HAPPY 34th BIRTHDAY,
TO RACHEL!!
As a special treat Rachel was dropped off
at the Dallas airport (twice, don't ask why!)
to escape for 5 days to her sister's house
in Albuquerque, NM!
While enjoying her peace and quiet she
posted this on Facebook.
Things I've done while in NM (with 24 hrs to go): went to the airport ...twice, watched over 100 hot air balloons lift off at once, almost helped a hot air balloon lift off but got free breakfast instead, went antique shopping, helped add decorations to my sisters gorgeous home, rode in the back of her truck numerous time while sitting in a beach chair, went to the movies, ate lunch at a park, lis
tened to all 4 sessions of conference, pushed Grant over on the ground many times, shot a hand-gun, 22 and another very big loud gun, did Eliza's hair for homecoming, used binoculars to spy on neighbors, watched all of season 2 of Downton Abby, laughed hysterically about e=mc2, and cleaned like a sister should!!
My 1st Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta!
The neat thing about the 2 week long
activities is that they start it all off
with launching 1 balloon at every
Elementary School in the city.
They are even perfectly ok with
kids touching the balloon as it is filling
with air!!
Ray, Sarah, Eliza, Kim, Grant and Grandma Nancy.
Sarah all bundled up.
Grandpa Jeff taking pictures like a pro!
If you look closely you can see the launch site that is filled
with more and more balloons filling to go up.
Up, Up and Away.
This reminds me of a quilt.
This balloon landed about 100 feet
from my sisters home.
The truck following them is the balloon "crew"
that helps them lift off, follows them while
scrambling around the city, and then picks them
up wherever they land.
The "quilt balloon" landed nearby
and has begun to deflate.
This balloon had a very large basket and
had extra burners inside to carry the weight.
The people inside were so close to us
we were able to converse with them.
One woman shouted...
"Your roof looks great!"
Such an amazing sight.
Most balloons have their own cards
and even pins to hand out.
The local kids even collect them like
baseball trading cards.
The girls loved this pretty balloon.
Look closely to the left and you will see a
fire hydrant!
What a great design!
Darth Vader!!!
A sight to be seen!
So amazing to see these large balloons
just drop from the sky all around us.
Any where they could find!
Gotta love rainbows!
Just for perspective.
This is the outline of the balcony we sat on.
The wind was just perfect that morning.
Sending all the balloons in our direct path.
Sarah was lucky enough not to have
to go to school until 9am
and got to watch the balloons land
all around her neighborhood.
One balloon landed in the empty lot besides
her home.
It wanted to drag over to the street so they
could deflate the balloon away from the weeds.
But they had to wait until Sarah's
school bus came by for pick ups!!
The balloons with black fabric seemed
to be the most impressive.
If only there was a DOG balloon
to fly by the fire hydrant!
For the first few mornings the balloons strayed
to a different part of the city and we used
our binoculars to watch.
We kept guessing as to what this balloon was.
Finally we found out for sure!
ELVIS is ALIVE!!
Ben loved this balloon.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Doesn't it look like this balloon is about
to run into the top of our house?
The lion is king.
Here is the balloon waiting next to
my sister's home!!
HEARTS!!
Another fun design.
"ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES!"
Panda bear.
Pigs do fly!
A carousel balloon.
Pink elephant.
The balloons are so large when
seen from close up they could even block out the sun
and cast a shadow over the whole house.
A total of 3 balloons landed on the street
in front of the house!
There is grandpa ready to help!
The whole neighbor comes out to help and watch.
The kids are welcome to come over and tug
on the chain that lights the flame.
At the bottom left you can see a man pulling the center
rope to guide the balloon to fall on to the street as
it deflates.
Phantom of the Opera.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall....
One HUGE elephant!!
This was such a special treat for Rachel!!
