Balloon Races!

donuts $8
milk $2.79
shoes for Ekco $15
warm clothes for Ekco $50
getting the girls out of bed at 4:45 am.... certainly exceeds $100
Dawn patrol.......

PRICELESS!!
It's a hassle to get there so early and to fight the 30,000 other people desiring the experience, but I have to say... it is always worth it. I love dawn patrol and have fond memories of hot chocolate and pancakes while wrapped in sleeping bags. The fact that there were five of us promotes my parents to superhero status.
It is so beautiful to see the balloons take off when it's still dark.
Even if every single solitary concession stand does run out of hot chocolate.
Because the balloon races fell on 9-11 this year they did a patriotic opening that was respectful and nice.
Then we got to watch as the sea of balloons began filling and preparing for their lift off.
Thank goodness for Smokey and the stage coach this year. For some reason none of the character balloons were out.... including the energizer bunny. You will be missed bunny. You will be missed.
Still, the balloons were great and it was Ecko's first time so it was completely worth it. Throughout the day she said, more than once, "this was a great day."
And it was!
Lots of spectators and lots of balloons... roughly 100. My parents opted out this year, but my brother and sister-in law came with their kids and Kacie brought Owen so we had plenty of company.
And we never even took a nap!