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...
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. 
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! 
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!!!
5 comments:
Awesome pictures Beth! I am so glad you got your Christmas wish :) Having your family together during the holidays is wonderful! I love you guys :)
You are so blessed! Your children look happy and healthy and that's all that matters. What a CRAZY Christmas day! Looks like sooo much fun!
Thanks for commenting on my blog- I've actually been enjoying checking yours out for awhile and have been meaning to comment. Man, you guys look like you have a lot of fun. Beautiful too- each one of you!! Way to go raising an amazing family!!! Oh, and love the blog!
So in the top photo of everyone, I love Kendal's shirt! Where did you get it? I want one!
I LOVE these pics! You all are so grown up...my oh my do I have a good looking family! I am one lucky Aunt.
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