Mom and Dad celebrated their 10 year wedding anniversary by giving us a dream week with Aunt Julie and Kalyn. Literally one week after moving into our new house, they selflessly flew across the country to California so that we could have alone time with our favorite people.
Dad had a business trip to Sonoma, so they figured it was a chance to give us some space. We didn't feel too bad for them being lonely and missing us, because they had plenty of group function obligations and "work" to do.
Like risking their lives in a giant balloon filled with flammable gas driven by an open jet flame spewing out of enormous propane tanks.
Mom's account of their Bucket List experience may have been biased by her fear of heights. And fear of death while away from her children for the first time ever.
The story involved lots of adjectives about the flame. The giant fire that was loud and only a few inches from your head.
So, you climb into a basket with 18 other perfectly nice strangers. You say a quick prayer that the pilot knows what he's doing.
You start to understand that your perception of quiet peaceful balloons floating through the air is different from reality. There is a hot blasting flame right above your head that sounds like a jet engine.
At first you'll want to throw up as you lift off.
Then you'll try to introduce yourself to the other people squeezed into the basket. You know, in case you all hit a power line and crash together.
Then you'll feel your legs and arms go numb because you're having a panic reaction.
You will stare at a point on the horizon to stop the vomit feeling, and you'll be brave and cheerful while your husband laughs at you.
Once you get to altitude, the blasting flame stops, and then you will admit that this is beautiful.
You will take selfies with the hope that these are not the last pictures to be found on your phone after the crash.
Watching the other balloons bob around in the quiet sunrise is actually the best part, and you start to feel more calm and less faint.
Landing safely on the ground will make you feel happier than any other time in your life.
The rest of the week was pretty tame after that. They rode bikes through vineyards to a winery with a new "eccentric" owner.
They had dinner in a ridiculously gorgeous vineyard.
It seemed really boring to us.
They toured a favorite winery. Not really our idea of fun, but they seemed to have a good time.
We had way more fun with Julie and Kalyn. Movie nights, pizza nights, swimming, unlimited screen time, daily ice cream. Aunt Julie is an absolute saint.
She took us to the zoo, and let us do all the fun extras.
Mom and Dad will never, ever stop thanking them for the week!
