balloon fest

right after brad and abby's family left, the football hall of fame celebration(s) began. we thought that they might get to see some balloons on their way out of town, but the weather was not ideal for the balloons friday morning (sorry, guys).

saturday morning we saw a few go by but not too terribly close. and then that night we got a real treat! we had skyped with big pop and grandma and tried to show them the balloons while they were still far off (like they had been in the morning). they couldn't really see them and we went back in to say good-bye.

i was still weak from the stomach bug so matt took the kids out to take another look at the balloons. not only were there more but matt came back in for the camera because they were close.

and they kept getting closer. and lower.

next thing we knew one was landing in the lot across the street from our house! we had heard that two years ago one had landed in the neighborhood but weren't really expecting it to happen again. the kids came running in to tell me that there was a balloon across the street! they were so excited and i went out to have a look. fresh from the shower. with a towel on my head. in my bright (think lime green) pjs. for all the neighbors to see. the road was filled with people - there were neighbors, balloon crew and balloon chasers/groupies. and a balloon across the road.

it was so neat watching them manuver it once it was on the ground sort of hopping the basket by firing the balloon and haing people on foot pulling it along to level ground.

i didn't stay outside long for several reasons - manning needed to nurse and go to bed, the stomach bug and my general appearance - so i missed the arrival of balloon number twoin the lot across the street. matt took the kids over to have a closer look at the balloons. they really thought ot was great and we let them stay up much later than normal to check it all out.

and there were still more balloons coming! i dont think that any more made it to the neighborhood. they landed mainly in surrounding fields and, we're guessing, the high school sports fields.

we really had no idea that our neighborhood was such a prime location! such a special treat on a lovely summer evening. love.