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.