Soccer by Daniel and Janey

(Note by Mom: Daniel and Janey both played fall soccer this year. They were both assets to their teams. Daniel prefers to play defender and is a great goalie just like his dad, and where ever the ball is, you'll find Janey. She scored at least 2 goals this season and was always focused and working hard.)

Daniel in the white socks. I still haven't figured out how large, neon green socks get lost in the wash!

Soccer was really fun. I played goalie and defender a lot. My number was number 2. It was really fun, but I didn't score any goals in the season. My last game is on Saturday. I love playing soccer.

-Daniel

Janey is tenacious number 5. This group plays beehive ball, meaning regardless of positions, both teams huddle in mass around the ball, getting in each other's way and not kicking the ball very far because of the congestion.

Our team won our final game and lots more games. I scored two goals and that made me feel happy. The other team was called blue lightning and our team was called the sliver sharks. It's fun to play soccer. Sometimes it was hot and sometimes it was cold when we played.

Dinos and Trees by Ellie age 3

This is my favorite picture of Ellie's to date. She told me she was drawing the trees (with faces) BEHIND the dinosaurs. I think this is an amazing understanding of perspective for a 3 year old. And the sun - it just makes me happy!

Labour of Love by Noreen

After our whirl-wind 3 1/2 week tour of the South Island we booked it back to the North Island in time for the Labour Missionary Reunion held at the GRB and Kai Hall next to the Temple. We had a delightful time meeting the wonderful Labor Missionaries who had worked with Grandpa B building the temple, church college and chapels in NZ, more than 50 years ago. Many remembered my Dad as a little boy, and all sent love and well wishes to him and Grandma B.

Steve had volunteered his services and they used him almost every minute, photographing groups or video taping missionary's memories and testimonies and was even asked to speak at one of the meetings. The food was wonderful and everyone enjoyed talking to our children. One auntie adopted Daniel for the day and wanted to take him home. He sat by her and helped clear all the tables after meals and another woman gave him a beautiful bone carved necklace. He was so fascinated with the different amulets everyone wore and what the stood for. The highlight for me was the Sunday Night fireside held in the GRB Hall, built in honor of and named after my Grandfather. I was only a few months old when he passed away, but I felt close to him as I sat in the GRB with his handsome portrait smiling down on the proceedings. Steve is was excited about the book he was asked to lead for the Labor Missionary Foundation and we feel like this is one of the main reasons we were able to go to New Zealand at this time.

Our family at the GRB hall. Grandpa B's picture is the largest one in the background.

Daniel and his adopted Auntie.

Some of the amazing Labour Missionaries we had the privilege to meet.



To see a map of the places we traveled so far in this series, click on this link: <http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&ie=UTF8&ll=-40.359103,172.875366&spn=8.067848,12.128906&z=6&msid=116765397961150020384.000451b63510a46db34d4>

Issue 20

Hogle Zoo by Janey

Photos by Whitney

I really liked the zoo. We saw a black bear and giraffes and we saw monkeys. My favorite part was seeing the penguins. Their cute! We went on a little train ride and a carousel ride. I rode on a tiger and Stevie rode on a tiger and Daniel rode on a panda bear in the middle of us.

Ellie Elephant

Ellie loves Elephants! Because their names sound the same, when she was two she declared herself Ellie Elephant. One day I told her she was being a monkey. "I'm NOT a nunky! I'm Ellie Elephant!" To this day they are her special, favorite animal.

Like Father Like Son

Steve has an affinity for being in the rain. Any activity turns into an adventure as soon as it starts to pour. Hiking, fishing, waiting for rare wild penguins, you name it - for Steve it's better in the weather. Steve and his Dad spent the entire rainy Saturday fixing our sprinkler system. And, I found out something interesting. His love of being in the rain is genetic! He gets it from his Dad.

(Thanks for all you hard work and expertise Grandpa G!)

Priesthood Session by Steve L.

(From covered in mud, to handsome in suits in 15 minutes or less!) On Saturday I was able to go to my first General Priesthood session with my Dad and Grandpa G. It was a cool experience to have the apostles speaking directly to us as a priesthood. My favorite talk was by President Monson the Prophet. He spoke about how we should all be better people and he encouraged us young men to go on a mission. In one part he said, "One day I received a call from the MTC President, that a missionary was about to quit and no one could persuade him not to. Apparently his mission required him to speak Spanish and he was absolutely CERTAIN that he could not speak Spanish. I said, "Well put him in the Japanese class and call me back about what he says." I expected the call at noon, but it came by 10:30 in the morning, "Pres. Monson, he is now absolutely CERTAIN he can learn Spanish!"

Real Soccer by Daniel

(Note by Mom: Daniel and Janey are just finishing up their fall soccer season. Steve bought tickets to take them to Real's first game in their new stadium, forgetting he would be in Europe on a business trip. My Dad graciously accepted our request to take them to the game. Serving his mission in Brazil and loving soccer may have had something to do with it!)

Real Soccer and the New York Red Bulls versed each other. It was a really cool soccer game. They tied one to one and they used their heads a lot. I went with Grandpa B and Janey. It was really cool. I saw all their skills and techniques. I screamed my loudest when they scored their goal, but I couldn't even hear myself it was so noisy. It was a really cool soccer game. We must have waited in line for our tickets for at least 40 min. I really want to see their next game.

Issue 19

Deacon by Stephen L.

On Sunday I was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. The responsibilities of a Deacon are 1) Pass the Sacrament, 2) Collect Fast Offerings and few other things. Most of my relatives were there for the ordaining and I thought it was nice that they could be there. I was glad my Dad did the ordaining. Thanks to all those who came (and to those that didn't, you missed out!) After the ordaining everyone came to our house for a nice lunch and birthday party.

PS I got a spiffy new suit for my birthday!

The great examples of Priesthood holders who helped ordain Steve.

A parting shot!

Purcell's

Our adopted New Zealand grandparents, Auntie Hoki and Uncle Owen (not pictured) are in town for General Conference. We had the honor and pleasure to spend two evenings with them this week, and it was just as if no time had passed at all (except all the kids are taller!)

They had a meeting at the Church Office Building and were able to meet our church's Prophet, Pres. Monson and his councilors and present the Prophet with a copy of the book that we helped put together of the testimonies of the Labour Missionaries. What an experience!

They also asked if Steve would help put together the next volume, due in 2010. Steve couldn't resist. I'm not sure when he'll find the time, but he has never been so happy as the time when he worked on the first one. It will be another wonderful experience I'm sure.

We love and miss you Auntie and Uncle!

Chem C500 by Noreen

When I was 10 or 11 I fancied myself a junior scientist, and for Christmas that year I requested a real microscope and awesome chemistry set. I’m not sure what prompted this tangent, but maybe I had arrived at an age too old for Care Bears and Cabbage Patch Dolls, yet too young to care much for clothes. Thrilled with my acquisition, I set up shop in our large, windowless, cold storage room. I can’t remember if my mom requested this set up, incase any experiments went awry, or if I decided it was the only appropriate place to set up a secret lab. Regardless, I spent hours experimenting at card table, under a bare light bulb, surrounded by food storage, Christmas ornaments and outgrown clothes. No cure for cancer was discovered in my chilly secret lab, but my love of learning and curiosity grew along with my rock crystals.

Last week Daniel begged me to order him a Chemistry set (the Chem C500 to be exact) from one of the many homeschool catalogs that circulate our home. It didn’t take many puppy dog looks before I placed the order. The anticipation and arrival of said Chem C500 was worthy of Christmas itself. After finishing his chores on Monday, in record time, he ripped into the box and extracted his prize. Daniel donned the cheep plastic goggles we spent the whole morning experimenting. The next morning brought the same, except this time he used swimming goggles after the cheep ones snapped.

He is very serious when experimenting, sure that the wrong move will blow up the house, which I think is the part he likes best - the possibility of danger. He can be heard saying,

“Janey, put your goggles on!” or

“Watch out Janey, this might be a real acid I’ve created.”

After turning a blue liquid red he said sincerely, “That’s interesting, I may have created a new chemical.”

To which Janey, his faith lab assistant said, “He’s actually a REAL scientist!”

Daniel's Top Secret Mixture

Our neighbor across the street is a chemist and therefore Daniel’s new hero. Kevin has been giving him ideas for chemistry projects using household ingredients. Anything that fizzes, overflows or changes color is especially exciting. Daniel spent an hour the other day trying different combinations of ingredients and came up with the best “lava flow” I’ve ever seen. Next project – paper mache volcano!

The Recipe

1/8 C Hair Gel
1 T Baking Soda
1/2 T Baking Powder
1 pkg. Kool-aid mix (red or orange for lava)

Mix together and watch it bubble in the sink. To make it overflow add:


1/4 C Water
1 t Salt

Roasting Marshmellows by Ellie age 3