One of our summer traditions is to get up oh so early (5:30am) to attend the Hot Air Balloon Launch which is part of Provo's Freedom Festival. This morning was our 5th summer attending. It's fun to have a Fourth of July-related tradition, though I'm far too practical to attend on the actual holiday, so we always go on one of the days preceding the big day (I don't want to battle huge crowds).
We picked up Max and Lucas and drove Michelle's van (since we wouldn't fit in our car with 6 of us) and headed down to Provo. We got there as the balloons were filling up and before the sun came out from behind the mountains. I'm always amazed by the transformation that takes place as soon as the sun peaks out from the East, everything gets more beautiful and it's like the party officially gets started.
This year someone gave the kids little American flags to hold while they watched the balloons, so it was rather quaint watching them with their flags.
It's kind of crazy that we could be done with our morning's events BEFORE 8:00am, but we were. We dropped Randy off at work and then went back to Michelle's house to return her van and get our car (Max and Lucas came home with us and spent the day here). I ended up feeling tired all day but still managed to get 4 loads of laundry, grocery shopping, and Whitney's haircut out of the way, so I guess that's something, there was just a whole lot of yawning along the way.
Whitney fell asleep with her head on the remote today while watching a movie. I thought she was faking it at first because I had asked her to fold some towels, but upon closer inspection I could hear her snoring, plus she didn't move for about an hour. How is that for pooped?
**Do you have any fun, summer traditions?
Have you ever been to a balloon launch?
Are you alive and blogging?**
Have you ever been to a balloon launch?
Are you alive and blogging?**
19 comments:
What a fun tradition! And I can't believe you are up so late considering how early you got up! Go to sleep girl!
Barely alive and barely blogging. I have been really sick and have company. Not a good mix. I rememeber the balloons in Provo, very pretty.
I remember your post about this last year and thinking that I wanted to go this year but totally spaced it and had no idea when it was. I will be on top of it next year!!! I think it is a pretty fun/unique tradition, esp when you are not a morning person.
We have an annual Flaming Gorge camping trip that was replaced by a lake Powell trip this year without me since I couldn't go. Linc said it wasn't nearly as fun- so I don't feel so sad about missing it. Ha!
I have never been to a balloon launch but it sure looks beautiful! I know what you mean about being done with the day so early. When we go bike riding as a family, sometimes we get up early to beat the heat and are done before breakfast time even if it felt like we rode forever.
One summer tradition we have is going to the water park in Mississippi at the END of the summer. I despise the place- it feels like a big germ fest- but the kids love it and save their allowance all summer to pay their own admission.
I am alive and blogging but a little behind with all the sickness. I managed a quick 4th of July post. Luci is feeling better but still tires very easily, napping frequently (which she never does when well) and sleeping 14 hours at night. It just seems like all her energy has been zapped out of her with this mono.
This is so colorful!! I should check into this kind of event here -I have seen them, but not actually been there. Kids would love it & try to stow-away ;)
Once or twice a year we head to the beach. We also holiday in Utah where the clan gathers.These are the summer traditions. This year,however, we are skipping our trip to UT and taking full advantage of Newport Beach- a 6 hour drive away. I was just in Sandy 2x in May and will see more family in Sept,so we're skipping it. I plan on partyin with blog pals in the summers ahead, but not this one. I'll send ya a postcard ;) heehee -Janae
I think the Freedom Festival is a great way to kick off the 4th. I was up around 5:30, but only to run before the heat was unbearable.
I am alive and blogging, but it seems several are out of town (such as I) and busy with better festivities.
Hope you guys have a great 4th!!
Alive - but haven't been blogging...just reading yours! :-)
I am missing my Mother in Law today as she is on her mission. We have never stayed at home on the 4th - we are always at her home watching the balloons from her giant window and amazing view!
So fun that you were able to take your littles as well as Michelles and continue your tradition. I always find it an amazing site to see all those balloons in the sky!
So dang funny that Whitney feel asleep on the remote! Enjoy your day!
What a fun way to kick-off the holiday--and you're done by breakfast!
Every year there is a local hot-air balloon event near NASA/JSC. The last couple of years a few of the balloon teams have used the land behind us to prepare and "blast-off". We get to enjoy the view from our backyard!
I'm bummed that I missed the balloons, again. You were so good to pick up the boys and take them, and to have them all day -- again! Crazy lady. All I can say is, it sure is nice having another me...
(Lucas seemed to think it was hilarious that Whitney fell asleep on the couch. I wish that would catch on around here.)
that picture of whitney both cracks me up and makes me envious! i want to be able to sleep like that! :)
i've never been to a balloon launch, but they do one near where i'm from...i should go sometime! you are getting serious stuff done!
Yes, I am alive and blogging.
Fun recap of the festival, we went today and enjoyed it too. Although today has been a VERY long day and I still have 7 hours to go.
The getting up early would about kill me but I do love to watch hot air balloons, that is so fun. The bright colors and fun shapes.
I love that Provo does the 4th of July up well with the celebrations there. I remember seeing the balloons from my EFY dorm room one year and thinking it was the coolest thing ever. Really fun for you guys and of you guys!
Happy 4th! (Alive but I've been SO tired lately that I've been struggling to blog and keep up on it lately.)
beautiful pictures missy...liked the one of whitney
I would Love to see that! How amazing to be so close to all those balloons and to see them all go up!? What a great activity (even if you did have to get up at that unheard of hour!)
What is the world coming to when the Queen Blogger doesn't post every day.....
that is WAY funny that she fell asleep like that and funnier that you thought she was faking it!!
no big summer traditions here..i should probably get some!
yes im alive and blogging!!
How fun! That looks so neat! I have never been to a balloon launch, but will put that on my list of things I would like to do!
I am barely alive and blogging! I have moved and am busy unpacking (no end in sight!) but have squeezed in a blog posting or two!
every year I see your pictures I think how much fun that would be to see all those balloons. Guess it would be an early morning though. I can seriously relate to that photo of whitney.
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