Balloon Festival

Last night we went to the Plano Balloon Festival. We went last year with Patti, Bryan and Emily and had a lot of fun, but it was SO crowded. So this year we decided to go again with Patti, Bryan, Emily, Rhiannon, Ben, Matthew and Carys, but bring our own food, skip the bouncy houses, activity booths, etc. and just set up camp on the grass and let the kids play.

There was SO much more traffic than last year, so we were still trying to park while all the balloons were taking off. We left the house later than planned, so I figured that would happen. Honestly, you have a better view of the balloons from outside the event since you can see them all on the horizon rather than so close, so I really didn't care.

Matthew, Lily and Carys! They were SO excited to see each other. Since Lily had been sick, they hadn't been together for 9 whole days, which is a lot when you are used to playing together 5 days a week!

They were playing some kind of game that involved Matthew and Lily fighting for the love of Carys, the damsel in distress. There was a lot of running, screaming, falling and laughing.

They were cute and Lily seemed to be feeling fine, which was good. I hadn't counted on it being SO hot out, but I did assume she would run around like crazy. :)

Lily trying to give all her friends a ride in Emily's wagon.

The balloons all ready for the Balloon Glow. Seriously, we could have been at any random park anywhere. The kids were just happy to run around and play. They checked out the balloons briefly, but then went right back to running around.

Pretty!

Patti, Bryan and Emily braved the crowds and walked around the event some before we all got there and they picked up fireman hats for everyone.

Lily with her arm around Carys. She LOVES that girl!

Finally, what all the kids had been waiting for -- the fireworks! Just like on the 4th of July events, they all had to crawl under the blanket.

It was a fun night and it was SO nice to see Lily feeling better and off playing with her friends.