Busy Thanksgiving!

Normally, our Thanksgiving is pretty low-key. This year, however, Chelan's brother and family were here from California. And when they're here, it feels like we're on vacation, too! They were here for a whole week, and during that week there was plenty of eating (too much, probably), plenty of projects, plenty of football, plenty of catching up, and plenty of laughter. I didn't do a very good job of taking pictures, but I did get some good ones of the big football game on Wednesday afternoon!

Chayce is 4 years old and really wants to keep up with the "big boys!"

Looks like Chayce is going to get away!

The onlookers - Grandpa and Delaney

The little kids decided it would be more fun to watch cows than to watch a football game!

During the football game, Uncle Matt zoomed down the driveway with a go-cart - a surprise for all the boys! They spent the rest of the afternoon taking turns at riding and driving! I think Caiden was in pure "boy heaven!"

Chayce is all set to go!

We did celebrate Christmas while the California Duerksen's were here, so the kids got to open some presents throughout the week. Grandma and Grandpa had all kinds of projects lined up for the kids. They put together puzzles, painted metal flowers for Grandma's garden, went on a hike in their brand new orange sweatshirts, and even put together and painted wooden tractors and trucks.

It was such a fun week! I'm always amazed at how the cousins warm up to each other right away - as if they've never been apart! Even though they live so far from us, we are grateful for the times we can get together and catch up with our "far away" family!

Finn got in some tractor time before opening gifts one morning. He is almost 2 1/2.

Cambry, Caiden, Mace, Cale, and Chayce are sporting their new sweatshirts. No one will ever lose sight of them!

With so many boys in the house, someone was always being tackled!

Santa dropped some gifts outside and the kids had to go searching!

Cambry is diligently painting her flower for Grandma.

I think there was one John Deere flower, 3 K-State flowers, and 2 rainbow-ish flowers!

Finn and Delaney bonding at the activity table in the basement!

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Pre-Christmas Surprise

On Dec. 22, I woke up to Caiden not feeling well. In fact, he said he hadn't ever felt the kind of pain he was experiencing that morning. Reluctantly, I made an appointment. Long story, short - it was good he complained because he ended up having his appendix out that afternoon! It must have been at the very beginning stages and thankfully hadn't burst. So, we were in and out of the hospital by midnight that night. Maybe the worst part about the whole thing is that his wisdom teeth surgery had to be postponed since it was supposed to be the very next week. He'll go back to school minus an appendix, but still having his wisdom teeth until February 16! Pre-op Post-op

Mid-Summer Happenings

I'm trying to remember that I craved "slow and easy" days during the school year, and I feel like that's what I've had this summer. It has been refreshing to wake up in the morning and have a flexible to-do list; although I have to admit that some days do feel long. I suppose that helps me appreciate my teaching job! In not particular order, here's what we've been up to: Endless fixing and revamping in the shop: Digging up potatoes and pulling up a generous onion crop! Look at the size of that potato! The 4th of July fireworks were outdone by the sky this year! Enjoying my walks at sunset: Many, many green beans to can and pickle. Thanks to the girls for cleaning and stemming them! I had been keeping tabs on an Oriole nest near the garden, and one Sunday, I witnessed the "fly-away!" It was a noisy affair as the parents and babies kept calling back and forth. I almost can't get over the fact that I had time to stand and watch the whole affair

League Champs!!

Delaney and her teammates had an amazing volleyball season! They ended the season undefeated in the Wheat State League, and they only lost 2 matches overall. They had a notable win over Moundridge, 2 wins over Elyria, and THREE wins over Little River - all teams we have had trouble with in the past. They were so fun to watch, working as a team and developing throughout the season, and they ended as the league tournament champs. Thanks to Raechel Boese and Tara Churchill for their work with these ladies. What a fantastic way to end Delaney's middle school volleyball days! The immediate aftermath of a 3-set win over Elyria for the League Championship! A Team 8th Graders Team Selfie Coaches Churchill and Boese Scenes from the BIG win over Moundridge:

Days With the Duerksens

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