The Leaves Aren't Green in 2013

Every year, we drive up into the Sandia Mountains to see the beautiful colors of fall. And while the aspen trees have our favorite display of fall colors, other trees amaze us with their brilliant, golden leaves.

The fall trees are always pretty, but the sunsets can be spectacular!

Mommy, Daddy, and Adalyn out for a nice walk in the crisp, autumn weather.

Bonus Pics:

This is a dragon that Adalyn painted all by herself.

Balloon Fiesta 2013

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is the largest hot air balloon fiesta in the world (according to Wikipedia), and it's something we look forward to each year as the balloons fill the morning skies in Albuquerque for a whole week in October!

This year, we first decided to watch the balloons lift off from afar...

Mommy made kolaches for a breakfast treat. A certain someone is happy to eat one (and then some).

This lucky penguin had a front row seat.

Adalyn's excited to see the balloons despite the early time and cold weather.

This is just a small portion of what the balloons look like in the Albuquerque skies.

As some balloons take off, more balloons inflate and start ascending for a constant stream of balloons.

...then decided we needed a closer view. Behold! Pictures from our first mass ascension and morning glow!

Balloons start inflating for the early morning glow.

Ooooooh!

Aaaaaaah!

Two excited balloon fiesta attendees.

Adalyn has to pet and say hi to the security horse. And wonder what to feed him.

Goodbye glowing balloons!

The balloons not only glowed on the ground but in the air as well! Ooooooh!

Transitioning from morning glow to morning ascension.

A little girl finally says hi after a very early morning.

You can almost hear the Star Wars theme song as the Darth Vader balloon ascends.

It's harder to say who was more excited...a mommy or a little girl.

Adalyn with her early morning breakfast of a muffin and hot chocolate.

The clock balloon ascends...TADA!

After eating, Adalyn finally looks more awake!

This balloon is ready to inflate.

So many balloons!

Adalyn likes watching the balloons inflate.

Michael and Adalyn standing next to a queen balloon, which was possibly the biggest balloon at the festival.

Michael and Adalyn next to a very colorful hummingbird balloon.

The ginormous queen balloon and the three bee balloons.

Still having fun!

This guy is still having fun, too. :)

This fun astronaut balloon was one of the last balloons to launch.

After a very early and cold morning, it's time for something warm and comforting...

...like homemade hot chocolate with as many marshmallows as it can hold.