Days With the Duerksens

 Here we are - the first day of another school year.  Except this year is the last 'first day' for Caiden.  Next year at this time, he will be off at college, and I just can hardly believe that!  On the other hand, this was Delaney's first day as a middle-schooler (as her mom's student).  Cambry is beginning her Sophomore year and looking forward to getting that farmer's driving permit soon!  Here's to a healthy and happy 2021-2022! I couldn't resist Caiden's kdg. first day pic! Claire, Delaney, Elaina, Quinli - besties!

 Right after we returned from our trip, Delaney turned 11!  She had her favorite foods (watermelon and crullers), did her favorite thing (play vb with her aunt), and actually got to hang out with her friends all day a couple of days before. At age 11, we can find Delaney playing volleyball almost anytime, she is a common-sense thinker, a self-starter, and highly motivated to get better at anything she is working on.  At present, her dream job would be in journalism someday!   We love you, Delaney!

 We took a family vacation July 28-Aug. 3 to Washington and Oregon - the first time we had flown anywhere for 10 years!  It was so fun to watch Delaney's reaction to flying since she was only a one-year-old last time.  She definitely wants to do it again! And it was especially fun that we got to fly the first leg of our trip with Treg and Candace and their boys!  Overall, we learned that the Northwest loves their dogs, their bikes, their flowers (especially the hydrangeas), their fruit and fish, and we learned that their recycling/composting game is strong!  But some specific highlights of our trip were: 1. Seattle - we did the Space Needle and other touristy things, but our favorites were eating at Ivar's and feeding the seagulls, a harbor cruise, the Ballard Locks where we saw Harbor Seals playing and eating salmon - we even saw 2 Salmon jump out of the water!  We will also remember the hotel and its art- and pineapple-themed walls, floors, and elevators.  2. Lake Chelan and