Full Of Hot Air! ABQ Balloon Festival

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta



Mass Ascension.

This is a small view of what was literally 100s if not thousands of balloons trying to lift off. We heard the number of balloons were near 7,000 that participated this year. Wow.







We got to the festival park and walked right up to this red balloon and watched as they prepared the balloon.







Then we watched it lift off and move into the mass of balloons heading south with the wind. With chase cars going to meet them when they land usually in ABQ itself.









The Little Bees

Joey and Lilly (l-r)






Their lift off brought cheers throughout the crowd. You could not miss their ascension if you can hear. :)

Later we realized it is not a given that you could get your balloon to lift off.





This is Darth Vader, from Belgium, who is making its USA debut right in front of us. Surprisingly depending on when you are allowed to start putting your balloon out then you may not get it to liftoff. Lord Vader was ready to go but the wind had picked up and the cool morning had warmed just a bit and they had to pack it back up literally right after this picture was taken. Too bad we were ready to go over and watch it ascend.




The Haunted Mansion too almost was ready to ascend but the wind and the amount of time and fuel it took to heat up the air in this huge balloon caused them to abort the liftoff. It too had to pack it in right after we took this picture.







Having to get up early and having a rough night at the hotel, More on the hotel later, we were a bit tried. It is about 9am but ALB was sleepy, cold, and congested. She was watching the Haunted Mansion while resting.










Stagecoach who also had trouble and did not ascend.










Not sure what this one is called. I call it Chickie. :)











Liftoff!










Let's watch a balloon get ready.

























As we stood and watch them ready this balloon the Classic Car Show started coming by on the way to the parking area so that folks would have a chance to visit them after the mass ascension. Gwen got a lot of pictures with some real classics in them.





























Liftoff !!!!!!!






It looks like he made it into the Ascension.











After all the balloons got up that could then we went back to the car and headed to the Aquarium for breakfast and a bit of fish watching. On the way there down in the southern part of town on Central Ave we watched as several balloons landed in parking lots and fields and so forth. Also there were a lot of chase cars driving around looking for their balloons. :)

We think Aunt TK, Marcia, and Rado Grandpa would really enjoy going to the Festival. Not that both Grandma's would not enjoy it but it is early, windy, and very cool. Not their usual cup of tea. If you are interested then you should start planning a trip here for next year. It is really cool.

More about breakfast and the hotel on the next post.

DIAL!

In the van we have an OnStar phone that is voice controlled. We push the button and it says, "OnStar Ready." Then we say, "Dial." Then OnStar says, "Number please?" Then we tell it the number.

Well our A Little Bit has a toy cell phone and she will play this script out with her cell phone. It is very cute. "Dial"....."669...667" ...... "Hi grandma" :) Are you listening grandmas?

Favre One More Time

4-0 !!! with TD records and more.

It would be great if they could have a playoff season to give Brett a great send off. It is fun watching him play especially when he is winning.

I may be torn when the Dallas-Green Bay game comes around.

How about those Cowboys 4-0 as well!!!!

RWC: Quarterfinal Matchups ! One off.

Quarterfinals

Date - Time			Result			Venue
06 Oct - 15:00		Australia	-	England		Marseille
06 Oct - 21:00		New Zealand	-	France		Cardiff
07 Oct - 15:00		South Africa	-	Fiji		Marseille
07 Oct - 21:00		Argentina	-	Scotland		Saint-Denis

Well I was off by one. Fiji pulled out a victory over Wales to move into the runner-up spot for that pool. Wales was a surprise and so was Ireland who missed out due to losing to Argentina and France. So it is 5 Southern Hemisphere sides to 3 Northern Hemispere sides. Very interesting and different WC play than ever before.

Scotland just hung on to their runner-up place by beating Italy 18-16 I believe.

I think France then Fiji look to be the best runner-ups and are playing the best. I am not sure which has the best odds of beating NZ or South Africa. Argentina is playing well and look to be in better shape than Scotland. England have no hope against Australia so I do not think it is even close.

We will see how it goes. The ABs really need a good test again France to win...it will be the first time they will play a side very close to their level. Luckily it is in Wales though it will be the same place as the famous French win over the ABs in the 99 WC. Who knows.

RWC: WALES 34-38 FIJI Upset!

Oh and I thought with England getting into the quarterfinals that my prediction was set. But Wales is not playing well and Fiji made them pay. Wow.

Another Southern Hemisphere side into the quarterfinals.

Deciding tests today and tomorrow will tell the story.

New Zealand - pool winner
South Africa - pool winner
Australia - Pool winner
Fiji - Runner up
England - Runner up

are all through to the quarterfinals. If Argentina can finish off the Irish then they too will be thru to the quarterfinals for sure.

1912 Carlisle vs. Army

This looks like a fascinating book about Jim Thorpe and Dwight Eisenhower. How a one game over ninety years ago could have changing effect on the future of a country.

Story at SI about Carlisle vs Army

RWC: Update!

It appears the South Pacific Islanders have come to play. Too bad Tonga could not pull this one out. This would have been an even bigger upset than the Argentina one over France.

South Africa 30 Tonga 25

England 39 - 22 Samoa at 71 minute mark.

Samoa just could not hold on. Too bad. I would have liked to see England crash out at the pool level. I guess it is up to Tonga to do the job.

Emily BD presents

Here are a few of Emily's BD presents she opened last night.

She was very excited to get a photography book Aunt TK. :)










And she loves to get box tops.













She is pensively reading what this book is about. It is a daily devotional from TX Grandma I think.











The creamer and sugar bowl from Rado grandparents was exciting.











Elizabeth was excited to help Emily open her presents. But not as excited to find that she too got a TTU T-Shirt.

"Oh I love it, I love it, I love it !!!!!!"
Jumping up and down. She was very excited.






Thanks Grandmas, Grandpa, and Aunt TK.

RWC: NZ 108 - Portugal 13 FULL TIME

The ABs lined up almost a completely different side than against Italy. It appears this might have been a good decision because the ABs looked a bit rusty and sloppy and could use the practice.

Of course the "minnow" pool tests and these kinds of scores do not mean much to who is really in form. Once you get to the single elimination part of the RWC )quarterfinals) then the sides there will provide much stiffer tests and the ABs have to be in form and playing well. Hard to say who is looking the best right now in pool play. Have one bad day on the pitch and you are out of the tournament. The ABs have crashed out just like that.... touch wood (ie, knock on wood).

By the way, Portugal are Los Lobos!

Full Time: Wales 20-32 Australia

As expected Australia is in control of their Pool. Wales most likely will play South Africa in the quarterfinals.

Tip Top Girl

Rachel Hunter in front of a poster of her Tip Top advertisement from 22 years ago in New Zealand. Tip Top is a brand of ice cream and this is an ad for the Trumpet which is basically a Drum Stick (USA) or Coronet (UK).

We watched a commercial while there for this where Rachel drove around in a convertible VW Beatle with the wind in her hair and a Trumpet in her hand. Sorta silly.
More about the story.

RWC: Quarterfinal Predictions

This is how I see it play out though I think I will be off by one or two:

Quarterfinals

Date - Time			Result			Venue
06 Oct - 15:00		Australia	-	England		Marseille
06 Oct - 21:00		New Zealand	-	France		Cardiff
07 Oct - 15:00		South Africa	-	Wales		Marseille
07 Oct - 21:00		Argentina	-	Scotland		Saint-Denis

The sides on the left will be the winners of their respective pools while the sides on the right will be the runners Up in their respective pools.

Of the Pool Winners only Argentina worries me. This the D Pool and they could lose to Ireland and Ireland lose to France. Then it is all about points. This leads to the runner Up in that pool which I predict is Ireland. You figure it. France was the favorite but with Argentina winning that then it means France has to step up and win the rest of its Pool tests which they could easily do.
Updated prediction to put France in QF since Ireland barely gets past Georgia (14-10). Ireland looks weak.

I believe that England and Wales could either one mess up and not get there as runners up too. Especially England they are looking very weak. Tonga and/or a Samoa might take them.

Not Enough Money To Get Me To Play Again! Really!

59 year old starting for Sul Ross University

"After missing two games with injuries, 59-year-old linebacker Mike Flynt will take the field for Sul Ross State on Saturday for the first time in 37 years."

Wholely Moley! Incredible and Bold. After 26 years, you could not pay me to go back and try to play at any level even Pee-Wees. What is this guy thinking. Grandfather and AARP member. I guess he is a West Texan...hard to get it out of your blood. He was a conditioning coach at Nebraska and A&M. Guess he is in great shape.

RWC: England 0-36 South Africa !!!

The defending world champs have been embarrassed. At this point we could see the four pools won by the top four southern hemisphere teams: South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina. It would not be that long of a shot for all four to reach the semifinals either. Unless Frances rebounds or one of the other three UK sides step up then the SH will be looking good as always.

Happy 16th Anniversary My Love!

May we have many more.

Love,
Terry

Emily: Happy Big Ten Look Where You've Been.

!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!

Emily between ages One and Three (Three being Elizabeth's age now). Seems like yesterday.








Nine years ago:
Em (1), Daniel, and John









Em (2+) and Tali (not even one yet.)










Gwen and Emily sharing pigtails. :)











Left: Em (3+) wading in the Llano River (2000).
Right: ALB and Em at the same spot (2006).















Left: Em (3+) at Cedar Hill School (2000).
Right: ALB and Em at same spot (2006).














Em (2+) and CandyCane the day he was brought home.
Jan 2000.











Em dressed to carry the British Flag on international day at church.











Em (3) eating a donut.

Happy Birthday Emily From Aunt TK!!!!

Happy Birthday From Aunt TK

Security: Amazing It Works !

Three Mexican nationals arrest trying to get a LANL badge.

I am surprised.

Cool Bible Translation

He mea hanga na te atua i te timatanga te rangi me te whenua.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Māori Translation

Some Birthday Presents

Opening cards









"Ohhh...I love it"
Dolly named "Elizabeth Ray"











"Ohh...I love it"
Tea set








This will be great on rainy and snowy days for
both girls.










Zoo Polar Bear named "its name is Elizabeth"










Thanks Grandmas (Rado and Texas), Grandpa, and Aunt TK.

RWC: NZ 76 - Italy 14

The All-Blacks locked this one up btw 11-17 mins with the score being 38-0 at minute 17 or theres abouts. Italy has recently shown very good form but today they just did not show up in the beginning and the ABs took advantage of that in a way that only the ABs could.

Rubgy World Cup (RWC) Begun! Upset already

The 2007 Ruby World Cup has begun! And one of the favorites, host side France, has lost a bit of a shocker to Argentina! Argentina 17 - France 12.

Argentina is my second favorite test side behind the All-Blacks. They are usually a tough side that can surprise you as they did France. Wow.

Tomorrow is three tests...one is NZ vs Italy. I look forward to it.

Aunt TK's present to ALB

Cuz

Cuz Sheila with her husband Mark and their two kids Cole and Isabella. They unfortunately live in Okieland but we will overlook that fact. I hope I remembered all their names. :)







Cole looks to be heading to school. I gather it is pre-K time. He has really grown up fast. He will be five this year.










Isabella is only a couple months old and looks to be a bit of a ham by making faces. Well that is what it looks like anyway. What a cutie.

Cool Sentences

At school Emily had to use some spelling words in sentences. Here is two cool sentences that she brought home:

My sister is very belligerent.

I vanquished my fear.


I particularly like the last sentence. Very cool.

Elizabeth: Happy 3rd Birthday !!!!!

!!!!!! Happy 3rd Birthday !!!!!!!

We Love You,
A Little Bit !!!!!

Love
Emily, Mom, and Dad

CandyCane Loves You Too!!!!!

Josh's Barbecue in Santa Fe (* * *)

Location: Santa Fe down Cerrillos Road in the San Isidro Plaza across from a Lowe's Home Center and adjacent to the new Regal Cinema 14.

Style BBQ: Southwest (Oklahoma and Texas) with a bit of New Mexican flavor.

Meats: Polish Sausage, Hot Links, Brisket, Turkey, Ribs, Pulled Pork

Sides: Tater salad, Green Chile Corn Bread, Cowboy beans, cole slaw, corn on the cob, baked tater

Today a friend at work, knowing that I love good BBQ especially Texas style, told me about Josh's. He said he thought the brisket was as good as it gets in New Mexico. So I could not stand it and called Gwen and arranged for us to have dinner down in Santa Fe.

The place smelled of a wood fire BBQ pit. You can order the meat by the half pound or they have one meat and two meat plates or family style. Between the four of us we got the brisket, polish sausage, and hot links. Sides were tater salad, green chile cornbread, corn on the cob, baked potato, and cowboy beans. And I got ice tea. :)

Of all this the most notable was the brisket and cornbread. Both were good. The brisket was definitely moist and had a good yet weak flavor. I think they did not have a good rub on it if at all. Gwen enjoyed it too. I think Rudy's is as good...not as moist but stronger flavor.

The cornbread was very good. It was a sweet cornbread but with green chiles in it but not overwhelming. Actually a nice combo but why does everything in NM have to have chiles in it? Chiles are not THAT good. Good for variety but terrible when overwhelming everything else.

The most disappointing was the iced tea, polish sausage, and tater salad. The iced tea was a flavored one like a cross between a weak Earl Grey and prickly-pear flavor. It was NOT sweet and it was NOT plain ole iced tea. I switched to pop after I finished that glass.

The polish sausage was a huge disappointment. Gwen and I both were not impressed. Gwen said it tasted like a grilled hot dog. That should sum it up. Even Bodacious Bob's sausage is better and that ain't saying much. Rudy's has a huge advantage.

For my personal tastes the tater salad was a disappointment. But with that said I have to say that for its type of tater salad it was good. It was a mayonnaise based salad with taters and celery. I forget what else was in it. It was good for what it was but I just have a strong preference to a yellow mustard based salad. Gwen on the other hand liked it a lot saying it reminded her of her mom' s tater salad.

This all does not mention the BBQ sauces. They had three on the table.... seasonal, traditional mild, and traditional hot. The seasonal was nice but it was not really a BBQ sauce...it had a strong taste of bourbon or something. The other two were not what I think of for BBQ sauce.
So be warned.

All in all I would say this is a place to visit every now and then. NM is not strong on BBQ food in the first place. It cannot replace Rudy's right now as my NM BBQ place to head for. But I can give it 3 stars. It is a order at the window and sit down to be served kind of place. Not as much atmosphere as Rudy's at all.

We still have not visited the Whole Hog BBQ which is a Arkansas BBQ style. But then again I am not a big fan of pulled pork.

Here is a review I found on the web at Gil's Thrilling Web Site.

Labor Day Weekend - ABQ Zoo

Yesterday, along with a lot of Los Alamos, we went to the Albuquerque to visit the Zoo. When Elizabeth found out we were going to the zoo she let out a shrill that sounded more like she was hurt than happy. Her favorite part of the zoo was the elephants as she has repeatedly told us since then.



Emily self-portrait. She is just pensive.









Bird woman. Gwen spent almost her whole time with the birds trying to get one to crawl out on her arm. :)








Emily was just tall enough to feed the birds easily. Lorikeets from Oz if I remember correctly.










Hard to see the seal swimming behind Elizabeth. Just a shadow behind her head.












Looking at the giraffes.










Riding the train through the park. Turns out to be one of the few reliefs from the heat yesterday. I know it was not real hot but hot enough to keep me thirsty and sweating. Maybe 100F at best. The train ride was nice.





Elizabeth was so excited to see the polar bears that she went to the zoo store and bought a stuffed one. On the way home she asked us if it was ok to name a bear "Elizabeth?" We thought it was a great name and said yes. :)






We have a job perfect for Joe Schmidt. He will not even need a new uniform. :)

"What Just Happened?"

Yesterday, I took Emily and Elizabeth to the playground at Emily's school. This play ground has a small spinning pole game where you can stand on it and hug the pole and spin around. The foot platform works just right as a seat for Elizabeth to sit, straddle and hug the pole. I told her to hold on tight and I would spin her. I did not think I spun the pole very fast but as she is spinning I she her face looks a bit scared or something akin to that.

I stop the spinning and Elizabeth is sorta hanging on sideways and not moving much. So I grab her and try to set her standing on the ground but her legs would not work and were like rubber. I just snatched her up and held her until the dizziness settled. She was wild eyed and totally out of it. She was looking around like she could not see anything straight. She did not say a thing and just was in a trance it looked like. I turned her to face Emily on the playground and she finally spoke.

In a shaky, shocked, pitiful , but yet inquisitive voice she asked, "What just happened?" :)

I was very relieved to hear her speak and laughed out loud as did Emily. I guess she had not ever been really dizzy before and was a bit surprised by the experience. Her reaction to it all surprised me and made my heart skip a beat or two.