What Lives in the World's Largest Sea Cave?

We took a random--some would say ill-advised--trip to the Oregon Coast yesterday. We left during a squall, drove during a squall, encountered many squalls while there, and finally reached home again in, you guessed it, a squall.

So we adventured to Sea Lion Caves, just 11 miles north of Florence. I haven't been to said caves since I was about six, and my overwhelming memory was of reeking, dank, crowded chaos. With the kids' current fascination I thought it would be a perfect time to share that experience with them.

When asked what he expected to find in the World's Largest Sea Cave, Finn promptly replied a sea monster. Well, when you descend 21 stories below ground in a brightly lit elevator that spits you out into darkness, that's one thing. When the darkness is also filled with a foul stench and a deafening bark, that's right from Jules Verne. We couldn't use flash, so no pictures of the congress of sea lions (sorry!), but here we are braving a squall to get back to the gift shop. See us pushing all the other tourists out of the way?

We left after Mimi perfunctorily waved to the cave and said, "Goodbye sea lions. We are leaving your smelly home." She led us all the way back to the elevator without looking back. At least there won't be crowds in her memories of the place...

Superbowl

Superbowl. A purely American celebration, broadcast in over 50 countries, conjuring up memories of ganja brownies, a television in every room, and being torn between the mud football game outside during half time or the more intellectual pursuit of viewing half time commercials.

Well, those days are gone. Welcome to the Superbowl party where the kids outnumber the adults. Where the brownies are definitely brown, and you madly try to convince your child that a buffalo wing is not really from a buffalo.

Overall, we had a blast, (thank you Brewsters!), who came to spend the weekend and stayed to vacuum obsessively. Here are the boys showing their mad keyboard skills, Riley, Keegan and Finn.

And here is Mimi, who spent the better part of the weekend chasing the boys or being chased by the boys, --or sweet talking Keegan. I can't say what I admire most about this picture. Her bold fashion statement, her stiff upper lip, or the scheming way she is eyeing those potato chips...

We've captured just a few moments of the joy of Superbowl here. And I think there was a football game on too. Somewhere...

Before...

Before the Studio makeover,
before there was twinkle...

After.

Where there was chaos, now there is order.
Where there was fugly, now there is cute.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped with this project--Eran, Charles, Joe, and the entire family for your contributions and continuing support!! When I walk in this room I feel a deep joy and inspiration. I love every inch of it, and I love that it came together with help from my family!