While most families spend the Superbowl weekend watching the Superbowl, my family went to Santa Cruz for the Roaring Camp fun. My sister was in town so we took a trip down south and had such a fun time learning about our redwood trees and the history of Roaring Camp. Surprisingly, it was crowded for a Superbowl Sunday. Enjoy the pictures.
The kids watching ducks swim below. So easily entertained.

Kids on the train

Eating on the train since it was an hour and 15 mins. ride.

Tiana and Japhy on the tree pretending to be monkeys.

Two words: It SUCKS!
Need I say more?

Okay…we have been having a lot of issues with patients and Delta Dental insurance. The problem lies when you, the patient, has dual (2) dental insurances/coverage. We have seen and are experiencing frustrations with Delta Dental insurance for our patients because they don’t pay. Delta claimed that if they are the secondary insurance for the patient, they will only pay their percentage ONLY if the primary insurance didn’t pay out what DELTA promised to pay. For instance, if your filling is $100 and you have 2 dental insurances. You will naturally assume that your out-of-pocket expense is nothing. But not if you have Delta Dental as your secondary insurance. Your primary may pay $80 and you would think Delta would pay the rest of the $20 but they won’t. They claimed that since the $80 was already paid out by the primary insurance, they are no longer obligated to pay out the rest ($20) since their contract says they would only grant $80 as total insurance payment to the patient. Understand? When confronted with “but you didn’t pay your portion” to Delta, its representative claimed that it doesn’t matter. The money was paid by an insurance company so they are no longer obligated to pay. Does that make sense to you? If not, cancel your Delta Dental insurance and stick with only one insurance. You will save money that way since you don’t have to pay Delta Dental monthly payment for something they won’t honor.
It’s a cheap trick and very conniving on their part but it’s their “contract”. So we always warn our patients to be careful when selecting Delta Dental as your insurance carrier. We will be more than happy to help you select a plan that is best for you. Don’t get scammed into paying for something that you will not be able to use because their “contract” has ended with the payment of another insurance company. It’s all in the language. We feel your pain because we think it’s unfortunate, too.

Here I am at my brother-in-law’s wedding with my son. He was the ring bearer with no rings to bear. We didn’t think he was mature enough to stay in one place and give back the rings when asked. But he was just so cute in his suit.

This past Memorial Weekend, my families (yes, everybody…sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, family friends, etc.) all went to Hawaii to celebrate my cousin Hieu’s matrimony. The weather was averaging 84 degrees in the AM and 72 in the PM. It was perfect weather, nice and breezy. We rented a mini van (candy apple red even) and drove around to explore and transport people. We stayed where my other family members were staying. We all had condos w/ 2-3 bdrms. They were all furnished with kitchen appliances, washer and dryer, living rooms, etc. It was a home away from home. Now I know how I should travel. Because there were so many of us, we got a sweet deal as well. More than 120 people showed up for the wedding. My cousin was planning for 75. We were all spread out to only a few hotels.
Unfortunately, our second night (but her 5th) there, my mom broke her foot. Initially, it was nothing so she kept walking for a couple of blocks. Then we sat down for dinner and she couldn’t get out of the restaurant. So, to the ER she went.
We had so much fun. We spent time with our families and friends, catching up with old stories and current events in the families and world. It was a much needed vacation for all of us. So we are all grateful to my cousin and her husband for choosing a destination wedding. Their wedding site was like a page of a magazine book. It was beautiful. I hope you guys will enjoy the pictures below. I was not able to get all the photos of the wedding and families but these are good for now. More to come later. Enjoy.

My son was so excited to talk to his sister. She was telling him they were getting ready to go to the beach. His flip flops were so cute but they were not comfortable. We took them off shortly afterwards.

My nephews came down from their rooms to say hi. Then my nephew Japhy thought his gesture was so funny. Here, you could see my daughter and nephew Andrew in the background laughing with him. He is the leader of the group. He’s 4. The other two are just 2, almost 3 yrs. old.

My mom broke her foot the 5th night she was in Hawaii. We were just walking on the sidewalk when she tripped over an uneven pavement. After dinner she couldn’t walk back to hotel so the guys took her to the ER. Unfortunately, she has another week to go before leaving for home, a few days before the wedding and has yet to enjoy Hawaii. Here she is on her bed telling everyone about it on the phone. It was one call after another when my families found out. Poor Mom.

At the Hanauma Bay waiting to get in. No, we do not teach our kids to shoot. The girl learned it in preschool from the boys. My boy was just copying his sister.

Another day at the beach with Diamond Head as the background drop.

Yes, that’s my husband using my daughter’s hands to touch another woman’s boobs. Pathetic I say!

Reception site before sunset

Night view

My cousin Hieu and her husband at the wedding. He teared up when he saw her coming down the walkway.

My mom in the wheelchair at the wedding. She was so bummed about sitting in that thing the rest of the week.

Mr. Vu (just kidding) and daughter at the wedding site.

Me and my sisters. The oldest one is in the middle and my younger sister was one of the bridesmaid in blue. I know, I look older than my older sister…so sad. She’s only older by 1.5yrs.

Tiana dancing to the beat of her own music

Tiana was so sad we had to leave. She kept asking to stay at “other people’s house”, meaning our rented condo. So disappointed that she had to go home.

I’m coming to get you!

Our little guy just loves to smile. He wakes up in the morning smiling and goes to sleep with a smile on his face. He recently discovered what it means when we say “cheeesseee”.

I know I lived in Omaha for 4 years but never once did I go sledding. But we went and it was so much fun. Why I didn’t try it earlier is beyond me. Even Theodore loved it so much. Tiana hurt her finger on her first run down the hill but she insisted on continuing. My husband’s so happy that we had such a good time that he’s already buying me my own “bib” and all those clothes! I think ever since we met, he has not been to the snow. Something about being cold doesn’t appeal to me. But a weekend is great. The first time I went down the hill, I went down backwards and almost hit a bystander. I was deliriously out of my mind from pure joy that the poor guy probably thought I was crazy. It was so much fun. Definitely will do it again next year.

Poor Photon, ever since the second one arrived, he was pushed to number 3 on our priority list. No longer the only child, Photon now has to share his sofas/toys/etc. and parent time with his siblings, who constantly pull on his tail and coat. But he wouldn’t have it any other way. We still love our little guy so much.

For my daughter’s first Easter with her preschool class, I made (red velvet) cupcake chicks for fun. Unfortunately, Tiana was worried that the chicks were “looking” at her so she didn’t eat any. “The eyes, mama. The eyes…I don’t want to hurt them.” But her classmates were appreciative and thankful. Now, I am popular in that class…FINALLY! Mission: Accomplished.