New Mexico Trip

Last weekend we went on a trip with Mark's family to Albuquerque, NM to see the yearly Hot Air Balloon Festival. My parents had gone before and so had Mark's, both coming home with fantastic pictures and stories to tell. So, this year Mark's parents wanted to take a family trip so that all the grand kids could enjoy the balloons too. After seeing my parents photographs of their trip I was intrigued, but not over the top to see them in real life. However, after getting to go see them in person, I cannot wait to go again. The weather was perfect and the balloons were quite a sight. The morning we went we got to see the shaped balloons. Many characters from the Energizer Bunny to Darth Vader filled the sky. We could not get over how many were in the air and how big they were. There were a ton of food vendors serving everything from fajitas and burritos to potato cakes and funnel cakes. It smelled delicious. They also had fun jump houses for the kids to play on. We went back to the hotel to let the kids nap and then came back that night for the glow. After the glow we got to see a spectacular firework show! Awesome!

The whole group at the morning lift offMark, Macy and I near the food court area. Loved all the balloons.The split second that Macy was actually awake for the trip.The Powell girls. The Space Ship behind us never made it off the ground, but it was huge! Look at all the people behind us! It was crazy crowded!The kids and I before the night time glow.Definition of the glow is they tie all of the balloons down and count down for all the balloons to light their flames at the same time. It is so neat. Hayden kept calling the green guy on the left, "Scurry." Translation: Scary.At the glow, the Darth Vader balloon was selling light sabers. The kids had to have them. Too bad Hayden's has already stopped working.

The second day in New Mexico, we went to the Aquarium and Zoo. We all had a great time riding the train between both of the places and once again the weather was PERFECT. One fun sight we saw was their brand new baby elephant. I believe it was just a few days old and already over 150lbs. Macy did great, hanging out in my little carrier the whole trip and pretty much slept the trip away. Coming home was a different story. I think she decided she was done with the carseat after our long drive there and the weekends events. After a fantastic weekend, Ella got sick and Hayden did too. Fevers and coughs all around, but we're all healthy now!! Thank goodness!

The whole crew outside the Aquarium.Look at Mark's Big Catch! ;)The Aquarium was Great!
Ella being cute on the train.
Hayden cracking up at his Aunt Tara. Cutie!The newest addition to the Zoo family. Can't believe he is younger than Macy, but weighs more than me! Poor Mama Elephant!!Once again an attempt at getting all the kids in a picture together. I don't know why we try, but we do and I always end up frustrated that my kids won't look at the camera. Oh well! They're documented!