It is tough being cute!

It is a little difficult to cook when two babies want to be held. So, instead of four hands Katie and I only had two. We still had fun anyway.
This isn't good.
Playing in the leaves at the Arboretum.
Playing around with Liam.
Bye Bye
With Lolo and Lola at a Filipino celebration in Charleston.
At the Lee's department picnic, here is Aryana playing with Asher.
Daddy is so proud of his little girl.
Aryana was not happy when the circus came to town.
Posing in my kimono that Auntie Leilanie and Uncle Sar got me from Japan.

Practicing my walking skills using my push toy.
Daddy took a break from studying to spend time with Aryana at the pool.

Halloween 2008

For Halloween, we went to a couple of Halloween parties. One which Aryana won one of the best Halloween costume competitions. We went trick or treating with Auntie Sonia, Uncle Archie, Cheyenne, and Donovan around their neighborhood. Aryana had a ball trick or treating for the first time, and she was out for more than an hour, which Lee and I were impressed. She really got the hang of walking up to the candy bowl, picking up a piece of candy, and putting it into her bag. Next year, we will have to work on the "Thank you" part once she learns how to say it. Afterwards, we went to the Warrens to hang out.
Relaxing with the Fullwoods after spending the evening running around the neighborhood.

Taking a break with Auntie Sonia for a picture.
Trick or treating with Mommy and Daddy. (She was insistent of walking by herself.)
Went to another Halloween party with the Warren's. Unfortunately, a tooth was coming in at the same time.

Getting ready for a Halloween party!

Fall Break

During October, we took a week vacation to the east coast to visit family and friends. We got to see Auntie Leilanie pregnant, and Mathew getting huge. Aryana had a good time. We went to the library for story time and walks on the boardwalk. It is really neat to see how much Aryana loves the water. It was difficult getting pictures in front of the ocean because she kept turning to head toward the water. Lee of course got his Thrasher fries and protected them from the seagulls. (Lee will have to tell you the story sometime.) On the way home, we got to hang out with the Sarah, James, and Vanessa and meet their newest member Elizabeth. Aryana had fun playing with Vanessa and her toys. Their new house is awesome, and it makes Lee and I excited to know that one of these days we will be able to have our own house. (Sarah told me that the house next to theirs is for sale.)
Vanessa and Aryana playing in Vanessa's tent.

Papa and Nona cannot get enough of me.
Hanging out at Rehoboth Beach. Auntie Tina came down to visit too.
Aunt Jackie is awesome!!
Auntie Leilanie showed us her favorite place to relax.
Aryana and Daddy hanging out in the Zen garden.
Aryana is playing with her cousin Mathew.

Our Little Leviathan

Lee, Aryana, and I had a wonderful summer. We had gotten pool passes at a community pool here in Lexington, and she loved going to the pool. She would splash, play, and crawl around. We went to Delaware at the beginning of June to see my family, and she loved going to the beach. We walked along the boardwalk, and of course we had to get some of Lee's Thrasher's fries. There was a wading pool, which she played in, grabbed sand, and crawled around. She had so much fun. She was covered in sand from head to toe, and her diaper was completely filled with sand, which was not fun to clean.




Dinnertime always goes so smoothly

Having fun with Daddy

Look at me, look at me!!

My first trip to the pool.

1st Birthday

Aryana's birthday was really wonderful. We had a little party here at the house the weekend before with our close friends here in Lexington. We talked, laughed, opened gifts, and of course played Rock Band. There was no destruction to the cake. Aryana was overwhelmed a little bit, and she was picking at it.


Balloons, how cool?


A princess for a day


The birthday crew


Having fun with the Warrens

Her Lolo and Lola threw her a party on her birthday in Charleston. All of our closest Aunties and Uncles as well as close friends came to celebrate her birthday as well as Dr. Agas'. She received tons of gifts from everyone, which Lee and I are truly grateful for your generosity. She received lots of clothes, which she will be set for this summer and partly next summer. She also received lots of books, which is good because she loves to read. She is starting to pick up books on her own and flip through the pages reading the book to herself. She received toys from wagons pulls to blocks. It was a great event at the grandparents' house; however, Lola says her next birthday will be at Chucky Cheese.


With Lolo and his beautiful garden


What a crew


Playing around with Geneva


Not many people have cakes in the shape of Ocho


Loved by so many aunties and uncles

Norfolk

Taking a break in front of the Shenandoah Mountains

For part of my spring break, Lee and I decided to take a trip to Norfolk, VA to see his sister and husband as well as my very pregnant sister and brother-in-law. We were hoping that Mathew would be born during our stay, but alas, he was born the day after we left. Go figure. My brother met us down there too, and it was very nice seeing him.

Aryana had a lot of fun in Norfolk. She turned the pages of the book that Auntie Leilanie was reading to her and played Rock Band with us. She started walking really well holding onto our fingertips, which Lee and I were really excited about. She fed Uncle Sar Goldfish, and probably wondering how she was going to get them back from him. Aunt Jackie and Uncle Mark spoiled her with more cute summer dresses. Once Jackie and Mark saw the size of Aryana's feet, they were concerned of the fact that the shoes they bought her were going to be really big. (For those who don't know, Aryana has really small feet.)

Posing with Uncle Dean and Very Pregnant Aunt Jackie


Auntie Leilanie and Uncle Sar


Speed Reading with Auntie Leilanie


Hanging out with Uncle Sar and Appa


Enjoying playtime with Uncle Mark, Uncle Dean, and Aunt Jackie


Looking cute with Uncle Mark

Easter

Aryana was invited to an egg decorating party by HMA. Aryana got to dye one egg which she dropped into the cup and the dye splashed all over the table. Aryana was actually more entertained with the egg spoons more than anything else. She then watched the other kids go on an Easter egg hunt around the house. I can't wait for Aryana to do that next year.

Dyeing eggs at the Easter party. Hannah (the girl in the middle) sure is having a great time.

Taking a break from coloring eggs with daddy

Easter Sunday was really nice. Lee and I dressed Aryana in a nice spring dress that Nona gave her for Christmas. Aryana kept taking off the hat that went with the outfit, so there are very few pictures with Aryana wearing her hat. We went to church in the morning, and when Aryana woke up from her nap, she opened up her Easter basket. Nona sent my Easter basket from when I was growing up so Aryana can use it. Aryana received new 12 mos outfits and sleepwear, books, and money (provided by Lolo and Lola which goes directly into her college savings account). Lolo and Lola also sent candy which Mommy and Daddy enjoyed to eat. Aryana though enjoyed playing with the bags the candy came in.

Seconds before the hat comes off

She loved playing with her carrot-shaped bag of candy

We later went to Matt and Katie's for a lovely Easter Dinner. Aryana wanted to play with the bunny-shaped bread.

Is that bread-bunny winking at us?

Enjoying a relaxing and delicious Easter dinner