We started at Leipzig Tavern/Gino’s where it was hard to decide what to have for dinner…(Amy helps Ashton out…)
but after the feast, the REAL party began…
In our many years in Oregon we had never been to Oaks Park, and if you are in the same boat, you’d better get over there…it’s pretty cool.
so after getting on the skates, there was a free lesson with a few pointers…
and then they started skating…here’s the birthday girl WHIZZING by…
and then the giant Wurlitzer organ started up and OMG! Transported back in time….
The organ pipes and workings are in a gigantic area overhanging the skating rink but the organist…
sits in a small booth with the keyboard…
and then…like in “Rear Window”… he looks straight at me…eek!
(Note: Keith Fortune and the big organ can be heard every Thursday night, and Sunday afternoon from 1-5, and it’s worth a trip. Oaks Park is family owned and sits on the river right at the foot of the Sellwood Bridge. So far they have resisted developers and more condos and boat docks and adorable little restaurants…not that I’m against adorable restaurants goodness knows…BUT…)
Amy made tiny cupcakes…
and the moment arrived…
…Ashton made her wish…
Yay…a new and exciting year is well launched…
On The Way 
I used to roller skate…Looks like a fun time!
bonnie, who are ashton and amy? the roller rink pictures are priceless! we didn’t know anything like that existed any more. well we remember donning the rented skates & circling the rink at dizzying speeds.
what a swell birthday. inquiring minds want to know: Bonnie, did you give the roller skates a whirl?
wow, what a great birthday! happy birthday to ashton!
Skating at Oaks Park was a regular family outing when I was young. They used to have a big board that lit up to tell you what kind of skate it was — “ladies,” couples, etc. And the announcer! “All skate! All skate, slowly and carefully, please.” It was a big deal to be big enough to participate in the Grand March! Wonder if they still do that…