Wedding of the year!

It's 2011! Happy New Year!  Our family celebrated Jan 1, 2011 with a wedding that we've been waiting so, so, so long for.  It was ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.  My Aunt Lana and her husband Ken were married on New Year's Day in front of family and friends at Midway Church, followed by a reception at Crown Plaza.




The wedding was planned literally...Less than 3 months before the actual day.  How did they pull it off?!  I don't know! Let's just say that it was a New Year's Miracle.  With the help of all 6 bridesmaids, 6 groomsmen, aunts and uncles, we were able to set up all the decorations and the flowers.  Yes, we made the flower arrangements.  It was super busy days before the wedding but it all turned out fabulous.  Thanks for everyone's help!  Here are some lovely photos from their wedding day.  Everyone has been waiting for almost 25 years for this monumental day!  Congratulations!


The bridesmaids and the bride




It was so hard to get everyone smiling all at the same time!  This is the whole bridal party.



The couple and the parents


Di Lan is preparing herself for the 1000 picture photo shoot after the ceremony

The day started out at the house where the groom "picked up the bride". There was a short Vietnamese ceremony followed by a quick mini brunch. We all rushed to the church (and arrived late..my bad) but the bridal party made it time to walk down! After that ceremony, we came early to the reception hall, changed, and got ready to PARTTTAAAAAYYYY!


Wedding table


My cousin Andrew and his parents dancing their butts off


The cousins and the flower arrangement that we made




She later changed into her Vietnamese Ao Dai for the reception


The boys


Ken is trying to serenade to his bride but forgot the lyrics, so he had to use his blackberry to look them up!


"You may now kiss the bride"

I feel like my blog will soon be a wedding blog.  I have so many weddings to go to this year!

Thanksgiving in Delaware! Harry Potter! Aivi's engaged!

Man, I am so behind in posts!  After Honduras, school started and it was non-stop since.  I'm so glad we're on Christmas break...Time to rest, relax, and recap what's been going on!

Thanksgiving in Delaware:
When it comes to food, the "Nguyen Thanksgiving" never disappoints.  Every year my family from my Dad's side flies over and we spend three days of non-stop eating-Turkey, ham, roast beef, goose, mash potatoes, pies, buttery veggies, you name it!  My brother tried something new this year- fried turkey.  It was an overall success and he produced the moistest and juiciest turkey I've tasted thus far (even the white meat was super moist).


Richard helping out with the turkey

I was also able to see my lovely cousins from Chicago and meet Luca's girlfriend, Caitlin.  The three days included go-karting, Harry Potter, seeing my UD friends, celebrating my uncle's birthday, and hanging out with the family.  The old saying is true...There's no place like home!


Our family loves congregating around the kitchen


1st Annual Go-karting



Aivi and Jeremy!
Thanksgiving also gave us a chance to celebrate Aivi and Jeremy's engagement!  Congratulations! I'm so happy for you two.  I can't wait to celebrate the engagement Vietnamese-style!  Most of us knew this was going to happen, we just didn't know when.  I'm so glad we were able to be together during the holiday to celebrate such a memorable day for both families.  My prayers and blessings to you both! XOXO.

The official proposal happened hours before my arrival into Philly.  Lam was there to film the whole thing and take pictures.  It's all on FACEBOOK.  Check it out and enjoy!


Handsome couple...Although the dog was almost about to steal the show in this picture!

Now that Christmas is approaching...Our family will be celebrating in California and preparing for my aunt's long-waited wedding on New Year's day (a whole new post on THAT).  It will be a fun, busy, tiring, but LOVING Christmas!  Let's not forget the real meaning of the season though!  CHRISTmas!