The Anastasi's

Mom and Dad were suppose to come for a 2 week visit to Vietnam but unfortunately, Dad got sick and could not make the trip. We were disappointed that Dad did not come but were happy to see Mom, especially Bryson. He sure misses his Mimi and Pop!

I wanted to make it a memorable trip and find the most interesting place in Vietnam to take them. This is why I chose Ha Long Bay. It is rated one of the top natural wonders to see in the world. I would have to agree, it was pretty spectacular! We stayed on a Junk Boat called the Bhaya for 2 nights and 3 days. It was a beautifully built boat, of which Bryson LOVED. All he wanted to do was 'drive the boat' as he would say. He did very well the whole time and had a blast with Mimi. We were able to explore a cave called Surprise Cave, and it was just that! I have never seen anything like it...truly amazing! Ha Long Bay was amazing in itself too, as it is composed of over 2000 islands that jet up from the ocean. I highly recommend this trip for anyone. One of my favorite points was when we went kayaking through caves that opened up to a large round water hole surrounded by the island. In one, there was nothing but different colored jelly fish all over the place...an amazing site! Bryson kept saying "touch it" and "hold it" because he thought they were 'cute'.

After the boat trip, we stayed in Hanoi for 2 more nights and toured the 'Hanoi Hilton' (the prison where our soldiers were kept during the war) and went to a classic Water Puppet Show. Bryson thoroughly enjoyed the show, which we were all happy about. I didn't know if he was going to last but he loves music and instruments so much that he watched more of the people playing and singing then the actual puppet show.

Mom had about 5 more days after our trip to the North to hang out with us in Vung Tau. It was nice to bring her back to our home, relax and show her around. We took her to our favorite dining spot, showed her the famous toilet (of which she refused to use), did a little shopping, went up the Big Mountain (one of Bryson's favorite outtings here) and hung out at the pool/beach. We all had such a great time and as always, it went by way too quickly. I was sad to see her leave but I know that we will see everyone soon enough!

Picture Time:

Banana Man

On our way to get on the Bhaya Junk cruise in Ha Long Bay

It was a beautiful ship with very nice, cozy cabins.

Love the big windows!

Mom enjoying her time with a gorgeous backdrop

Blowing kisses as usual...such a sweetie!

We are missing someone in this picture....Cory had to smoke a cigar alone...we missed Dad!

A floating village...amazing!

This one is for you Blake...hehe...are ya jealous?!?!

One of my favorite pictures!

This is a school

All Bryson wanted to do was 'drive the boat' as he would say

The gates at the Hanoi "Hilton" Prison

A picture of John McCain being captured

John McCain's flight suit

A beautiful Hanoi street

Kayaking through caves in Ha Long Bay

Jellyfish have taken over one of the caves...truly amaing to see! They came in all colors.

Tuckered out

Just like Daddy...

This is a picture of how some of the prisoners escaped...Bryson probably could not even fit through there!

John McCain

Water Puppet Show

It has been a very long time since I have blogged and I guess the only excuse I have is that it took me this long to settle into our new life here in Vung Tau, Vietnam. There were many highs and lows about being here and thoughts about wanting to go back 'home' to Texas. I knew this move would be difficult and that we would miss family and friends tremendously but with Vietnam being a 3rd world country, I had many more concerns once we arrived. All those concerns have now calmed down and we are getting more and more confortable here every week.

We have some really good friends, Karen, Michael and Bryson's best mate, Logan. If it were not for them, I don't think that my positive attitude would be so positive. Logan is about 6 months younger than Bryson but they play well together and keep eachother busy...well really, they allow Karen and I to stay busy, entertained and happy! Its a perfect match and I am so grateful for that. Our daily lives consist of Karen and I working out in the mornings, taking the boys to the pool before lunch/naptime, hanging out at Karen's after naps, running arrands together or heading back to the pool....that's about it...we try to stay busy together everyday while the guys are at work. Once a week we try to head to Ho Chi Minh City for a day just to get out of VT for a while. It breaks the week up nicely. Luckily, the company that Karen's husband works for has a private boat that we are able to use so that we don't have to ride the nasty ferrys. The trip takes 1.5 to 2 hours one way, so its a very long day by the time we get home in the evenings but worth it! We were taking the boys to a Kindermusik course in HCMC but that is now over, so we are trying to figure out what else to do with them since there isn't much here in VT. Golf lessons might be the new thing! There is a new private school being built (Singapore International School) that we are going to check out for preschool classes. We shall see!

Since the last blog, we have been back to the States twice. We went for Thanksgiving/early Christmas celebration and back in March unfortunately for the funeral of Cory's grandmother, Charlotte. Bryson turned 2 while we were there, so it was nice to celebrate with family and friends at Zilker Park. He absolutely loved riding the train! Cory ended up having to come back after a week but Bryson and I stayed for 5 more weeks. It was great seeing everyone and being back in good 'ol Texas (the best place in the world!).

Soon after arriving back in Vietnam 3 weeks ago, we planned a trip to a nice beach town 3 hours away called Mui Ne. It was beautiful and CLEAN...for the most part. We went because I was going to do a triathlon but ended up not doing it because of the lack of training during our unexpected trip back home. Karen's husband did the race and we cheered him on! It was a fun weekend and much needed.

Enough chit-chat, here are pictures from the last 8-9 months:

Cousins!

Grandma Charlotte...we miss you!

We really miss our Lola!

Santa's Wonderland in College Station, Tx

He wants to be just like his cousins.

Christmas Day at Karen and Michaels...boy it was hot!

Bryson's room in Vietnam

Binh Chau hot springs and mud bath

Love a muddy kiss!

Gig'em! That's our boy!

Sunset in Vung Tau on Front Beach

Jesus on the mountain

Tet Celebrations

The boat. We take this almost every week to go to Ho Chi Minh for the day...thank goodness we don't have to take the ferry much!

The cows are out again! Actually, this is a completely normal event here. There are no barns, fences, corrals, etc.

A normal play date with the boys..Bryson, Logan and Jack

Singapore Zoo

This was a stunningly beautiful and well designed zoo...probably the best I have ever seen! It was amazing. Im not sure who had more fun, Bryson or myself.