Balloon Fest 2012

This year the Balloon Fest was exceptionally good. We got there early enough to watch all the balloons fill. It seemed as though there were a lot of balloons too.  As they all began to go up, it was exhilirating walking through the maze of difference colors, feel the flame on your face and be in awe at the ginormity of it all.

I'm pretty sure I had more fun than the kids did.  I remember going to the balloons when I was a kid.  It seems as though this part of the Freedom Festival gets better and better every year.  This is one of the reasons why I love traditions so much.  They conjure up so many memories and emotions.  Some memories are more fond then others, and yet, they are still connected to the tradition. 

Sweet Annika

Super Cute Cousins.

The night before I made all our headbands.  Don't we look good?

Beckham

The large balloons made him a little nervous.

Isabel

She didn't want to walk through the balloons.  She wanted to watch the Smoky the Bear go up.

Grace and Hannah

We look so small compared to the balloon!!

One of my favorite parts about this whole event, is looking inside the balloons.  There's something whimsical and magical about the inside of a hot air balloon.  It makes me want to be 7 again, crawl in with an armful of fairy barbies and play for hours.

The photos are always so much more dramatic when there are clouds to break up the blue sky.

The awesome flame breathing life into this balloon.

Jaren was tortured by this activity of walking around.

When does the complaining end?