Days With the Duerksens

A combination of winter weather and sickness have kept us indoors this past week.  We were able to get out to Grandma and Grandpa's house and to my sister's house for Thanksgiving, but other than that, we've cooped ourselves up in the house.  So, what have we been doing? We gave our lone puppy a bath so my niece could puppy-sit until the owners can pick him up next week: Here is my niece - she's taking her job very seriously! Cambry has been crafting.  She made a bunch of these little tops out of necklace pieces - and they work! Then, she made a place mat . . . The nativity sets have been found: We decorated our Christmas tree. Caiden wasn't so into it, but he put up a few ornaments.  The girls, however, went through their boxes of ornaments and looked at every single one: Chelan and I also got an invitation to a "Bake Sale."  When we went downstairs, we found a table all set up with a buffet line of cupca...

After Kindergarten on Friday, Delaney's friend, Quinli, came over to play.  Talk about being busy - these two had no trouble finding things to do.  They went from playing with our puppies, to putting on a concert, to playing doctor, playing house, and even playing in the tree house.  It was fun to watch them during the afternoon.  I was so impressed with how they shared, took turns, and solved little problems that arose.  I'm sure there will be many more of these in our future!  (unfortunately, I only got pictures of the little concert they put on).

We have officially been indoctrinated into the world of jr. high sports!  Caiden's first basketball game was last Monday.  I realized the other day that he has already had more practices this season than during the last 2 years combined!  What's exciting is that he will only get better as the season goes on - along with everyone else. There are 28 boys playing this year.  We appreciate Coach Hiebert and Coach Loganbill for working with so many boys - and working them into games.  It must be quite a task!  However much or how little he plays, we'll sure enjoy watching! Along with some great assists, Caiden had a few steals and lay-ups in both games this week.  for this, he earned 2 cans of biscuits.  Biscuits, you ask?  Yep - that's what I said.  We know it is an incentive, but not sure of the meaning behind it.  And Caiden doesn't seem to know either.  Kind of funny - but we sure enjoyed them last night with...

Cambry and I made our way to Marion last night for the county 4-H Achievement Dinner.  She was excited to receive her membership pin and a county award in Exploring 4-H for finishing her record book!  She also did a great job with small part in the program - which the Goessel Goal Getters were in charge of - a rousing game of "Are You Smarter than a 4-Her?"  I think she was pretty proud of her accomplishments from last year.  Now, on to a new year.  Foods and clothing - here we come! You can barely see her, but she is asking her question to the audience

The Goessel volleyball team and the KC Royals become champions on the same weekend?  How can it be??  What a memorable weekend for so many around here! Oct. 31, 2015 - photo by Dale Wiens Watching the girls play (online, thanks to technology) brought back so many memories from 1996.  I was a senior in high school and we were the first Goessel volleyball team ever to make it to the state tournament.  Somehow, we managed to take 2nd place - it was a little unexpected.  Maybe this explains why we look so happy even after we just lost! TBT - Nov. 2, 1996 My memories are so vivid.  My favorite memory, though, has nothing to do with any of the volleyball games.  It is of my mother and friend, Jeanette, washing our uniforms at the "Sip-n-Spin" - half laundromat, half bar!!  We only had one uniform and didn't even think about needing to wash them until late that night!  Good times . . . Congratulations Lady Bluebirds and KC Royals! ...

Between watching the Royals in the World Series and the GHS Volleyball Team competing at the State Tournament, we did manage to sneak Halloween into the mix!  Caiden decided he was too old to dress up and trick-or-treat this year, so it was just Pocahontas, a Goessel cheerleader, and me out on the town! Delaney's Kdg. Halloween parade at school. She requested this pose!  :)