When in Rome...

I hope everyone had a fun Halloween! I love dressing up. It's my favorite part of Halloween. Brad agreed to be a gladiator and I think his costume turned out sweet!

Here are a few pictures of our fun...











Friday night the Petersen's had a great party! We love living so close to them and getting to see them and the Burgess' as often as we do. Aside from hanging out and checking out everyone's unique costumes, my favorite part of the night was tasting all of the potions and guessing their contents. Sarah decorated old bottles with spooky labels and filled them with various colored drinks. Everyone taste-tested each bottle, labeled "snake venom," "human flesh," and other fun things. We then had a contest to guess what was really in them.

Saturday, Brad and I hung out with some friends over at Jenaca and Stephen Jett's new home (which was beautiful by the way). Unfortunately we forgot our camera so we didn't get to snap any photos of the fun. Everyone had great costumes and we competed in various Minute to Win It games! Afterwards we watched Flightplan.

I hope everyone else had a great holiday weekend!

Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch?

Brad and I always want to test out new restaurants, but we're scared to spend money on a new place that we aren't already sure we'll love. So we always end up going to the same three places. And ordering the same three things.

When I hear about free food, I jump on it! I woke up early on a Saturday to enjoy French toast and home-made butter syrup at Macey's grocery a few weeks ago. We also tried to spend the night in the Chick-fil-A parking lot about a month ago to earn free chicken for a year.

So why am I writing this post? To let all my loyal readers (that adjective was exaggerative and hopeful) know about an opportunity to get a FREE DINNER in Downtown Provo tonight or tomorrow night!

The Bradley PR Agency is conducting research for Downtown Provo. If you are interested in participating in a focus group and dining for free, email bprresearch@gmail.com. Hurry cause we need enough time to send out confirmation emails!

This survey is for Provo residents who are between the ages of 18 and 30. It'll be fun. Enjoy!

What's in a name?

When I got married, I took upon myself a new last name, which I might add, I love. Ah, alliteration. Someday I hope to be friends with Marilyn Monroe, Kris Kringle and Ronald Reagan. Now I represent past and future Nichols' and Terry's.

But, more importantly, I have taken upon me the name of Christ. Our discussion in relief society today turned to this topic. I have taken His name upon me, so I hope I am a good representative of all that He is.

Elder Mervyn B. Arnold gave this wonderful talk on the subject at this month's General Conference. It is a good reminder to always represent Christ in all that I do and say, in how I spend my time, in my faithfulness and how I treat others.

Look what I made!

Next up: a mustard, yellow pencil skirt.

I did not play team sports as a kid.

Growing up, my siblings and I were encouraged to participate in at least one extracurricular activity per season/semester. While my sisters did swim team, karate and soccer, I did not. I didn't really see myself as an athlete and wasn't the fondest of team sports. (I knew I wasn't a stellar athlete and felt the pressure of performing well for my team.) So, I tried piano, flute, private swim lessons, ballet, jazz, hip hop and gymnastics. Oh, I guess I did powderpuff football too, if that counts. I do have a few experiences playing team sports...

1. I was on a softball team as a second grader. I remember hitting the ball (this was my strong point), running to second base, and then realizing I didn't have my mitt! I felt naked. I sprinted back to the dug-out as the spectators and team looked on, probably laughing. I can take credit for naming our team the "Purple Angels" though.

2. As a high school freshman, I played on a YMCA soccer team. I played center forward in my first game. I was surprised when my teammate didn't pass me the ball. After all, I was standing right in front of the opponent's goal line. Pretty soon, I learned what offside meant. I also figured out pretty quickly that players couldn't run off the field during play to get a drink of water...

After those attempts, I stuck with my other talents.

Although I didn't participate in team sports, I finally realized that I really liked sports. I just chose to stick to non-team sports like running, wake boarding and dance. (Yes, dance is a sport.)

Over the past couple of years, I found a love for tennis. My husband and I enjoy playing and several of my friends play. I've improved exponentially over the past two years. Tennis is the perfect sport because I get to be an athlete without the pressure of playing on a team!

But, this morning I was reminded why I shied out of playing team sports as a child. Before work, I played a few doubles games for my BYU intermediate tennis class. My doubles partner was really good. I don't think it was a coincidence that both opponents continually hit the ball to me and not her. We lost and I felt like it was my fault.

In public relations I have learned to be a better teammate. I just have yet to apply that to athletics. One day.

Wednesday (favorite and least favorite)

Day:
Favorite: Saturday
Least fave: Monday

Personality Trait
Favorite: it's too hard to choose just one. Loving, fun, interesting, self-confident, and caring are tied.
Least fave: arrogance

Fast Food
Favorite: Chick-fil-A
Least fave: Taco Bell

Beverage
Favorite: Cranberry-raspberry juice
Least fave: milk (unless it's with Oreos)

Person
Favorite:
Least fave: this is my little secret ;)

Bad habit:
Favorite: breaking split ends
Least fave: procrastination

Speaking of Chick-fil-A, whenever a new restaurant opens, Chick-fil-A has an awesome promotion where some people end up getting a free Chick-fil-a meal every day for a whole year! Brad and I are probably going in November. Ask me if you want to know the secret! (We tried to do this with the new Chick-fil-A that just opened in American Fork, but didn't know all the rules until we got there.)

I didn't go to the Great Wall of China, but...

I still had a wonderful weekend! (My lucky sister Brittani is living in Changzhou this semester and visited the Great Wall this weekend.)

Brad and I had a lovely time and did just about everything other than sleep. In addition to buying a new car (see post below), we went to a homecoming dance! (I asked him this year.)


Before the dance, we filled up on delectible cheesy dishes and salad. I ate only until I was full so I didn't have to waddle out of Olive Garden like I usually do. Who wants to go to a dance on a full stomach? Not me.

The theme was "Discover the Treasures of the Reef" so naturally, the dance was at an aquarium. We were slightly unimpressed with the venue as it was not as classy as we'd hoped. Maybe it's my Southern roots, but when I hear the word "aquarium" I think of the Georgia Aquarium. I pictured Brad and I waltzing next to a giant glass case with a whale shark looking on.

There were no hammerheads or anything, but the dance was still cool! Nemo fish, lemonade, and dancing with my best friend made it an incredible evening!

Afterwards, we wanted to dance some more so we hit up a club and got our salsa on. Would it be a cheesy ending if I said our hips didn't lie?

In addition to dancing, we spent some quality time with the family. Eating fondue, having our own dance party and playing games made for some fun family memories!

We'll miss you, Hopper!

Before belonging to us, Hopper was Brad's Grandpa Terry's. He was a good car. A '97 Ford Explorer. He carried us practically all over the Western U.S. We traveled to Arizona, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Utah. Additionally, he towed Deb's boat, earned us two tickets (We don't mind blaming inanimate objects for our mistakes...), survived a minor accident with Brad, moved us and... some other things.

This weekend, we said goodbye to Hopper. Although we loved him, we were ready for something new. Something that wouldn't require us dropping a few hundred unexpectedly every once in awhile.



Saying goodbye...

But now, we have a new beauty. Welcome to the family, XXX! (Our new car doesn't have a name yet. We're thinking "Lanta" but are not sure yet.)Here's the new ride, a 2010 Hyandai Elantra.

October

Today marks the start of my favorite month! Welcome, fall. (I know fall already technically started, but to me it starts in October.) It is also my grandma's birthday today! Here's Bud, me and Grandma this summer.



A few reasons why I adore October:

*Crisp, chilly air (and cute, light jackets and Bradio walking with his arm around me.)
*Anything pumpkin flavored (pancakes, cookies, cake, muffins)
*Colorful leaves (Utah is still beautiful, but Georgia is the best at this time of year)
*Deciding on a Halloween costume
*The fall/winter wardrobe comes out! (Even though I'll want my summer clothes again in a month)
*College football! (C'mon BYU...)
*Hot chocolate, apple cider
*Witches Night Out with my sisters-in-law!
*Using the green blankie and sleeping with the windows open :)


And for this weekend, General Conference and Brad's mission reunion!