Stadium of Fire - F-16 Flyover

Stadium of Fire

I gave the family the choice of flying to Seward and each of us running the Mount Marathon race or go to dinner at the Brick Oven followed by tickets to see the Stadium of Fire and to my surprise we didn't have to pack our bags. 

Our evening started with a great meal at the Brick Oven.  Pasta, salad bar and homemade root beer - what's not to like.  The pictures below capture the fun and entertainment we enjoyed.  It could have only been topped if Darren were with us - but we know he is where he should be!

Aren't there laws againt false advertising?  I couldn't get anyone to confirm my suspicion, but I doubt there was any honey and if there was....?

The temperature almost hit 100 during the day.  We were thrilled to find that our tickets were on the west side of Lavel Edwards Stadium.  We almost felt bad for the people who arrived early and had to sit in the hot sun for a couple of hours before the sun went down.  Tyson going old school with the rabbit ears to mom's head.

Sky-divers delivered the flag which was flown during the evening.  The flag was brought back from Iraq by the 388th Fighter Wing located at Hill AF Base.  It was unbelievable to watch the four para-gliders come in.  When they were dropped, they were so high you could barely see them or the plane that dropped them for that matter.  They came in extremely fast, circling the stadium and landing one at a time.  The fourth and final diver carried the flag into the stadium.  Each of the first three came in hot and landed flawlessly.  

Things didn't go as smoothly for the fourth skydiver.  Coming in fast he clipped the barricade and tumbled to the ground knocking over the barricade and a man standing by the barricade.  The troops rushed in and gathered the flag.  The injured worker didn't get as much attention as the flag, but he walked off after a few minutes.

David Archuletta sang the national anthem and as the last note was sang, four F-16 fighter jets from the 388th buzzed the stadium.  The lead pilot was connected via video and delivered a message to the stadium.  It was cool.  We would have paid the ticket price just to see the jets fly over. 

David Archuletta (American Idol fame) performed several songs.  He has a great voice, but is still working on his performing skills.

Brad Paisley was the main performer.  He said a ten song set that included most of his most popular hits.  Tyson tolerated it - not a country fan.  The rest of us loved it. 

The fireworks show itself was absolutely amazing.  I'm not a big fireworks guy, but loved the show they put on.  The colors, originality, noise, # of fireworks, etc. was just awesome. 

Out of the Mouth of Children

Dad:  If you are as nice to your future husband as mom is to me, you're husband will be a lucky man.

Camryn:  When I get married I want to marry....someone who can cook.

Novakovich Zoo - Opening Fall 2011

We started with two golden retreiver dogs.  At Christmas we added a bearded-dragon lizard.  Now a  rabbit.  If we are succesful at importing a Girafe we plan to open our zoo in the fall of 2011.  Our latest addition is a mini-French Lop that Camryn has named Taffy.  My suggestion to name the rabbit Jimmer was rejected.  So far so good.  The rabbit is so friendly and comes to the cage door when we are around and likes to be held.  Not only are rabbits a good source of friendship, but they taste just like chicken in the event our current food storage levels are inadequate. 

Mother's Day

I love this picture that my mom shared with me on Mother's day.  I was blessed with a wonderful mother for whom I will be eternally grateful. 

This picture appears to capture the moment when Mike realized he was the second favorite child in the family.  If there had been a mirror, he would have also realized at that moment that he was wearing a jacket that had a very short lived period of fashion popularity.

Opposition in All Things

I just got back from a trip to California. Things I liked - attending a day game at the Colluseum between the A's and the Rangers and watching Matsui hit a walk off home run in the tenth (cost - $10), warm weather (80's), and On the Border Mexican Grill.

Something to make you forget about all of the good - unleaded gas that costs $4.60 a gallon.

Another Trip to the Principals Office

Camryn was sent to the principal's office and we were invited to join her.  Fortunately is was to celebrate her selection to receive a Principal's Pride award.  We are so proud of her - way to go Camryn.