Photos: NZ March 2008 - Blue Lake and the Buried Village

We stayed two nights at a campervan park right on the shores of Blue Lake. We rented kayaks one evening, and then the boys got out and swam for about 45 minutes. Most of the time the played on and around this floating platform. After about 30 minutes, I heard Luke say "My hands are numb." The water was really cold.

This is in the forest near the Blue Lake campground.

The next morning we went to a place called the Buried Village - the site of a volcanic eruption about 150 year ago that buried a village in mud, ash, and rock, ans also destroyed these Pink & White Terraces (above), which were famous hot mineral pools.

Photos: NZ March 2008 - Redwood forest

Near Rotorua they have a forest of California redwood trees - planted about 100 years ago to see how they would grow in New Zealand. It was really beautiful there with the tall redwoods

and the silver fern trees. We spent about an hour there on a one mile path. The boys had a blast running and jumping over this small gulley.

Photos: NZ March 2008 - Skyline Luge

Near Rotorua we went to the Skyline Luge. We rode a gondola up a small mountain, and then rode down on 3 different tracks on the little black carts. Mallory was able to go, too, with Heidi or me and she loved it. The whole time she yelled "yee haw."

Photos: NZ March 2008 - Mitai Hangi

In Rotorua we went to the Mitai Hangi - a traditional Maori meal and show. It was interesting to learn about the history and culture of the Maori people.

They gave us all a chance to look at our food (sweet potatoes, potatoes, chicken, and lamb), cooked under ground the traditional Maori way.

Before the meal, they had some Maori warriors arrive by canoe (above), and then walk up to a small theater area to do a show (below).

After the show, we ate the meal. It was the best-tasting lamb we had ever had.

Photos: NZ March 2008 - 3D Maze and Horseback Riding

We saw a brochure for a 3D Maze, and Luke really wanted to do it, so we spent about 30 minutes one morning in this maze structure, trying to reach all 4 corners and then get out. It was frustrating at times, but still a lot of fun. I think Heidi and Mallory were the first to complete it successfully.

Heidi, Nash, Grant, and Luke did a 45 minute horse trek near Rotorua. I stayed with Mallory and she got to do a 15 minute pony ride. They made everyone wear stylish white hairnets underneath their helmets. We're thinking that might become the new fashion craze.

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Photos: NZ March 2008 - Agrodome

We did a farm tour (above) and a sheep show (below) at the Agrodome near Rotorua.

Grant's sticking his head out of our RV / Campervan / Motorhome / Housecar.

Photos: NZ March 2008 - "Extreme Freefall" and Zorbing

The 3 boys getting suited up and trained for their "Extreme Freefall."

Here's Luke - it is basically a vertical wind tunnel, and these two spotters on the side were there to tell the boys how to position their arms and legs so that they could float. A couple of times Luke and Grant reached the top -- luckily there was a net, otherwise they might have flown away.

Nash in action (above) and after (below).

Grant was able to get some pretty good float time.

This is Grant and Luke (you'll have to trust me) rolling down the hill in the Zorb. We got in our swimming suits and they put some water inside the ball so we sloshed around in it.

Nash and I went together after Grant and Luke. We tried to stay upright in the ball for as long as possible - but that lasted only about 3 seconds. Here's Nash exiting the Zorb at the end of our run.

Photos: NZ March 2008 - Hobbiton

One morning we did a tour of "Hobbiton" - the area where they filmed much of the Hobbit village scenes in Lord of the Rings.

This is supposedly a famous tree from the movie - they call it the "Party Tree" because it was shown in one of the movie scenes with a Hobbit party. Apparently it was because of this tree and its proximity to a lake that they chose this site for filming.

Photos: NZ March 2008 - Auckland & Sheep Shearing

Yes, we did stop in Auckland, but only for a few hours one afternoon.

You can't go anywhere in New Zealand without seeing sheep and a sheep shearing demonstration. We hear that the current ratio of sheep to people in New Zealand is about 10:1.

The Balinese wedding backdrop. Luke sat here for quite awhile while everyone took pictures.

Heidi's birthday. Nice face Mallory.

Nash in the Oliver number in the middle school play.

Nash in the Grease number. We loved the 'slicked back' look on Nash. HA!

Luke dressed in traditional Indonesian clothes with his friends for Indonesia Week at school.

Grant with his friends.

This year for Indonesia week they focused on Bali. Here are the women dressed in the traditional clothes with the offering baskets on their heads and the monkey dancers that lead the parade. Those of you that have been here and gone to Bali with us will recognize them.

Luke was asked to be in the traditional Balinese wedding procession. Here he is along with two of his classmates all in the Balinese costumes. (he wouldn't stand too close to a girl!)

The other people involved in the Balinese wedding procession.

Nash is working on his merit badges for scouting. He is the only 12 year old in our branch so he's kind of on his own and we have to be very creative in some of the things we do, like having a camp out in our tiny yard and Nash preparing the meals on the BBQ. They even had hot chocolate, even in this heat!

Photos: Immigration Simulation

In February Grant's class worked on a project they called "the Immigration Simulation." They studied about immigration, including specifically immigration from Europe to the US, and made up a character with a story - where they came from, their occupation, and why they wanted to go to the US. Then on the Immigration Simulation day, they dressed up in costumes representing their characters, and turned their classroom into an Ellis Island immigration center. Heidi worked as an immigration officer that day and was told not to 'be nice' to the kids. They were to make it as authentic as they could. It was quite and experience for the kids to realize how difficult it was to immigrate to the US at the time.

Grant's entire class dressed in their costumes for the simulation. Grant is on the back row on the left.

Grants good friend, Omar. An immigrant from Jordan.

Grant standing in line waiting. During the course of the simulation, Grant dropped his money and lost it. He didn't have any money to get into the US. He ended up having to sell his hat to have enough money.

Grant being interrogated by one of the 'officials'.