Holiday Strategy

Strategy:

1-each person picks one activity to be accomplished sometime during the 2-week holiday

2-go camping in Rotorua for 4 nights

Here are some of the fun things that happened:

Joyce's Pick-  the Zoo  

This is the Golden Tree in Pukekura Park, which we went to see after walking through the zoo.   

The Golden Tree 

Sage's Pick -  Swimming

Rotorua area is similar to the Yellowstone area, with lots of geothermal activity and natural hot springs.  We swam in the hot pools by our camp ground.  The campground and pools always had steam billowing in the back ground, and the gated-off areas had signs which read, "Caution:  Boiling Water."

Campground hot pools    

We also swam at Kerosene Creek, where the creek water is as warm as a hot tub. 

Kerosene Creek

Danny

Holly's Pick - Climbing

Sage is in pink pants, half-way up the wall

Mike's Pick - Watch Germany WIN THE WORLD CUP!!!!

We had to get everyone out of the tent by 6:30AM to make this happen.  We drove into town and found the game and a few other Germany fans in McDonald's.  Fond farewell to Miroslav Klose.    

Danny's Pick - Mountain biking

We did this IN STYLE, because Rotorua is one of the best places in all of New Zealand to go mountain biking.  We brought 3 bikes and rented 2 more.  The boys went off together, and Mike and I took turns taking Mercy out or watching the younger 2 girls in a beautiful redwood forest.  

Oak's Pick - Play in the Snow

We have to drive up the mountain to find snow.

Mercy's Pick - Make a Feast

Everyone picked one thing to make for the feast.  Oak's chicken enchiladas and Mercy's ambrosia were big hits.  

Noah's Pick- Volleyball

Not every family member was able to come to every activity, but there are enough of us that there's always enough for a party.

Other items of note-

We played a TON of Boggle, and Mike and I decided to that we would become a no-video-game family.

Boggle in the campground kitchen.