Road Trip - Part 2

The second phase of our road trip brought us to the "Grand old badger state" of Wisconsin. We spent time with dear friends that we met on our journey to China for Hannah. Their youngest daughter, Hayley, is one of Hannah's travel group friends. It was so fun to see Hannah and Hayley together again. They always seem to pick up right where they left off the previous year.

After spending the night, we all headed to the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells that afternoon. Doug had a conference there for two days, but before he had to work at the conference, we spent a day playing in the water park with our friends. Hannah had no fear and went on all of the big waterslides...even the Master Blaster rollercoaster waterslide. Ava had a little more trepidation, but she did go on some too. I think her favorite thing, though, was the wave pool and lazy river. She just loved floating down the lazy river (me too!).

We are so grateful that Doug has had several conferences there in the past, unfortunately, with some changes in his job, I don't think he'll be attending conferences there in the future - bummer! That's why we went to this conference, even though Hannah had to miss a couple days of school. We made the most of our last (free) time there and had a blast. We LOVE the Kalahari!

Singing High School Musical songs on the wii

Ava and I took a crack at it..."We're soaring, flying, there's not a star in Heaven that we can't reach!"

Ava desperately wants a bunk bed - any chance she got, she scooted up to the top bunk

Our little monkey zipping along on the monkey bars

A beautiful day for a walk and scooter rides

Hayely practicing and dreaming about being a big sister...how about it, Mike and Sue?! :-)

Kenya the elephant greeted us when we arrived. The big girls loved him!

A new lion mascot also greeted us. Ava is terrified of mascots so we were standing back and waving. All of a suddent the lion walked up to Ava and stroked her cheek with his big paw (obviously, the lion is new at this). Ava freaked out and started crying...she still talks about how the lion came up and touched her face. She speaks fondly of Kenya and how he didn't touch her face. :-)

Time for cookie decorating

Hannah, Hayley and Hannah on the Rippling Rhino

An unsure Ava...she did eventually do several water slides and sometimes even liked them

Saying goodbye

Taking a break from waterslides to do a little reading

Sister lovin' time

See...Ava did eventually enjoy the water slides

Our kids don't need toys when there's a luggage cart around. They love playing and doing gymnastics on it

Right before heading for home, the girls did a coloring craft at Camp Kalahari. Hannah colored a pillowcase and Ava decorated a bag

Then we made a stop at the Sweet Hut to load up on yummy treats for the road. What a way to start our road trip home!