Seattle Aquarium

Feeling like we just needed a break from another evening spent at home working, Henry and I recently visited the Seattle Aquarium.

Just another Friday night down at the docks...

The biggest factor in choosing the acquarium was the birth of a brand new sea otter, born only hours before we saw him. Staff could not tell if it was a boy or girl because it was so covered in fur. Apparently, all that fur is needed to keep the pup afloat and dry if it goes in the water. It was very cute, but didn't do anything more than get licked on it's mom's belly while we were watching. I hope all that fur protected it from the snowmageddon about to pummel it.

Laugh it up, fur ball!

I really appreciated the exhibit that allowed you touch sea stars, anemone, and other weirdly growing sea life.

As excited as a school kid.

I am always struck by how ugly some fish are. I guess it doesn't matter at the bottom of the ocean. Topping the list of ugly fish were sea horses and a lone, lazy octopus.

The most handsome fish in the sea.

I am glad I now have first hand knowledge of the aquarium for giving recommendations to all future visitors.

Sunset on the Sound

Christmas - Part II

Finally - as advertised, Christmas Part II comes to fulfillment. In honor of Henry's first trip to Nebraska, we gave him the full experience. This included, of course, a tour of a hog farm.

Dressing sharp to meet the piggies!

Although skeptical at first sniff, Henry was easily won over.

Baby pigs are so cute!!!

Trying to refrain from taking one home.

Dinner was served following our tour, but we had to try to get the pig smell off of us first. The solution: trampoline jumping. I have no idea how effective this actually is, but I can think of worse things they could have made us do.

Dinner included toy and joke filled crackers.  Winner of the night:

     "What did one snowman say to the other snowman?"
     "Do you smell carrots?"

Action shot!

As always, no visitor to Beatrice escapes the clutches of the Homestead National Monument. Who knew that Washington too, was partially settled by homesteaders? (Everyone who lives in Beatrice, probably...)

Washington!

Early adopters of wind power.

We also had to document the mangle, as we feel the current Wikipedia page inadequately captures the effort people put in to ironing their clothes. This is especially salient when compared to how little effort I will put in to ironing.

The infamous mangle!