?"



"I don't think so..."




AiQ and Mommy




Evan managed to distract Chom Chom with another toy so he could play with UNO Moo!



Thanksgiving, they played Slap Jack. Christmas, they learned how to open beer bottles with unexpected objects. Anh Phong was the teacher. He even opened a bottle with the bottom of a Sriracha bottle! Impressive!



Perfect bunny ears by Chi Huong



The hosts of the night (Ma Hai and Duong Van, not my mother and Bac Dac!)




Our best family photographer, Cau Cuong!



Chinaman and his new toy. Paparazzi in the making! Let's take classes, Nala!

Every year, we celebrate Christmas Eve with EVERYONE and then Christmas Day, we usually all break off into our own little families to celebrate. Here's a few photos from our first Christmas with Pete as an Oregonian:

Pete, missing his family


Before all the gifts, we must have taken 100 family photos...




We couldn't seem to manage taking a normal family shot. These two were the closest we got.


Boba's present from Anh Chi Hai- look at that artwork!

Mom and Dad sending Charger love from San Diego!!


Khiem was so happy about his jacket from Anh Hai.



Khuyen gave the best gifts this year.




We know who the favorite is... Haha!



In came Kiet with everyone's gifts! Body pillows! Mine matched my room perfectly!



They love it.



Merry Christmas! ROAR!

My photos are getting a little better. I need to work on my f-stop settings and lighting. The photos turned out less yellow than Thanksgiving, but are still not very sharp and crisp. I received pretty harsh criticism from someone-who-will-remain-nameless about how my methods are amateur. Yes, person-who-will-remain-nameless, that's because I am an amateur. Instead of bashing, how 'bouts you give me some useful tips. I prefer my amateur-ish shots over yours anyway. Thanks.


Sorry for the venting. Next post will be engagement photos, promise. We hope you had a very merry Christmas.

p.s. :):)

Merry Christmas

Today is Christmas! It really did just creep up on us. This was probably the first year that I had to run out shopping for gifts late on the 23rd and even on the 24th, but we were able to manage all the cars on the roads and people in the stores. Then last night we got together with the family, ate, drank, opened presents and just had a wonderful time. Pictures will come once we get our camera back. Somehow I forgot it, along with my new camera backpack!

These past few weeks have been difficult. Please keep Steph's family in your thoughts and prayers, and especially for Mo Hoa, Chi Thuy, Chi Van (Steph's), Timmy, and Robert.

P.s. :) :)

Listening

It's become routine that I turn to music to cope when it comes to whatever extreme emotions I happen to feel at the time. Tonight (it's 3 in the morning...), I closed my eyes and put Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata on repeat. I can't even tell you how many times I've listened to it tonight (and it's still going). I was taught that Beethoven had written this sonata as his way of professing his love for a student, but I've always found this piece to be so much more depressing and sad than romantic. Even after playing it on the piano, I'd always be left with an overwhelming desire to break down and cry.



Please pray for my uncle so that he can come out of this healthy and strong. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts as you go about your day. Doesn't matter who you pray to, someone's going to be there listening.


p.s. We love you.

Christmas spirit kind of day

I've been listening to the Glee Christmas album every time I'm working, and I love it! I can't wait for Lea Michele to go solo. Rachel Berry always rubs me the wrong way, and if I knew her in person, I'd always want to punch her, but oh how I love her voice! The other voice I love is Santana's! I don't know the actress' name, but I totally dig her style. If you don't watch Glee, you must- even Pete likes it!

Last night was Boba's Christmas program at his school. His second grade class sang Mary's Song of Praise, and it was beautiful! I sneaked into the back to grab a photo of him before they went onstage and I almost got in trouble by his teacher. It was worth it, though, because I still don't know how to use Pete's camera, and haven't mastered playing with lighting so the pictures of him actually singing didn't turn out as well.

Look at how cute they are!! What makes his school so special is that there is only one class per grade, and they always move up together. We've been able to watch not only Boba grow, but also all his classmates! They're so much fun, but boy are they a handful! I have so much respect for teachers- they have so much patience. These little children are actually giant balls of energy wrapped inside of little bodies. It's deceiving, I know.

Anyway, the lighting during the show was so bad, but my flash made the photos even worse so that's how I got this beautiful (yuck) glow. I have a video of it too, but again, I am such a noob with the camera so the video quality isn't that much better than the photo quality. Boba was so relaxed when he got onstage... can you tell? haha Before they shined the spotlight on them, I could see Boba taking deep, deep, deep breaths. He's so stinkin' cute. I hate that he's growing up so fast, but am always so proud of him!

OH MY!! The video was taking FOREVER to upload. Check back later for it. I'll have to ask Pete how to make the file smaller so it doesn't take as long next time. Had I known it'd take so long, I would have tried to upload it at the very beginning. Wow.

And here's my favorite little girl in the whole wide world, Elena! She's the younger sister of KJ, Boba's friend. Every time I see her, she gives me the biggest hug! I loooooove her! She has such a quirky personality to go with her utterly adorable and wacky fashion sense (yes, she dresses herself). Her hair is in disarray, seaweed's stuck on her cheek, and her clothes don't match, but she doesn't care because she's so happy about life!! The hippie in me can't help but hope my children (yours too, Pete) will be like her. Oh Elena, how you inspire me to enjoy life to its fullest.

Here's Elena and Isaac (one of my favorites, too!) at the Cub Scout Christmas party on Monday night. He's such a stud.

I love kids. Pete and I aren't going to have children for another couple years, but gosh it'll be fun. Two of my cousins are pregnant right now and I'm so excited for them! Congratulations, Chi Phuong (in February) and Chi Thao (in... June?)!

First things first though- Pete and I need to get married! Check out this engagement session below from Simply Two Photography. It's soooo adorable! I promise our photos are coming! We're just waiting for the proofs from Sara. Our session wasn't this creative, but it was still fun! Can't wait for you to see them!

photo via Simply Two Photography

One of the things we both agreed on for the wedding was that we'd like for the groomsmen to wear bowties. We're having a hard time finding yellow ones around this time, but keep an eye out there for us while you're out shopping for the holidays! Something a little more modern than this, but something similar is okay too. I guess Pete and the guys would need to weigh in on it since they'll be wearing it. There are a couple on Etsy, but they're kind of expensive, so be on the lookout. It's a small detail that doesn't need to be done right away so we're not stressing out about it, but just thought we'd put it out there.

photo via Style Me Pretty

Okay, so I'm in LOVE with TOMS shoes- buy one pair, and they'll donate one. I was thinking the the groomsmen could wear them with their suits, but Pete wasn't really digging the idea, so now I'm thinking about the brideswomen. After mass and whatnot, their feet will be killing them- why not throw on some TOMS, right? haha. Either way, I'm going to at least get a pair for myself for the reception if no one's with me on the idea. Pete calls them ninja shoes. I really like the gray pair, but the silver ones are so fun! I already have them on my wish list (Pete)! How could you NOT love them? Not only that, it's ONE for ONE!

These shoes would make great gifts for a loved one. I've tried them on, and they're super comfy! This style too weird for you? They have others! Remember, one for one- you buy one pair and they'll donate one pair. Sounds perfect to me!

Okay, it's time for lunch. If you're wondering about the colored font, it's because I got bored while waiting for the video to upload. Hope you're having a terrific day!


p.s. :) :)