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!!)