Science by Design Conference Part 1

Earlier this year Dr Jay L. Wile (blog.drwile.com) came to New Zealand to speak at several conferences throughout the country. The Auckland Science by Design Conference was held on the evening of Friday, 10th June, and all of the following day. On the Friday night Uncle Pete and I went together. First up was a variety concert with most of the performers being homeschoolers. The performances included pieces played on various instruments, with and without piano accompaniment, a ballet dance, Scottish Country Dances, poetry recitals and so on. Well done to all participants, you did awesome! =)

Then came keynote address #1: “Creation versus Evolution: Religion versus Science or Religion versus Religion." Here Dr Wile discussed how attempts to fit the Genesis account of Creation with evolution fail, and how the facts point to the Genesis account. He also mentioned that evolution requires faith, just as Christianity does.

Next on the schedule was a light supper, also a great time to say hi to everyone you know!

The second and last keynote address for the night was entitled “The Bible: A Great Source of Modern Science." With facts such as many of the rules and regulations set out in the Old Testament being in perfect agreement with modern science, Dr Wile shows in this lecture that the Bible clearly was not authored by men.

After the conference had finished for the evening I remembered/realised that I needed to get some stuff for lunch the next day, so I convinced Uncle Pete to take me to Countdown (actually it wasn't that hard!)...then at home I, of course, had to prepare what I had bought and pack it so it was ready to grab first thing the next morning..so much for my early night! lol

40 Hour Famine

I did the 40 hour famine again this year. Here's what I was doing (to Monique-10yrs):

 I used the small rubber bands I had left over from using with my braces rather than normal-sized hairbands.

And this is what it looked like when it was eventually taken out!:

Athletics Prizegiving

Just quickly, here are some pics from Athletics prizegiving, for the season of 2010-2011.
I helped with lining up children and taking them around to the back door, and on to the stage when it was their turn. That is sooo difficult when no one listens to you..oh well, I was rescued when that happened so anyway shouldn't complain I spose.. ok and then after they've been presented with their awards you have to help them (mostly the younger ones) go out the right door and have their photo taken.

Diana being presented with her certificate and trophies. Can you see that
everyone just thinks she's the cutest?!? lol ok maybe I am a bit biased.. =D

Diana tries to balance all her trophies! ( She recieved three; one of which was the 'Champion of Champions')

Middy and me with our certificates et cetera
(I was the only one in my age group, hence all the trophies...lol!)

After all of this had finished we all lined up for free food...yumm!!! =D

We've all had a good laugh about this: it was the first prize-giving we were able to attend, Danielle and I had won one trophy each from past years, and Mum thought the irony of it all would be the one year we attended prize-giving we wouldn't win anything...we came home with six (I think) trophies in all...lol!

Last Dargaville Holiday Post

On Thursday, 27th April we visited our friends the Orchards who live in Kaiwaka.

Chantelle on Socks, Monique on Poppy

Diana on Beau, being led by Natalia

Mrs Orchard leadind Danielle on Poppy



Monique on Socks, led by Chantelle and Diana

Danielle with Poppy

Danielle writes in her diary:
"..We went and rode Donkey and the horses I mean two horses. The donkey's name is Poppy and the small horse's name is Beau and the big horses name is Socks and Natalia rides Beau but I'm too big for it. It's such a shame Natalia can ride bare back [I think its a shame that Danielle can't], it's so cool and nobody needs to hold her!"

They have this hanging up in their dining room, I just had to photograph it!

Friday 29th. Home time - my favourite day of the entire holiday lol!
We eventually left Dargaville to late for my liking, after stops at various shops!
We had lunch at Bee Jays, yeah, um, did you know I had a cafe??? haha!

cool sign, aye?

After too long driving and I can't remember what else, we finally got home in time for dinner, and to unpack a little bit before watching the Royal Wedding...

Our holiday was over, and I was glad to be home!

Second-to-Last Dargaville Holiday Post

Ok well its now about 7 months since our holiday in Dargaville (wow!) and, frankly, I don't remember very many interesting details. So, I'm simply going to do TWO posts and summarise what we got up to, and show you a few pics! =)

Monday 25th,  we went to Dargaville Museum. First off, we watched a 15-minute(?) video about gumdigging and stuff, then we walked through to see everything on display....Mum and Dad thought it was amazing, so ask them what was there! lol everything's blurring with the following day in my head!

Tuesday 26th, was a trip to the Kauri Museum which we really enjoyed. They had all sorts of things..a cow in the process of being milked (not real!), the first Caterpillar(?), operating models of various machines, and a life-size boardinghouse, complete with model people, performing various tasks, etc.. - examining a patient, having a tooth pulled(!), and so on. .................

Wednesday 27th saw as take do the Trounson Kauri Walk:

This became a bit of a photoshoot (to get my mind off being bored...lol):

Danielle and Diana...Diana is soooo nice to photograph!! lol =D

Funny photo I think!

Diana, Danielle, Bryce

The boys

Girls shot (minus Maria)



Does this pic in anyway remind you of the Duggars or Bateses?

 Later on we had Thai takeaways for dinner; I still like Indian better!

Dargaville - Sunday 24th April

Hi again everyone...=)

Mum played a sermon (on a cassette tape) around midday, then we had lunch (er, brunch for me!) and started our chocolate bunnies (Yes I know they're supposed to be for young children..but I still like them!).
Later on we went for a REALLY long walk. Actually most of us weren't so excited about that idea...so (random, I know!) We started picking flowers and putting them in the girls hair (not mine! haha). Here are a couple, er, few  pics:

The girls were calling themselces 'flower girls,' and wanted to know when the wedding is, Uncle Pete? lol! =D

The End...