Oregon Zoo ZooLights 4 Tickets Giveaway #zoolightspdx

I have a fun giveaway for my local readers! The Oregon Zoo has provided me with 4 tickets for one of my local readers to visit the Oregon Zoo's annual winter festival, ZooLights, with their family!!

The ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo opens at 5:00 pm nightly from November 25th through January 1st (with the exception of Dec. 24th and 25th!), and runs until 8 or 9 pm, depending on the day. This year, ZooLights visitors will receive reduced admission on Mondays through Thursdays through December 15 (although these value nights end at 8pm instead of 9pm.

ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo. © Oregon Zoo / photo by Michael Durham.

This event is a lot of fun and features some really cool light displays for the holiday and winter season. The Zoo is transformed into a fantastic winter wonderland of over a million and a half twinkling lights. You can walk through about 95% of the ZooLights. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture this experience!

They also have a great train ride that goes through the park so you can see light displays that you would not be able to see otherwise. Trains begin running at 4:45 pm and tickets for the ride are $3.50 for members and $4 for all others per person.

Penguins in lights reflected in a fountain during ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo.

Besides your camera, don't forget to bundle up and dress warmly. I would recommend bringing: clothing with layers, warm coats/jackets, gloves/mittens, hats, scarves, thick insulated socks, and comfortable boots/shoes. I am going to be bringing my favorite reusable hand warmers and an umbrella in case it rains the next time I go with my family! You can purchase food, snacks, and drink while you are there and they have hot chocolate to warm you up as well!

ZooLights Admission

• Members: Free
• Adults (12–64): $14.95, $9.95 on value nights
• Seniors (65 and up): $12.95, $7.95 on value nights
• Children (3–11): $9.95, $4.95 on value nights
• 2 and under: Free

Train Admission

• Members: an additional $3.50 per person
• Others: an additional $4 per person

Schedule

• Monday through Thursday through Dec. 15th: gates open 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• All other nights from Nov. 25th through Jan.1st: gates open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Grounds remain open an hour after gates close.
• Closed on December 24, and 25.

Please see my other posts on the Oregon Zoo.We loved going to the ZooLights in 2012 and hope to go again soon!

WIN IT
Prize: Win 4 Oregon Zoo ZooLights Tickets. (please don't enter unless you know you will be able to go)

Winner will be notified via Crystal of Eccentric Eclectic Woman. Upon confirmation, tickets will be placed in will call at the zoo under the winner’s name. Tickets are valid for one-time use from completion of contest through the last night of ZooLights (January 1, 2017). Value of four tickets is $59.80.

I run giveaways with Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I have been given an opportunity to giveaway 4 free tickets to the Oregon Zoo ZooLights. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this post.

FamilySearch's Worldwide Indexing Event #TheWorldsRecords

From July 15-17, FamilySearch International is sponsoring their third annual “Worldwide Indexing Event,” in which they will be trying to bring 72,000 people from around the globe together online during a 72-hour event to save the world’s records by making them searchable to the public.

During the 72-hour indexing period, you can become a volunteer and participate by downloading the FamilySearch software and completing as many names as you would like for your genealogy records. Anyone with a computer and internet connection can join.

My father loves doing our genealogy. He has entered many names and their information in FamilySearch. He has also helped update crucial information and records when things have mistakes or are duplicates. He holds a Genealogy Mission in the church and helps many people with their records as well. I know he is doing the Lord's work in doing this.

Help FamilySearch save records from the past!

Since FamilySearch introduced online indexing in 2008, many people have volunteered and have made over one billion historic records searchable online . The demand for indexed records continues to grow as millions of historical records worldwide are added every year.

To sign up and be a part of something bigger than yourself to help save our vital records, visit https://familysearch.org/worldsrecords.

You can also join FamilySearch’s Facebook event here... https://www.facebook.com/events/162320744170130/

About FamilySearch International:
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. It is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,921 family history centers in 129 countries.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I wrote this post to let my readers know about this event. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else.

Localish Plant Sales on Saturday - One in St. Helen's and One in Portland Oregon

Spring Garden Fair

The 20th Annual Spring Garden Fair is happening on Saturday, April 30, 2016. It will be held at the St. Helen's High School Commons located at 2375 Gable Road, St. Helen's Oregon, 97051.

Dozens of local vendors will offer annuals, trees, shrubs, perennials, vegetables, ceramics, trellises, garden art, herbs, containers, hanging baskets and more.

Certified Master Gardener's will offer 5,000 tomatoes in over 30 varieties for only $1.50 per plant; tomato and general gardening information, raffle tickets, hourly prizes and displays.

Raffle tickets are on sale now for $1 each from many Master Gardener's.

Free parking - please carpool

Free admission - ATM on site - shop indoors and out 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Brought to you by the Columbia County Master Gardener Association.

Incredible Edibles Plant Sale

The Incredible Edibles Plant Sale is also happening Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 10am til 4pm. It will be held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church on 1624 NE Hancock Street, Portland Oregon, 97212 (between 16th and 17th Avenue).

This FREE event is a great opportunity to buy organic herb and veggie starts for your home garden so you can harvest nutritious, fresh-picked goodness for your table! You’ll find both heirlooms and hybrids among our proven varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, squash, greens, lettuces, herbs and more.

‘Get the Real Dirt’ from OSU Extension trained Master Gardener Volunteers who will be on site to answer your gardening questions.

Plant. Grow. Eat. workshops (Scheduled throughout the day)....

• 10:30 am - “Kale-palooza!” Learn some great tasty, simple ways to use the nutritional iron horse of the garden…kale! Plus see a chiffonade demo so you too can master the technique at home. Presenter: Greg Sweeting, Chef, OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.
• 11:30 am - “Tips for the Beginning Veggie Gardener” A great workshop for those you know who are beginning gardeners. They will learn tips and tricks on how to “get growing” with their very own vegetable garden. They will learn just how easy it is to have nutritious veggies to harvest. Presenter: Susan Ristau, OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer. 
• 12:30 pm - “Eat What You Grow” The joy of simple preparations for your homegrown edibles. When your produce and herbs are this fresh it’s a delight to create simple meals with them at the center of the plate. Presenter: Katherine Deumling of Cook With What You Have.
• 1:30 pm - “Bountiful Berries” Learn all the steps needed to harvest a bounty of berries in your garden from an expert home grower. Strawberries, blues, Marion, and raspberries! Oh my! Presenter: Bob Deultgen, OSU Extension Master Gardener.
• 2:30 pm - “Delectable Ways to Enjoy Your Bounty” Get inspiration on how to utilize your bountiful veggie harvest with quick, delectable preparations. Presenter: Joe Hickey, Chef, Noble Rot.

Kids Grow...
Drop by the Kids Grow station and discover incredible garden science with hands-on activities for the kids.

Feed Your Soul with a Variety of Food Vendors...
Thrive Sauce and Bowls, Salvador Molly's, Nossa Familia Coffee

Garden Inspired Art...
A Little Sun!, Victory Garden of Tomorrow

Great Music...

• 10am      Sellwood Marimba Band a festive kick-off! 
• 11 am      Brian McEvoy, Jesse Robinson, Bret Malmquist, country and folk—with a little bit of honky-tonk! 
• 12 pm     Rick McNutt Quartet, Latin-jazz to move to! 
• 1 pm       Possum Six Pack, old time, traditional, toe-tapping tunes!  
• 2 pm      Arco PDX, classical orchestral and chamber music with a contemporary attitude! 
• 3 pm      Bill LaCroix and Dan Kimbro, serendipitous old-timey music!

Check out the veggie varieties they have on order!

Also enter their raffle while you are there! There are over 100 donors and tickets are just $5! You pick which prizes to try your luck on.

RSVP to the event e-vite on Facebook and like them on their Facebook page too.

Brought to you by the Multnomah County Master Gardeners.

OTHER PLANT SALES COMING UP IN OREGON BY COUNTY & DATE:

• Lane: April 30th, 9am - 3pm, Lane County Fairgrounds (Eugene)
• Jackson: April 30th, 9am - 5pm and May 1st, 10am - 4pm (many plant vendors), Jackson County Expo (Central Point)
• Clackamas: April 30th, 9am - 5pm and May 1, 9am - 4pm (lots of plant vendors), Clackamas County Event Center (Canby)
• Polk: May 6th and 7th, 9am - 4pm, Polk County Fairgrounds (Rickreall)
• Hood River: May 7th, 9am - 1pm, OSU Extension Service Office at 2990 Experiment Station Drive (Hood River)
• Wasco: May 7th, 9am - 2pm, City Park (The Dalles)
• Douglas: May 7th, 9am - 4pm (many plant vendors), Douglas County Fairgrounds (Roseburg)
• Benton: May 7th, 9am - 2pm, Benton County Fairgrounds (Corvallis)
• Tillamook: May 7th, 9am - 2pm, Tillamook County Fairgrounds (Tillamook)
• Curry: May 14th, 10am-7pm at the High School (Gold Beach)
• Clatsop: May 14th, 8:30am - 2pm (garden vendors and seminar), Clatsop County Fairgrounds (Astoria)
• Lincoln: May 31, 9am-2pm, Newport National Guard Armory (Newport)

  
OF NOTE: If these are too far from you, try your local Master Gardeners and see if there is a plant sale in your area. Many of them are happening this weekend! Just do a search by county and state or call your local  Department of Agriculture Extension Office for more information. You might also find a website or newsletter you can join for your county chapter to get information on other plant sales, events, and classes.

You too can become a Master Gardener, just call your local extension office to find out more information. Also if you live in Oregon, here is the Oregon Master Gardeners Website to look up the chapter in your neck of the woods. The chapter meetings are open to all, not just members, and they usually have an interesting speaker to listen to and learn from.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this information and images for this post. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I am a OSU Columbia County Master Gardener and wanted to share this information with my readers.

Belli Skincare Celebrate Mom Event Giveaway

Belli Skincare is having a huge giveaway that is running from April 22nd - May 3rd! The grand price package is valued over $700.  Enter Now!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this information and image for this post. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I am receiving a complimentary skin care product for posting. 

Dynacraft Launches Experiments in Fun with Family Oriented Whimsical Events

Dynacraft is an industry-leading importer and distributor of bicycles, scooters and battery operated wheels for the entire family. They offer such fun designs as: My Little Pony, Tonka, Transformers, Marvel Avengers, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Hello Kitty, Minions, and Monster High to choose from. My girls who are 4 and 7 would absolutely love their My Little Pony line!

Experiments in Fun is Dynacraft's ongoing celebration of the endless creative ways kids and families can enjoy their bikes, scooters and ride-ons. All the fun is kicking off this summer with a series of community-focused events across the country, designed to help families rethink what’s possible with their favorite wheels.

If you live in St. Paul, MN consider yourself very lucky! Dynacraft is hosting an Experiments in Fun Color Ride (think color-powder fun run meets scavenger hunt on wheels) on June 13th. If you live in or around this area you can sign up now to participate!

They already did a Ride-In Theater in Atlanta, GA and the participants had a blast! Here is a fun little recap of that event:

COMING SOON, CLOSER TO HOME...
Also, if y'all are looking for some fun action that is closer to my home, just you wait. The next Experiments in Fun Dynacraft will be putting on is in, none other than, Portland, Oregon!!! It will be a Biker Juice Bar The Kickstand on July 30th June 27th at Pioneer Courthouse Square from 12pm-3pm. Participants will experience a pop-up juice bar for active families, with biker-themed fun and decor. Games, test rides, giveaways & refreshments provided by Dynacraft. Yay! I cannot wait for my family to be a part of it!

****Heads up, the Portland, Oregon Event has been moved up to June 27th!!!

Can you think of another unique activity for summer that you can have your kids do with their favorite wheels? 

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I am posting about these events because I wanted my readers to know about them. Thanks to a public relations email for providing me this promotion information. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any compensation for posting this promo and event information.

Wordless Wednesday National History Bee and Bowl 2015

Jaedan and his 7th grade Middle School Team strategizing before the tourny.

National History Bowl Oregon tournament, Saturday, February 7th 2015 at Rainier Jr Sr High School: 19 teams in three divisions from 8 different schools getting ready.

Jaedan and his 7th grade Middle School History Bowl Team who qualified for the Nationals in Kentucky in May!

From The Chief (a newspaper in Oregon) posted on Thursday, February 12, 2015 8:14 pm "National History Bee Bowl organized its first nationwide series of National History Bowl tournament for the middle school age level. In all, 19 teams from around the northwest competed at this event. Rainier High School’s seventh and eighth grade History Bowl Teams qualified for the nationals final competition, which is taking place in Kentucky on the weekend of May 22-24. Tyler Brackin and William Carver will represent the eighth grade. Regan Zelinski, Jaedan Abel, Robert DuPlessis, Jack Bauguess, Josiah Jones, with student coach, Rocky Hein, will represent seventh grade. The History Bowl advisor is Mr. Andrew Demko of Rainier High School. Efforts are now underway to raise money for these teams."

Other related articles: Rainier hosts Oregon History Bowl and Bee for fourth consecutive year

The Pumpkin Patch and Keeping Portland Lost Corn MAiZE in Sauvie Island Oregon

We received free media passes from US Family Guide to facilitate this review and post.

We sure had a lot of fun last year at The Pumpkin Patch and The Corn Maize on Sauvie Island Oregon. My whole family was excited to go again. We had planned to go on the 11th of October, but bad weather and a family mishap pushed it to the 18th. The staff at The Pumpkin Patch was wonderful in working with us to reschedule a better time and day.

I wanted to make sure that we didn't miss the Corn MAiZE and also see some things we hadn't seen in years past. The market was definitely on our radar so that we could partake of some of the awesome bounty that Sauvie Island had to offer. I was also hoping to go through the Corn MAiZE completely with the girls as we didn't get to last year.

Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island Oregon is a large island bound by the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. It comprises of approximately 30,000 acres of land and lakes. The scenic drives wind around through farm and dairy lands. The gorgeous Sauvie Island Bridge crosses the Multnomah Channel of the Willamette River near Portland, Oregon, United States. This 1,198' (365 m) truss bridge was built from July 2004 - June 23, 2008. I got to see it in construction.

Corn MAiZE entrance.

The entrance to the Corn MAiZE is a covered area with picnic benches and places to take photos. There are also interesting things to read about the maze. There is a whole board filled with past MAiZEs, a large corn cutout, carved pumpkins, a sunflower cutout to poke your head in, a rule board, a large ruler cutout to measure how much you've grown since the last time you were there, and other things as well to keep you occupied while waiting for others to finish the maze.

Corn MAiZE Passports.

Grab a Corn MAiZE passport card before the you start through the maze. They have different categories to choose from, each having their own set of questions to solve. We think they are a lot of fun and very educational. When you get to a checkpoint (numbered sign) along the way, stop and look for the same numbered question on the passport. Answer it and it will tell you which path to take. If you answer correctly you will be on the right path. A wrong answer could get you very lost, so choose wisely.

The girls and I went through the first half of the Corn MAiZE without any trouble!

My daughters, Teela and Zari braved the mud and went through the first half of the maze without any trouble! I remember last year getting very lost and having to turn around and go back the way we came. I am so glad that we made it this year.

Corn MAiZE Fun

While in the corn maze there are 2 points where you go up stairs and over a bridge and then down again into the mud. Yes...I said mud! At first there was a little mud and then there was a lot of mud! I saw people come out of the maze covered in it. I was glad we didn't get too muddy. Next time I think we need to invest in some muck boots for the kids. Also you can see for miles when you are up on the bridges and you can sort of get your bearings. We saw The Pumpkin Patch from one which looked like a dotted orange part of the field from afar.

2nd half of the Corn MAiZE. We made it all the way to the end! Yay!

Feeling rather bold and proud of ourselves for finishing the first half we even decided to go further and try the second, apparently harder path through the maze. We made it all the way to the end and although the whole maze took us a while to go through because I took a bunch of pictures we were so glad we persevered and got to finish!

We love the silly brain teasers called CORNundrums that are throughout the Corn MAiZE.

Along the way through the maze we had fun solving corny brain teasers called CORNundrums. These are silly signs with pictures that represent funny play on words. We laughed so much! It was a great activity and good for the soul.

The Pumpkin Patch Animal Barn

 We love to go in the animal barn at The Pumpkin Patch to see the animals. It is a small barn with a few animals. There are bunnies, chickens, a cow, sheep, goat, llama, etc. There are animal facts posted by some of the animals. I learned that rabbits can purr just like cats do and chickens have more bones in their necks than giraffes. I love the mural on the back wall inside of the barn. It is old and flaking off in spots, but still nice.

Pumpkins from The Pumpkin Patch

This year we didn't visit the pumpkin patch like previous years, mainly because we wanted to go look inside the market. I got some pictures of the kids as we were on our way over to the market. Jaedan wouldn't smile for me in these pictures...oh well.

The Pumpkin Patch Market

We checked out The Pumpkin Patch Market next. There is a fabulous selection of flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs and other local homegrown or homemade treats. Someday I am going to have to buy a Bolga Basket here because I absolutely love them! Maybe I will buy two or three because my girls also found a cute one in their size. They also had some of the largest sauerkraut cabbages I have seen. I love their wall of locally made honey, dressings, sauces, spreads and syrups. They have a wonderful variety of items made of pumpkin. You can pick out a nice pumpkin here or at The Pumpkin Patch.

Our market finds, Jaedan using a cabbage leaf as a hat, and Delbin's pear.

We bought two regular size cabbages, a large mesh bag of hot peppers we are going to dry into pepper flakes, a Blue Hubbard squash to possibly make into a pie, some pears: including a gigantic one Delbin picked out, and some apples with our WIC farmers market coupons before they expired at the end of this October.

Floral gardens and leaving Sauvie Island with a Pumpkin Truck.

As we left The Pumpkin Patch and Corn MAiZE on Sauvie Island we passed some of their pretty flower gardens. Maybe next year we can explore more things we missed in the past years we have been. We were also following a large semi truck filled to the brim with pumpkins across the Sauvie Island Bridge as we drove back home. We had a very fun day at The Pumpkin Patch and Corn MAiZE on Sauvie Island and we hope to get to go back next year.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received free tickets for my family to go to The MAiZE at The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island Oregon to facilitate this review. Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information and free tickets. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo.

The Pumpkin Patch and Keeping Portland Lost Corn MAiZE in Sauvie Island Oregon

 Welcome Sign for The Pumpkin Patch and The Corn Maize

We received free media passes from US Family Guide to facilitate this review and post.

We've been to The Pumpkin Patch and The Corn Maize before at Sauvie Island in Oregon, but it had been more than a few years. I recall the last time we went we still had our daughter, Tatiana, with us and Zari hadn't been born yet. I definitely thought it was high time we visited again. We sure needed a break from our super busy lifestyle that we have been having and this was just the ticket! We went as a family again on Saturday October 12th. This was Zari's first visit and since Teela was just a baby when we first went she didn't remember much about her first time there.

It's muddy! Bring boots!

I admit I really hadn't been in a corn maze before. The last time we came Tatiana was stroller bound so I stayed with the little ones while my husband and my boys went through. I did remember that there was a lot of mud, so this time I came prepared with my Safeway rain boots. We also weren't sure what the weather was going to do so we brought warm jackets, scarves and gloves. While we were there it actually was super nice and didn't end up raining on us at all. It had rained previously, however; so it was very muddy like I suspected.

Sunflowers

There are a number of places you can pose to get pictures. I love sunflowers, so I had to have my girls pose in this cutout that was under a nice covered picnic table area behind the ticket booth where you would pay for The Corn MAiZE. You can see parts of the corn stalks from the maze in the background. There are also helpful guides that you can take to help you through the maze. They have a lot of different ones you can choose from and they have different trivia questions on them you need to answer correctly at each numbered marker in order to go the right way.

Lost in The Corn MAiZE

My girls and I went through The Corn Maize together, but we got lost and couldn't find our way to the exit even with the trivia card we had. So we just tracked our way back through the entrance. My boys got all the way to the end in no time at all...I chalk it up to more experience. We did have fun winding our way through some of it though.

Keeping Portland Lost Corn MAiZE 2013

Hay ride to The Pumpkin Patch

We got on the free hay ride next. They have signs posted to follow to have a safe trip. We had a fun bumpy ride all the way there and I held on tight to my littles so they wouldn't fall off. The hay bales were a little damp that we sat on so maybe next time I will bring something to lay under us.

Delbin with his pumpkin he picked at The Pumpkin Patch

I let both my boys pick pumpkins at The Pumpkin Patch. You get a slight discount if you pick one there instead of at the store or market. Make sure to look at the skin and stem thoroughly when picking. You don't want to come home with one that is going to mold right away or has mushy spots. Pick one with good coloration too.

After the hay ride the boys brought back perfect pumpkins :)

My boys posing with their pumpkins and my husband being silly :)

Big Red Animal Barn

Next we went to the Big Red Animal Barn where they had an assortment of farm animals to look at. We especially loved the llama, cow, goat, and sheep that were there. Zari wanted to pet them all.

Teela and Delbin riding on the cow train.

Jaedan riding the cow train.

We waited in line for the cow train and I wasn't sure whether these were also included in our package. I asked if the bloggers got free cow train rides too and they said yes, so off we went on our ride. I held Zari in my lap, Jaedan got a slightly smaller cow all to himself, and Delbin and Teela shared one. I think they gave us an extra long ride because they knew I was blogging about it :) We had a lot of fun on the ride and really it is worth the actual price.

They have some really big pumpkins there too.

There is also a hay climbing pyramid that the kids had fun climbing on, but I didn't get pictures of them doing that this time. As we were leaving Jaedan had to get his picture with one of the large pumpkins at the outdoor market.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received free tickets for my family to go to The MAiZE at The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island Oregon to facilitate this review. Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information and free tickets. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo.

LEGO® KidsFest in Portland - My Experience

We received free media passes from US Family Guide and free product from Bissell to facilitate this review and post.

We got to go to  LEGO® Kids Fest 2013 in Portland on Friday, October 11, 2013 as a family. We are huge LEGO® fans and so it didn't surprise us when our kids loved going.

There are tons of hands on activities and things to look at while you are there. There are also activities your kids can participate in to win free LEGO® prizes. As you come into the convention center you will see a Lost Parent Zone off to the right where you can tell your kids and other family members to meet in case they loose track of you. Also they have a lost and found there in case you loose something other than kids. My daughter, Zari, misplaced her rain jacket and we found it there moments later.

LEGO® Model Museum: dozens of life-sized models made entirely from LEGO bricks. Here is Superman with my good friend (of 16 years) and fellow Cascadia Connect Blogger, Erin of Connected2Christ, and her daughter with me and my daughters (taken by Erin's husband).

When you look straight ahead you will see the Model Museum, where life-size models of characters and other things from movies and TV are completely made out of LEGO® bricks! My favorite was a life size model of Iron Man! His eyes and arc light reactor even glowed. I wanted to get a picture of my son, Jaedan (the Iron Man fan), with him, but he is camera shy, so it never happened. There were all kinds of others though too: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Sponge Bob, Batman, Lightning McQueen, Superman, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, LEGO, Toy Story characters, etc.

One of the many Construction Zones at LEGO® KidsFest

My kids had the most fun at the Construction Zones where they could build anything their minds could fathom with LEGO® bricks that were provided in bins and on tables. My husband and my kids spent the most time there.

Creation Nation: My boys both added their LEGO® creations to the huge map of the USA

Zari in the Brick Pile: a gigantic pile full of LEGO bricks for creative play and enjoyment.

LEGO® Galaxy Squad: Zari firing missiles at aliens.

Challenge Zone: Jaedan's space ship that he made.

Jaedan raced against others to build something space related at the Challenge Zone and got a LEGO® Batmobile from the LEGO® DC Universe SuperHeroes as a participation prize to take home.

Zari at the LEGO® Friends zone.

Zari and Teela loved the LEGO® Friends zone. These LEGO® sets are made especially with girls in mind. Both Zari and Teela loved to build with these bricks and sets in this construction zone. I loved the cute deer, dolphins, and horses that come with some of the sets. I am placing these in the girls' wishlists because they liked them so much. They even had a LEGO® Friends photo booth to get your picture taken in.

Activity Area: Delbin's team built a bridge.

In the Activity Area Delbin competed as a team with other teams to build a bridge with Duplo LEGO® bricks. They then put each of their bridges on pier columns that were spaced apart on either side and placed weights in the middle to see how much stress it could take before it buckled. Delbin's team took a good 20lbs, but a previous competition we watched there was a team that took on almost 50lbs of weight! It was amazing to watch! All the kids who participated got a LEGO® Star Wars fighter to take home.

Delbin trying out the Bissell Perfect Sweep Turbo that actually sucks up small LEGO® bricks. WOW! A smile while doing a "chore".

Zari trying the Bissell Perfect Sweep Turbo out too. The handle can also accommodate kiddo size.

The kids got their hand at trying out the Bissell Perfect Sweep Turbo. It actually picks up small LEGO® bricks and has a clear viewing compartment that holds the stuff it picks up. I received one free to review later, so watch out for my post about it!

Honest Tea: Free Drink Samples.

We visited the Honest Tea booth to get some free Honest Kids drink samples and we also watched as Honest Kids drink pouches were made into friendship bracelets for kids. We tried both the Berry Berry Good Lemonade and the Super Fruit Punch. These USDA organic drinks are sweetened with only fruit juice and don't contain GMOs. I am so glad they were there to quench our thirst along with the drinking water fountains stationed around the floor.

Some of my fellow Cascadia Connect Blogger friends. From left to right Me, Mary Ann of A Cloth Life, Carol of All Mommy Wants, and Beeb of Beeb-Log, Contest Corner, and Super Coupon Girl (taken by Jai).

I saw some of my blogger friends from Cascadia Connect and their families at the LEGO KidsFest too! I also saw Maryann of Coupon Savvy in Cowlitz Co. and Jana of Merlot Mommy that are not pictured.

Some of the free swag we took home from LEGO KidsFest

Sessions:
Friday, October 11, 2013 4 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday, October 12, 2013 Session I: 9 am – 1:30 pm Session II: 3 pm – 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 13, 2013 Session I: 9 am – 1:30 pm Session II: 3 pm – 7:30 pm
(Note: Each session offers the same exhibits and activities)

Where:
Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Portland, OR 97232
Halls C, D & E
(503) 235-7575
www.oregoncc.org

Other notable things to see and check out that aren't mentioned above:

• LEGO Art Gallery: display your LEGO works of art
• LEGO Master Builders: live demonstrations and activities from the crew who get paid to play
• Race Ramps: build your own custom car, then race it down the ramp against friends and family
• LEGO Games Arena: roll the dice to play LEGO board games
• LEGO DUPLO®: younger visitors can explore imagination through building
• LEGO Retail and KidsFest Marketplace: purchase LEGO merchandise and official KidsFest tour goods
• LEGO KidsFest Theater sponsored by Cartoon Network: watch cartoons while you rest
• Monochromatic Builds: bricks of a single color to foster group creativity
• LEGO Mindstorms: build and program robots
• Reading Rest Stop sponsored by DK Publishing and Guidecraft: sit comfortably and read books about LEGO
• And More!!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received free tickets for my family to go to LEGO® Kids Fest 2013 in Portland to facilitate this review. Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information and free tickets. I also was contacted by Bissell and given a free Perfect Sweep Turbo to review later at my leisure because I went to the event. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo.