We started the day off as we have in the past. Headed over to the Balloon Festival at about 6:45 (Tavita and Kalei were having a hard time getting up and going)
We got there just in time for the pledge. Oh, and some guy was up in that balloon proposing to his girlfriend.
The boys were paying no attention to any of the other balloons because they had heard rumor of a Darth Vadar balloon. They were so excited when they found it and saw it going up.
But then the wind picked up and it just about took the crowd out. Check out the number of people jumping on the basket trying to stop it form continuing to blow across the field. People were running everywhere trying to get out of the way.
Needless to say the balloons were collapsed quickly and the launch was cancelled. (Luckily we'd gotten up early enough to see them launch from the house on Friday and Saturday). There were a few people who left their baskets up and let people climb in and pull the torch. Brayden was a little skittish of the loud noise so opted to stand outside the basket.
We then did a pitstop to see Rachael and she of course loaded the kids up with an ever so healthy breakfast.
Here the kids are waiting for the parade to start.
All the late nights and early mornings started catching up to Brayden. He was good once the parade started.
Kalei however snuggled right up to Chet and was ready to sleep right through the parade.
Then Ariel came by on a float and she got her second wind.
The boys of course were more excited about the Star Wars float that followed.
We headed home with high hopes the kids would all knock out for a little wile. Unfortunately Tavita was the only one that got any sort of semi-decent nap, even though they were all very much in need of one. I quickly got the lawn mowed/edged then we headed back to the Freedom Festival.
Since it was our 2nd time there the kids all hit up their favorite parts (there was only so much for them to choose from since I'm too cheap let them do any of the paid attractions). I'm sure I looked like an absolute nutcase pacing here and there with my eyes constantly darting around trying to keep my eye on all three (fortunately they were all close together)
Kalei chose the bounce houses
Brayden: the Scales and Tails show (he absolutely loves that show and was the one pushing for us to go back so he could see it again)
And Tavita chose to dig in the sand/
This evening we had a BBQ with the Halls. I made a red, white and blue trifle in your honor. Too bad your not here because none of the kids were too big on trifle (they all wanted the leftover donuts Rach brought by) and we have a TON leftover.
Then of course we ended the night the All-American way by lighting up the sky!
All the kids LOVED the smoke bombs.
Some of the traditional sparklers.
Kicked things up a notch and busted out these bad boys. The ultimate sparkler of all sparklers.
The night ended like this:
Luckily the fireworks still went off just fine.
Favorite part of the night:
Lit of one aerial then told them we had saved the best for last. It was gonna be big and scary so they had to back up.
They were all ready to make a break for the house and Luke let off a tiny little one. The kids of course followed with a chorus of complaints so we told them we could do one last one.
It wasn't gonna be very big but it was all we had left. Luke then lit a killer aerial that made for our own little firework show. They were shrieking with delight.
Anyway, less then 48 hours til you get home. We are all getting so excited. The kids have been asking about you nonstop all day. We all love and miss you!
1 comment:
So many things so much fun. All seem so happy.
Post a Comment