Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving morning Bruno and Nicole worked on their laptops.

Hanging out in the kitchen; (From left) Courtney, Nathaniel, and Teresa.

Bruno's Aunt Anna came over from France for a two month visit.

Looks great Nicole.

Anna and Bruna

Courtney and Nicole playing with Little Tony's toys.

Trying to take a good picture for the Christmas cards always turns into a pushing and shoving match, and Nicole just stands there posing.

This is as good as it gets.

Posing, posing posing. Such a little Diva.

Thank you Tony and Teresa for once again hosting a great Thanksgiving. Everything was great!!

Alex's first duck hunting trip (G/ma beware!)

GRANDMA--YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO LOOK AT THESE! :-)

Alex's friends, and old baseball coach, took him out on his first hunting trip with his new shotgun. The twins, Thomas and Andrew, have an uncle that has 80 acres on the Skagit Flats out by Bow/Edison. They got 23 ducks, and Alex took down the biggest Drake on his first shot.

Alex got a total of three ducks.

Waiting patiently.

They had a great time.

A good day. They had lots of fun. Thank you Scott!!

Nicole's classroom "Feast"

She makes such a cute little Pilgrim.
Nicole's teacher-Ms. Willey

Getting ready for the feast

Num Num. Raisins, popcorn, peanuts, oranges, muffins and juice. They sang a couple songs: "Albuquerque is my turkey" and "Turkey dinner". It was so cute.

Marcus' Senior pictures

Marcus thought it was ridiculous that I would be willing to pay hundreds of dollars for Senior pictures. His friend Nicole's Mom offered to take his pictures (and a few other kids'). She spent a better part of a Saturday taking the four of them around and taking pictures. There were a few good ones, but she went out with Marcus again a few weeks later and got a whole bunch of really good ones. Here is a sampling of my favorites.

My favorite

Kind of a goofy grin, but I liked the school in the background. My Alma Mater!

This was one from the first day.

This is his friend Nicole. They make such a cute couple, but they're "just friends". It turns out Nicole's Mom was one of my really good friends when I was in high school.

Marcus played on the golf team. He also played on the tennis team, but didn't get a picture in his team shirt.

Marcus joined choir the 2nd semester of his Junior year. He liked it so much that this year he tried out for Synergy (jazz choir) and Concert choir. He made both choirs, and was recently choosen by the teacher for Honor's choir. He also sings with the Men's choir when needed. Here he is in his Concert choir robes.

Neighborhood wildlife

This afternoon three deer crossed the street out in front of our house.

Probably on the prowl of the apple trees in the neighborhood.

Alex's 16th Birthday

On Sunday, the 16th we went down to Rick's house for a family celebration of Jacqui's 19th b'day and Alex's 16th b'day.

Blowing out their candles in unison.
Alex opening his new chest waders.

Trying them on for size.

Lookin' good Alex

On the 18th, his actual birthday, we met our good friends Scott, Laura, Thomas and Andrew Breckenridge at our favorite mexican restaurant, El Gitano.

Andrew, Alex listening to his card, and Laura.

We were also joined by Marcus (he didn't have to work!) and Marcus' friend Austin. They beat feet out of there as soon as dinner was over, and even missed the ...................

singing of Happy Birthday.

Halloween 2008

'Twas the night before Halloween, and all through the house, the Padilla's were scurrying to turn the pumpkins into....... jack-o-lanterns!

Bruno's vampire, Alex's clown and Nicole's ghost (for the 2nd year in a row)

"Tinkerbell" Nicole with the neighbor boys: "Fireman" Jase, and "Scarecrow" Jett.

Getting ready for Dad to take her out and get some candy. Mom stayed back to hand out candy since Alex wasn't home to do it, and Marcus was at work. After hitting lots of houses with Dad they came back and Mom took the little Tink out for a few more. The weather couldn't have been better. It had rained all day to clear up around 4:00, and stay warm. Nice!

Checking out her loot.