Hot Air Balloon Ride

Mom and Dad went on a hot air balloon ride on Friday night in Lakeland.  When I was a little girl (we were trying to figure out exactly how old, maybe about 8), my Dad won a hot air balloon ride and he ended up giving it to me.  I wanted to return the favor and send him and Mom.  After all these years, I finally was able to do that.  They had a beautiful, picture perfect evening for their ride!!  I was their photographer and chaser - so glad I could be a part of their day!!!!  Love you, Mom and Dad!  XOXO

Laying out the largest balloon (the one Mom and Dad rode in) to get it ready to inflate:

Inflating the smaller balloon:

Video 1: Inflating the balloon

The smaller balloon launched just prior to Mom and Dad's:

Photo ops prior to departure: 

The inside of their balloon - just gorgeous colors!

Dad by the basket - each compartment held 4 people and there were 4 compartments plus the pilot's.  The entire balloon and basket was 120' top to bottom!

Inflating the largest balloon:

Video 2: Mom and Dad in the basket, getting ready to take off

Video 3: Up, up, and away!

Following the chaser van:

We waited on the corner of Trading Post Trail and 40th Street to spot the balloons over the trees:

Here they come! 

Video 4: Landing was a little bumpy!

The crew drug the basket and balloon all the way down the cul de sac, because there were burrs in the ditch where they landed that could potentially damage the balloon:

Opening the top to let the air out:

On its side, beginning to deflate:

Cheers, Mom and Dad - champagne was served when they landed!

Hope you had a great time!!!!

Dad and his Little Hunter

Carter is Evan's little shadow around hunting season and anything outdoorsy.  He has confiscated his hat - might as well buy a new one, Evan!!!!

Jewelry

It was a quieter weekend - spent in the country, making just a few pieces of jewelry!

This one was just a slight change from the one I made last week, incorporating a larger stone:

This is for Ryan's friend at school, her Mom ordered it for her: 

For one of my best friends, who recently gave birth to twins:

This necklace is for a dog lover: 

For two ladies celebrating milestone birthdays, ordered by a friend of mine - what a thoughtful gift idea!

Jewelry

I had a busy day, completing 10 orders this afternoon...whew!

The next 8 are all from one order (out of the country!):

I didn't have a # punch, so I had to get creative and make one with a straight punch! :)

You're not seeing double, I made two of the same necklace:

Waterslide in September?

We had temps near 90 today, 89* to be exact.  It was a gorgeous day, and almost unheard of in September.  The boys took full advantage of the beautiful weather by pulling out the waterslide.  Instead of sliding down it, which became boring after a while, they would run from the end of the lawn and dive onto the slide, attempting to catch a ball mid-air.  Oh, to be a kid again! :)

Kyle with a great catch!

Carter just stuck to sliding! :)

Jewelry

I'm back in the saddle again...  I had fun coming up with a new design of my own, too!!!!

This is a camera strap ID tag for my awesome friend and photographer, Jen!  I hope she likes it! :)

This is my new design, with my boys' initials.  Fun to try new things!

This necklace made me so happy to make.  It was a sad occasion when I made her first necklace, so it felt great to make this one as she is expecting her new baby boy, due any day!!!