park city

The Sundance Film Festival is wrapping up here in Utah and we caught a part of the action last night. oh. my. goodness. I just LOVE Park City. It is a beautiful mix of mountain life and mainstream environment. We headed up there with three other couples: Tristan's "systems" friends and their wives. We caught a film called Shorts that was a compilation of five short films. They were all very interesting to say the least.

 waiting in line for the show

the big screen

 us with patricia and tyler in the theater

 After the movie we walked up and down Main Street and settled on the Blue Iguana for dinner. Tristan ordered the burrito grande. Think of the biggest burrito you have ever seen and times that by four. No exaggeration, it was literally gigantic. 

After living in Utah for 6 years I am so glad I was finally able to experience the Sundance Film Festival. It was a fun experience despite no celebrity sightings. Maybe next year.

dinner for two

Yesterday, I walked in the door at 7:00pm from working a 10 hour work day. It was crazy busy all day in the office and I was exhausted...and hungry.  Tristan met me at the front door and guided me into the house to see a beautifully set dinner table for two. Each place setting had two plates, two forks, the works, complete with place mats. Our wine glasses were filled with apple juice. A three course meal, I was impressed. I am so thankful for my husband.

This caption accompanied the above picture:

"A romantic dinner for two on the beach. We walk barefoot in the sand to our table where we can hear the ocean waves and see the bright stars above. We gently wiggle our toes in the sand as we gaze at the candle light, each others eyes, and crashing waves. The waiter recommends fresh catch of the day, his favorite side dish, and an amazing dessert."

Hello...sign me up for that!!

so fresh, so clean

Guess what we did today?

We cleaned our carpets. 

Goodness it's an amazing feeling to have everything so clean and organized.

crepe makin'

Yet another item we received for Christmas was a crepe maker. So, last night we busted it out and made dessert crepes with the Jacksons...and Olivia.  They were easier than anticipated and delish. 

Fillings we used: vanilla yogurt, bananas, raspberry's, blackberry's, apricot jam, and whipped cream.

 Ryan's perfect raspberry atop banana arrangement.

 Tristan: the crepe maker.

Thank you, Olivia, for visiting and bringing your parents to eat crepes with us. 

Kelseys Birthday

Kelsey celebrated her 19th birthday last Tuesday. We went to dinner and then had everyone over for an ice cream sundae bar. yummmm.ie. 

Bangkok!

 19 in sign language

 singing happy birthday

loaded sundae

Happy Birthday Kels!!! We love you tons and are so happy to have you here, in Provo, with us. 

Love, Brit and Tris. 

inermountain health care

My first week on the new job is already over. It went by very fast and was quite overwhelming at times. It's never fun being the new girl, starting over at the bottom of the food chain, but this isn't the very bottom because I'm not learning everything, just learning the flow of the office.

Friday I said my goodbyes to my awesome coworkers, Craig, my boss, and the nurses. I became a little teary eyed once but other than that I was all smiles and ready to move on.

Megan and I worked the afternoon shift together. 

Elder Albright serves in the MTC. We arrived at the MTC around the same time and would play volleyball together a few times a week. Most awesome missionary.

Monday, I was at orientation bright and early. This lasted all day and by the end of the day my brain was fried. Too much new info. Tuesday I went to the Saratoga Springs office all day for training. This office is much slower than the Provo location which allowed me to learn and practice skills I'll need to know. I learned how to use the computer programs and how to put on and take off casts and fiberglass splints. Half an hour after I learned how to remove a cast using the cast saw I was able to put my skills to work on a real live 17 year old patient. The mother of the patient asked if I had ever done this before. My response, "Oh yea, plenty of times." The doctor backed me up, "She's a pro." HA! Wednesday and Thursday I was in the Provo office, where I will be working. This office is very fast paced in comparison. I was able to put casts on a few patients, teach exercises, fit braces, and assists the doctors. I finished up my first week in the Saratoga springs office on Friday. 

So far I am loving it. It is a good mix of sitting, doing stuff on the computer, and being up helping patients. For now, my normal schedule will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday all day with Wednesdays off. Working 4 days still gives my full time status (because the days are long) but also allows for what i hope will become "crafting/sleeping/working out/running errands Wednesday.  This Wednesday I am already planning on sewing a make-up bag and Tris and I are going to go up to Park City for the Sundance Film Festival with the Jacksons. We're hoping to see some celebs. Hopefully the second week is just as good as the first was.

dutch oven cookin'

Mike and Kelly gave Tristan and I a dutch oven and all the accessories for Christmas, totally awesome, right?

I'm not much of a camper but I'm all for using my dutch oven on my front porch while I stay warm and clean inside my house but still have the benefit of eating delicious food. I fell in love with Kelly's delicious dutch oven meals last summer and I've been dying to try it out. I called my Grandpa Jensen and asked him how he makes his famous "Jensen dutch oven potatoes". He helped me out and gave me his tips and secrets. While Tris was in a meeting I got dinner started. Lit the charcoal in the chimney, never done that before. Spread out the coals and put the taders in the pot. Very proud of myself. 

 dutch oven right outside our front door

I put in potatoes, bacon, onion, jalapeno peppers, green bell peppers and salt and pepper. Delish!

I'll keep you updated on my other dutch oven adventures. I'm craving dutch oven cobbler. AH!

Thank you Perdue parents for the wonderful gift and thank you Grandma and Grandpa Jensen for all the help. We love you...and dutch oven food.

sewing with a singer

I opened my sewing machine a few days after Christmas for my first project: a pin cushion. It was a rough start that I have since overcome. I swear it was the machine but Tristan calls it "severe operator error". The point is that I have progressed since then. 

Today I attempted and completed my second project: a laptop case. It was a lot to think through because I had a basic idea I was going off of but I changed it a bit to add a flap. 

my supplies

 All done. Slip the laptop in....

 ...close the flap and done!

 Success!! My macbook is no longer homeless. 

Everyone once in a while this troublemaker came around to check up on me and offer his opinion.

 

I love sewing already.

it's official

I am Utah Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine's newest employee.

A couple weeks before Christmas break one of my girlfriends from the AT program told me about a job opening at this doctors office where she works. I applied, got a call back, interviewed, took a tour, met the doctors, and shadowed for a couple hours. In the beginning I wasn't getting the best vibe about the new opportunity but as time passes i feel this is the right decision, my next career move. The Utah Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine office is located in the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, the big hospital in Provo. They, "...specialize in treating injuries resulting from an active lifestyle. ...expertly care for fractures, sprains, concussions, contusions and lacerations. [And] provide evaluation, onsite x-ray, casting, bracing, and initial rehabilitation programs." As one of the two athletic trainers working in the office I will be assisting both sports medicine doctors, one is a BYU team physician and the other is a UVU team physician. I will mostly be doing casting, bracing, teaching rehab programs and working as a physician extender, helping the doctors with whatever they need. 

Yesterday, I received a call officially offering me the position. I accepted and was immediately set up with an appointment for a criminal background check, education verification, drug test, TB test and other needed vaccines. This morning I went to the hospital to complete my drug test. Believe it or not, I was super nervous. Passing was not the issue but filling the cup adequately was. Such an embarrassing experience, handing over your pee to a stranger. I walked out of there with a flu shot in my left shoulder, a tetanus shot in my right shoulder and a TB test in my forearm. I then went up to HR to take my ID badge photo and fill out mass paperwork. And I'm set! My official start date is January 17th and I'm very excited for this new experience.

I put my 2 weeks notice into Craig yesterday. He is, "very happy for [me] but sad to see [me] go". He was amazing to call the doctor I'll be working with to put in a good recommendation for me. I just love Craig, he's the best boss I have ever had. I will miss the MTC SO MUCH!! The last year and a half has been a blast and has helped me become the athletic trainer I am. There is no other place like the MTC where you can feel the spirit, serve the missionaries and be surrounded by good people while you work. I have two weeks to dominate the four-square court, raid the bookstore and live it up! I'll make it the best 2 weeks ever.

refreshing

As much as I love the holidays, I love having my house back to normal. Its like having a new house putting up decorations i haven't seen since September. Less clutter, refreshing colors, i love it.

 My plant, survived the 2 weeks we were out of town. I love this plant, so low maintenance.

Back to normal life.

its a new year

Starting the new year off right with a post on the blog. 

The evening started with sending Makenzie, recently turned 14 youngest sister, to her first stake dance. She was super excited, obviously. She states it was the, "best night ever!" 

My mom, Kelsey and I had to tag along to document the event. 

Then Tristan and I tagged along with my parents to an "old and married people party". We had a good time, I swear.

We ate food, laughed at youtube videos, watched Ryan Seacrest's New York show, counted down the seconds and brought in the new year with a kiss and shot of sparkling cider.

I can't wait to see what our 2011 brings. 

Wishing you the happiest and healthiest new year!