New Traditions

On a beautiful, early September Saturday morning Brian, the kids, and I went to Ditmar's Orchard to pick some apples. We had never gone before, but I had an itch to go apple picking, looked this place up, and off we went (without the camera... whoops!). The kids absolutely loved it. We rode a tractor, picked a couple bags of apples, ate some apple pie, and decided then that we must come back the next weekend for the Hot Air Balloon Festival.

The next Saturday night we came back for the festival (with camera!) and two new family traditions were born. One, picking apples at the orchard each September, and two, this festival! Jonah has always loved hot air balloons (I think I blogged about a year ago about Brian and him making a paper mache one to hang in his room) and of course Abby is intrigued by them as well.

We got there just in time for liftoff.

Reed, Dana, and the kids came too. I think this picture is just hilarious. Look at Elise smiling sweetly while attempting to force her brother's head. :)
We waited in line for a while to take a tethered hot air balloon ride, only to discover that Jonah was too young. Elise and Aunt Dana got to enjoy one, however.

Eating some leftover pizza. These two are fun. Seriously.
Just taking it all in.
And then they couldn't take it any longer. They had to get up... and dance. And with this bluegrass music, who could blame them. You can't resist a steel guitar.

While the balloons were off and on their way back (via truck), a chili pepper balloon was filled up to show off.

To the non-balloon fanatics, each balloon operator has their card to give out showing a picture of their balloon with stats. Jonah has two so far.

Waiting for the balloons to fill back up for the big glow.

It was definitely worth waiting for. Beautiful!

We had one of our most fun family nights together of all time and are excited to be establishing traditions that will keep adding to our young family memories. We are blessed!