What do you mean its already November?

OK, so I haven't put any updates on the blog since September. Maybe I have been busy with work, and maybe I have been busy with weekend trips around the island, and maybe I have been busy uploading photos to Facebook. Whatever the reason, I haven't been updating the blog. Well, let's see, Sydney and Galen are still in school. Galen is now in cricket season and having a great time. Sydney plays indoor soccer for her school and softball for the town team here in Halswell. Even Tyler is playing softball for a Halwell team. Both men and women play hardcore fastpitch softball here as baseball is not a big deal in NZ. Nick's dad, Rick, has been with us for a couple of weeks and we all took a trip to Doubtful Sound in the fiordland located in the southwestern part of the south island. Had a great time fishing and enjoying the beauty of another region of the country. We are all pretty well adjusted to Kiwi life and doing our best to enjoy everything that we can while we are here. We just wish more people would hop on planes and come on down as we live in the perfect place to show them the island. With summer just around the corner, we are really looking forward to a few months of warm and sunny weather.

September Update from Tai Tapu

It has been a busy few weeks for the Ericksons. We moved to a new house in the hills and we're bottle feeding two lambs. There was a great trip to see the seals of Kaikoura and a crazy 18th birthday for Tyler that included indoor bowling in Darfield. No, we didn't finish in last place.

The critters of the commute

I am constantly amazed at all there is to see here on this tiny island. While there are all kinds of wildlife around both islands, I actually see all of these animals on a daily basis during my drive to work. There are 3 bison, about 10 ostriches, and 20 or so horses, but hundreds of cattle and thousands of sheep including hundreds of brand new lambs right now. It is also shearing season so most of the sheep are clean shaven. The total sheep population of NZ has gone down over the past few years; there are only 33 million!

The amazing beauty of New Zealand

We continue to be amazed at the beauty of our new home down under. From the clouds lying low in the western foothills of the Southern Alps, to the view from the top of the Mt. Hutt ski field with the mountain tops breaking through the cloud layer, to Tyler continually enhancing his kitchen skills, we are truly amazed every day. Now if it would just stop raining, we could enjoy the outdoors even more and you would once again see new photos of everyone spending time outside.

Galen enjoying all things Kiwi

Galen continues to have a great time in NZ. He has played two rugby matches for the hometown Rolleston Rugby team (under 11 1/2 league, so some big farmboys on other teams). He got his dog fix from Nipper as we had dinner with new friends in Kirwee, and he showed Rick the real way to make the upper crust for Rick's famous homemade apple pie. He pretty much loves all things Kiwi, and if school didn't keep getting in the way, he would enjoy it even more.

The view from the Summit Trail hike that Sydney and Rick took when the rest of us were either too tired or covering the clinic. She hadn't hiked Taylor's Mistake the day before so here legs weren't so tired. Of course, Rick did both hikes and wasn't complaining, but he's used to this stuff.










Sydney in her favorite Movin Shoes sweatshirt. You know Rick, always getting that free advertising even if he isn't still in San Diego. Some things never change.
Even on a misty day, the view back to the ocean is pretty amazing. We're headed up to this trail tomorrow, so hope it is clear so we can take more outstanding photos.

Shopping in NZ

Turns out you have to be a little careful when shopping in NZ, and there are always interesting new signs to follow. If you need eggs, don't look in the coolers, just the shelves as they don't keep them in the reefer.
If you need hamburger, don't grab the first meat roll you see as it may be intended for your four-legged friend! Some Americans thought that the meat actually was dog meat intended for human consumption. Not to worry, it is wet dogfood and no, we haven't accidentally eaten any yet.
What, you don't know what a trundler is? That would be your grocery cart, and like in the U.S., if you don't tell people where to put them when they are done, they will leave them standing around in the parking lot.
Our new favorite, that would be the gigantic chocolate chip cookies from Cookie Time. We live a couple of miles from the main outlet warehouse and have found it impossible to drive past without stopping in to fill up on some great cookies (for the kids of course).