Star Wars

In a gallaxy far far away.....................

Okay it was just here in Portland, but it was still cool. We took the kids to see Star Wars Symphony October 14th. It was an experience of a lifetime. One I will not forgot.


We arrived early so the kids, Mike and I could see the display of all the original propts from the movie series Star Wars. There was the costume for Darth Vader, the character of Yoda, the different weapons, different helmets, and best of all their were people dressed up as character from the movies.

There were times when Grace really did not get her picture taken. And there were times she just disappeared. But the boys had a blast with all the picture taking. Yes, I have hams in my family. I am willing to admit it!

After walking all around the Rose Garden, and seeing everything we could, it was time to find our seats. Granted we were quite a ways up, but the view of the orchestra was still good, and the screen was HUGE. Here is a picture of the white sheets of sheer material that hid both the orchestra and the big screen.

Well.... I could go on about what we saw.......... Okay I will tell you about a couple of the other costumes that were there. Some of the people coming to the event were serious fans. One lady was dressed up as Vetress. It was weird. She had a cap to cover her hair, and then she painted her whole head to look just like the character. There were parents who dressed their kids in Ewok costumes. I felt for them the most! It had to be hot in those full bodied fur suites. There were quite a few kids dressed up as Jedis, just like our kids. Very strange.

Now, the music was fabulous. The concert lasted hour and half. The actor who played CP30 in ALL the movies, Anthony Daniels, was our MC for the show. He did a wonderful job walking us through the story line, as the orchestra played wonderful music to bring life to the screen of pictures.

All I can say is, it was an experience. One I know we cannot repeat, nor want to repeat. It will be something the kids can say, "do you remeber when...." If you have not seen all the pictures we took from the show, you can take a look at them at my facebook account. Just look up my name, and under photoablums Star Wars.

It truly was an experience of a lifetime.

Experiencing the WILD!

OUT IN THE WILD

In September we decided to take our kids down to Southern Oregon to see the Wildlife Safari. And what an experience they had!

Above you can see a picture of one of the rhinos at the park. His name is Jake. Jake was one of the many animals we got to see. There are over 250 "hoofed" animals in the park. We were blessed enough to meet one of the gentleman that take care of the animals.

Jungle Jaime works at the Wildlife Safari. He has been working there for over a year. Jaime, when we first arrived, recommended we go and feed the elephants.

After we drove through the park, and so ALOT of different animals. We returned to the main village to join the group going to fee the elephants. Here in the picture to the right you can see Jacob feeding the elephant.

These elephants eat over 300 lbs of food a day. They way sometimes over 5000 lbs, and can balance on one side of the body. Elephants are also very intellegent animals. With that said, they have to train these elephants every day not only physically, but mentally.

After the experience with the elephants our own broud was hungry. We ate lunch, and ironically ran into Jungle Jaime again. After asking more questions about the park, and the animals, he offered to take us on a small tour of the park. GREAT!

He took us around the front part of the park, that is where I got the photo of Jake the rhino, and over to the Giraffes. Jaime gave our kids the chance to feed the giraffes!! What an experience for all of us.

Never before had I been so close to a giraffe. I have to tell you they have pretty ugly tongues. Their tongues remind me of a purple slug. Like I said ugly. But the giraffes themselves were beautiful, and graceful. The way they slowly lowered their heads, and interacted with each other.

After feeding the giraffes Jaime took us over to see the hipo. Right now they only have one hipo. About two or three years ago they lost their female hipo, and just this last year they lost their oldest male hipo. The hipo they have was actually born in the park about three years ago. They are currently trying to find another one.

I have to tell you I could go on and on about the Wildlife Safari park. I would encourage you to go and see what we experienced for yourself. Giving your family the chance to see animals first hand in their habitat, and beable to experience close up. You cannot make enough memories like these.

Link to Wildlife Safari http://www.wildlifesafari.net/

And if you want to see more pictures of the wildlife safari trip, you can go to http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1023112939&v=photos&ref=profile#/album.php?aid=2021977&id=1023112939

The adventures of young men

The adventures of three young men

It is wonderful when kids are able to find things to capture their imaginations. May it be a hidden alcove in the backyard, a grove of trees in the park, or a small stream with a island in the middle of it what ever they find to help them find their imaginations it is wonderful. Jacob and his friends were able to do just that.

The last part of August Jacob staied at the Friend's house for an evening. When I dropped him off the boys decided to go over to the park with a blow-up raft, and take a trip down the small stream. They told us it was big enough, and there was a island in the middle for them to explore. This was a perfect time for two moms to check out what the boys were talking about. Low and behold, what we found was such a kick we took pictures of the event.

I wanted to share these with you. When you look at the pictures it really does look like there are somewhere out in the wild on a river or small stream. Please understand this is a small creek located in the middle of Hillsboro at one of the local parks. But when you see them you will see how something as small as a creek can become a boys wildest imagination.

Here they are getting into the boat after the two moms where discovered hidding in the bushes. Yes!! We were trying to spy on our kids. We did not want them to know we were looking out for them. It is a mom thing.

This is where they are off and running. Can you see the sticks they are using for ores? Jacob had forgot the ores at the house, and so they had to think of something else- sticks.





They had rowed all the way to the small island and were trying to find a spot to "park" the boat at on the side of the island. It was great to see how the boys worked together to find a solution.

they found a spot to park!! Now to get the boat parked and climb onto the island.

They made it onto the island! But unfortunately they could not stand very well, and it was getting late. So they had to come off the island and start making their way back. At this point they were also getting pretty tired, and it was obivious it was time to come home.

Here they are coming back after their adventure to the "island". They had a blast, something none of them will ever forget.

I am pretty proud of these boys. They took something that most of us would pass off as a small creek, something to look at, and made it into an adventure. They thought outside the box, and made it work. Granted Jacob and his friends were pretty tired that night. But I think in their "wild" boys heart they were glad they took a chance of a life time. They were the modern day Tom Sawyers. What a memory!