Simply Havin' a Wonderful Christmas Time...

We had a wonderful visit from the Jefferies on Christmas Eve day. We all had a great time seeing each other and catching up!!!! We miss them so much!!!

That night, we went over to Grandma Marilyn's for a yummy ham dinner and sang Christmas carols. It's a fun Mantzke tradition! We sang "We Three Kings of Orient Are" and once again had the boys sing the different verses as one of the Kings. It's so fun!
The day arrived...

It was 10 AM Christmas morning and we had to leave in 2 hours to catch the ferry!! That meant, opening gifts, 6 showers, picking out the right outfits and making the broccoli casserole we were assigned all before noon! I knew it would be close, but we could do it! With everyone home this Christmas, sleep time meant late nights and when sleep finally overcame them, bodies strewn everywhere!

I cheerfully exclaimed to everyone, "Merry Christmas, it's time to get up!" They stirred a little. Then I went and stood over each body and told them, "It's time to open presents!" Still no luck, just a wiggle of the feet and turning over! After telling them we really had to leave soon, they knew they had to get up, so with blankets wrapped around them, they slowly congregated to the front room. We had such a fun time! My children were so thoughtful and we had some hilarious gifts given too.

Happy Hanukkah Derrek! (Jordan didn't realize that he had Derrek's gift wrapped in Hanukkah paper)

Jordan, our budding Goldsmith, made this necklace for his sister. BEAUTIFUL!

Derrek's gifts to his family were funny, yet practical. Jordan loves fish, hence the fish slippers. And Dad always has a difficult time finding the remote. Well, not anymore!!!!

Taylor got what he always wanted...

seasons one and two of the O.C!

We caught the Seattle Ferry in time and enjoyed a leisurely ride to Jim and Betsy's house for Christmas Dinner.

Their house was full and our stomachs even fuller as we ate prime rib and all the fixins'. It was great to see everyone!

My favorite part of Christmas this year was of course celebrating the Savior's birth and having all of my children under one roof. This was the first Christmas since 2004 that we were all together! I was in HEAVEN!!!

Kendal Receives her Young Women's Medallion!

Today was a proud day for the Mantzke Family as we watched Kendal receive her Young Women's Medallion!!!! She was called up to the stand and asked to say a few words. Kendal stated that at first, trying to finish her personal progress was a goal she had, but then it became a way of life for her as she started living it and her projects were things that she was already doing. It was true. Personal Progress changed Kendal's life and we couldn't be prouder! Congratulations Kendal!!!! (Kendal is wearing a beautiful corsage given to her by her Grandma Weber. The corsage has all the value colors on it. Thanks Grandma!!)

Festival of Trees 2007

Our family loves the Festival of Trees. It's a funraiser/silent auction for the hospital and my children have offered service through Key Club to help the fundraiser be a success. It's usually the weekend after Thanksgiving and the trees go for thousands of dollars. Along with purchasing trees, different trees have gifts that go along with them as well. Really cool (expensive) stuff. It's fun to see all the themed trees. Some are beautiful, some are not. It just depends on your taste. My favorite was the little candy tree. My least favorite which I found rather creepy, was the baby tree. There are also gift vendors and Christmas performances on the stage that make the Festival of Trees a hit. It's always a fun way to start off the Christmas season!!!!

It all began with the mashed potatoes...

The Mantzke Family has had a long standing tradition where we've been asked to bring the mashed potatoes for the Thanksgiving feast over at Grandma Marilyn's. This is no simple task mind you, since we need to make 25 pounds. That's a lot of potatoes!!!! Most families gather 'round a fire, but not the Mantzkes, we gather 'round the garbage can. And sadly, this year I was short handed since Jordan and Taylor are away at school, so what was I to do? My good friend Mary Mitchell and her daughter Paige, with potato peelers in hand, volunteered to come over to help! What lifesavers they were!!!! What was work, became fun and we ended up teaching them the skill of Potato Peel Fighting.



Thanksgiving dinner was delicious and everyone seemed to have a good time, but I have to say, I'm really looking forward to Christmas since the boys are flying up!!! This will be Jordan's first Christmas since being home from his mission, so this is extra special!!!



Betsey and Jim Teays
(Lisa's inlaws and Barrett's mom and Dad)
with Grandpa George.

Mike and his sister Lisa


Barrett (Lisa's hubby)




10 year old Connor
(Barrett and Lisa's son)
with his Aunt Connie
(Randy's wife)



Mike's brother Randy
carving the Turkey


Mother and daughter


Kendal and Derrek
with their mama


The kids at the "kid's table"

Happy Birthday to Taylor and Grandma Marilyn

This weekend Taylor and his girlfriend drove up from Utah to visit us during a little break from school. It was nice seeing Taylor and meeting Mercedes. Derrek also came over from the UW. All that was missing was Jordan, but he had to work :( Inspite of being one child short, It was a wonderful weekend seeing Taylor and Derrek!

Since my Mother in Law turned 77 last week and Taylor will be 21 on the 21st, we thought we'd throw them a party which totally took Taylor by surprise. It was great seeing the expression on his face! So cool! And he loved his gifts. (Don't mind my camera. Like a dork I had it on the wrong setting. UGH!!!!)

Wandering wonderful Washougal

Kendal and I had the best time this past weekend! We packed our bags and headed down to Washougal to visit my sister Jamie and family in their new home. It was simply wonderful and I bawled my eyes out when it was time to go. I've missed them all so much and I wish we could have stayed longer. It was heaven for me and after Kendal graduates, I wouldn't mind Mike and I moving down there. I've never been without my sister and I need her! Here's some pictures of roadkill (a.k.a kids wandering the neighborhood)
I'm so grateful Kendal, Kelsey and Tyler are close

Homecoming Dance

Since EFY was the same weekend as the Homecoming Dance and Kendal was going with her girlfriends, they went to EFY and then showed up at the Homecoming Dance later. Kendal had a blast and got to ride in a Limo! She had a great evening and of course, looked so pretty!

our goofy girl