T.I.C.

The Industrial Company

otherwise known as who Nick got an internship with for Summer 2011. They are a 2 billion dollar a year heavy industrial construction company that has projects all over the country. They are based out of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, but have a lot of working going on right now in the southern region of the US. We are so excited. I am so proud of him. Most companies don't even interview or extend offers until January 2011, but of course Nick had 4 interviews and got an offer from TIC back in October. They said that along with his great interview, they could not look any farther then him because of all this work experience in the field! We are thrilled. He is the first one in his program at ASU to have even gotten an interview...and he got a job out of it.

Since Nick is this company's first choice for an intern, he gets first pick of where he can go in the country. Not a lot is going on in AZ, and the recruiters really feel like he will get the most experience in the southern region-which comprises 11 states- where they have a lot of jobs going on right now. He will be there for 10 weeks getting lots of training in the office and at job sites. It is paid!--which is just the blessing we need because it will pay for his last year of school at ASU. He will also get paid travel and living expenses, and even a visit from me once or twice this summer. I don't know what I am going to do all summer without him, but this is such a great opportunity for his future. He finds out in March where he will be exactly. He heads out at the end of May, right after we go on a week long vacation!! I have my time off of work already on the schedule! We are very excited, and it will be here before we know it!

Halloween

I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with this holiday.

I HATE every minute of it prior to the when all the festivities occur. I hate the candy laying around for 2 weeks with me grabbing a piece each time I walk by. I hate the stress of trying to figure out what to dress up as. I hate spending money on something I will wear for 3 hours...total! I hate the back and forth discussion at work of--'are we dressing up this year for work, or not.' I hate being scared...period. I don't do corn mazes, haunted houses, or anything involving a man chasing me around with a chainsaw. Not my idea of fun.

I LOVE when it is finally time for the parties! I love dressing up and getting ready, once the costume has been decided on. I love seeing what other people dress up as. I love caramel apples. I love the parties. I love that the weather is usually so nice outside. I love that this kicks off the end of the year holidays.

This year it seemed like everything happened on the same night...sad! So we had to go to what we first confirmed to---my boss's annual Halloween gig. Every year seems to be bigger than the year before. His band was really good with a stage and all. They did several covers that sounded great--that was of course because Nick ran the sound board for them. We danced the night away to the DJ, and I left sweaty knowing I burned off all the calories I ate in delicious caramel corn and goodies. Just a few photos of us in our 80's gear.

I love how we both had crimped hair

Amy and I getting ready

A few of my co-workers

Posing on the Dance Floor

Nick showing the mummies his best dance move

I love how for six months after the party, patients will say to me at work, "wow-your husband is sure the life of the party." In future years we shouldn't dress as a couple--it is too much of a dead give away that he belongs to me!! I better start thinking of our costumes for next year.

Utah-Conference Weekend

We decided on a quick lat minute trip to Utah to spend a total of 48 hours jam packed with family, friends, and conference. Nick has been wanting to go and see his former mission president and his wife-President and Sister Hinckley. My sister, Katherine, also was going to be in Utah along with a good friend of mine from my BYU days, Julia and her husband, Ian. And as always, we love see Nick's brother, Jake and his family that live in Provo. So, we loaded up the car and made the 10 hour drive to Provo with a pit stop in St. George for the night.

We met up with Jesicah (my freshmen year college roommate at BYU) and Julia for lunch on Friday So great catching up. Nick is such a trooper as he sits there and listens to the girls reminisce. It was so great seeing everyone. We met up with my sister, Katherine, at Gateway Mall and did some shopping before heading over to Nick's mission president's home. The Hinckely's were so gracious to invite us over along with another missionary that served in Nick's mission. We had a great time as they talked about old mission companions and different areas they served in. Elder Hinckley is now a Seventy and is over all the missionaries in the world. He had so much to share with us about the church and all the growth that is happening. It was such a great night to get to talk with them. We made our way down to Provo later that night to see Nick's friend from VA, Coby, who is going to school at UVU. Coby is so funny. Listening to those two boys really makes me think I need a translator present for when they get talking fast in that southern drawl! We finally made it to see Nick's family. Jake and Jamie are always so generous to let us stay at their home. We always stay up late chatting and listening to cool police officer stories that Jake has to share.

Saturday morning I was amused watching Nick entertain our niece and nephews by picking up a mattress that they would lay on, and he would try to throw them off. They kept saying, "Again, again!" Needless to say, Nick broke into a full sweat with that activity. We headed to Conference for the afternoon session, and we blessed to have great seats thanks to the Hinckley's. We met up with my sister for dinner before heading back up to Provo to spend some more time with Nick's family.

No sooner than this trip began, it was time to head back to AZ. We left early Sunday morning, stopped by Julia's sisters house for breakfast and a last minute hangout. So great to see everyone. Here area few pictures from the trip:

Elder and Sis. Hinckley with Us

The 1st Presidency walking in

At the Pie--oh so good Pizza!

With my sister

Us with Julia and Ian

Belated Birthdays

Literally, Growing old together!

Another year together, another year older. Eight days after our anniversary, I had a birthday! 27 and never felt so good! Haha--not really, but isn't that what I am supposed to say! In usual fashion, I spent the day at work and since Nick had night class my girlfriends took me out to celebrate. Thanks to Tara, Brooke, Amy, and Bri for the wonderful dinner and even better company. I didn't take a single birthday picture--I can't believe it. Oh well, I look the same just add another crease from the corner of my eyelid :)

Domenic had his 28th birthday on September 8th.

So what would we do, throw a party of course! We are realizing how much we love hosting. Always a good time around our house. We had about 40 people come out to see Nick get older. We had a blast. Good food, great cake, and a crazy time with the money game!

A special thanks to Brett for helping me make Nick his "Boo Boo gets a Thumb" t-shirt! He loved it! (**This is a joke that we have had for quite some time that comes from a patient of mine at work who owns 10 dogs and lets them sleep in bed with him**) HAHA!! I will have to tell the story sometime on another post when this blog is private!

All in all-such a great night. Happy Birthday to us!

Weddings and Even More Weddings

It is little unknown fact about me that I spent middle school and part of high school living in Lodi, California. It was there that at age 13 I met Lauren Roemer and Jennifer Israel. We were instant friends at that awkward adolescent age, and now we have all transformed into the women we are today...thankfully! I was so grateful that I could make two trips to California to spend their special wedding days with them.

Lauren and David-August 21, 2010 at Viaggio Winery

The girls from high school. It was so great to see everyone!

Jen and Tobin-September 24th, 2010 at the Walnut Grove Mansion

The best wedding keepsake of all time--the crab hat! It was one of their first dates that Tobin bought Jen this hat at a fair. Needless to say it has been a staple in their relationship, and even topped their Christmas tree one year!

I am so glad that I was able to help celebrate two of my best friends biggest days! They both looked fabulous, and sure knew how to throw a great party. I think that about does it for the 2010 wedding season!

Two.

Pretty sure that for the last two years of marriage we have kept the party going strong!

Oh, how life is better with you by my side on the dance floor.

Happy Anniversary!

on August 16th...(because it's never too late for an anniversary post, right??)

Nothing like Marrying into an Italian Family

We found time to finally vacation together this last summer and headed to Virginia for the 2nd Annual Garcia Family Reunion. Nick's mother, Chris and her sister's all get together to celebrate their Grandma and Grandpa Garcia. This year they held the reunion in Williamsburg, VA the week of August 9-14th. It was so fun to see Nick's aunts and many of his cousins that I had not met before. We had such a great time. The weather was perfect! We went to Water Country USA, shopping at the outlets, eating tons of great food, and the family bowling tournament. It was great to be back in VA, and to spend time with so much family.

We stayed a few extra days, one of which was our anniversary. Chris was so kind and ordered a cake so the whole family could celebrate. It was terrific.

Here is almost the entire gang at the bowling alley. What a great time we all had. If I rem

ember correctly, I think I bowled a decent game...finally!

Domenic and his mom. It was so great to see Chris wearing Grandpa Garcia's bowling shirt!! The sisters all were wearing different bowling shirts from the earlier generations. Too cute!

Gotta love these Italian women! Dee, Chris, Lynda, and Gilda.

So glad we could make the trip out from Arizona. We had such a great time, and hope to be able to make it out next year.

Everybody Loves A HandyMan

I think the reason I dread blogging these days is because I am so far behind!! So here goes my attempt at a catch-up post.

At the end of July to the beginning of August Nick went to Kentucky for a week to help my brother Kevin work on his house. Nick was in between semesters and was excited about doing some physical labor. Kevin and Rachel bought a beautiful home last spring and there was much painting, gardening, and deck projects to be done. He loved being able to help and spend at week down south. As usual the nephews were entertained with uncle Nick there. Nick decided to give Liam a new nickname of Scooter-due to the fact he likes to scoot on his butt everywhere. And Bennett, wanted to have his own paintbrush to 'help out.' Too cute. We are glad Nick could help them for the week.

Proof that he was getting things done!

10 years later....

...And we are all still friends.

High school was one of those times in people's lives that they either loved or hated. With a group of girlfriends like mine, I walked away loving the years I spent at Tokay High School. As most people know we lived in Lodi, California from 8th grade-11th grade. We moved my senior year to Louisville, KY. Even though I claim KY as my home now, when I think back to high school there are 4 California girls that life wouldn't be the same without. This reunion was brought together when I saw an old friend Annie this last March when she was in AZ for MLB spring training. Even though Annie couldn't make it on the trip, the rest of us got to planning. We decided we had a lot to celebrate--Lauren and Jen Israel were both about to get married in just a few weeks! What other city to have a bachelorette party than Las Vegas, NV! It was time to pack our bags!!

Lindsay, Me, Jen, Lauren, Ingrid

Lindsay--Then: my mormon sister! We played on the basketball team together and somehow survived a horrible year of girls camp. I never went again after that! Now: she has travelled the world, is always looking to help someone else, and still lives with mom and dad! ;)

Jen Israel--Then: The other half of the J-train! We had freshmen year PE together and bonded from day one. How could we not??--we had the same name! We played on the basketball team together, her dad was my driver's ed teacher, and we had many a classic sleepovers at her house over the years. Now: she has a masters from Georgetown and works for a politician--hopefully she will get a paycheck soon! She just married Mr. Tobin Dietrich and lives in Sacramento!

Lauren--Then: she was the punchline of a lot of jokes and took it well. Her house was where I spent most of my highschool! We played basketball together and survived Angel's Bootcamp, and certainly Tp'ed quite a few houses together too. Now: She is the newly married Mrs. Flores and is working as a Pharmacist outside of Seattle, WA.

Ingrid--Then: The sweetest girl I have ever known. She had mad volleyball skills and drove the coolest blue volvo! She started dating Brad our junior year of highschool and ten years later they are still together. Now: She and Brad just got engaged! She works for Louis V in San Francisco and is still the sweetest person I know!

Getting ready for night one on the town

Jen's mom is still packing us snacks! Some things never change!

The pool at Monte Carlo where we stayed

The Bellagio Gardens

Out celebrating the soon-to-be married ladies!

Lauren's dream come true--the Mandalay Bay Aquarium

This was such a great trip! We reconnected and realized that as much as our lives have all changed we still have those high school years that take us back to the good ole' days. When I moved my senior year cell phones weren't common place, instant messenger was just getting popular, and Facebook was unthinkable. No wonder it was so hard to keep in touch. We all went off to college, made new friends and relationships, and have lost touch over the years. But if there was one thing I left thinking about on the 6 hour drive back to AZ it was that for how much we all had changed, just as much of us was still the same. I am looking forward to many more reunions!

Beach and Besties!

Nothing like the girls I spent the first year of college with 9 years ago! We decided it was time to get together, so in mid July the date was set and the travel plans were made. We were the girls at the end of the 3200 hall of the David John dorm, which had its advantages being by the back stairwell! Jesicah, was my Beverly Hills roommate who graduated from high school at 16 and somehow ended up at my room. I was nervous at first, but it turned out I was the lucky one. We were so cool--she had the car, we had cell phones (big deal then people!), and we became instant friends. Julia and Lindsay lived across the hall. Julia was 'that girl from Texas' and Lindsay was 'that girl with the younger boyfriend back home!' Despite those minor flaws (jk!!) the four of us became friends and over the years found our paths reunited again--having that life changing year of college that brings us back together.

The Lovely Ladies:

Julia has been married now for almost 7 years (is that right???) to Ian. Ian is perfect for her. He is tall and from Texas--enough said! She has two precious little girls and lives in Houston, Texas.

Lindsay followed her life plan without any wavering. She met her husband, Michael in Alaska where they grew up. They dated in high school, she went away to college, they both went on missions, and later got married 10 years to the date of their first anniversary of dating! How cute is that! (I hope I got the story right). They have a beautiful little girl who is almost a year old, and are living in Alaska where Michael is an engineer. This is exactly what Lindsay told me her life would be like in the future since the first time we chatted on the end of her dorm bed.

Jesicah is the girl that took me by surprise. She is loud and crazy, but yet at the end of the day I have the best 'life chats' with her. She truly is someone who I know I was meant to meet and share a year of my life-24/7 with! She has a masters in education and is pretty much running a charter school in downtown LA for some of the poorest kids you'll ever meet. She has a passion for teaching, and is one of those teachers I hope my future kids will someday have.

Now, for all the fun things we did!! Shopping, eating, staying up way too late, hottubbing, an hour (yes only one!) at the beach, and a trip to the Newport Beach temple. Here was the weekend in pictures.

We stayed at Jesicah's parents beach house on Balboa Island

Julia and Lindsay--two hot moms here!

Jes, Lindsay, and I making trying to cook!

Julia and I in our matching shirts! LOL

Playing games all night long

The ladies in front of the beach house

Friendship bracelets!!!!

9 years later from that day we met in DJ hall

At the beach-so overcast :(

Julia, Jes, Lindsay, and I at the Newport Temple

This was just the weekend I needed. I am so glad we travelled from Texas, Arizona, and Alaska to be together. I can't wait to do it again. Now for my yearbook posts: HAHA

Jes--Thanks for the being taxi, entertaining us, and always being true to yourself. I love that we can be in the most heated debates, and at the end of it all respect the others opinions.

Julia-As much as I make fun of your 'julia-isms' I love that you are so about making memories.

Lindsay-Thanks for rubbing my back out! I just love you and am glad that we haven't missed a beat together.

~A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime~

Oh, The Places We Go!

The long duration in blogging has been due to the fact that this has been a summer of travel! And, I must mention that we loved every minute of it.

Things to recap on include:

-My Freshmen Year Reunion with girls from BYU dorms in Newport Beach, CA

-Nick gone to Kentucky for a week of 'fun' aka work!

-The much long and anticipated Reunion (10 years!!) with my best friends from high school in Vegas

-A week long vacation to Williamsburg, Virginia to spend time with his family

-A quick weekend trip to Sacramento for my good friend from high school's wedding

-Our two year anniversary

-My 27th birthday

-Nick starting ASU

I am sure I missing something...but hopefully as I get rid of this writer's block I will have a few more things to say. Stay tuned...

Zion's National Park

Over Fourth of July weekend we decided to meet up meet up at Zion's National Park in Utah with one of my old roommates from my BYU days, Rochelle. Since she and her husband, Jeremy, live in Boston now we aren't able to get together too often. So we jumped in the car, drove 7 hours to 'cooler' weather (it was in the 90's and perfect), and joined in the fun of the Durfey family reunion. We didn't arrive until later Friday evening, but we were sure to stay up playing werewolf until the early hours of the morning. Saturday we spent hiking (Rochelle and Jeremy put up with the gimps that Nick and I have become) and lounging in the river next to the camp ground. We all got nice sun tans, but more than anything we enjoyed the great weather. Sunday, we went to a great church meeting at the local ward for the 4th, before spending the rest of our holiday driving back to AZ. It was a great way to spend our weekend, and we are so glad we got to see Rochelle and her family!

At the trailhead for the hike

Nick doing some extra exploring
Nick and I at the overlook

Nick trying to hang on for his life!

Best of Friends!

The boys being boys: Jeremy and Nick

Friends Forever! Me and Rochelle

Our Chicago Adventures

The Fiet Family gathered from all corners of this good ole' USA for our only cousin's wedding on June 19th. Can you believe I only have one first cousin?! My cousin, Jay had been living in Chicago for the last ten years getting his PhD in philosophy when he met Christa. After being together for 8 years he graduated, and before moving to New Haven to accept a job teaching at Yale (very cool) they decided to tie the knot. We decided to make a family trip out of it, and were glad that everyone could make it except for Rachel, Becky, and the nephews.

We packed so much in to two days. It was unbelievable how much sightseeing my mother can pack into a trip! We used all forms of transportation--train, bus, taxi, and of course plenty of walking! And what trip would be complete without great eating (see the pictures below). We saw the John Hancock Tower from the top floor (3rd tallest building in the world), a Cubs baseball game at Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, lots of shopping, and nearly survived a 'gust-nado' while on a boat tour of the Chicago River! We walked away alive after having to emergency dock the boat, account for all the passengers injuries from flying chairs, didn't get to finish the tour, and only got a lousy poncho out of the experience. Seriously, our whole family could have perished!

The wedding reception was fabulous! The restaurant was so yummy. My mom provided the most entertainment as she was stealing all the animals that were used for the place settings at the tables so she could take them home to her grandsons. Of course our family was tearing up the dance floor in our usual fashion. We all had such a great night, as it ended with a hilarious cab ride back to the hotel with my dad telling the cab driver how to drive!!! Hah! Can't wait for the next Fiet family vacation, because this one was certainly over too quickly. Here is the proof that a great time was had by all.

Nick at Navy Pier

The family getting ready for the Boat Tour. Notice how dark the clouds are getting!

Kevin hanging over the boat as we head towards the dark clouds. At this point everyone is commenting on how we think we are headed the WRONG direction!

The storm then happened: This is at 4pm!! My Dad emailed me this picture when I got home. He found an article on the Internet the next day that had this picture showing how lightning struck the two tallest buildings at once. Don't forget we were all on a boat at the time this was all going on!!!

After the emergency dock, we had to wait out the storm. My dad and Nick decided to re-enact the fear that overcame all of us as they told us to take cover under the boat!

Katherine and I 'enjoying' our selves in the 'free' ponchos!

Nick's only request: Deep Dish Chicago Pizza

Kevin, Grandma, Nick, and Me

Katherine, Mom, and I outside the restaurant

From the top floor of the John Hancock Tower

Me overlooking Chicago and Lake Michigan from the top floor of the John Hancock Tower

Katherine in the middle of Michigan Ave.

Nick and I at Wrigley Field with all those crazy Cub fans

Nick and I before the game started

All of the cousins together:
My brothers (Kyle and Kevin), Jay and his new wife (Christa), along with me and Katherine

My mom stealing the animals! Seriously too funny for words! I just love her!

Everyone getting down on the dance floor--everyone as in my family!

We had such a great trip. Congrats to Jay and Christa on their wedding. We can't wait to go back to Chicago to pack in some more sights.