We got home late from the festival and I wasn't sure I had the energy to get just a few hours of sleep in order to return for the morning balloon launch. But we sacrificed some sleep and got there in plenty of time........... boy were we glad we did!
The kids were super excited to see so many more balloons when we got there.
It was quite chilly but the excitement seemed to warm us up more then anything. They inflate the balloons in heats, so to speak. Which makes it super nice for watching the process.
We were amazed every moment we were there!
Who knew hot air balloons looked like this?
Besides the amazement of the actual balloons, the balloon teams also hand out cards. Much like baseball cards. The kids could go around to their favorite balloons to collect these cards. The cards had a picture of the balloon along with either facts about the balloon or facts about this years balloon festival.
It was a super fun part of the festival! The kids really got into it!
This swirly balloon was one of Kiersten's favorite designs out of the typical shaped balloons.
It was crazy awesome to see so many hot air balloons launching!!!
I was so surprised that we all got to be right where all the action is. That was super fun! Watching the teams work their balloons to get them launched. I sure hope to return again and again! So worth the 6 plus hour drive with a car full of kids. Our kids travel easy so that makes it really nice.
Of course we LOVED all the special shaped balloons!
I just love my kids! And I hope they grow up knowing that fact! I also hope they grow up with wonderful memories from their childhood!
AMAZING RIGHT?
One great part of the festival was being able to be right down on the field where they are launching the balloons. You really feel like you are a part of it. You also get a first hand look at all the hard work that goes in to the launching process! It takes a whole team of people to launch each balloon.
Even the typical shaped balloon were great. So many different colors and designs. No two were exactly alike.
Doesn't my Kiersten look happy?
The boys were all thrilled with the chainsaw carving contest.
It is impressive the carvings these men made using just chainsaws.
The boys watched the carving contest for a good hour while Kiersten and I walked around watching more balloons launching.
Beautiful colors and such a gorgeous day. Once the sun fully came out it really started to warm up.
Hunter really liked this basketball balloon.
So much fun being down next to these fun shaped balloons!
This was the largest balloon there was.....it was HUGE!!! Just look at it compared to Kiersten standing out by it!
There was even an Elvis balloon.
It took quite awhile for this princess to make it up to standing position.
Loved the princess carriage. It never launched but it was a cool shaped balloon.
There were 95 special shaped balloons at this festival. Over 600 balloons in all, from 15 different countries.
We couldn't believe this princess balloon actually launched. It was Ginormous!!
Loved the three bee balloons.
This balloon had a guy dressed in a astronaut suit handling out the balloon cards to the kids.
That was cool!
This was one of the last balloons to launch that morning.
After all the balloons had launched we found out that they were giving kids free tandem rides in a hot air balloon. Surprisingly the line wasn't even that long.
We were sad that Hunter and Grant didn't make it in time to get a ride. They were with Justin watching some more chainsaw carving. As soon as they got there the people stopped giving rides.........it was a bummer! And boy was Grant mad about it! I felt bad because it was a cool experience and I would have loved for all the kids to have gotten to do it.
This stork balloon was the one that Kiersten and Logan got to ride in.
One guy helping maneuver the balloon told the kids this was the second time they had
"flown by Stork!"
Pretty fun things especially for free. I had looked in to balloon rides for us but man they were expensive. Something like $400 a person..........yeah not happening!
Looking excited!
Had my first try at Arepas! And they were yummy!!! Much like a tamale with sweet corn and mozzarella cheese.
The weekend we went to the festival was general conference. So on the long drive home we listened to all the sessions of conference. I have to say it was the best experience we have ever had when it comes to listening to conference with little children. They knew that was the deal so there was no complaining and Justin stayed awake for once............he was the driver so that was good.
It was wonderful to listen to our inspired leaders give us direction and inspiration to do better. Many of the talks were about being a mother and they all really touched my heart.
Such a fabulous weekend and might be our new family tradition to take a short road trip over conference. So much easier to actually listen to the talks this way.
I am grateful we were able to take this trip and make these memories!
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