Olivia's 1st Birthday

This past weekend we celebrated Olivia Yarchever's 1st birthday. As you can see from the picture below, the before and after shot of everyone singing Olivia Happy Birthday.

Before...

After...I take it she thought that our clapping and cheering was misunderstood as an angry mob out to get her. It wasn't long before she was smiling and playing with her presents. Sahara took a special interest in Olivia's presents and did not hesitate to start playing with them. Click this link to see...Sahara Bugging.

And for those of you who have not seen Sahara walk yet, check this out...Sahara's first steps. We call this the drunken monkey.

Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath

This is the kind of stuff we live for. Maya and Sahara love taking baths before bedtime as you will soon see... click on the links below the pictures.

Maya in the bath

Sahara in the Bath

Here's a great shot of daddy and Sahara snuggled up together. Absolutely precious !

Hook & Khoury Family Unite !!

The other day Danna Hook and her beautiful children visited us in Fallbrook. They are visiting from CT awaiting the birth of their niece/cousin. We have gotten to know them through their family blog and it was nice to unite both families for an afternoon of fun.

Here's a picture of Sahara, Jake, Fern, Riley and Maya.

I love this picture of world famous Fern holding all the loot.

This is the first time of hopefully many get togethers with the Hook family.

Dominic & Milani's First Birthday

This past weekend we celebrated Dominic and Milani's first birthday. It was a festive occasion that included a baby cake eating contest, adult high jump competition in the inflatable bouncing house and non stop baby antics.

Here's a picture of Milani. She looked like a little doll that day.

Here's a picture of Dominic showing his festive spirit.

Sahara thought she was celebrating her birthday.

Here are all four cousins playing Hollywood Squares. As you can see, Maya was not a happy camper during this photo.

Here's a happier photo of Maya on our way back from Vegas the other weekend. Click this link to view her new skills... Maya Blowing Raspberries.

Growing Like Weeds

Life has been pretty busy while I wrap up things here at Element. If you haven't already heard, I have resigned from Element to focus on raising the girls. The girls are very excited about this decision.

Maya and Sahara are now 10 months old and have been growing like weeds. They both are babbling a bunch, enjoy unpacking then repacking everything from the diaper bag to the cabinets in the kitchen, like to lay big fat kisses on you whenever possible, clap their hands at anything that makes them happy, have learned how to wave goodbye and believe it or not, have started to walk on their own.

A few things that they have learned individually... Sahara enjoys turning off the television. This is pretty funny although she is driving her Grandmother Linda nuts because she no longer can watch her soaps in peace. Sahara also likes to whistle when she is not tackling her sister or yelling "no" in arabic whenever she does something she knows she should not do.

Maya on the other hand enjoys sleeping-in in the mornings, has learned how to blow kisses and is often times blowing raspberries.

All in all we are having a wonderful time as the girls seems to reach each new milestone.

I recently learned how to post videos, double click on the links below and enjoy...

Sahara on Swing

Maya on Swing Alone

Maya pushing Sahara on alligator

Sahara Walking Forward with Alligator Toy

Sahara Pushing Cart

Fun in the Sun

Maya and Sahara celebrated a friend's third birthday at the San Clemente Park. The weather was sunny and warm and full of smiles.

Here's a shot of Maya and Sahara on the swings. It was their first time and as you can see, Sahara was taking it very seriously.

I love this picture of Maya. I'm not sure if you can tell but I put a ton of sun screen on her. She loved the swings and laughed the whole time.