Anderson Boys Day Out - Hobbiton in Matamata, NZ

Hamilton Youth Temple Trip

February 1st, 2014

 

Sunset Ward's Youth Temple Trip...4 Andersons got to go.  Duncan, Elizabeth, Gillian, and Talon are in there somewhere.  A huge thank you from us to the leaders for arranging this fun weekend.  What a great way to start out the school year.  Aren't they wonderful?

Waipawa Kayaking Trip - Duncan and Talon

 

Sunset Ward Young Men's Kayaking Trip

 Brother Marsh is instructing the boys

Mokoroa Falls Bushwalk

 Mokoroa Falls is about 5 minutes from Bethell's Beach, on the western shore of North Island.  The boys and I did the 30 minute hike easily on the way there, but the return was a bit more difficult going uphill.  Simon had to bring his felt tip markers in case we got lost so he could make HELP signs.

 Mokoroa Falls, January 18, 2014

 The rocks were covered with algae making them very slick.  It took some encouraging for the boys to get in.

 Simon about to run up the falls.

 We found an eel in the stream.  I can't believe this is the worst photo of it I took, but it was pretty cool to watch it searching for food.

 Gavin told me this was the most fascinating place he'd ever been.  Talon and Simon were constantly watching their backs for spiders, mosquitos, and any other unholy outdoor critter. 

Talon's Math Award 2013

This has been an amazing year for Talon.  He was bumped up a grade by his teacher, Miss C., and he represented his school in a regional Math-Ex competition.  Talon did very well.  He earned the Maths Award .  Only one award is given each year for outstanding performance, it was a real honor.  Talon...thanks for representing Andersons so well!

Talon is known for his love of sushi cafes and is a crazy seafood lover.  Oysters, squid, and shrimp are among his favorites.

 

Picking Oranges

Fresh from our backyard.  I noticed the tree was getting really full.  There's plenty for juicing and we may be able to give a few away.

None of my boys are comfortable with bugs, so it took a while for them to be willing to touch the tree.  We learned a trick to picking- hold the branch and twist the fruit off. 

Otherwise you end up with a basket of half-peeled oranges