Days With the Duerksens

Christmas morning is pretty laid back at our house - the kids get up and then they wait for us to pull ourselves out of bed!  There's always a little argument about whether to do stockings first or presents first - it seems like that should be set in stone by now, but it's not.  This year, the stockings won out!  After that, I read the Christmas story from the Bible and then the kids dug in.  I didn't take many pictures because I set the video camera up - that way I could just enjoy the moment.  And it's really fun to watch those videos a few years down the road! Chelan and Caiden surprised me with a new window box that they put together (since I backed over the old one - don't ask)!  Caiden did most of the cutting and painting - so thoughtful!  The best kind of gifts! We surprised the kids with a trampoline, although for Delaney's sake it was a gift from Santa!  ;)  It was also the only gift that didn't come inside until late Christmas E...

After the church program we headed back to my parents' house for presents and goodies!  The kids even put together a quintet.  They performed "Jingle Jingle Happy Bells" quite well with:  Cambry - piano, Caiden - trumpet, Ty - bells, Addi - flute, and Delaney - jingle bells.  I can't believe they are old enough to play instruments already! After that, it was on to presents - yay!  Thanks Grammy and Papa for a fun night! This makes me laugh! Warming up for "Jingle Jingle Happy Bells." Now they have hammers to add to their toolboxes! Cambry had wondered for days what was inside the tiny package under Grammy's tree. She was thrilled to find an emerald necklace!   The Anna and Elsa dolls were a hit!  Thanks, Schroeder's!

Delaney's S. S. class (+ the three-year-olds) I love Christmas Eve - getting together at my parents' house, the church program, the candle lighting, seeing a church full to the brim with people - everything!  It's always been that way for me.  This year I was really overcome during the "Stable Lights" program at our church.  It was quite a sacred and holy moment that I want to keep with me for a good long while!  The light has truly come into the darkness.  Now, it's up to us to share it! Singing "Must Be Jesus" Singing from the hymn book before their part begins (with Alece, Skyler, and Javin) My niece, Addi, got to be Mary this year! Sharing the light Nervous about the light? Cambry and Delaney each prepared a piece to share during the service - one of the traditions of this program.  Delaney sang "Happy Christmas" (without standing, I might add) and Cambry played "For the Beauty of the Earth" on t...

I go in phases with Christmas baking/candy-making.  The last few years I haven't done much.  This year, however, I've been on quite a roll with trying some new things from Pinterest.  One such recipe will definitely NOT be made again - salted caramel butter bars.  Sounds yummy, and they kind of are.  It's just too rich and buttery.  If I cut them in small enough pieces, however, they're doable. There are two recipes that WILL be made again - they are as delightful to eat as they are to look at! The two winners are: Salted Caramel Mocha Fudge (foodfanatic.com)  and Peppermint Bark (sallysbakingaddiction.com).   The fudge made a whole 11x15 pan, so I'm sure we will definitely be finding people to share with - there's no way our family can eat that much fudge!  And the peppermint bark?  That's for Caiden and me - I'm being stingy with that one!

Yesterday, parents, grandparents, and even an aunt or two packed the Kinder Haus for the pre-school Christmas program.  It's a nice little program - short but very, very sweet.  Delaney was so excited for it that she insisted on wearing her Christmas dress - a risky move for a pre-school day, but she managed quite nicely!  It was fun to watch her.  She seemed to know every word and every action - and it was obvious that she was enjoying herself!  Thank you Gayle, Amy, and Mom (Grammy) for the work you put into planning, preparing, and carrying out your lessons each day. Gabe, Delaney, Lydia While we were there, I realized that this is our last pre-school Christmas program.  It was a good reminder for me to take these moments in and savor them.  They are only little for so long . . . Here are a few short videos to enjoy from the morning:

Last night was the elementary school Christmas program.  Since Caiden is a 5th grader, he had the honor (honor?) of playing a trumpet solo.  In fact, all the 5th grade band members were invited to play a solo - a tradition that has been carried on since before I was in 5th grade.   It is something - to get up in front of so many people and play a song on an instrument you have only been learning since August.  He was incredibly nervous, but after a slow start he made it through! (He played it better at the evening program, but I couldn't load that video here).  He practiced "March Militaire" diligently and it paid off!   Way to go, Caiden! After the band, grades K-3 sang their little hearts out during their part of the program.  Since Cambry is in 3rd grade, she got to wear some simple costumes during the songs - it's always fun to see and hear these kids on stage!

Last Sunday, we gathered at my parents' house for Thanksgiving.  Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potato casserole, zwiebach - they are all stars at this meal.  I particularly wait for the stuffing - each and every year!! In what has become a tradition, my mom had a craft ready for all the cousins - ages 4 - 14!  There were also games to be played, dress-up clothes to discover, and lots of conversation to be had.  It was a good day.  Thanks, Mom, for hosting on such short notice! Instructions The oldest - my niece - always diligent in her crafting! The finished product This makes me smile! Sisters - Thankful for family!

When we got tickets for the K-State/KU football game a few weeks ago, we were really nervous about the weather.  Little did we know it would be a beautiful, sunny, 70+ degree day!  What a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon!  And this time we took a few first-timers along. As we neared the stadium, I told Finn to watch for the "castle."  When we rounded the corner his eyes got wide and he said, "You're right, it DOES look like a castle!"  It was fun to share this experience with the California crew and our friends, Pat and Jake.  The day was even better since K-State totally dominated from the get-go! Did I mention that it was really sunny? Did I also mention that we had to stand almost the whole game?  Luckily for the littlest fans, there were some strong arms around! This guy was busy doing a lot of push-ups! K - S - U Wildcats! First-timers! It was Senior Day - which meant it was Weston's last home football game. ...