Christmas 2009 (Part 2) - Vietnamese-style

Despite the massive blizzard we received for Christmas, somehow, someway, Thang was still able to get us out of Omaha on a plane Saturday morning (our original flight was canceled). So at 5:00 am, we loaded up my dad's 300-horse power, four-wheel drive sleigh and made our way to the airport (thanks again, Dad!). 3 flights, 2 layovers and 8 hours later, we arrived in Erie, Pennsylvania to spend the week with Thang's family.

Time with Thang's family is always filled with lots of eating. I realized the most common phrase spoken in the Tran household is "Have you eaten yet?", no matter the time of day. Great for the tastebuds, not so great for my waistline. : ) Here is some video of our Christmas meal together. Included in the festivities are Thang's brothers, sister-in-law, sister, nephews, niece, aunts, uncles, cousins and various family friends - leaves little elbow room but makes for a cozy family gathering...

In case you're wondering, those are hot pots of boiling broth to cook beef, shrimp, fish or squid in - to be eaten with lettuce, noodles, mint, carrots and basil, wrapped in rice paper for spring rolls. And yes, for the most part, Vietnamese is spoken...learning at least SOME Vietnamese is on my list of goals for this 2010!

On another eating note - there is always plenty of seafood consumed at the Tran house and Nora has taken a liking to it. Seems the girl has expensive taste! "Num-num-num-num!"

And, although it was a balmy 32 degrees in Erie when we arrived with no snow to speak of, that didn't last long...

A few more pics from our week...

>

Thang with his brothers, aunts, mom (in red) and Nora

Helping make cookies - Nora did the sprinkles!

Scrabble - an annual Christmas tradition...with sister-in-law, Stephanie, Thang's sister, Thy and niece, Anne Shirley

Nora mooching some food from "Co Thy" (Auntie Thy) - she has become quite adept at this!