Days With the Duerksens

We're back to Day 1!  The first day of this school year came and went in a flash!  Pictures were a bit of an afterthought, but we got them accomplished.  You can see Caiden is "thrilled," Cambry is a little unsure, and Delaney is as excited as can be! This will be a different year - 2 in the jr. high and only 1 at the grade school.  Getting Cambry going with this new routine has been an adjustment.  She had two-a-day vb practices leading up to the first day of school, so she was already tired before it even began!  After one week of practices, I can already see she is stronger - our main goal for her with volleyball.  The trick this year will be keeping her organized. As an 8th grader, Caiden has it all figured out, of course!  ;)  As far as football goes, it sounds like there is a quarterback battle brewing.  He would really like to play quarterback, but being one of the bigger guys out there, he may have to be on the line.  We...

Our youngest turned 7 last week!  She wanted to celebrate simply with one of her best friends, Jenna! And she requested a 3-tiered blue and pink cake!  I think she had a fun day, despite the rain - again.  I think most of the birthdays in her short life have been rainy! This girl is 7-going-on-17 some days, but other days is still the little girl who wants hugs and tucked into bed at night.  If you need something organized, she's your girl.  If you need a job seen through to the end, she's also your girl (most of the time)!  If you need a kind note, she's happy to do it!  We are so thankful for the energy, kindness, and spirit she brings to our family.  Happy Birthday! New things for her doll, Camille  Working on the "Adventure Camp" Lego set

Cambry spent some of her time this summer at Bethesda Home.  Her duties included:  helping in the office, helping to serve lunch, gardening, and passing out zwieback and hot chocolate to residents.  She enjoyed meeting and interacting with the residents and learning to work in such a facility was probably pretty eye-opening for her! Last week, they hosted a little appreciation event for the jr. volunteers, complete with ice cream and a balsa wood airplane glider contest - one of the resident's ideas!  We were thankful for this opportunity for Cambry and she says yes to helping again next year! Alyson, Miranda, Jasmine, Cambry, Jaicee, Braylyn Let 'em fly!

We had such a busy Saturday beginning with the Threshing Days parade down Main Street.  This year, all three kids were involved with the parade.  Caiden played in the band, Cambry walked with the Bethesda Jr. Volunteers, and Delaney wanted to decorate her bike and ride it with her friend, Jenna.  Amazingly, it was quite cool for August 5 - some were wearing jackets due to a strong breeze!  Because of the cooler weather, Threshing Days attendance was up by quite a bit.  I heard they even ran out of food at the Low German Meal! Caiden was lined up to be a ball-runner at the sand volleyball tournament, but then got asked to join a team with his friends.  Apparently, they were excited that he could get his serves over!  They didn't win any games, but I think they had a good time together! Timothy, Rachael (hiding), Emily, Jacob, and Caiden Then, while Chelan and the girls went to a family wedding, I attended my class's 20th reun...