To celebrate Taro’s birthday, Andy and Amy treated us to breakfast/brunch at Break of Dawn. They initially found out about the place from their neighbors and suggested it as one of the restaurants we could go to. Always in search of a good breakfast location, we happily agreed. Upon arriving at Break of Dawn, the menu intrigued me with its blend of American/Vietnamese choices. I love fusion places, but a fusion place that serves breakfast? I have not gone to one before! It was hard to make a choice on what to eat, but I finally decided on the Skillet – Roasted New Potato, Bacon, Cheddar Poached Eggs, Guacamole, Chipotle Sour Cream – based on Andy and Amy’s recommendation. (They actually had it the first time they came and thought it was excellent.) Taro was conflicted, but eventually chose the Benedict – Two Soft-Poached Eggs, Grilled Potato Bread, Tender Smoked Ham, Asian Pesto Hollandaise.
When the food arrived, we started off with the Crispy Lobster and Shrimp Roll appetizer. They were so good that we actually ordered another one! Since Amy isn’t a big fan of soup, she gave us the one that came with her food, which was Kabocha Squash. The soup was nice and creamy and had a strong squash flavor; overall, I think am quite fond of squash soup now despite not having it as a kid nor most of my adult life. Shortly after, our entrees arrived and the size of the Skillet was overwhelming! Andy and Amy were not kidding that it could be shared – and that is exactly what Taro and I should have done. I really enjoyed the heartiness of the meal and the blend of ingredients. Taro’s Benedict, the bite that I had, was also good; he shared some with Andy and he had positive things to say about the grilled potato bread.
This was definitely a treat and what made it even more special was that Amy showed me the restaurant website back at their house. Dee Nguyen, chef and owner of Break of Dawn, has such a tragic yet uplifting story to tell. In a gist, he was an up-and-coming Executive Sous Chef at the Ritz Carlton when his son nearly died during a surgery procedure. Dee Nguyen had to make some tough choices, but he was able to open up his own restaurant close to his home. Hence, that is why the restaurant is only open five days a week and closes at 2:3o p.m.; he wanted to be able to stay close to home and spend time with his son. After reading about Dee’s story, I had tears in my eyes and I really admire the balance he has in his life – pursuing his dream of being a chef while maintaining core family values.
I look forward to visiting again and will definitely try something new on the menu! Thanks, Andy and Amy, for sharing this great find in Orange County!
K was also ready for breakfast. I love how she is staring off into the distance.
Afterwards we were able to hang out with Andy, Amy, and K. We first went to Babies R Us and I thought it was cute when Taro sat K on the Sesame Street ride. Once we got back to their house, she just climbed all over her Uncle Taro and even just sat on his lap drinking her juice. I think it is absolutely adorable.
The first cry, laugh, giggle, smile, tears, feeling of being sick, feeling of getting better, bath, crawl and sign of movement, attempt to get up and fall, steps, formation of words, time “Mommy” and “Daddy” is said…The first sign of unconditional love between parent and child. That first year must be a rollercoaster of emotions, but a bunch of milestones and accomplishments for both parents and child.
Taro and I experienced a lot of these moments as an aunt and uncle – not necessarily the “firsts”– and love that princess K is a special girl in our lives. We did, however, take part and attend her birthday and I was thrilled when her mom asked me to shoot pictures of her very first birthday.
Dressed in an adorable tutu, Baby K was ready to celebrate. There was a face painter/balloon artist, a stand full of cupcakes in shades of brown (to match the pink décor), and a room filled with loving friends, aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Before the cake was cut – which was exquisitely decorated – a game was played where Baby K had to “choose” her future. She ended up crawling and picking up lipstick and a book. So what do we see in her future? She is going to have beauty and brains!
At the end of the day, Baby K was exhausted; hopefully when she looks back on these pictures, she will see what a great first birthday she had. Happy birthday once again, princess K, and I cannot wait to celebrate your 2nd birthday…and the many more to follow!
A family picture, and then I love this shot of just K’s hand lying next to her Daddy’s hand.
It took some convincing, but K briefly wore her tiara!
And now it is time to eat cake…or cupcakes!
The face painter/balloon artist was a definite hit at the party. There were balloons shaped in flowers, monkeys, cars, and even Spiderman! When it came down to face painting, the kids were not the only ones to participate; even the adults at the party got in touch with the child within, remaining young at heart!
I love the one of Taro getting his face painted as a cat. He thought he could get in touch with his feline-self and potentially either befriend or scare Peanut when he got home.
A couple of just the family towards the end of the day:
By the end of the day, K was exhausted. The picture on the left was when the party first started; the picture on the right was at the end of the day where K was wrapped up in a blanket. She rested on the couch while her Mommy and Daddy cleaned up. Who knew turning 1 could be so tiring! Until next December, I hope your first birthday was a spectacular one, little princess.
There’s something definitely very special about starting a family. It brings the couple together in a different way and transforms an individual – caring for someone new to the world, shaping him/her to leave an imprint and impression on others, and learning about the self and what one is capable of. What I enjoy most when I see a family is the love that two individuals have for a tiny being; it is something pure and cannot be thoroughly described in words. So when Andy and Amy asked me to shoot family portraits for them, I was ecstatic. There is a gentleness that Amy has in her eyes when she cares for Kaitlyn; when Andy is with her, she loves to mimic what he is doing and is on her toy laptop while he is working on his. I wanted to capture that bond that each of them have with their daughter – same in that they both adore her and different in how they interact, but something that is one of a kind.
It might have been a little breezier than we expected and Kaitlyn had to be bundled up toward the end of the session, but it was a pleasure spending the afternoon with a lovely couple who wanted to capture the first year with their baby girl. I look forward to capturing more moments with your family, Andy and Amy!
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