Stayin' Cool

It's H.O.T. What do we do when it gets H.O.T.? We get W.E.T. My friends are out for summer break (they are teachers) and we decided to schedule some play dates. The first get together was at the Splash Pad. It is insane that we only have one in Tucson. Seriously. Because we only have one, odds are it's going to be busy. This particular day is was not too crowded so that made us happy. There were 4 adults, 8 kids, 2 playgrounds and a splash pad. It was so cool how we all instinctively jumped into "team parenting". We were watching each other's kids and helping each other out. I love my friends.
Here are some pictures from the day:

The water gun is Brody's favorite

Ami and her triplets, Jaxon and Delaney in the background

Brody and Hunter

In addition to the Splash Pad, we have been swimming a lot! This is from this morning:

What's the word?

Brody is a little lazy when he swims so he uses more flotation devices.

Seriously.... good times

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Bye bye summer!

I seriously can't believe that it is October already! September happened in a blink! October is a CRAZY busy month in the Mikkelson casa. This Friday is our 5 year anniversary, Eric is leaving on a fishing trip next week, I have 6 jewelry shows, our little girl turns 4, there's the annual Pumpkin Pickin' at Apple Annie's and of course Halloween. I am exhausted just thinking about it.

I am so excited that fall is making it's way into town! I love the cooler evenings and love that in the mornings, the kids can go right outside and play without it being 90 degrees already. I love the colors of fall, I love the smell of pumpkin candles and I LOVE football.

I was looking though some pictures and realized I never posted the ones of the kids at the splash pad. I must say, it is so strange to me that there are not more splash pads in Tucson. It gets way too hot to go on the slides and swings, so why not do a splash pad- they are SO fun!!

The first time we went, Bridget (who just moved back) and her sweet little boy, Gavin, met us there.

Gavin checking out the waterfall

Delaney telling Brody where to go.

Brody going crazy!

The second time we went, Courtney, Braydon and Charlotte went with us and we decided to carpool. We couldn't get Charlotte's car seat in the backseat backwards, so the little girl had her first trip facing forwards with us! Poor thing! The way there, she was less than thrilled!

Good times!

Brody goes straight for the water guns- and doesn't care if a grown up get sin the way, he'll shoot ya anyway! But look at that face.... love.

The crew.

Courtney and little Charlotte.

Delaney standing on top of a sprayer thing- the end result of this was quite entertaining!

Buddies (they are one day apart)

BFFs

And I just think this one is hilarious. We went to the playground after a short picnic and Brody started down the slide a little too quickly....

Summertime....

Summer in Tucson.... sucks. I really don't like the extreme heat and I REALLY don't like that the kids can't play outside for 5 minutes without turning bright red from the heat. The kids LOVE to be outside. Naturally, we have been swimming, playing in sprinklers and playing in the splash pad at the zoo to keep cool. ATTENTION: from here until the end of this post there will be boatloads of pictures that may look similar, but I promise they are not!!

He loves the sprinklers- clearly!

He also loves to try and smash them!

Delaney showing us her mega muscles

And you know how it's impossible to lick your elbow? Not for Miss Delaney. Skills people. Mad skills.

A sweet moment.

Since Eric started his own residential contracting company, he has some freedom to hang out with us, sometimes, during the week! Since we have a membership to the zoo, we decided to brave the heat and go on a family outing that was FREE (my fav kind)!

Such a stud muffin

Checking out the "Beary big black cat"

I love how freaked out Brody looks

Delaney touching a snake. Whatever Delaney does.....

Brody does:)

They were able to pet the cutest little armadillos!!

Then we chilled on Nana's bench

No zoo trip is complete without Dippin Dots

 

It was so hot we decided it was time to head into the "splash pad" thing.

Brody thought it was hilarious!

Delaney liked spraying all the kids- Brody included

But then he got her back:)

Good buddies:)

 

Random Day #2

I had fully intended to post another assortment of random pictures the day after my last post (which would have been LAST Tuesday) but I didn't-- obviously. Anyway, here are some more happenings at the Mikk casa.


It's now so hot that the only thing you can really do is swim. Well since we moved, we don't have a pool anymore. Oh but never fear! We took care of it in the most sophisticated way:

That's right. Plastic pool to the rescue!

Of course we take plenty of time outs for some nice, cold popsicles....

In case swimming and popsicles are not fun enough, here is another great activity to

really make Mom jump and holler:

Paint yourself with yogurt!! (yeah... I was so not happy)

Delaney has been going to our church pre-school program (she has been twice now). It is so strange! It's the first time that I have just dropped her off somewhere, other than a relatives house. She was a little nervous the first day, but got over it very quickly! What's really weird is just having Brody! We never get to spend time together, just the two of us so it was fun! In July, Delaney is going to go to Vacation Bible School for a full week. Brody is going to be so sad, he misses her so much.

At the beginning of the month, my brother in law, Kevin's new fiance, Kristin and her family came into town for a visit! Kevin works at the JW Marriott here in town and we went up there to go swimming. The kids loved it! Especially the lazy river and the water slide!

Wrong setting on the camera, but you get the idea. She was way ready to go!

The boys being crazy

Brody loved the little splash pad they have!

So did Kevin!! :)

"Hmm.... some hot chica left me her room key"

Pretty sure they could get used to living like this:)

And with that comes the end of random day #2. I have so many more pictures....