Family Finds Family

For those of you who know me know that I have an extremely large family. So many cousins I don't think I can name them all, some I didn't even know of! But last Thursday night after work I went over to my Aunt Karen's (AuntieMy) house and had what seemed like a small family reunion. My cousin Rachael was there with her little girl Carter (brunette), and my other cousin Meghan was there with her little girl Addie (blond). We had a great night with Chinese food and Dairy Queen! It was so nice to catch up and have a night of family. Thanks so much to Rachael for setting everything up, it was wonderful!

I would also like to take the opportunity to say thanks to my Auntie-My-Karen! It is so nice to see her I just love her so much! Since my Mom moved to California, I feel a little homesick at times. But whenever things get to be too sad my Aunt is always around. Sometimes just so that I can see her face. As some of you know my Mom and my Aunt look so much alike it is scary. So with my Mom living in California now it's nice to have someone close by who looks very similar to her! Yes it my sound a little childish but I just miss her face so much sometimes. I love you Momma clear up to the moon!!! You too AuntieMy!!!

Update...

Ok it has been a long time since we have blogged so bear with me. In August I (Jacque) went back to school to get my Certified Nursing Assistant courses out of the way. I got through them with flying colors, even with a broken foot! Yep Eric, Adam, Bree and I went out for a friends birthday and me having very limited experience on high heels should have known better. But I got through it and thats what counts. I finished my class and got offered a full time position at Phoenix Children's Hospital in the ICU. I am so excited to start, I just have to take my state boards this coming Monday and then I go full speed ahead! On top of the wonderful job they also offered me full tuition reimbursement!!!

Other than school things have been going great. My best friend Lindsay gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl, Cameron Jennifer Brummer. She was born a beauty and continues to grow into it. I couldn't be more proud of Lindsay she is a wonderful mother and a phenomenal person. We also have two other friends that will be new parents next year. Matt and Nicky Mozingo!!! They have been great friends of Eric since high school and took me in like they've known me forever. Our congratulations to them they will be wonderful parents!

Eric has been staying very busy with work. I can't even count all of the side jobs he is doing now, way too many. He is still at Competition Engineering working way too hard and most nights working with his good friend Buddy Hale from T1 Restorations. I don't understand all that they do but the work is beautiful. He is getting ready to due the annual Baja 1000 down in Mexico, a little work but a ton of fun. He loves this trip and is traveling with GnR racing, a family owned trophy truck racing team with two trucks. He will be in Heaven.

And last but not least I got some very exciting news ... I finally got into the Nursing Program!!! I will be starting in January and here is the kicker, I got my first choice of program, the accelerated one. So it lasts for 18 months instead of the traditional 24 months. Which means besides the obvious of Nursing school, Eric and I can finally set a Wedding date YAY!!! So we've talked and we think we like October 10, 2010. It's not set in stone but as soon as it is we will let everyone know. I think that is everything, I will update next week when I have some news on my state board test and my doctors appointment for my lovely broken foot.

Ah Paris...

On Thursday the 10th Eric and I headed to Paris! We had no idea what to expect but Paris is a Beautiful Beautiful city. We arrived so late at night that we just stayed in at our hotel: Hotel Saint Jacques! On Friday Eric and I started the day with the Pantheon and went down into the crypt, and another church on the side of the road that we couldn't find out the name of! Then we spent the afternoon at The Notre Dame Cathedral. It was amazingly beautiful. We ended our night in Paris at the Arc de Triomphe, massively huge and gorgeous. On Saturday we started our day at the Effiel Tower and went all the way to the top! Seeing the city from that high up was breathtaking. After the Tower we went back to the Arc de Triomphe to see its size during the day. The Arc was by far my favorite part of Paris, it made the trip for me. Sunday we packed our stuff and left Paris to come back home. We were ready, ready to be home, ready to sleep in our own bed and ready to speak our own language. But by far were not ready to start our 14 hour flight! We had the best time traveling throughout Europe, and our little travel bunny Cassie was a great asset and tons of fun. We miss her already!

WOW... Venice

On Tuesday we headed to Venice and I seem to have forgotten all its beauty. Venice is amazing, such a gorgeous city. We started in Saint Marks Square, in all its glory. We spent the day just roaming the City getting lost and almost falling in the Grand Canal many times. Wednesday we headed back to Saint Marks to feed the pigeons... wow scary scary birds so aggressive. That afternoon we went to Murano and saw some beautiful glass works of art, plus a little shopping. The shopping continued the next day but we started the day with a Gondola ride. The ride was lovely, we had a funny and knowledgeable driver who made our morning wonderful. We also saw the Rialto Bridge and Casanova's old residence. After such a crazy and busy time in Rome, Venice was a breath of fresh air. Italy was a wonderful experience and journey not to mention the food!!! That might have been one of my favorite parts. We were in Italy a total of 8 days and Eric and pizza for every lunch and every dinner I couldn't believe it. I don't know how he will go back to American pizza after that.

Rome!!!

On Friday the 4th Eric, Cassie and I headed to Rome. We had a wonderful time there seeing all of the sites. On Saturday we went to Saint Peters Square, The Vatican, The Sistine Chapel, Peter's Basilica with Michaelangelo's La Pieta, the bridge and Castle of Saint Angelo, Piazza Navona, The Pantheon (which was closed due to a political rally) and Piazza della Minerva. It was really a wonderful and full day for us. On Sunday we saw the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon (the inside too), we also did Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain at night. Another busy busy day! On Monday we started in Campo di Fiori (an outdoor market), saw The Sacred Heart of Suffrage Church, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain this time in the day time. We had a great time in Rome, and were very sad to leave, but excited for our next adventure... Venice.

Yet another car...

So after the day of Porsche we exit our hotel to meet Cassie to go and do laundry and what do we find? Another Porsche! Outside our hotel building sat a 1960 era 356 B, it was wild. Well its getting late and tomorrow we are heading to Rome!!! We are so excited and glad to be traveling with a great group of people. Seven other student teachers Cassie is working with are traveling with us, a very nice and fun group, we are thrilled. Well we're off to Rome, then Venice and after that Paris!!!

Wish us luck,
Eric and Jacque