The Aquarium

After a good night's rest we got up ready for another day of fun. Aren't my kids SO cute! Their backpack's saved me from having to carry around a diaper bag and saved them from fighting over toys or treats since they both had their own in their backpack's. It just may be the best $10 I ever spent. Today we were lucky enough to go to Newport to the opening of the Swampland exhibit at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. This was most definitely one of Cannon's most favorite parts of the trip.

Cannon was completely in love with every single thing. It was so much fun to watch his face light up as he discovered something new or to see the wonderment in his eyes as he got to interact with creatures. He really did love it all and it was hard to keep him moving from one exhibit to the next, although each time he would get excited again for whatever was next.
This is us INSIDE the piranha tank. They let you crawl underneath into it. It was pretty neat. Kylee didn't like it so much, but Cannon LOVED it.
One thing Kylee DID love was the JELLY FISH. She thought they were so pretty and really loved watching them swim in the water. She also really loved the star fish and was always looking for them in every tank.
I think what made the aquarium so great (and one reason Cannon loved it so much) was how interactive it was. There were so many things you could touch and be part of. Cannon took advantage of every chance he had to climb on things or touch things. Again, it was so neat to watch him. Since it was opening day of the exhibit there was even a news reporter there and Kylee, Cannon, and I got about 2 seconds of air time on the website. :) Something fun to remember.

Cannon and the Tortoise.

Touching a snake.

Kylee thought everything in the swampland exhibit was gross and wanted out of there as soon as we walked in it. Cannon on the other hand would have stayed and played all day. I loved watching Cannon but will admit I felt more like Kylee did. Creepy, crawly, slithering things aren't really my favorite.

Petting a baby alligator.

This made me so nervous. I literally held my breath and was praying "please baby alligator, don't eat my baby." Cannon wasn't scared at all.

Petting a Blue Tongue Skink.

The touch pool was another one of Can man's favorite's. He loved feeling the star fish and touching the sea anemones. He was fascinated and so curious about everything. It was so dang neat.

Kylee LOVED the star fish in the touch pool...

she just didn't like to touch them.

More cool jelly fish.

There were seriously so many gorgeous fish and sea life I've never seen before. It made me want to scuba dive or snorkel again. Anyone want to go on a cruise with me?

You can tell from the pictures, Cannon just would stand at the windows and watch and watch. He really was so fascinated with everything.

Isn't this picture awesome! The sun was shining through the tank and just created this beautiful beam of light.

After looking at everything we decided to head through the shark tank.

Although he doesn't look too excited here, Cannon again absolutely LOVED this part of the aquarium.

He would just stop and stare at everything.

It was very neat.

Yay a picture of me. (Ha. Yuck)

Kylee liked the shark tank, but it still made her a little nervous and she liked sitting on mom's lap better.

We made souvenir pressed pennies and that was probably Kylee's favorite part of the aquarium. From then on every time we saw a pressed penny machine she wanted to make one (and they have them all over).

After seeing all the exhibits and getting a few souvenirs we headed back to our car, stopping of course to play and climb on all the animals statues in the play area. Cannon loved the sea turtle.

And Kylee loved the sea lion.

And I loved watching my kids discover new things and learn and have so much fun. It was a really great day and one we really enjoyed. Tonya and Daniel have season passes in which they actually get guests in for free so it was even a really inexpensive day. Thanks so much guys!