My first Father's Day

Dear Mason,

I wanted to thank both you and your mother for making my first Father's Day so special.  I have learned a lot more about myself and our family ever since you came into my life.  I cherish all the moments we spend together as a family and during our one-on-one sessions as father and son.  I try my best to teach you right from wrong even though you are barely pass your 10-month mark.  I know when I talk to you, you understand what I am saying.  You can tell when I am happy or when I am sad.  I want to teach you so much everyday because tomorrow is never promised.  You are my little guy and I want you to grow up to be the best man to your mom, wife, and children.  

Thanks to you and your beautiful Mother for the best Father's Day gift.  I love it.

Son, always remember when times get rough to always stick with the people who love and cherish you.  I am telling you now, no matter what mistakes you may make in the future or how mad you think your Mom and I will be, just let us know.  We will all come together and try to figure out a solution.  There is no need for you to hold it inside and try to hide it from us.  I will always be here for you to guide and protect you as any father would.  I would like for you to have everything I couldn't have as I was growing up.  That is why your mom and I work so hard to provide for you.

Wrestling with you, one of my favorite moments I spent with you thus far.

As I am typing you this letter, you have been in bed since 11:30 pm and your mom is also in bed.  I just arrived home at 3:00 am from one of my part-time jobs.  While working, I couldn't stop but to think about our little family.  I know our family isn't perfect, but whose family really is?  At times I think to myself, what qualities and traits make-up a good father?  Am I a good father?  I would like to think I am, but then again I do doubt myself.  Then there are moments when I compare myself to other fathers and I see myself somewhere in between.  Hopefully, when you grow up and read this you will think to yourself, "Hey, my Dad was a pretty good guy, I turned out alright after all."  Then I can finally relax and smile down at you from above.  I love you Mason.

Love, 

Dad 

p.s.  Just know everyday is a Father's Day to me because when you are a part of it it makes everyday special to me.

Baby Mason goes Easter Egg Hunting for the first time

Yesterday the Vo's invited us to go Easter Egg hunting at the town of Trophy Club.  It was Mason's first time celebrating this holiday.  We bought him his very own easter egg basket and he must have known he was going hunting because he decided to wake up extra early.  We knew he would enjoy egg hunting since it was being held outdoors.  Thankfully the weather was nice, slightly cloudy with a refreshing breeze and no rain.  However, he was only able to get a few eggs even though he was in the 0 - 3 year old group.  Next year, once he starts walking he will get more eggs.

ready for the egg hunt to begin 

Lots of competition

Learning how to pick up eggs and place them into the basket

Easter 2012

Mackenzie, Tanner, and  "Baby" Mason

Mason and the Easter Bunny

Mason's First Valentine's Day!

Dear Mason,

You have just celebrated you first Valentine's Day.  Your mom and I went and purchased you a few books and toys and mom created you a Valentine's Day gift basket.  I personally picked out the Police Officer puppet which are hard to find, I hope you liked it.  As of now you may be too young to understand the meaning of Valentine's Day, but it is a very special holiday.  Don't expect it to be a holiday where you will be able to get out of school, instead you will have a lot of fun while in school.  Expect to receive a lot of Valentine's Day cards and candy from family and friends.

Mommy's crafty work

Valentine's Day is a day which reminds everyone to take a second to think and thank all the loved ones in their lives.  To me this includes you and your mother.  Of course there are other people such as your grandparents,aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, however there is no better feeling than the love I receive from you and mom.  Son, at times people may take their loved ones for granted so it is always nice to be reminded to do something nice for the people you care for such as giving flowers, chocolate, or gift baskets.  Mason, since the day you were born, everyday has been a "Valentine's Day" to your mother and I.  We love you.

Dad

Arkansas for New Years!

This past weekend our little family took a trip to Arkansas to take part in all of the New Year festivities.

Mason & Mommy

Setting up the Money Game

From Mason's Ba Ngoai

Our little Model

Part of the family at Grandma's house

Shorty sneaking inside

Mason is going to have a very lucky year!

It was a short but sweet trip.  We all had a great time!

Happy New Year! 24 Weeks old!

Today Mason is 24 weeks old.  He is surrounded by all the lucky money he received this past weekend from our trip to Arkansas.  Happy New Year!

Dear Mason...you have just experienced your first Christmas

Son,

We had a busy and fun-filled Christmas week this year.  On Thursday we took you to go look at the lights at Interlochen located in Arlington. Once you get older I am sure the lights at Interlochen will still be a tradition, but in case they aren't, I will elaborate.  Interlochen is a residential community where everyone gets together and decorates their homes/yards for the public to view.  The drive takes about an hour just to view it, thankfully we live down the street from it. You slept through first half of the drive but you seemed to enjoy the second half once you woke up.  Here are a few homes we saw....

On Friday, our family (including Shorty) drove to Arkansas.  Thats where we saw your Great Grandmother, all of your great aunts and great uncles, and cousins (and 2nd cousins).  You received a lot of attention and everyone held you in their arms.  I was lucky enough to take photos of you and your Great Grandmother.  She is almost 80 years old and I want you to get to know her as much as possible.  She said you were a big boy and she wasn't able to hold you for too long.  

I love this photo of you and Great Grandma

She is definitely someone you should look up to...

:)

On Saturday morning, yourself and I (along with some family) went to the Thai Buddhist Temple at 7:00 am in the morning.  You were tired and slept through the trip but I was able to take a few photos of the experience.  Two of the senior Monks prayed for you and said you were a big baby.  Just to let you know, your mother and I are not the most religious people in the world.  But we want to expose you to different religions and let you choose the "right" one for you.  We will support you in your decision.

The view from the Temple's window

Praying

Blessing

Later that night, which is Christmas Eve, everyone gathered at Grandma's house, had Christmas Dinner, and opened presents.  It seemed as if you really enjoyed opening your presents, due to the sounds the gift wrapping paper makes.  You received a lot of toys and some clothes.  Your mother and I discussed how it was interesting that you received a lot of toys/gadgets which will help get you to sleep longer at night; we will see if it works and I will let you know.

Great Grandma's tree

That's not even half the people that were there

One of the sleeping gadgets

Another one of your sleeping gadgets

Shorty helped with the torn wrapping paper

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  Your mother and I hope you enjoyed your first Christmas as much as we did.  We love you.

- Dad

Christmas 2011

This is your first meeting with Santa Claus

We just got back from Mason's first Christmas.  Our family drove to Fort Smith, Arkansas to spend Christmas with my grandmother, brother, aunts, uncles, and tons of cousins and second cousins .  Overall it was a great experience.  I know Mason enjoyed seeing everyone and receiving all his gifts.  It is a Christmas our family will never forget.

Our tree at home

Mommy and you

Mason with all his gifts

More photos from our trip will be posted soon....

Christmas is approaching...

Christmas is getting closer and it feels like we haven't accomplished anything.  Instead of buying a lot of gifts for each other like in the past years we both decided to splurge on Mason, obviously.  There's so much we want to get him since it is his first Christmas.  People may say he's only a baby and won't remember it, but we both will.  Plus we can always look back on our blog and photos and reminisce on the past.

Mason's first Christmas ornament!

As we have always said, tomorrow is never promised.  We will always treat every Christmas as if it was our last.  Everyone, remember to tell your family, friends, and significant others how much you love them.  It never hurts to be reminded every now and then.

Phan & Laura

Setting up the Christmas tree

A few days ago we all put up Mason's first Christmas Tree.  Mason seems to be infatuated by all of the different colors on the tree.  Next year, we may go for a classic white light tree.  We can't wait until Mason grows up and can help us put on the ornaments.

Mason's First Thanksgiving!

Mason's first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 

Fort Smith, Arkansas.  

Son, 

Today is your first Thanksgiving and there is so much I am thankful for.  First off, I am thankful for your beautiful mother who has been by my side through many years.   She is such a hard worker, going to class and clinical numerous hours a day, and then coming home to care for you while she studies long and tedious hours.   She also gave me the most wonderful gift in the world, you!  

Our Family Thanksgiving Photo

The little turkey is 14 weeks

It is going to be a wonderful Thanksgiving.