bucket park

October here is one of my least favorite months, mainly because instead of the weather turning cooler and letting us finally don boots and sip hot apple cider, it always gets hotter! We don’t really have a fall here until January, so we usually spend the hot, dry Octobers at the pool and beach. Not complaining about year-round access to the beach, but it is nice to have actual seasons like the rest of the country once in a while. I guess that’s what visiting Utah is for!

This October, Aunt Sarah and Grammy and Grandpa came to visit and helped us schlep out gear and kids from pool, to the beach, to the water park and all around town. We love that we can walk to the Bucket Park, which is just down the hill from our new house and because it’s a part of our HOA dues, there’s no fee. We spent basically all summer and fall here! Thanks, Aunt Sarah, for the awesome candid photos!

Waiting under the bucket for it to pour water on their heads is always exciting!

Meredith worked on her back float this summer/fall.

Little fish Amelia.

Every hour, they do “safety breaks” which basically means the teenage lifeguards have ten minutes to text and eat snacks before opening back up the water park. During that time, we usually grab Meredith and run over to the splash pad next to the big bucket so that she won’t be tempted to go in the water during the mandatory break.

Amelia loves to sit and put both her knees inside her shirts, stretching them out! It drives me crazy! Her swimsuit never recovered this summer.

Daddy daughter date.

Happy October!

Lots of love,

I wouldn’t normally put “fun” and “moving” in the same sentence, but one of the more enjoyable aspects of moving has been exploring the new neighborhood. We are only ten minutes away from our old house and already knew this area pretty well, but it’s different being a resident. Almost every afternoon this summer, we’ve been out discovering all the local parks, splash pads, and best biking paths. The twins have been busy finding all the best patches of flowers to pick and discovering all the new bugs (box elder beetles really seem to love our new neighborhood). Bandit’s favorite new spot is the trail on the hill behind our house and Meredith loves “walking” him there, stopping to pick flowers along the way. We love being able to walk or bike to several little parks, splash pads, the water park, and the elementary school and library. It’s been a summer of adventures right in our own backyard!

Biking to the park.

Many afternoons, we just hang out at home and have friends over to swim. There are several pools within walking distance to us, but I don’t think we’ve been even once this summer, just because it’s so nice to not have to load up the car to cool off.

Meredith loves saying hello to Jodi’s yet-to-be born little boy.

Toddler playdate with Maple.

Forget the craft or playroom– everyone’s favorite room is our empty living room!

Water table fun.

Morning swim date with Amy, Sheela and their crews.

Can’t decide on a floatie? Just throw them all in!

Our first official overnight guests were Jake’s nieces, Lacey and Olivia, who were taking a summer road trip from Utah after graduating high school. The twins were fascinated with all their makeup and clothes and basically shadowed them the entire time.

Italian soda night.

Frolicking at the cute splash pad down the street.

Our favorite neighborhood attraction has been the little kids water park, and since residents are only allowed to bring five guests at a time, we’ve slowly been cycling through invitations to our friends. The girls were happy Nate could make it!

Meredith usually spends the entire time snacking.

After a morning at the water park with Crystal’s girls, the twins finally worked up the courage to stand beneath the bucket to get drenched!

Meredith’s favorite splash pad.

Exhausted from running around, filling up buckets of water, and pouring them down the slide to make a water slide with Gavin, Owen and Parker, everyone took a break.