Awesome and scary too, I was the third one to jump. Actually it wasn’t really a jump, a fall maybe, but it didn’t really matter. What I’m talking about is a ride at the Alliance Redwoods Science Camp, called the Rope Rocket. It’s so hard to describe, but I’ll do my best.
As soon as I saw it I wanted to go, but I wasn’t fast enough. It was excruciating watching the others going and having so much fun, and then it was my turn. When I went up into the tree I was nervous and excited. There was a lady waiting for me at the top of the tree. She put the harness and cords on, and told me to sit on the edge of the tree. Then I panicked.
I started telling her I wanted to get off and standing up, but she just reassured me and told me to sit down every time I did so. “These cables can hold up a bus, now I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure you don’t weigh as much as a bus,” She said. “And I was scared the first time I went too, but in the end it’s all worth it.” So I calmed myself down and told her if I hit the 30lb cables she had strapped onto me, 3 times, she could let go.
1.....2........3! I started falling down faster, the air was escaping me. I couldn’t breathe. Then I went up, hitting a few trees in the process. Back and forth, again and again as if I were on a giant swing it felt so good, the wind rushing against my face. I had lost myself, falling and the next thing I knew I was on the ground. That’s what it’s like to go on the Rope Rocket; awesome, and scary too.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Greetings from the Thomas Family - 2007
I have to admit I have been dragging my feet in getting the Christmas letter out this year. My inspiration came when Brandon said if I got the pictures together, he would add the words. Okay, I didn't get the pictures together. But, enjoy the year in review through the eyes of Brandon, with help from his 6 year old brother.
Cookie Baking with the Bailey Family
We had our annual Cookie Baking Session with the Baileys. Chocolate Chip, Russian Snowballs, Chocolate Sugar Cookies, Fudge, Snicker doodles were baked, packaged and delivered to our Goldstone neighbors by all the kids complete with Santa Caps (except Devon - he refuses to where the Santa hat).
Lake Tahoe with the Tabatabai Family
The year was started with a bang! The first week of January was spent at Lake Tahoe with Sean, Jeanne, Roxanna and Samantha Tabatabai. Midweek Uncle Jack, Uncle Randy, James, Jenny, Elizabeth and Julianne joined us for New Years Eve. Sledding, snowball fights, long walks to Starbucks….even Roxanna eating the snowman’s chocolate buttons made for a great start of the New Year.
Hawaii with Wells Fargo
Bittersweet is the word my Mom uses to describe working at Wells Fargo this year. In February, her CIO left the company to be CEO of another. On his departure he called Mom to inform her she had won one of two Management Excellence awards and was to be sent to the company’s Sales and Service Conference. From pampering, to excursions, to guest speakers, to the hotel itself (Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa) - the company goes all out for their team members for this event. We spent the week snorkeling, swimming, exploring Waikiki’s Zoo and eating way too much at the endless buffets.
South Africa
Dad and Randy made an amazing trek to South Africa for a Safari. Kudu, Warthog, Giraffe, Elephant, Lion and many more animals were seen (we don’t want to know what was eaten!).
Hakuna Matata = Don’t Worry
Randy and Dad killed a Pumba. Dad said the reason Pumba isn’t breathing is he swallowed Tumon and choked. Dad tried the Heimlich and Randy tried mouth to snout, but couldn’t resuscitate. Hakuna Matata doesn’t appear to be Pumba’s motto anymore……
Don’t they use guns in Africa?
Doesn’t it appear that Randy has brought down this beast by using the stick in his hand? For the animal lovers out there, Randy assured us that no animals were hurt in Africa. He says the animals were “stunt beast”. We are starting to sense that we can’t trust Randy’s stories…..
Cannon Beach, Oregon
The Rea Family journeyed up to our favorite beach spot, Cannon Beach – Oregon for the 4th of July. Two houses side-to-side hosted four families and a total of 17 people and three dogs. Scrabble, long walks to Haystack Rock, clamming in Gearhart, trips into Seaside and fireworks made for a great adventure.
New York, NY
Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Nintendo Center, Ellis Island and 5 million taxis were amazing sights to see. Of course, seeing Grease and Phantom were worth the flight. But, nothing compares to hanging with my mom and Grammie for a week in New York.
New York 2007
Phantom of the Opera was AMAZING! I met several of the cast members including the Phantom of the Opera. In fact, here I am with the Phantom - unmasked. Devilishly handsome, a wonderful actor and an extremely good singer (but enough about me already).
Cookie Baking with the Bailey Family
We had our annual Cookie Baking Session with the Baileys. Chocolate Chip, Russian Snowballs, Chocolate Sugar Cookies, Fudge, Snicker doodles were baked, packaged and delivered to our Goldstone neighbors by all the kids complete with Santa Caps (except Devon - he refuses to where the Santa hat).
Lake Tahoe with the Tabatabai Family
The year was started with a bang! The first week of January was spent at Lake Tahoe with Sean, Jeanne, Roxanna and Samantha Tabatabai. Midweek Uncle Jack, Uncle Randy, James, Jenny, Elizabeth and Julianne joined us for New Years Eve. Sledding, snowball fights, long walks to Starbucks….even Roxanna eating the snowman’s chocolate buttons made for a great start of the New Year.
Hawaii with Wells Fargo
Bittersweet is the word my Mom uses to describe working at Wells Fargo this year. In February, her CIO left the company to be CEO of another. On his departure he called Mom to inform her she had won one of two Management Excellence awards and was to be sent to the company’s Sales and Service Conference. From pampering, to excursions, to guest speakers, to the hotel itself (Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa) - the company goes all out for their team members for this event. We spent the week snorkeling, swimming, exploring Waikiki’s Zoo and eating way too much at the endless buffets.
South Africa
Dad and Randy made an amazing trek to South Africa for a Safari. Kudu, Warthog, Giraffe, Elephant, Lion and many more animals were seen (we don’t want to know what was eaten!).
Hakuna Matata = Don’t Worry
Randy and Dad killed a Pumba. Dad said the reason Pumba isn’t breathing is he swallowed Tumon and choked. Dad tried the Heimlich and Randy tried mouth to snout, but couldn’t resuscitate. Hakuna Matata doesn’t appear to be Pumba’s motto anymore……
Don’t they use guns in Africa?
Doesn’t it appear that Randy has brought down this beast by using the stick in his hand? For the animal lovers out there, Randy assured us that no animals were hurt in Africa. He says the animals were “stunt beast”. We are starting to sense that we can’t trust Randy’s stories…..
Cannon Beach, Oregon
The Rea Family journeyed up to our favorite beach spot, Cannon Beach – Oregon for the 4th of July. Two houses side-to-side hosted four families and a total of 17 people and three dogs. Scrabble, long walks to Haystack Rock, clamming in Gearhart, trips into Seaside and fireworks made for a great adventure.
New York, NY
Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Nintendo Center, Ellis Island and 5 million taxis were amazing sights to see. Of course, seeing Grease and Phantom were worth the flight. But, nothing compares to hanging with my mom and Grammie for a week in New York.
New York 2007
Phantom of the Opera was AMAZING! I met several of the cast members including the Phantom of the Opera. In fact, here I am with the Phantom - unmasked. Devilishly handsome, a wonderful actor and an extremely good singer (but enough about me already).
SpamALot
After seeing Grease, we couldn’t resist taking advantage of a SpamALot cut out and being one of the Knights of the Round Table. “The Holy Grail? We already got one.”
After seeing Grease, we couldn’t resist taking advantage of a SpamALot cut out and being one of the Knights of the Round Table. “The Holy Grail? We already got one.”
John Lennon Memorial
Grammie wanted to stop and see the memorial. Little did we know to look DOWN. But once we found it, it was a beautiful memorial in the middle of Strawberry Fields.
Channel Islands, CA
After getting his diving certification, Dad took a trip out spiny lobster diving in the Channel Islands. The annual trip is coordinated by one of Dads firefighting buddies, but this year Dad brought his friend Greg which made it more fun, although the sleeping quarters were a tad bit crowded we hear.
My brothers and I had a great year. I turned 11, Devon turned 9 and Justin turned 6. I like swimming, baseball and reptiles. Of course, I love the stage and the vocal/piano lessons are preparing me for musicals. Devon is a sporty guy who likes to rides his wave, skateboard and fusion scooter. He loves to play video games and can get lost for days if left alone with his Nintendo DS. Justin is our local charmer. He comes home with new girl's phone numbers every week. He loves to ride his fusion scooter, play with the dogs and play soccer and baseball.
From our family to yours, wishing you joy, love and health in the New Year.
Bruce, Stacy, Brandon, Devon and Justin
(reatho@yahoo.com)
Grammie wanted to stop and see the memorial. Little did we know to look DOWN. But once we found it, it was a beautiful memorial in the middle of Strawberry Fields.
Channel Islands, CA
After getting his diving certification, Dad took a trip out spiny lobster diving in the Channel Islands. The annual trip is coordinated by one of Dads firefighting buddies, but this year Dad brought his friend Greg which made it more fun, although the sleeping quarters were a tad bit crowded we hear.
My brothers and I had a great year. I turned 11, Devon turned 9 and Justin turned 6. I like swimming, baseball and reptiles. Of course, I love the stage and the vocal/piano lessons are preparing me for musicals. Devon is a sporty guy who likes to rides his wave, skateboard and fusion scooter. He loves to play video games and can get lost for days if left alone with his Nintendo DS. Justin is our local charmer. He comes home with new girl's phone numbers every week. He loves to ride his fusion scooter, play with the dogs and play soccer and baseball.
From our family to yours, wishing you joy, love and health in the New Year.
Bruce, Stacy, Brandon, Devon and Justin
(reatho@yahoo.com)
Monday, October 15, 2007
Wasps MIA in the Winter? by Brandon
I asked my mom today why you don't see wasps in winter. She replied in a matter-of-fact one, "Well Brandon, in winter it's too cold for wasps to make their nests. So, they hibernate."
Of course, I laughed because the thought of wasps hibernating was too funny. Afterall, bears hibernate. Not wasps.
She then turned and said, "Of course, some people believe that because it is so cold that they pick up their wasp families and homes and migrate to Argentina." She continued quite seriously, "In Argentina, they stay up all night dancing the salsa and drinking pitchers of Margeritas. After a few Margeritas, they land in the tourists salsa. Wasps don't make for a good ingredient for salsa, but it keeps them warm. Many a wasp has lost his/her life drowing in a good Argentinian salsa. That is why many Argentinian salsa producers have gone out of business. Yes, even many Mexican restaurants have been sued from serving wasp butts to their customers."
She cleared her throat and continued, "So, Brandon, there are two stories about wasps not being around in winter. Which do you believe is true?"
I looked at my mom speechless, because all I could think of was why would Mexican restaurants be serving Argentitian salsa? Next time, I go to Taco Bell, I would surely ask for the Argentinian salsa for my Nachos Bell Grande to look for wasp parts.....
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Of course, I laughed because the thought of wasps hibernating was too funny. Afterall, bears hibernate. Not wasps.
She then turned and said, "Of course, some people believe that because it is so cold that they pick up their wasp families and homes and migrate to Argentina." She continued quite seriously, "In Argentina, they stay up all night dancing the salsa and drinking pitchers of Margeritas. After a few Margeritas, they land in the tourists salsa. Wasps don't make for a good ingredient for salsa, but it keeps them warm. Many a wasp has lost his/her life drowing in a good Argentinian salsa. That is why many Argentinian salsa producers have gone out of business. Yes, even many Mexican restaurants have been sued from serving wasp butts to their customers."
She cleared her throat and continued, "So, Brandon, there are two stories about wasps not being around in winter. Which do you believe is true?"
I looked at my mom speechless, because all I could think of was why would Mexican restaurants be serving Argentitian salsa? Next time, I go to Taco Bell, I would surely ask for the Argentinian salsa for my Nachos Bell Grande to look for wasp parts.....
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