I love my family and
they love me!
Many of my extended
family members flew into Vancouver to celebrate this day with me!
Grandpa Ham, Aunt
Yen and Aunt My
- arrived into town, from Edmonton, Alberta, on
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 and left Wednesday, February 9th, 2011.
Terence, Thao &
Tristen Evert
- arrived into town, from Regina,
Saskatchewan, on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 and left Tuesday, February
8th, 2011.
Uncle Long, Aunt
Hong and Brandon
- arrived into town, from Edmonton, Alberta, on
Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 and left Monday, February 7th, 2011.
Uncle Thanh
- even came into town for a VERY short time, from
Edmonton, Alberta, arriving late Friday, February 4th, 2011and left Sunday,
February 6th, 2011...bright and early!
Saturday, February 5th, 2011
The big
day...well...one of many big days...hehehe
Richard and I woke
up early...couldn't really sleep...too many things to do in the morning to
laze in bed...
Richard quickly got
ready so that he can head out as soon as possible...lots of errands to do...
Everyone started to
arrive shortly after...family and finally Tamiko and the Evoke Imagery crew.
The Evoke
Imagery crew split up...3 went off with Richard and Tamiko and her husband
Curtis remained behind with me.
My sister-in-law,
Lap, was already over bright and early to help my mom with all the
cooking and such for the afternoon festivities.
My niece, Michelle,
was over quite early too...she was responsible for my hair and make-up...which
as simple as I was going for, still took FOREVER to do. She's quite the
perfectionist...glad she's taking care of that...I just sit there and listen to
her orders!
Some
of the other family members were around and about assisting with everything
that needed to be taken care of. Like putting up all the 喜喜 signage
on the front door and bedroom door.
It took all morning
for Michelle to get my hair to behave and for my make-up to be done. By the
time I was almost ready to dress everyone on my side had arrived. The house was
quite packed.
Leanna, my
godsister-in-law, assisted me with putting on my Chinese red dress...then out I
went to greet my family...for family photos and to wait for the arrival of
Richard and his family.
It felt like forever
and a gazillion photos before Ricahrd and his family arrived!!! But
arrived they did and almost on time too! There was just a small hiccup with the
traffic...lol...along with a few logistics before the Selman family entered the
Hoang family residence.
It's was quite funny
and a bit nerve wracking, waiting and waiting...and waiting.
Typical Richard and
I, before he entered the house with the family, he called me on the
phone...never could go a day without connecting on our Blackberries...we love
our Blackberries...hehehe
After sending out a
few family members to assist the Selman family...arrived they officially did to
the Hoang residence :)
From the Selman
family:
Gordon & Mary
Selman, grandfather & grandmother
Mark & Janice
Selman, father & mother
Julia Selman
Robinson, aunt
Laura Selman, sister
Along with them were
the dowry gifts...which of course included a yummie roasted suckling pig!!!
The Selman family
was greeted by the Hoang family and everyone gathered inside. Richard
requested from my father my presence, I was kept inside my
bedroom during the Selman family's arrival. My father came into the
bedroom to bring me out and present me to Richard and his family. Quite
formal in a very unpredictable way...fun nevertheless!
Everyone was
properly greeted and introductions were making their way around the house. I
served tea to each of Richard's family members. The "kids" have all
scattered to various parts of the house as the "adults" all mingled
in the living room.
My eldest uncle,
Long, and his wife, Hong, were preparing the roasted suckling pig as my
sister-in-law, Lap was preparing everything else for the afternoon brunch.
Everyone enjoyed the
food....I sure did! I managed to get a rib to gnaw on...hehehe.
After pigging out...
The family all
headed out to Queen Elizabeth Park for more photos. The photos never end...
Photos did end
eventually....
We switched over
from a Chinese Engagement Gathering to 2 big families celebrating the Lunar New
Year's together over dinner at Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant.
It was a long day,
but it was a great day! Next big celebration: Wedding in 2012!!!
