Days With the Duerksens

Delaney worked hard with her group to get ready for Kansas Day last week.  I enjoyed stopping by to see their display.  She was able to fit into the prairie girl dress my grandma sewed for my sister so long ago - it has lived a good long life.  Cambry had to repair one small hole this year, but other than that, it is still holding together!  Great work Delaney! Delaney and Lydia (Athena and Peter were busy with relatives). I think Delaney's collar is on backwards?? The 3rd grade class - all 16 of them!

We actually got enough snow during January to do some sledding.  It's been a few years, so it felt good to try out the hills around our place and Chelan's aunt and uncle, Kathy and Ivan.  What fun! Tiny snowmen are fun to build! Ava got shuttled up the hill by her grandpa! Biscuit preferred to stay in the Mule! It's a long walk up!

Caiden's first shop project is complete - a dolly he constructed from scratch!  I believe it is dad-approved!

It's February - which means basketball has finished for the girls (Cambry - JH manager and Delaney - biddy ball), and is winding down for the third.  Caiden only has about 3 more games this season, and it is amazing how much I am disappointed about that.  We have enjoyed watching Caiden grow and improve this year with his team.  The team as a whole has been fun to watch - they seem to mesh well, play hard, and look like they really enjoy playing the game! The biddy ball season ended last weekend with some scrimmages due to a couple of games being cancelled because of weather.  Delaney's team scrimmaged the 4th grade girls, and then the 5th grade teams scrimmaged their high school buddies.  Afterwards - donuts for everyone!  We kind of hope this becomes a tradition.  Unfortunately, Delaney's buddy, Kaleigh Guhr was at piano contest so she was unable to be there.  Caiden did have a chance to catch up with his buddy, Dawson, a third grader. Athena, Elaina, Lydia, Jo, Q

As usual, Christmas break was a whirlwind of activity and seemed to fly by quickly!  Also, as usual, I spent a fair amount of hours grading final essays from my 6th and 7th graders.  I'm thankful for those extra days to allow me the time for grading, and I was able to sprinkle in some fun and relaxation in between papers! We enjoyed our Christmas Eve program at church.  Caiden, especially enjoyed it because as a high schooler, he only participates as a part of the audience!  Delaney sang her heart out with the children's choir and played a lovely piano solo, "Go Tell it on the Mountain."  Cambry was again an angel - "Gabriel," or "Gabriela," as she called herself. Christmas at my parents was fun with the addition of Dollie this year - at least after she settled down and got used to all of us invading her house! LOVE this picture of their little family! Showing off a new sweatshirt! tissue paper bows and headbands!