Days With the Duerksens

We squeezed in the annual peppernut-baking just this last weekend.  It was extra fun since Grammy and Papa's dog, Dollie, was in the mix!  (Unless you ask Cambry - she could do without Dollie's excitement).  Caiden and Ty are just about the same height, but Ty might be just a smidge taller - despite the fact that Caiden has shot up quite a bit this fall!  This is the last time we will bake peppernuts together before Addi goes to college next fall - wow, how time flies! Just look at that face!

December brought an abundance of music.  Delaney's school program was delightful!  Her part of the program featured the third graders doing some special things since they were the oldest for that group.  Delaney even filled in last minute on the jingle bells for a sick classmate, and did a fabulous job!  We were happy to see her up there as she had missed 3 days of school previously with a fever (and even fainted during one of their practices - quite the excitement)!  Thanks to Mr. Wiens for the first three pictures - it turns out I couldn't see Delaney during the whole program because she was right in front of Mrs. Brubaker!  :) green bell in the middle Best friends - Quinli and Delaney Delaney's teacher, Mr. Wiens Caiden's music concert was also excellent this year. I don't think I had been to a high school Christmas concert since I was in college!  The choir is very large this year, and it appears Mr. Unruh expects much from t...

Delaney has really taken a liking to piano.  I never have to tell her to practice, and she works on skills until she has them mastered.  It is quite something!  She participated in her first piano recital on Dec. 2.  We are looking forward to seeing how she progresses!

November ushered in basketball practice for both Caiden and Delaney this year.  Chelan and I are helping with Delaney's 3rd grade team, and we are reminded that there is much to learn about the game!  We are enjoying working with the girls.  They have had 2 games so far, and although they didn't win either of them, we already saw improvement from game 1 to game 2.  Delaney actually had all 10 of her team's points at the last game!  She is definitely soaking it all in!   Caiden began his first high school season mid-November.  At the Christmas break, his JV team has won 2 games and lost a couple of close ones.  He is enjoying it so far, and we are happy that he gets to play quite a bit so he can gain more experience for the future.  He is happy to report that he is leading the team in assists and steals!

November began and ended with snow this year!  In fact, we had more snow in November than we have had the last 2 winters combined!  The kids were able to get out and enjoy it - at least for a little bit. We also enjoyed GHS's production of "Beauty and the Beast."  Caiden put quite a bit of time into it as one of the stage managers.  Mr. Unruh, his choir teacher and musical director commented on how much he appreciated Caiden's help.  He would have preferred to only be on the stage crew, but he did also play a "townsperson" and a "knife-come-to-life" during the musical.  We think he enjoyed it more than he lets on! Caiden is hiding behind the pepper! Cambry had her first choir/band concert for the year in November, and we enjoyed it, as usual.  Mr. Unruh really has them singing quite well, and the band was great too.  We are so thankful for a music department that continues to flourish!