Ben's birthday in balloons

One of the things Albuquerque is known for is the annual balloon fiesta. Balloonists (real word) come from all over the world, including France where the first balloons were flown in the 1890's.  Apparently people brought champagne with them so that when they landed in other places, they could use the champagne to identify the region they were from and placate their unintended hosts.  The first weekend of the Balloon Fiesta coincided with Ben's birthday. Our friend Daniel and Ben's sister Martha came to help us celebrate. 

You can walk right up to the balloons and see them getting blown up

Apparently there were over 500 balloons in the sky at once

Martha and I happy to have gotten up so early and that we decided against the Cinnacone.  Breakfast burritos yes, mini cinnamon rolls no.

Hot air balloons are incredibly photogenic

Unlike Daniel and myself, although that tourist penguin looks pretty perky

Look at these cute pals!

This is what Alex Achen would look like if he were a hot air balloon

This is the best photo I will ever take.  Also, this was clearly the best balloon.  It is from Belgium.

After the balloon fiesta and naps (we had to get up at 5:30 am), we relaxed in another hot spring in the Jemez Mtns.

Ahhh...

We then headed to a bday party at Jesse and Erica's where Wilder showed off his new trick.  Walking with a garbage can!

We had a tasty dinner in the backyard with Nathaniel and Nina.

Jesse and Erica made this amazing flourless chocolate birthday cake.  Check out that incredible design.

A great birthday

The next day we headed into the mountains to check out the changing aspens.

Wilder showed us how to find the most delicious rocks.

Hunter found a lot of dog and human pals to hang out with.

We hiked around the skiing area

Amazing yellow aspens

Our intrepid guide

Fall in the southwest.