Konka's Birthday Party

 We had a pretty low key party to celebrate Bianca turning 2.  We had our good friend the Enky's over (they just moved away a few weeks ago... sad face) and Murphy and Jacobson.  I only have the Enky's  on video, not pictures and the video with them on it was like 3 minutes long... so you will just have to take my word for it that they were there.
Bianca was so shy about opening her present.

 One of her presents was play dough, with both the girls are in heaven over.  This is the first time play dough has made an appearance at the Radder house.

 But the big deal present was a box of assorted princess shoes/slippers.  All different heights.  Some are totally flat, some are huge platforms, some are kitten heels.  We only had one pair of dress up shoes prior to this and these girls are loving the dress up so we really needed to add to the shoe arsenal.  These shoes have not disappointed.  The girls LOVE THEM.  Although they are technically Bianca's present for her birthday, all the toys are communal and they both know that so they have to share everything.

 Sadly there is no DQ within a reasonable distance of our house with the nearest location being Salinas.  Which is a little of half an hour away, in the heat with no AC an ice cream cake would be toast.  And boy does little sister love her ice cream, so we just went for ice cream cones instead of a cake.

 Daddy getting all the shoes out of the box.  OH!  Look!! Tammi is sitting in the chair, I did get a picture of her!  I also made sure to get pictures of the ever famous Jacobson and Murphy.  Jacobson being to the right of Marcus (your right... not Marcus' right... got it right?).   Olivia gets slightly confused with Jacobson's name because at first we called him Jacobson because that is what Marcus calls him (dang Army with their last name shenanigans).  But then one day I asked him what he would prefer we call him, and he said he likes to feel more like home at our house and to call him by his first name, which is Josh.  So when Olivia prays at dinner, she will say
"... and thank you that Jacobso....I mean Joshobson... I mean Josh and Muwphy could come to our house today..."
Murphy says he is fine with just calling him Murphy, so that is what we do!

 Josh and Olivia enjoying their ice cream.

 Murphy and yours truly enjoying our ice cream.

 Bianca was loving every minute of her mint chocolate chip cone.

We feasted like kings and had so much fun with our friends that night.
I really love it when we have people over, I love all the hustle and bustle.  Different conversations, laughter and fun of it all.  We feel so blessed to have made such good friends here!

To Swaddle, or Not to Swaddle...

 We like our babies swaddled at our house.   Bianca was a swaddled baby...

 ...and Olivia was a  swaddled baby...

 I'm thinking we abandoned the whole swaddling thing a little early.  I mean, look at them!

All bundled like burrito's, snug and tight.  There aren't a lot of shenanigans they could get into all wrapped up like this.
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There are a lot of pregnant ladies, or ladies who have just had babies here.  Therefore babies, whether in the Mommy's tummy or not, are a big topic of discussion.  Marcus told Olivia she used to be in my tummy and that she was a baby once too.  She about died from laughter.  Then she kept telling me all the things that she used to do when she was a baby.  Like cry and poop and sleep a lot.
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Then Marcus showed her how she used to sleep when she was a baby... all bundled up like this.  Then he wrapped Bianca up too.  Olivia was laughing so hard about the whole thing she could hardly breath.
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I love these two sweet girls.  They are such good sisters to each other and help each other so much!

Weekend Study Sesh.

While Bianca was napping, Marcus did some studying. Olivia observed the studying and documented it. She was also eye ballin' Marcus Mexican Coke.
He writes out lots and lots of vocab flash cards.
Olivia was thinking if she acted real cute, Daddy would share his pop.
Daddy is a sucker for little girls named Olivia.
Anatomy of a swig of Cola... the anticipation...
...slowly and ever so slightly tipping of the bottle to ensure not a drop gets lost...
... and contact! the caramel substance has successfully made it!
And then the caffeine starts to kick in... sugar rush! We like to start 'em young at our house.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

We have been figuring out how to see everything we want to see here, as cheaply as possible. For the Aquarium we have some friends that have a seasons pass and we borrow their guest passes. I had been once with the girls before with other Mom's but this day we went just our family.
It is a really fun aquarium and it isn't as stressful without paying the entry fee. If the kids act out of start acting too tired we can pack up and not try to push through just to get our money's worth.
The Sea Horse exhibit is a favorite of my girls.
There was also a bright tank and we took turns finding Nemo in it!
Of course we had to take breaks now and then.
There is a lot to walk around and see. It was pretty busy the day we went and I am excited to try again once school has started and not have as many crowds. All the cool exhibits were packed.
This is one of our other favorites. It is a wave tunnel and the "wave" crashed over you when you are inside. It is a cool perspective to see and is very mesmerizing. Kinda like how staring into a bon fire is mesmerizing, capiche?
This is Bianca's favorite, the Sun Fish. It is in the new HUGE tank call The Open Sea. It just opened a few months ago. This Sun Fish is as tall as I am and loves to swim right past all the people standing along the tank. Bianca squeals and hits the tank and laughs at him. She thinks he/it is the coolest ever. It cracks me up every time.

There is one part of the aquarium that is a little much. It is like the "Save the Planet" area. I am all for doing my part, but this section was just out of control with it's propaganda. Global warming this, cow farts ruining our atmosphere that, get made and write to your Senator here, never eat red meat again there... they lure you in with all the cute flamingos and then BAM, read all our junk about how you are the worst person ever for eating hamburgers for dinner. For some reason it just makes me crave a hamburger more and I get the insane desire to BBQ for dinner. Doing my part to save the environment, one farty cow at a time.

Happenings.

Pretty much over the long weekend, we hung out with Murphy and Jacobson a ton. We love them. They are in Marcus company and Murphy is learning Korean with Marcus, while Jacobson is learning Chinese. Marcus made friends with them before we moved down and we have them over for dinner at least once a week. If Marcus is going to go and do manly-man things, then he does it with them (guy movies, workouts etc.... plus he would probably totally cringe that I used the words manly-man things and him in the same sentence.)

To say that my girls love them is a gross understatement. They ADORE them. It is the highlight of their week when they come over. They are such sweethearts, so kind and attentive to the girls.

I am kicking myself that I haven't taken more pictures of them. Marcus snapped this from his iPod while Murphy was helping Bianca brush their teeth. That will be my mission when they come over next, to take their picture!

We had a blast with them over the weekend and after dinner one night we got a game of two-on-two going. We went to the basketball courts at Super Park and the girls ran around while we played. I was sore for days after, I guess I am not as in shape as I normally am right now! The second night we played Catan!

Also, a while back, Olivia gave the opening prayer in Primary. Marcus snapped a picture with his iPod. She did so great! I thought for sure she would need help, but when it came time she walked right up to the podium and said "Mommy, I got this." and said her own prayer, unflustered, from start to finish! This was huge for my shy girl. Before she said the prayer she got to sit up in one of the front seats until it was her turn.

Study Time.

For some reason when Marcus study's at home he doesn't get as much done as he does at school. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why.

Better just stick to studying in the library instead.

Point Lobos

One of the State Parks close by is Point Lobos. We headed out one weekend in the beginning of August.

There are lots of trails, beautiful ocean views, harbor seals and tidal pools. We left the stroller at the car and Bianca hiked almost the whole way. She was loving all the freedom.
She did so good, we were so proud of her!
Olivia insisted on wearing her trusty Army shirt on an exploring day. And boy oh boy did she explore!
The girls were a little hesitant with the tide pools with the occasional wave that would gently crash in. I think it would have been better had we gone at total low tide.
The girls were entranced with this squirrel. It came right up to us and the girls at him/she had a stare off for a few minutes.
Taking in the views.
There were some seals down below and they were rowdy! You could hear them way before you saw them.
This is what it is like, taking these two girls out. Olivia clinging to me, ever cautious, while simultaneously trying to hold back Bianca from diving in head first!