Banff-ing it up

For Kyler's and my sixth anniversary, we did something I've wanted to do since we moved to Calgary: we went to Banff! It's only about an hour and a half from where we live, and I am so glad we got off our butts and actually went.
First stop, Lake Minnewanka for a picnic lunch and some exploring.

Calista loved both the food and the water, because what's not to love?

Kyler and Calista playing at the water's edge.

With the squirmy girl!

This is me, 8 months pregnant, and the soon-to-be big sister!

Calista kept trying to touch the water, and if she succeeded, she tried to drink it off her fingers. Yum?

Happy 6th anniversary!

The whole family... for now.

She wanted to walk into the water, so we let her.

With bare feet, after testing the water. She didn't want to go back in.

She did, however, want to throw sticks.

Over, and over, and over again.

After lunch, we headed into the actual town of Banff and were all touristy.

Calista attempting to buckle a toy bear up in her stroller. We made her put it back after.

Who doesn't give bears more than twice their size hugs?

We went to a little museum and had fun wandering around.

Calista got to pretend to drive, so she was happy.

Me, being touristy with Mountie Moose!


We also stopped by a park in the city, and let Calista run around a bit.

This is the river in the park. Yeah, this is just kind of on the edge of downtown Banff. Beautiful, no?

And then for dinner, we ate tasty Cajun food...

...complete with a skull vase. I was happy. The food was good. Spicy and tasty and yum.

The second day, we went on some hikes. One was a laid back hike within Banff city limits, and the other was a hike in a canyon.

This canyon.

It was seriously breath taking.

Calista enjoyed being in the carrier, but we also let her walk.

She probably ended up walking about a half mile, which I didn't think was too shabby for a two-year-old.

It wasn't too shabby for me to do the hikes, either, being 8 months pregnant!

And the view we went to see? 

Totally worth it.

So, to recap: yay Banff and National Parks and beautiful hikes and tasty food and fun and family and anniversary!