Celebrating the Holidays in 2006

The Holidays were a time to count our blessings and spend time with family. Thanksgiving was spent at Mike's Mom's house, Christmas Eve was spent with the Jefferies and Christmas day was hosted by us this year!!! It was nice to be with everyone, though we were in a mad rush the entire month of December trying to get the front room ready for company. Mike did a fantastic job and I had help from Jamie and my friend Mary with the decorating. Those two really were miracle workers with this old house! Hosting Christmas, I learned a lot and though it was nice, next year will be even better!!!! The highlight of our Christmas was the time we got to spend talking to Jordan!!!! We surprised Jordan by having Joel and Mark over for the phone call. Jordan was so thrilled and couldn't believe it. It was so wonderful! After 2 1/2 hours, we had to say goodbye. I can't wait to talk to him on Mother's Day!!!!

Fall 2006 Flew By...

September started like August ended, school sports five days a week for Derrek and Kendal. I felt like I was living in the car! Kendal had a great season in volleyball and was the team captain. She did an awesome job!

Jordan's best friend, Joel Mitchell returned home from serving a two year mission in Brazil.

Homecoming was in October. Here, Derrek and Kendal are posing before they meet their dates. We found Kendal's dress in Logan, Utah on our way down to Education Week over the summer. It was so great to be able to find a modest dress!

Kendal, Derrek and Hanna went to the church for the annual "Trunk and Treat". They did a great job decorating the back of the van!

In November, Derrek finished his third year of Cross Country and had a blast! The Seniors were sad to say goodbye.

Jordan and his companion worked hard in Cabcaben!

2006 in the summertime

Kendal had her 'sweet 16' birthday party!!!!

Derrek visited his best friend Zach Sohner in Virginia. They rode lots of rollercoasters at Busche Gardens and Water Country and visited the Nation's Capitol.

Jordan's close friend Mark Perez returned

home from serving a two year mission in Uraguay.

Kendal was a 5th year at Girl's Camp and

went on a High Adventure where they camped

at Ocean Shores.

At the end of summer, we drove to Utah for BYU Education Week and had a blast!!!!

In August, we found two kittens along Illahee Rd. abandoned and starving. Derrek and I captured them and after we nursed them back to health we found a home for one, but not the other. Simon is now a happy member of the family, along with Jake and Abbey (who aren't so happy).

Jordan hit the one year mark of being on his mission!

Way to go JB!!!!!

As spring 2006 arrived...

...so did Allison, Jesse, Max and Mallory from Illinois!!!!

Tennis Season started and

church volleyball for Kendal went undefeated in the stake! Way to go Big Red !!!!

Taylor sprouted some leaves!!!

(actually he was in a community play.)

And Jordan continued to teach the gosple of Jesus Christ to the people in the Philippines.

In the beginning, 2006...

The first few months of 2006 were full of basketball games,

community service,

and Kendal's choir contests and concerts.

We also had a few youth parties and had a blast!

The Seahawks went to the Superbowl and were robbed!!!!

And Mike and Derrek celebrated their birthday!!!!

Mantzke Life 2006 in Review

Our family had a wonderful year in 2006 and I thought since our blogger is new, you would like a recap of what the Mantzke family's been up to...

Happy Happy New Year!!!!

I can feel it...

2007

is going to be a great year!!!!

Lots to look forward to,

lots to be thankful for!

It's a great time to be alive!!!!