Balloon Fiesta '11

Four score and...alright 6 years ago, my darling and I, sans babies and heavy one lab puppy, went to our very first Balloon Fiesta. You have to get up very early to go the mass ascension to get the real show and it is always a gamble. If it is too windy or rainy, the balloons do not go up and you have balloon hangover without the benefit of watching any balloons go up. We decided to risk it this year and wake up our kids who are trained to sleep until 7:30, a grueling 2 hours early to go to it. The Balloon Fiesta park which is a glorified stretch of grassy open space normally is about 8 minutes from our house. It took us and hour and 15 minutes to get there. Yes, people from outside our state, this is a BIG DEAL. Ok, now that I've nerded myself out here. There really isn't anything like it for adults and kids alike. To watch literally 1000 balloons go up in the air in a matter of two hours and float within view, you really cannot capture the sight with a picture. However, I made a feeble attempt at it. More successfully, I believe, I captured our family's joy in sharing this amazing experience together. I'm telling you, folks, its worth adding to the bucket list.

A returning favorite from Germany. Complete with stormtroopers walking around.

The middle bee is smaller than the other two because it has been added in the past year. Usually the other two fly holding hands in the sky. So the middle bee is their baby. We thought it was pretty cute.

My snuggle bunnies all bundled up taking in the show and waking up.

Imagine this times 50

The end.