Monday, February 2, 2009

Chen Dynasty Reunion

Ah, Phoenix - the city of open, blue skies, the warmth of the sun, and clear night skies full of bright stars. How I've missed it! I can't believe it's been over a year since I was here. The familiar sense of 'coming home' was still present when I arrived, a feeling of comfort, peace and security. It's such a great place for a retreat!

I got to hang out with Julien the first day since our relatives from Taiwan didn't arrive until the following evening. We walked to the supermarket, got coffee and groceries for making waffles, watched movies, it was great!
















The boys bonding over a soccer video game
















Mom helping Aunt Mary with Chinese New Year Dinner
















Family pic!
















Eating at a diner on our way to Vegas! Look at all the yummy, greasy food!
















Je-ling looking sad because he had a stomach virus and we ordered him the most plain thing on the menu - one large pancake and toast, hahaha
















The hotel we stayed at in Vegas
















Waking up at 4:45am to get on a bus to the Grand Canyon
















Passed by Hoover Dam on the way to the Canyon

































Getting back on the bus - Kenny was a great driver
















The Skywalk! It is SO scary to walk on it!
















Eagle picture on the skywalk
















My cousin Happy - she really is happy all the time, and crazy and fearless!
















The part we were sitting on was not transparent so I felt more comfortable walking on it. Walking on the transparent glass was unbelievable, I couldn't even look down when I did.






























































We are such graceful eaters
















We were the life of the party during lunch at the Canyon. We started taking pictures with the guy singing on stage and dancing around the tables. It was awesome.
















Last night in Vegas
















































Je-Ling happy because he can have fries now. Yummy!




















We took pictures everywhere. Literally. Anytime we have a spare minute waiting for something, we started posing and taking pictures. If anyone offers to take pictures FOR us, they end up with 5 or 6 cameras in their hands. It was pretty funny, and difficult to get around because we were stuck taking pictures for so long.
































We tried this picture so many times and I still couldn't get it right






















































Aunt Christine being silly
















Aunt Kay and her son Je-Ling (Lawrence / formerly Martin / formerly John)

































I LOVE Jack in the Box
















We even had a blast at Costco! Our family is so much fun
















Moving our luggage so we can all sleep in the same house on our last night together (we were all spread out in 3 different houses, Uncle Peter's house was like the main cabin for meals)





















Family church
















Taking my cousins shopping - we were on the search for Timberlands, Twizzlers and chocolates






































At our family reunion / grandparents' 60th anniversary / Uncle Peter's 60th birthday celebration









































Ghetto fob
















Is Julien actually smiling?
































































































































Yeah, there were too many things to celebrate - the poor cake decorator





















Uncle Peter opening up his birthday gifts - the best was fish oil and vitamins
















Making breakfast for the relatives from Taiwan before they depart for the airport
































The waffle maker got some good use this week!
















Everyone waving good-bye until the van turned the corner. It was a sad moment. Aunt Christine started a chain reaction of tears as we hugged and said good-bye. I think we all had an amazing time together and will treasure this reunion always!

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