BLOGS

I am obsessed with blogs! There is never a reason to buy a magazine anymore... Well unless I am flying and that may no longer be needed either.. With airlines offering wifi now during your flight.

I am usually checking out blogs about homes and designs...with the occasional fashion blog from time to time. I stubbled on this fashion blog and am in love. I love this gal's fashion sense!

Now I just need more fabulous outtings to wear this stuff to!

www.atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com

Hayden's treehouse

I am going on record..... My husband is AMAZING....

When it comes to his family he will bend over backwards to give us what we want. And when we asked for a simple playhouse for Hayden to enjoy... he gave us an awesome treehouse for endless of hours of fun and a mini garage for mom to hide all of the toys when its not in use.

As I blog about this.. I may say "we" alot.... but really it is mostly all of Steve's doing and mastermind. Hayden and I stayed indoors most of the time away from the heat... I don't have play-by-play pics but it will give you a good idea of what it looks like throughout the process.

He decided on this spot next to the deck and by our largest tree. A sandbox was originally there, but it could be easily moved.

We decided on this space next to the existing deck and by our largest tree.

Steve originally wanted a house actually built into the tree. But compromised with me by building a platform for the playhouse which provided a garage to house all of Hayden's toys, tractors, and wagons when not in play.

Fast forward a few weeks.. playhouse is assembled and placed on the platform deck. The playhouse is actually a premade playhouse sold at Costco. We felt it would be better to buy the house because of all of the fun details in the house that we wouldn't replicate as well or even at its cost. We did paint the house to replicate our actual home with red door, trim and awnings. Other things done at this stage- the sandbox was moved over, garage is fully enclosed with the sliding door framed out.

From this angle... you can see the rock climbing wall two differnet degrees of difficulty.

The metal ladder was a temporary way for us to access that side of the house.

Here I am snapping pics from inside of the house away from the mosquitos and heat! Steve is starting to frame the floating deck into the tree.

Pretty amazing looking! and sturdy!

He learned how to weld to do the railing, but found out that the look
of the new contracted railing with glass was barely more and decided to
contract out this railing and glass for the deck for asthetics purposes.

Added a stairway to the open hatch, a yellow slide

and some colored tiles and almost done.

A little pressure washing to prep for staining.

Voila! All done. Steve said it was time consuming

but more than worth it to see Hayden enjoy it.

At least now that its cooler.

JULY 4 CELEBRATION WEST UNIVERSITY

We celebrated Independence day in 2011 with our close friends Emma/Duy & Mandy/Brian our neighborhood parade. Everyone decorated their rides and met up at 9am for the parade which ended up at the community pool for more fun.

FAMILY DESTIN TRIP IN JUNE 2011

Our first trip to Destin, Florida did not disappoint! White sands and clean blue-green water.... awe.... what a gem. This will definitely be an annual vacation destination for the Nguyen's. We rented a beach front home with some friends and it was perfect! It was convenient to walk down to the beach at any time, perfect for relaxing in the house, enjoying home cooked meals, and fireworks and smores while watching the sun set.

This is the deck leading out to the beach.

Hayden checking out our balcony...

Heading out the the beach.

Hayden was not used to the waves yet. He needed some coaxing and reassurance that it was safe

One of the families we vacation with were Lynda & Simon with their girls- Sydney and Stella.

After dinner, we all decided to take a walk on the beach while the kids collected baby crabs.

Our family. Hayden was on mom's shoulder while dad brought the tunes....

Steve's sombero traveled with us all the way from Houston to help block out tooo much sun... and everything else.....

Hayden loved playing in the water and sand after a while....

The king being shaded by his humble servant....

Smores are always so much fun making.... a bit over-rated in the taste department in my opinion. Good for pic opportunities and fun memories though.

We headed home after 3 and a half days... What a great trip! We hope our extended families will join us the following years.

BACK ON AGAIN....

Sorry for not posting for soooo long.

No excuses.





Glad to be back and will be updating you all on 'what's up' with the Nguyens.