Kalahari!!!!

 This year's Kalahari trip with the Steffey family was even better than could have imagined!  Violet slept well, traveled well, and ate well.  The waterpark was warm and the rides were better than ever.  A visit with some old friends made it extra special.  This is definitely an annual tradition that we will continue for many years!

Demonstrating her flexibility by kissing her knee!

This picture makes my heart smile :-)

On our way to Bloomington - she helped take this picture of me

Violet took some very artsy shots all by herself

Love how you can see her reflection in the mirror

Playing with her birthday buddy Jordan

Super cute kiddos!

      All 4 friends and 5 kids!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flashback to last  year's photo

Entertaining ourselves in the car with pretzel hands

We stopped at the Great Dane brewpub in Madison, Wisconsin.  It's one of Nate's favorite places and it's well worth the detour.  Violet loved being able to run around.  They even gave her a yellow balloon!

Yay!

It was a fun lunch stop :-)

At Kalahari and ready to enjoy some pool time

The 85 degree waterpark felt so nice!

Laser tag is not for the faint of heart.

Even Riley was scared of me!!

No trip would be complete without some "Deal or No Deal" action. 

Violet was spoiled with lots of Grammy, RiRi, Papa, and LoLo time :-)

Super cute family picture!

Work it, girl!

As we predicted, she loved being in the water.  She was so calm and content.  She really loved going up and down the waterslides in the toddler area.  She got very brave and we were all so proud!

Ski ball!

So fun to be all together.

Ice cream!

Cutie in a bathing suit

You guys!  Nate did this amazing capsule body slide and loved it.  Can you see him coming out of the orange tube?  You stand upright in a capsule and the operator pushes a button and you fall straight down and then twist around a super fast body slide until you come flying out of the tube.  If you know me well, you will not believe that I did it, too!  It was crazy awesome and mega scary.  So glad I tried it :-)  We pretty much did every single ride in the place.

Swimming wears you out

Playing whack-a-mole.  Notice the swim diaper and bottoms on over her pants.  She insisted on wearing them and put them on by herself.  Over the course of the trip she started saying "by myself" and "Vivi hold it/do it" and others.  Whoa, independent girl!

A little DDR, of course!