Anniversary #4

A few weeks ago Jeff and I celebrated our 4th anniversary by going down to the aquarium in Newport. Unfortunately, the week of our anniversary was when Jeff got really sick. He decided that he still wanted to go, but we postponed our plans for a romantic dinner, seeing as how he was so stuffed up he couldn't taste anything. So Jeff, Daniel and I packed up and headed south.

We really enjoyed the aquarium.

Daniel checking out the map, deciding where we should go next.

The feature exhibit right now is called Oddwater. They've created tanks filled with all the strangest specimens the oceans offer and then the filled the tanks with locally created, blown glass sculptures. If you're into blown glass, you'll want to see this exhibit...pretty amazing, and we didn't take any pictures, so you'll have to see it for yourself.

The outdoor sections of the aquarium are always fun. We arrived at the aviary just as they were feeding the birds and we got get an upclose view of a baby bird (can't remember what it's called now), then we got to the sea lion and seal den just as they were starting to feed them. Their feeding is a whole show because they make the seals and sea lions do tricks for their food. We stopped to ask one of the highschool volunteers a question about the sea lions and I was very impressed at how much she knew. She told us that they teach the animals all those trick for medical reasons, not just for show. First of all, it keeps their minds stimulated, and secondly, if a vet ever needs to check them out, it's much easier to get the animal to "stand up" or lift it's flipper on it's own, rather than wrestling with a 500 pound sick or injured animal. Then, of course we had to stop and see the sea otters (sooooo cute!) and get creeped out by the octopus. Facinating creatures, but kind of freaky.

Daniel and I getting eaten by the prehistoric mastadon shark!

After a few hours Jeff was pretty tuckered out so we headed home, but stopped for a quick (and still delicious) dinner at The Sea Hag in Deopt Bay. They claim to have the best clam chowder in the nation, and I would believe it! It was the best I've had on the coast yet! Supposedly it won the New York Times "Best Bowl of Chowder" or something like that.

After getting a quick family photo at a foggy view point, we came home and went to bed early. Hopefully Jeff and I will get a chance to set Daniel up with a babysitter for a few hours and go out to dinner just the two of us sometime soon. For now though, we're just thankful that we've had a blessed 4 years of marriage. We are so thankful to be where we are in life and we pray that the rest of our years will be just as fulfilling!