Grandparents visit part II

Thursday we woke up bright and early to go see the hot air balloons lift off in Provo.  Unfortunately because of weather concerns they didn't lift off, but they still inflated and we had a blast getting up close to them and dancing to the tunes they had playing too. 

Liam was killing my arms carrying him around, but there were enough loud noises that he was too nervous to walk so he got a ride from Grandpa. 

Jason and my Dad enjoyed seeing how they get the balloons blown up and ready to fly.  They start by blowing them up with a high powered fan. Then once it is sufficiently inflated that it won't be too close to the flame they heat things up with the burner to help stand the balloon up.  Someday I'd like to have a ride in one of these. 

 

 

 

 

  It was fun seeing all the different colors and shapes there were.  There was a smoky the bear balloon Complete with a smoky the bear that Liam was not at all happy about being near.  But he did really like the disk flyer that he got from him. 

Tony the tiger was there too... You can get a little perspective on how big they are...one pilot I overheard said that flying a balloon is like flying a house because they weigh between 5 and 6 thousand pounds once they are blown up...amazing that they can fly at all.  Em stayed with my Mom to keep her company and I think because she wasn't quite awake.   I can't share this day without sharing Liam's cute dancing.  They were playing some rockin' tunes and he just couldn't keep still. 

After all the fun dancing they told us that for sure no balloons were going up and one right by us started deflating and they invited the kids to help them squeeze the air out of it.  Jason was all over that

We did go the park that afternoon--just in time for it to rain on us.  That didn't stop the boys from playing baseball, but the rest of us waited under the pavilion. 

Friday we took it easy.  The kids went shopping with Grandma and Mike.  Then Jim and his family came, we had some dinner and then we headed to the park so the kids could play while the boys went disc golfing.  Again, I didn't send a camera with them so no pictures, but they had tons of fun disc golfing.  On the way home we got slurpees (I haven't had one since High school I think) and they have lots more flavors now.

Saturday I was up bright and early to head to the Freedom run.  It was my very first race and I ran the 5K.  I have to say it was pretty fun and I will be doing it again (go ahead and laugh Carrie).  I was really nervous--not about being able to run it, but about getting my goal time...unfortunately I missed my goal time by 5 seconds--so for sure I'll get it next time.  I told Jason and my Dad that I just wanted a picture coming to the finish line--because of miscommunication Jason didn't bring our camera, but he did get this on his phone which is the only actual picture of me running. 

This is what my Dad got--see half of my face there on the right??  It's okay though.  It's really a miracle they got any pictures because there were thousands of people running and I'm amazed they could find us in all the people.  My friend Bonnie ran with me--thanks Bonnie!

My sil Heather is the one who convinced me to sign up for the race in the first place and she was right it was the motivation I needed.  She's been running for a long time--She ran the 10K in just 14 minutes longer than I ran 5K--yeah, she's a lot faster than me.  Although I was pretty disappointed that I didn't make my goal time I am trying to remember that I just started running 6 weeks ago.  I think I can be proud of that and if you wanna know a big secret...I think I'm starting to LIKE running---shhhh...don't tell on me!  So, that was the big thing for ME on Saturday.  We were home by 8:30 I think so Dad made us all blender wheat pancakes (his specialty) YUM!  Then we chilled for a little while and watched a movie.  After lunch we headed to the pool.  I thought it would be really crowded, but it wasn't at all.  It was perfect.  We all had a great time.  Em played with her cousins.  Jason disappeared with Mike and worked on  his flips off the diving board so we didn't get any pics of him.  Liam loved splashing, jumping in (forwards and backwards) and going down the slide with whoever he could convince to take him down.  Liam with Daddy  Mike and Liam

Shayla Bryannah

Then we went home and consumed more food than should be allowed.  It was delicious.  Everyone left to head home including my parents.  I took the kids to watch the fireworks and sitting waiting for them to start the fatigue from being up since 5:30 am hit me.  I was lucky to stay awake to drive home.  It was a great week and a great celebration of the independence of our country.  Thanks to all my family for sharing the day with us!