Balloon Fiesta 2023

 This weekend, my best friend Melanie Iverson drove down with four of her kids from Denver, Colorado to watch the eclipse and attend Balloon Fiesta!  We had so much fun.  They arrived late Thursday night and we all slept about four hours before we woke up at 5 AM and headed down to the Balloon Fiesta.  We arrived at just the right time and saw the mass ascension.  There were so many balloons.  It was gorgeous.  

We headed home and everyone needed a long nap!  I taught some piano lessons then we went to the jump park to hang with some of our friends.  We had dinner with my parents and played Uno!  So much fun.  Saturday, we slept in and then headed over to Craig and Blair's house to watch the eclipse.  It was incredible to see the full ring of fire.  We laughed and laughed with Craig and Blair while watching the sun slowly get covered up by the moon.  

After the eclipse we walked down to the river and played in the water for a few hours before we headed back to the balloon fiesta.  Stephen got VIP passes again this year so we got to park close and get taken right down to the field.  Melanie and I decided to go get food for all the kids inside the VIP tent.  When we walked in we saw so many yummy treats.  So we grabbed eight cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches, and waters.  We started walking out when the people at the gate said we couldn't take the food out.  So Melanie put all the cupcakes down her jacket.  It was hilarious!  I put the ice cream sandwiches in my pockets and we walked out.  For sure the security guards knew we took the food because it was pretty obvious. When we got out, Melanie had frosting all over her shirt and jacket!  AND the kids didn't even want the cupcakes!  We just laughed and laughed and laughed.  

The kids loved the drone show and while we were watching the fire works a lady gave the kids some free light up swords.  It was a blast!  Sunday, we all headed to church, then Melanie headed home  It was such a fun weekend.  I am so glad I have a good friend who is willing to do anything with me.  

Sipapu

 This weekend, our family drove up to Sipapu to spend the weekend with the Cougar cross country team.  We have been almost every year since 2017.  The only year we missed was due to covid in 2020.  This tradition has always kept our family together by adding a fun weekend where we always get away and spend some time in the mountains.  

Friday,  we left around 3:00 after I finished teaching some of my lessons and headed up the mountain.  This year, I didn't get to book the duplex as I have in past years.  The duplex has two bedrooms upstairs and a pull out couch downstairs.  It is right by the river and right next to the lodge where we have unlimited wifi.  This year, we stayed out in casita 1.  It was SO FAR AWAY!  We were out passed the hotel and the trout pond.  This also meant we had to walk a long way to get to all of our meals and our team runs.  

Friday we ran around the parking lot of Sipapu.  It was tough but fun.  I went more loops than normal because coach Rob as  decided we are not running enough.  We had dinner early then went back to our room.  We usually go to the smoores night but we were all so tired that we decided to go to bed.  Good thing because we barley slept.  The heater kept making a loud popping sound all night.  Stephen also had to light the pilot light in order to get hot water in our room.  I called the hotel twice but no one cared.  

Saturday, we all woke up early and ran up the ski hill.  This is my absolute favorite tradition.  I did not walk.  I have only walked a few steps up the hill twice.  Running up the hill is so incredible difficult but 100% worth it.  I feel empowered by making it up the hill every single year.  We usually run up a camping road later on Saturday, but the lightening was a little too close, so we ran around the parking lot again on Saturday night.  

Sunday, we woke up early and drove over to the camping road to run.  Why was this so hard this year?  It was tough but rewarding.  I am so grateful for this team.  We all had a wonderful time just being in the mountains.  I am sad that our time with cougar is coming to an end but grateful for the lesson it has taught my family.