Hot Air Balloon

I seldom take pictures when Alisa is around because hers are so wonderful and I am lucky to get any part of it centered. But she wasn't able to "chase" the balloon and watch it land. I have always been fascinated with the beauty of a hot air balloon in the sky and can only imagine what the ride would be like -- but alas the thought of being that high without some kind of protection is too frightening for me therefore I will stay firmly on the ground and enjoy the beauty from afar.

I was first grateful to be on the ground when I saw how he attached the balloon to the bucket. It was only a big T with the rope around it.


Josh and James look happy at the prospect of the impending ride.


I couldn't quite get the effect I wanted but it was an awesome sight to see the jet and the hot air balloon in the same sky.


Chasing the balloon becomes a game of hide and seek. You can see it, but all roads do not lead to the empty field. Brian Kelly was the "chase" guy. In real life he is a "writer" and he was the editor for the New Era ( youth church magazine) for many years. He and his partner started the balloon races at the Provo Freedom festival. It was a pleasure to share the "chase" with him. I learned alot about Hot Air Balloons.




Everyone is still smiling a the landing.


Amazing to think that whole balloon fits in the bag the boys are sitting on.


Sam keeps reminding me that he "bought" the hot air balloon ride at the auction. It was Sam holding our auction number up that won this awesome experience for the boys. Thanks to Rich for letting me have a great time at the PTA auction.

Fun at Strawberry

On one of our trips to Strawberry Leanna and Family went with us. Adam helped Rich make a "ropes course" for his young men's group. It was a good think Adam was there to help us. Dakota had a great time.



The homeowners association has "Christmas in July." We had taken the boys to the cabin with us and it just happened to be the "holiday" weekend. Since there weren't that many children James and Sam were treated to lots of crafts and then a visit from Santa. They decorated the 4 wheeler and were in a parade.



We went up again last week and it was a little cold outside. Luke and I spent most of our time in the cabin and Rich "supervised" James and Sam. It's a good thing I belong to the Fruitland Wildland Fire Council because I think we have a family of "fire bugs"

BOSTON

The Boston Adventure
After driving to Boston, we were supposed to get to Daija's apartment, unpack, and then meet Daija and Jonathan downtown to have dinner. As travel luck would have it-- it took us what seemed like an hour to drive 10 miles. Ashkii got directions from Jonathan on how to catch the bus by their apartment and then change to the "T" and ride the subway to the restaurant. We did ok with the bus other than not having the right change. We got to the T and bought some fare cards. Things were going well, but while we were buying the cards we heard some guy yelling at the top of his voice. Someone goes to investigate and there is a major problem. We are supposed to take the red line but there happens to be a fire at the next stop. They have buses outside to take us where we need to go-- The only problem is -- WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING. We try to hail a taxi, but of course they are all busy and who wants to take 8 people! We are determined to get to our destination. "Daija -- you stay put -- somehow we will make it to you" While Ashkii is on the phone, madly trying to coordinate with Daija, Rich suggests that we go back down and hope the red line is running. They say it is!!!! We are excited as we get to the red line -- it is leaving in just a few minutes. We think our problems are solved. Off we go -- we make it one stop and there is a medical emergency now at the next stop. The guys gets on the loud speaker and keeps us updated that there is an emergency - "the emergency people have been called -- now they are on the site -- now they are transporting that person out of the subway -- now we can go". Meanwhile Brooke is telling us that it is "Goldy" luck to have these things happen. We finally get to our destination and have a wonderful reunion with Daija and Jonathan. We had a great dinner.

Richard and Ashkii both loved their lobster!!!









Boston Saturday
We went on a "Boston Duck Tour" It was a tour of Boston that was on land and sea. They were old WWII amphibious vehicles. Trevor drove the "duck" out in the Charles river. Savannah didn't want to go on a "duck" but was soon having a great time.






















TUFTS DENTAL SCHOOL

After the duck tour we had a tour of Jonathan's school. We always knew he was smart, we didn't realize how "artistic" you have to be to be a dentist. He showed us his tools, his "mouth" and the labs and classrooms where he spends most of his time.



























Farewell to Boston

After a wonderful weekend and yes we did listen to some of conference we drove to the Boston Temple and enjoyed it's beauty and then returned home.

White House Tour

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Auction: You know when I said in an earlier blog that I didn't get the tickets to the White House Tour? The real buyer had buyers remorse and off course could I say no to tickets to the West Wing. Rich and I flew into DC on our way to Boston and met up with Ashkii and Brooke, Trevor, and Savannah. We almost didn't get our tour because they were having an event at the White House and our tour was only when they weren't busy and after hours. We got to see the Oval Office, the Rose Garden, and the Press Briefing room. We didn't get to see the situation room since they were having an event and it like the staging area.


The Press Briefing room is much smaller than I had imagined. The Oval Office never has a piece of paper on the desk. They have people that just take care of paper flow. The desk is intricately carved and very beautiful. I think we saw a few more rooms, but those were the ones that stood out in my mind. We then drove somewhere and since I was a bit tired, I am not sure where we ended up but we slept at a Marriott and Ashkii has the art of negotiating a good price down. We got up Friday morning and drove to Boston. It was a very cool tour and we enjoyed it very much. I also felt a greater appreciation for our freedom and the ability to walk where the president walks without fear.