i heart boba

Tristan and I love boba. When we are home we have to get boba cause i haven't been able to find a good place in Utah. Today we went on a boba date with Kelsey. It was quite romantic.

Tris lounging in Bubble Tea.

Christmas Celebration

This years Christmas experience was amazing. It was full of old and new traditions that i'll share. We ate our Christmas eve dinner at the Tuckers which included ham, funeral potatoes and all the other good stuff.

My Dad read us all the Night Before Christmas. Such a good book.

Next we opened our PJ's... so cute, right?

My dads brother and sister and our cousins joined in the festivities which made for an excellent Christmas Production. After we open PJ's we dress up and put on the best Mary and Joseph story you have ever seen while my Mom and Dad read the story from the scriptures.

I was a wiseman and Tristan was an excellent Joseph.

After the production we went over to the Perdue's for the sibling gift exchange. I knew whatever was in this bag must be good.

Next we passed around the stocking where you pulled out something from inside and explained what it symbolized pertaining to Christmas.
We left out some cookies and milk for Santa and hit the sack with visions or sugar plums dancing in our heads.
We woke up at 5:45am to open presents at the Perdue's. Early but totally worth it. After we opened presents we went met my family at Camp Pendleton to take Christmas to the Marine Recruits. It was such a great experience when we went at Thanksgiving that we all wanted to go again.

Breakfast for the Recruits. Kelsey's action shot.

Mike and Kelly

Dad, Shawn and Tristan

Me and Mom

Everyone who was there Christmas morning. We are on the right.

After Camp Pendleton Tris and I went to the Tucker's to open presents. Tris and I gave each other new phones. Tristan and his new Droid.

After presents we waited for Brady to call. It was sweet cause we hung up saying, "Welp, see ya in 11 days!" Then we went to the Perdue's to talk to Tristan's younger brother, Corey, who is also on his mission.
Christmas 2009 was fabulous for the Perdue's. Hope yours was just as wonderful!

ONE WEEK!

In ONE week from today we will be picking up Elder Tucker from the airport! Today he sent his last email from Argentina and i wanted to share it with everyone.

Well this is the last email home, the next time you hear from me it will be in an airport.

It has been an incredible journey, i feel the exact same as i did 2 years ago, nervous to take the next step reluctant to give up my current life but excited for the coming experience and adventures. It reminds me of the words of Elder Maxwell where he said that life is not measured in minutes but in heart beats, its not guaged by years but by experiences, that every interaction that we have is an interaction with an immortal being and that nothing we do is casual but has an eternal weight. life marches on whether we like it or not.

Here in the end of the mission its easy to forget about all the difficult times that ive gone through, the pain of the experience is forgotten in the joy of the growth and the treasures obtained. Ill never say the mission was the best two years of my life but i will say that they were the best two years FOR my life. it has established a foundation and a pattern of living that i desire to continue to apply. words can not express the gratitude i have for being called to serve a mission and being allowed to become a missionary.

it still doesnt register that i am coming home but i guess it will be a reality soon enough. thank you for all your prayers, they have been answered, thank you for your support it was needed.

I'll see you soon.

love,

Elder Tucker

P.S. i am going to miss being called Elder, i think Brady sounds like such a ridiculious name.

The chain when we first started counting down.

The chain today!

You can imagine...we're kinda getting excited.

Kenzie's Birthday

Yesterday was my little sister's birthday and we had a special visitor come to the party... knock, knock, who's there?

Taylor Lautner!!!! Obviously we're all team Jacob.
We set him up, rang the door bell, and told Makenzie to go answer it. I think she had a heart attack.

Holding hands.

Singing happy birthday.

Oops...i got caught. Tristan understands.

Happy 13th Birthday Makenzie!

Girls Night

Tonight I had a girls night with some of my best friends from the athletic training program. Brit J. is moving back home this week so it was our last night all hanging out together, so sad. We got some hot chocolate and checked out some Christmas lights. First stop was a house in Lindon where you set your radio station that plays Christmas songs and the lights go along with the music. It was so awesome!

Next stop was temple square in SLC. So pretty as usual! We watched the nativity program and listened to some carolers.

My girls. After 2 years of having all the same classes its hard to say goodbye but we already have plans to get together this summer.

My Craftiness

My newest craft idea came from my cousin-in-law, Brittany Barney. She gave me this super cute mirror frame for my birthday and i knew i had to make more.

Of course I went to Ikea to pick up a few more to match. And i also visited a scrapbook store to get the way cute paper. All my materials.

I first painted the wood frame with brown paint.

Then, very carefully, Mod Podge'd the paper on.

Final product hung on the wall.

So adorable huh?

IN-N-OUT!!!!!

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Tristan and I are eating In-N-Out in our apartment in Orem!! It opened last month and to make things even better...its located about 200 yards from our apartment. I never would have thought that i would live closer to an In-N-Out in Utah than i would in Carlsbad. Its our new favorite place and and are frequent visitors. We love you.

Britt's Birthday

Today was my birthday. YAHOO!! My coworker said he saw a few more wrinkles and both my sisters said that 23 is OLD. But i say YEA RIGHT! Lets be honest, 23 aint much different from 22 but i had a totally awesome day!! My birthday celebration started on Sunday when Tristan and I went up to my Grandparents for dinner, grandparent lovin', and some birthday cake.


Today i slept in, watched Rachel Ray, opened my presents and cards from my family (thank you family) and I tried on my new birthday outfit from my mom. Went to work for a couple of hours and all the missionaries in gym sang happy birthday (it was rather embarrassing). I came home and Tristan had made a cake for me! Rainbow chip, my favorite! What a sweetie. We then went to dinner and shopping for Tristans gift to me, new shoes! Then we went to Tristans intramural soccer game. Me being the athletic supporter that i am.

After the game we had friends and family over for homemade apple cider, birthday cake and cupcakes. It was all delicious!

Thank you for your birthday wishes, phone calls, texts and overall Brittany lovin. I really did have an amazing day thanks to Tristan and family and friends. Till next year.

Comma ATC

I'm at work, my phone rings and it's Britt J.(my girlfriend from the athletic training program).
Me: Hey Brit J!
Brit J: Did you check your email today?
Me: No....
Brit J: You probably should do that, nowish.
Me: (light turns on) Oh. My. Goodness. Let me call you back!
Pretty sure my heart rate was at least 200+bpm as im logging into my e-mail, clicking the link to the BOC website, with my coworkers hovering over my back, hands shaking, pure adrenaline.
Username, password, logged in....
STATUS: PASSED

I passed!! So ecstatic, high fives all around! Everything I've worked for and studied came down to this and I passed and It's over. Hugh sigh of relief. Next step is to get licensed as a certified athletic trainer with the state of Utah and totally become official.
How cool is it to have initials after your name? Never thought i would.
Brittany Perdue, ATC., LAT. (athletic trainer certified, and licensed athletic trainer)
Ill be practicing my new signature for sure. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this point. Love you all!
Sincerely,
Brittany Tucker Perdue, ATC.

Perdue Pole

That's right... Christmas has arrived at the Perdue's. Sunday, after we got back in town, Tristan and I put up all the decorations. Tris says i have way too many decorations but i say NO WAY!
Our tree's 3rd Christmas already.

I got new stocking holders. So cute!

Nativity. The star is a new addition.

Thank you Tai Pan for making my house cute.