Inside a Balloon (classic)

So as I have been wanting to bring a little joy back into life and into my family I want to sometimes do things that aren't always easy, or on our schedule, sometimes just spur of the moment, or stay up a little past bedtime.  It is not always easy to just get up and go with 3 small kids, but I just don't want that to stop us from missing out on things, on people, and on life.

So Monday morning of Labor day weekend, I decided to do just that, something that was sporadic and fun.  Maya & Norah woke up early and I went in their room, told them to get dressed and go to the car, we were headed for the balloons!  I didn't do their hair, I threw on some clothes, grabbed a bag of oatmeal squares and we left!  Maya & Norah were so excited!!  (we did go the morning before with the whole family, but it was a bit to windy for the balloons to lift off, so we thought we would try again!)

Right has we walked up to memorial park we could see the first balloon taking of and many others beginning to inflate.   It was so beautiful and colorful.  I ran down the grassy hill with the girls in the wagon and they were just squealing with delight, probably one of my favorite moments ALL summer!

One of the best things about the balloon classic is that it is really interactive.  You don't just watch from afar.  You can go right up to the balloons as they are inflating, you can feel the heat of the fire, you can see the inside of the amazing large balloons, you can hold onto the basket before they take off.  There is something amazing about being able to go up in the air like that, I have never done it, but just watching it, you get a small feeling of what it is like.  And really there is nothing more beautiful that watching tons of colorful hot air balloons lift into the sky with the purple mountains majesty in the background, seriously amazing!

I always have my camera and I wanted to get a photo of the girls right in front of a balloon. 

Ready girls! Look at mama!

As I was standing there they owner of the balloon said, "you want to come inside and have a look?"  He grab us and about 7 other people and we walked under and inside a balloon as it was inflating.

Maya & Norah did not know what to think!  When we walked under the balloon itself we had to use our hands to hold it up.  Like if you were going under a blanket and using your hand to lift up and see underneath. 

Everyone hands up, hands up!

 

We walked until we got inside as we could see the balloon inflating.  The man explained how everything worked, I took as many pictures as I could and Norah held onto my leg!  The owner then grabbed my camera and took a picture of us!

basically everyone is just in awe

seriously, my favorite balloon!

"and then you inflate it with cold air until it gets really big"

Up

 Really how many people have gotten to go inside a balloon?  I hope the girls retain this memory, because it was such a special one for me.

 ANd then we watched our balloon take off

Norah was so pretty concerned that they were so close to the fire

and purple mountains majesty above the fruited plane

it's getting hot in here

up up and away

 

rolling up the American tarp

The girls spend the morning playing with there bubble gun, running, watching balloons, laughing, and I even let them do a few of the extra things.  Like the bungee jump and face painting.  Really, it is just priceless watching your kids have so much fun!

seriously don't blame me for the girls horrid hair, we literally just right out of bed and went.  isn't this such a lovely picture, haha

Maya on the bungee trampoline

face painting

At least they had pretty faces when our car got towed

 Here are some photos from the first day at the Balloon Classic with the whole family. We left our house before the sun was up

Mallorie, our awesome sitter came with us!

Had to eat some breakfast, "nam nam nam"

waiting in anticipation

why is she so cute?

It is always so great when someone offers to take a picture for us!!

so cool

one of my favorites, i love the silhouettes

Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought taking pictures was pretty cool

oh Norah

how does this thing work?

Bubbles

they are really good buds

love this one of nory

my handsome husband

ooooo

she did have fun, I promise

it was  a really bright morning

My favorite

goodbye balloons, see you next year