One of the things I am coming to love about the Springs is that there is so much to do with my family. We could have a different adventure every weekend if we had the energy and time for it.

Labor Day weekend is the Hot Air Balloon Festival, a free event in Memorial Park. We left the house at 5:45 AM. This balloon was the demonstrator. People could ask questions of the crew and see the basket up close. We spent a bit of time by it as we waited for the other balloons to get up because the fire put off so much heat, it was the one warm spot in the whole park.















The sun came up and we had a little breakfast snack on our blanket as we watched the crews spread out and blow up.

Gemma refused to smile because she was so cold. This is the best she could muster. I was warm because I was wearing a wig. Normally, according to wig policy, this would have been a hat activity. But because we left so early and I knew it would take a while to warm up, my choice was between my arctic fleece hat and a wig. Worked out just fine.

Last time we went, we parked ourselves on a hill and watched the balloons from the edge of the park. This time, we walked in and among them. They stood up and took off all around us.

We almost got hit by this one. But, just as in the movies, hot air balloons don't travel very fast, so we were able to get out of the way.

Additional pics:

The kids right before we left for church. Bryan looked at Gemma and said, "Is she going to wear all that?" Yes. Yes, she was and she did.

Finally, Gemma and Joshua found the corn stalks Bryan had pulled out in order to thin the crop out. They gathered them, gave them a "haircut" with their scissors, tied them up with ribbon and then included it in whatever game they were make-believing.

I don't know why we spend money on toys.