Days With the Duerksens

Caiden's 14th birthday blew in with Spring Break, as usual.  No fanfare, nothing extra special, just a regular Sunday - with gifts!  We enjoyed lunch at Applebee's, he played basketball for a couple of hours at open gym, and we celebrated in the evening with Addi and Ty - his nearest March birthday buddies!  He is on the verge of entering high school, anticipating drivers' ed. this summer, and altogether growing up - literally!  He and I are about the same height at this point!  Fourteen years have gone by in a blink. . . I've always loved those blue eyes! This still happens - just with huge chapter books now! (2 years old) He's so excited to begin farming, but now he drives real tractors! (4 years old) Kdg. or 1st grade field trip Those glasses! (4th grade?)  Still enjoying basketball! Sister love (5th grade?) This year - a new Amazon Echo! Make a wish!

My parents treated us to a visit to Strataca - the salt mine in Hutchinson - for their birthdays.  No one in our family had been there, so it was a new adventure for us.  What fun!  We particularly enjoyed the tram rides through the darkness, learning about the history of the mine, how the workers worked, and even what they left behind down there.  Educational and entertaining at the same time - a win!  Then, we enjoyed dinner at the Airport Steakhouse - a new place for our kids.  Thank you Mom and Dad for the special day and for everything you have taught us, do for us, and instill in us!  We love you!   Well-preserved trash left from the miners

Caiden's basketball team wrapped up their season a few weeks ago at the Wheat State League Tournament.  Going into the tournament, they were on a bit of a win streak, so we were hopeful that they would do well!  Thursday evening, they played Elyria Christian and beat them by about 10 pts.  This secured a place for them to play on Saturday.  Saturday morning was met with a sick one at our house.  Ultimately, this meant I would not get to go to Caiden's final games.  I would have to live vicariously through Chelan's texts.  I was a nervous wreck here at home all afternoon!  Their first game was against Canton Galva - the league leader.  It sounded like the boys played better against them than they had the first time, but did come up short. On to the 3rd place game against Peabody - for the third time this season!  The texts I got during the first half were dismal - shots weren't going in, legs were tired, etc.  At halftime, we we...

Armadillo's aren't an every day occurrence around here, but the other day, the dogs sure had fun tormenting this one!  I didn't know they could run so fast!

We had a fairly quiet Christmas this year since Chelan's brother and family did not come home this year.  It was strange not having them here, but we took advantage of the slower pace and enjoyed a much-deserved break from busy-ness!  Our family celebrated on Christmas morning and then we went to Grandma and Grandpa's the following Wed. for another one.  Memories were made, scores of games were played, frigid temperatures were endured, and copious amounts of food were devoured during our two-week vacation! Almost looks real, doesn't it? Caiden's gift from Cambry - a yard of Twix! Rubik's Race was popular in our house - a gift to Caiden from  Delaney Delaney's swimming pool set Cambry is working on her airplane/airport set and enjoying her new headphones Our Christmas dinner:  BBQ brisket, mashed potatoes, zwieback, snap peas, and rosy applesauce - with the fancy china, of course! Delaney's new Karaoke machine! Reading th...

Christmas Eve - my favorite night of the year.  Favorite for many reasons:  family traditions; the children's retelling of Jesus' birth; pondering what that birth really means for each of us in a dark but candlelit sanctuary; a full, over-crowded lobby as family and friends reconnect after the church program; our race back to my parents' house to celebrate our own family Christmas.  It's all the good things wrapped up in one blessed, holy night!  All three of our children were in the same portion of the church program this year:  Caiden was one of the narrators, Delaney sang in the choir, and Cambry made an appearance as an angel!   Cousin Time! Delaney wanted to sing "O Tannenbaum" at church this year:    

The week before Christmas was certainly busy:  finishing up at school, one school Christmas program, Christmas Eve program practice, a 2nd grade Christmas party, cheer clinic, and one last gymnastics class before the break. It felt busy, but I enjoyed it all - and so did Delaney, as most of these activities were hers! She was thrilled to be up on Makayla's shoulders! Delaney's beloved 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Ann Hiebert A few of the 2nd grade girls:  Jo, Lydia R., Delaney, and Quinli She just loves to sing!