Year 2006 Review and a Happy New Year

I know it's been a while since we've had a posting...busy with the holidays you know!! But thought we'd do a little year in review to celebrate the fun we had in 2006...as we look forward to the New Year!
Here Rachel and Jacob enjoy some time with cousins Noah and Samuel.
They also enjoyed a little backyard football with Dad and Uncle Mark.



Jacob had his First Communion last spring. It was nice to have family around to celebrate.

The kids look good for Easter.

And the Sports Kid had his 8th birthday in May!!

Rachel graduated from preschool in May...cap and gown and all!!

After school got out we headed west for a vacation. After a family reunion in Nebraska we headed to South Dakota. We enjoyed Crazy Horse, Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore near Rapid City.

Visiting Reptile Gardens.

We also took a day to drive to Wyoming. We had a great time seeing Devil's Tower.

On the way home we drove through the Badlands.

After arriving back at grandma's we took the kids horseback riding for the first time!

We have so much fun with our friends during our annual get-togethers...at Lake of the Ozarks the last few years...thanks Dustin and Cheryl!!

BIG project in 2006...putting in a new brick patio!! We put in every brick ourselves!!

Fun at Adventureland with cousin Noah.

Jacob's first year of tackle football in full gear...here he is wearing Dad's old jersey!!

Great day at the zoo Grandma!

Vikings training camp, Mankato, MN.

State Fair...food, food, food!!

First Day of School!! (Third grade and Kindergarten!)

A weekend visit to Sioux City for a family get-together turned into time to meet the baby when Mark, Lana and Olivia made a surprise appearance from Texas!!

Baby Olivia stole the show!!

Rachel decided to try dance this year...her first ballet and tap class!

This fall, Rachel began losing teeth like crazy!

We had a beautiful fall!!

Happy Halloween from Captain Jack Sparrow and our Princess!

Early in November Rachel turned 6...later in the month we helped Grandma Rephea celebrate 90 years of life!!

Getting together with family is the best part of the holidays. Jacob and Samuel got along so well and became pretty good buddies. And Rachel really enjoyed her new GIRL cousin, Leah.

We had a Wiseman and an Angel in the chuch Christmas pageant this year.

A visit with Santa.

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Zietlow's.

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Hardy's.

Olivia's first Christmas.

Watching Iowa vs. Texas in the Alamo Bowl...Hawkeye fans no matter what.

Hope your 2006 was great, too.

Happy New Year!!