Father's Day 2008

For Andrew's third Father's Day we decided to take a trip to the New Jersey State Aquarium in Camden. We had been there by ourselves a few years ago and really enjoyed it so we thought it would be a fun family activity for us to do again with the boys.

Here's Andrew with his two boys as we arrived:

Andrew and Ben had a great time getting close-ups of all the exhibits. Ben loved that he could get right up to the glass windows and see the sealife as if we were underwater. I don't think showing him our 10-gallon aquarium at home prior to coming, to try to explain to him what we would see, did these exhibits justice!

Oops, went a little flash-crazy in this photo. Andrew looks like he's about to blast off!

This was probably one of Ben's favorite exhibits the entire day - the deep sea area with sharks! WHOA!

Below are the three boys checking things out. Ben really loves birds whenever we see them outside so he was fascinated by the birds that were flying around above many of the larger water exhibits. Here are some photos from the hippopotamus exhibit - the above-water part of the exhibit had many birds as well.

We were leisurely enjoying the hippo/bird exhibit when we saw this sign - oops, better get going!

Another bird exhibit that Ben enjoyed. He got a kick out of the Macaw.

Nate was also seriously checking everything out as well and seemed content staring at the large fish in many of the tanks. Of course being the "mama's boy" he is, everything is better when you're being carried around in a Bjorn by your mom!

Another exciting exhibit today was the penguin feeding show. Ben had a great time seeing the many penguins eat their lunch.

After lunch, Nate spent some time relaxing in his stroller and wiled away the afternoon chewing on his hands, a new favorite pastime!

Starting to get a little tired mid-afternoon. Daddy had to carry Ben around on his shoulders for the last few exhibits.

Cheese! Too bad Ben wouldn't look at the camera for this one!

On our way back to the car, we walked the waterfront to see the boats and seagulls, but mainly to get a glimpse of the Battleship New Jersey that is docked right in front of the aquarium. Ben toured a battleship with Andrew and the other men when we were in Virginia last month and has not stopped talking about it! I think we may have to take him to this one as well.