We love animals

We go to the Wild Animal Park or San Diego Zoo just about every week to visit our animal friends. Grandpa Epi always asks me "aren't you guys bored of those places?" My answer, "it never gets old for us." See for yourself why....

The San Diego Zoo is a wonderful world of animals.

Flamingos are high on the favorites list for the girls.

The petting zoo is so much fun. Here we have Sahara punking a goat. She is so fearless. It does not intimidate her at all that the goat is much bigger than her.

Here's Maya. She loves to be around animals.

Here's a wombat. Pretty cool huh?

Sahara "gently" petting a goat. I often times need to remind her to "gently" pet the animals. Otherwise her petting looks alot like slapping.

Sahara found her way into the Sheep's food trough.

Here we have Maya checking out the pigs. She was there for a while watching them sleep.

Close up of the sleeping pigs.

Now do you see Granpa Epi why we keep coming back for more.

CROCS !!!

Maya and Sahara received a box of Crocs today. You would never catch mommy and daddy in these over glorified garden shoes but on kids they are absolutely adorable.

The Steven's family visited the other day and their three girls had Crocs on. Well Maya and Sahara could not stop playing with them so mommy had to get them a pair of their own.

Maya is clapping in approval of her new shoes.

Sahara and Maya dancing around.

Sahara in her new shoes.

Maya posing in her new shoes.

We were needing shoes that could get wet for around the pool and activity table. I think we have our solution.

The Best of Times

Aside from the teething pain, constant fighting over toys and tantrums over the littlest things, these have to be the best of times. Maya and Sahara seem to be learning things at a remarkable rate. They mimic everything we do. It is so wonderful watching them grow and learn new things. Here are a few new things they have learned...

The girls have been learning how to jump. You would never think how complex such a simple thing like jumping could be.

Sahara Jumping Bean

Maya Jumping Bean

The girls have about a dozen words in their vocabulary now. Some of their words include: hi, banana which is pronounced (na-na-na) and Bella. Check out Maya saying "Uh Oh".

Maya "Uh Oh"

Precious Moments

I was able to catch some of those classic moments that are the rewards of having children.

GHET-TOE !! Notice Sahara's toe poking out of her sock.

Here's an adorable picture of Maya snoozing on the couch. Look how small she is compared to the couch.

Close up shot.

No matter how mischievous and grown up Sahara can be, she's still my little baby. This picture may be a little graphic for those not accustomed to nursing. But to a mother this picture is pure beauty and love.

Beach Picnic and Birthday Cheer

This past weekend we went to the F & W picnic at Huntington Beach. Here are some of the highlights of our wonderful day.

On the way there Maya and Sahara started playing footsie. It was so cute watching them play together.

Here's Sahara enjoying herself in the sand.

Here's Maya playing in the sand. Check out daddy in the background.

Here's an adorable shot of Sahara toward the end of the day.

It was Nader's 35th birthday and we surprised him with a cake and a group birthday song.

He was pretty surprised. Check out that smile.