Reno Ballon Races 2011

Todd, Shana, and Dane were the only ones willing to get up at 5 AM to travel an hour for the 48th annual Reno Balloon Races.


The sound system was pretty good! They played the national anthem and we all paid our respect to the flag and this great country in which we live.
I actually had tears in my eyes when the flag rose in the air with the sun shining through.
Our service men and women were also honored by the military flying 5 planes in different formations. There was a "Missing Man" formation and there was an accapella choir that sang to the different service groups.

They told us that 100 balloons would be launched this day. It was so much that we were only able to capture a small portion of what went on.

First all of the balloons were laid out flat in the fields. Just like the balloon on the ground behind Dane and Todd. This was done before we arrived.


A large gas powered fan is then used to inflate the balloon. Shana got a wonderful picture of inside the balloon by standing behind the fan.


We loved this picture of the moon blowing out a breath full of stars. The picture is on the very top of the balloon, so you would never see it if you were not there for the launch.


Once the balloon has been inflated with the enormous fan, a huge flame is shot into the balloon to heat the air inside.


There were about 70 hot air balloon teams that were going through these steps. ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!! In this picture you can only see 5, that gives you an idea of how much was going on and how little we were able to show you.


It was truly and awe inspiring sight to see these vibrantly colored balloons quickly fill with air, and raise to tower over you. I would say that the average launch time took about 20 - 40 minutes. So some of the balloons went from laying flat on the ground waiting for the flag ceremony... To be launched and in the air within just over 20 minutes. The remaining balloons were filled with air and waiting anchored as hand held radios and other supplies were loaded in the baskets. Talk about a festive fun atmosphere.


As we walked back to the car we captured this picture of 26 balloons. We counted just over 70 and saw that the remaining balloon teams were going out to launch their balloons. WOW!!! What a fun event!


We loved all of the specialty balloons! This panda was one of the first balloons to depart. They filled the main balloon with hot air so the balloon floated to a vertical position. Then a couple of ropes were pulled and the hot air began to fill up the nose.


This panda's nose is no longer flat. He actually turned out pretty well. There was also a big balloon for Wells Fargo that was in the shape of a stagecoach. It was about twice as wide as the panda.


Darth Vader turned out pretty cool too!


There was a little bridge over this irrigation ditch. It was kind of pretty seeing the balloons reflected in its glassy surface. We couldn't capture the whole effect, but at least you can get the idea of what it was like.

End Of Summer FUN!!!

Jumping off the rocks at Lake Tahoe.

Todd enjoying his day off he took from work so he could enjoy our last hurrah at Lake Tahoe.

Dane loving the lake.


Megan came with her family.
Jace came.

Kolten came. They have a tube that has Voigtlaenders name still on it. I miss going to the Lake with them. But they are having an adventure in Belgium.

Michelle was a brave mom and came with her twin boys, Issac and Noah.

Riley and Anna enjoying just floating along.

Devree getting some sun.

The first day of School. Dane is a 5th grader, Shay a freshman and Devree a senior! My my time has flown.

Shay is on the soccer team. They had a tournament in Fallon so we went to see him play.

Carnival fun at the "Hearts of Gold Cantalope Festival"

We are having FUN!

Isaac and his parents joined us at the Festival.

Shay riding the bull.

Right before he fell off.

Isaac is loosing it.

Dane thinks he has a method to stay on...but he falls too.

Todd tries and falls too. But it was a good laugh.

We had to spin before we ate. I just watched. I know the vomit flies if I spin.


On Labor Day we went shooting the BB gun and quading and swimming in the river. No we didn't shoot the toilet.

Dane turns 10!

Breakfast in bed for the Baby that is now a decade.

Devree made a hand made "Hoops and YoYo card.

Dane requested to eat Chinese food so we tried the "Golden Dragon 2". It is a new restaurnat here and it was very good.

Dane was excited to get his presents.

Here is the family card of Hoops and Yoyo about a Piratey Treasure. He listened to it several times to hear all of the jokes.

He got a DVD called "The Black Cauldron" a Disney movie.

Finally he opened his real gift the Bey Blade Stadium that he asked for to have competitons between his Bey Blades which are like tops.

He was very excited to get it.

So this is the cake that I decorated for Dane. I was very proud of it but the boys said it looked like a ship or a bear. If you turn the picture it is a PENGUIN because we had a PENGUIN Party!

Here the boys are having a race to be Daddy Penguins and hold the eggs (water balloons between their legs. It was hilarious because the water balloons kept getting higher and higher instead of down between their ankles like they were supposed to be.

Madsen holding his "egg".

Jason holding his egg.

Kobe holding his egg.

Andrew holding his egg in his crotch. That is where all of the boys ended up holding the eggs so they could run to the finish line.

Andrew still racing.

We also tossed the water balloons and they actually got pretty far away before they popped. We did all this and then we went and saw "Mr. Poppers Penguins"

Water balloon toss. The boys did really good and far.

Low Rider hiding in the shade.

The boys just enjoyed being together and jumping on the trampoline together.

They enjoyed playing "BeyBlade" too.

Dane was happy to get some money as gifts.

Blowing out the candles. He ended up having two girl friends.

Trying to figure out if the cake is a boat, bear or what it is. I finally told them it was a penguin.

Dane is my extra special surprise. After loosing a baby, Todd had to talk me into having one more. We really wanted a girl but as soon as we found out we were pregnant we were laying on our bed thinking about having another girl. Dane's spirit was so strong it came to Todd and I together we looked at each other and said "I am a BOY!" Out of all my pregnancies that is the only time we had the feeling so strongly that we should never make plans for a girl. Dane is a sweet boy, good friend, very tolerant of his big bully brother and loves math and baseball. I am very happy he is our caboose because he is becoming a wonderful person and one that I have always enjoyed being around. Happy 10th Birthday Dane!