Nicole's 1st Tae Kwon Do tournament

On Saturday, March 7th, I took Nicole over to Oak Harbor for her first Tae Kwon Do tournament. There were TKD school's from as far as Yakima, and as close as Oak Harbor.

Excited, but nervous.

All Mount Vernon's students getting a pep talk from Master Rhodes.

Bow in. Nicole is the 2nd in from the right. (Next to the big tall guy)

There are two parts to the judging; Form and One-Steps.

Nicole is performing her one-steps here.

After performing her One-Steps she had to go again against this little boy, because of a tie.

Here she is receiving her trophy for 3rd place in Sparing (One-Steps).

There were six kids competing in this white belt category, she was the only girl.

Good job, Nicole!

Ski weekend to Mission Ridge

President's Day weekend we went with Tony, Teresa and the kids to Mission Ridge for three days of skiing. Our two families shared a nice cabin just minutes from the ski resort.

The view from the deck.

Nicole being, Nicole.

Little Tony chillin'. He had a cold and an ear infection, so no skiing for him.

Bruno, Nicole and Alex hanging in the living room.

Jeffery, Marcus and Tony up early on the first morning of skiing.

The great thing about the cabin is it was only 8 minutes down the hill from the Lodge. We would take off around noon and head back for lunch, then go back for a couple more hours of skiing.

All three days of skiing the runs were shrouded in fog. Some up top worse than others, but in general all the runs were bad at one time or another. It kind of made it interesting at times.

The Lodge at Mission Ridge.

James

(I didn't get any pictures of Marcus and Jeffery on the slopes because they took off and we didn't see them again till the end of the day)

Bruno

Bruno and Alex

Me and Bruno

Nicole had lessons from 9-12 everyday. She got very proficient on the rope tow. Hopefully next year she will graduate to a chair.

What's better than drinks in the hot tub after a hard day skiing?

Marcus and James

These were some really cool icicles hanging outside the kitchen window.

Oh sure...the day we leave it dawns clear and beautiful.

Even after three days of skiing, I would love to have gone back up one more time in conditions like this. Oh well, maybe next year!

Olivia's 6th Birthday party

Bruno's brother Paul's daughter Olivia turned six years old on Feb. 5th. We were invited to a birthday party and her Grandma & Grandpa's house. Olivia wore her most beautiful Princess dress.

Little cousin, Tony, enjoyed the festivities too.

Oh, it's so hard to watch someone else open gifts.

Olivia loved her new umbrella.

Opening her gift from Nicole.

Blowing out her candles.

Senior Ball 2009

Getting ready

Leaving to go pick up his date.

Marcus with his girlfriend, Alisha Nichols.

Looking good!

Marcus' friend Karl, with his date, Jana.

Marcus' friends Cassie and Xitlalic.

Marcus' best friends, Nicole and Austin.

The guys, being so stoic.

......and goofing off.

The lovely ladies; Nicole, Jana, Alisha, and Cassie.

The whole group.

Off to the "limo".

Actually, it's my Suburban.

Beautiful sunset, Nicole and Austin.

Off to dinner at Palmer's in LaConner and the dance at Maple Hall in LaConner.

My how quickly they grow up!