It began Friday night. On our way to dinner, we saw these beauties in the sky. Addie Kate was in awe. (The only other place I've ever seen so many balloons was in Steamboat Springs, CO when I was in high school - they would set off balloons in the valleys of the ski slopes during the summer months when there was no snow, and therefore, less tourism.) The next morning when we got in the car Addie kept asking for the "loons!" She doesn't miss a thing!
Then on Monday a friend of ours, who lives in the neighborhood adjacent to the Heritage Park where the festivities were taking place, had a Freedom Weekend party. Appropriately enough, most of the people Tommy works with are veterans, and many were at the party. What a beautiful way to celebrate all these fine men and women have done for our freedom. We enjoyed hotdogs (Nathan's of course - mmmm!) and hamburgers and tons of other food. We stayed outside trying to enjoy Leslie's newly landscaped backyard, between rainshowers. We attempted going to the park to hear Chairmen of the Board (I was SOOOO excited to take Addie Kate to her first beach music concert! We have to start shagging practice early!), but halfway there the sky opened up. Luckily, Will, who runs half-marathons and does triathlons ran back to the house, towing the wagon with Cody and Addie Kate in it! I ran behind him (not towing anything, thank you!), and Tommy walked back, pushing the jogging stroller, with David, under the umbrella. I did question his manhood after that! (That was also after I decided to run, letting go of the jogging stroller, and leaving it in the road for Tommy to push - but it started to roll in front of a car - luckily they stopped! I looked back to see Tommy running after it - ha!)
We then tried to head to the park around dusk, which is when most hot air balloons fly. It wasn't raining, so we were a bit more successful this time! However, because it had rained so much that day, many of the balloons had packed up and gone home, and only about 15 or so were left. That's still a lot for any ordinary day, but on Friday, we saw like 50! Those 15 were quite entertaining though, and it was so interesting and fun to watch!
Addie Kate wasn't tall enough to go on a balloon ride, which I hated! We will try again next year! She did enjoy riding the carousel with Cody though. She loved it, much more than in the past when she was 12 months and 14 months, even pitching a huge fit when it was time to get off!
Below are a ton of pictures of our weekend. I wanted to show every stage of the ballooning process, because we all just thought it was so neat to watch! Enjoy!
Addie Kate enjoying the balloons on Friday night (in the car):
These were some of the balloons that we saw on the way to dinner Friday night:
Addie Kate and Cody on our first attempt to the park:
And here they are when we finally arrived at the park, hours later! I had luckily packed some bubbles - it kept them entertained (and a few other kids) while the balloons were preparing to set off, which took a good bit of time:
The balloons after being stretched out, getting ready to have cold air pumped into them:
The baskets would just be laid out sideways on the ground. Either a van (like here) or a big truck would pull a small trailer with the balloon and basket packed inside:
Starting to get blown up:
Part of the ballooning team would hold onto these ski-rope type lines to keep the balloons taut and at the level they should be for blowing up. Eventually, these people (especially the little boy!) would be getting pulled across the lawn by the balloon:
Some snacks and entertainment:
This was the first one up:
Addie Kate waving "bye" to them:
This was one of the few times I could actually get a picture of the propane going into the balloon, which was only after it was mostly blown up by the cold air first.
David entertaining Addie Kate with his sunglasses: 
Waving bye-bye again!
Staring at them in awe, I love it!
Yep, that's a Clemson flag hanging on the other side of that basket!
Yep, there really is a Remax balloon team! And a little family shot of us (please excuse the looks - it had been a much longer day than anticipated, but a good one nonetheless!)
My girl, looking so sweet: 
And on the way to the other festivities:
Please excuse my cheeseball grin, I was just getting in a quick squeeze and Addie Kate didn't know what to think of this thing!
Cody, Shannon, and Sydney (who is less than excited!):
Addie Kate waving at her Daddy:
Rub a Dub Dub, Two Tired Babies in a Tub:
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