Brett & Kellie

Dr. Brett and Kellie Burtenshaw!

2012-01-07T17:52:00.001-08:00

This was the year! the year that Brett finished Medical school! He applied to many residencies and actually prematched at Janesville WI. We feel so blessed because now instead of waiting and hoping that we match somewhere we know where we will be going and we know that we already like it!

A year or so ago one of our friends who had already got into Janesvilles family medicine residency called Brett and helped him get a two week rotation. Brett loved it there, I loved it there, we already had friends and it was everything we were looking for to start our family. a smaller town with friendly people. We were planning on ranking Janesville number one on our match list but luckily we didn't have to wait until March to actually match. On december 1, 2011 Brett received a call from the director of the program in Janesville. The director told Brett that they wanted him to join their program and would give him a week to think about it. Brett accepted the position and now we are busy planning for the future! looking at houses and neighborhoods.

Mercy Hospital, where Brett will be working!

One of the things Janesville is famous for! They have the national water skiing competitions on the river going through the city!

The move will be so easy! The program is paying for the move and so we won't have to do much! Besides it's only a few hour drive from Chicago to Janesville!

I could get use to this! When we were staying in Janesville I didn't hear any sirens! I have become so use to them in Chicago that when I woke up in janesville the silence was music to my ears! It is a very peaceful place!

Us before the interview dinner with Matt and Leigh!

SUSHI!!!! SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Brett right before his interview! they put us up in a hotel, it was a great weekend!

A cheese shop in WI!

We are so excited to be moving to Janesville! Chicago has been so much fun but I couldn't last too much longer here. Janesville can't come soon enough!

In the meanwhile I am still working at the university of Chicago reproductive medicine clinic and Brett is working at a charter school helping special education kids

2012-01-07T16:55:00.000-08:00

Chicago 2011 winter

We have had so many awesome times the last few months here are some pics and some of our favorite memories

For new years eve we headed North East for Niagara falls!

It was the best new years ever!

We had an awesome kiss straddling the U.S and Canada border!

This is what Brett wore to his residency interviews!

Our Halloween costumes for 2011

Nauvou IL, 2011

We were able to spend a week having Brett's cousin Katie and her husband Kieth with us while he was interviewing at Northwestern for PA school

The Chicago Art Institute

Christmas work party at a suite in Wrigley field!

Our super ugly tree! it was so nice when we bought it!

Our souvenir from the german festival in down town Chicago! it's a music box nativity!

Our residency checklist! Janesville is the Winner!

A cake I made for a coworker who has been one year with out smoking!

update on the Burtenshaw family

2011-11-20T19:20:00.000-08:00

Hey all!
I know it has been a while and I do apologize but life has been so busy this year. I am still working at the university of Chicago Center for Reproductive medicine. Brett is in the middle of his second to last rotation of medical school! Right now we are in the middle of interviewing for residency. Brett got some competitive scores on step I and II so he has been traveling around interviewing for our next adventure called residency! We are so excited for this change and literally can't wait to start! Brett has interviewed in Janesville WI, Quincy IL, Chicago IL, Vegas NV and will be interviewing in FL soon. He has had some great interviews! And we have met some really great people along the way.
We will find out where Brett will match on what is appropriately called match day. I think this may be the most excited day of our married life so far. Match day is in march and I think I will be taking the day off for this event! We will be moving to wherever we are going in May and Residency starts in July. Brett will be walking at graduation on 6-8-12!!!! I can't believe it's finally so close!!! We are very happy with were we are in life right now and can't wait to get started on the next part of life!

2011-09-04T12:42:00.000-07:00

This summer has been a crazy and oh so fun one! not only did we get to go to Utah in July but Debbie and Mandy came to visit us in July and then in august Matt came to visit as well as we had our 3 year anniversary of being married!

Life is so great!

Brett just put in his applications for residency this week and we are waiting to hear back from them this coming week/month. He worked hard and passed his test with a great score and we are so excited to see what will happen next!

We took Matt out to get some real Chicago Pizza at Giordanos.

A fountain at the botanical gardens.

I know I have more pictures of Debbie and Mandy's trip I need to get them on here.

Matt on a bus a real city bus!

We went on a architecture boat tour with Debbie and Mandy! we had a blast and learned a whole bunch about Chicago!

The day at Navy pier was really fun with Debbie and Mandy and the day we took Matt there we actually saw a cirqe de shanghai perform and saw the fireworks after!

The gardens on top of navy pier!

Debbie and Mandy in MSI!

We did a virtual simulation at the Museum of Science and Industry! so fun!

Brett and Mandy played a relaxation game at the museum Brett whooped Mandy!

There is more to come, especially when we start hearing back from programs about residency!

Hope you all had as fun of a summer as we did!

2011-05-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

One of our date nights this winter... Brett surprised me with a date night to the winter dance night in millenium park. We learned all kinds of dance like the waltz and fox trot. it was one of my favorite dates ever!

Brett by the sky gate aka the BEAN

This is the ballroom that we learned our dances in.

On St. Patties day they turn the river that runs through the city...obviously ....green!

Another one of my favortie dates was today we went to the Joffrey Ballet!!! the performance we saw was called rising stars. It was a contemprary ballet performance rather than the usual classical wich was really nice. The dances were so interesting and the perfermers used connective movement through out the performance.

We had great seats! we sat in a box with super comfy chairs. I was right on the balcony.

The auditorium was amazing!

This was our box! the curtains closed behind us to give us privacy during the performance!

Today was a great day!

Brett even said he liked the performance! It was one of those performances that people yelled Bravo at the end. and Brett also yelled Bravo... mostly for fun but I didn't mind! The performace was so entertaining. We ate dinner at a nice resteraunt called rhapsody, Brett had a nice steak and I had some yummy goat cheese ravioli! Like I said... it was a gret day!

graduation

2011-05-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

Our trip last week to Utah was the best! we kicked off the week with celebrating Brett's birthday by going to the Cubs game that night. It was a BLAST! the cubs won in the bottom of the 10th. Tuesday night we packed and Wednesday we flew home to Utah. Thursday was busy getting ready for graduation and Friday Brett and I went to my morning graduation and then to a brunch at the student union building at Weber State. Then the college of applied science and technology graduation was at 12:30 most of my family was there and after that we went to Debbie's church for a luncheon were more of our family came and we had such a yummy lunch! It was so fun to see our family! We loved seeing our nieces and nephews running around being robots.
The next day was mom's 30th dance recital. It was fun getting some of her old students together making shirts and skits. Her recital went well and I know she really loved having all those people there to support her and this accomplishment.

It was SO cold! we couldn't decide what we were more excited abotu... the game being over and being able to be warm soon or the cubs winning!

YAY! happy graduation to me!

The Dee event center before graduation!

The brunch at the student union building!

My awesome shoes!!! Brett found these for me. the sales lady at the store looked at him funny when he said he was looking for some purple high heels!

Brett stopped me as soon as I got my "diploma" for a quick photo.

Brett was my biggest support all through my college career. He stood right by me encouraging me every step of the way!

Paige, Quinn and Sadie! man I love these kids. I was so lucky that all of my nieces and nephews were able to be there for my graduation, it meant so much to me that they were there!

my dance for mom.

Harlie! This was the first time we were able to meet Harlie, now we only need to meet Nathan our newest nephew!

Grandmas beautiful flowers!

Breandon and Tori had honk for the graduate signs in there car when they picked us up from the airport!

It was a fun trip and was way too short!

Hand made tresures and Christmas!

2010-12-26T21:20:00.000-08:00

Ok so this post has a THEME! every single photo in this post has something hand made in it. My family did a hand made Christmas this year and it made me start noticing that so much in my life is hand made. One of my non member friends teased me because mormon girls learn cooking, sewing and other really useful skills very young.... at first I thought is was funny and laughed along but the more I think about it I not only think it is AWESOME that we learn these skills that the rest of the world is leaving behind, I am so GRATEFUL that I was raised this way... No I was not a pro seamstress or chef or anything for that matter but I've known how to cook a good meal, sew a button or pillow or ya know those kinds of things. for a long time. The world thinks that it's weird that we teach our children these things but you know what....?..... some of my faith in god girls don't have dads and have moms that work full time, and are gone a lot! what a blessing for these girls to know how to make something as simple as pizza to eat!

So as the post goes on I will point out things that are hand made by me or people I love!

This is Grandma and Grandpa Cranmer sometimes Brett and I call them Cranpa and Cranma!

Do you see all those boxes some are wrapped the others are white waiting to be wrapped. Well some of you may recognise those boxes, they are the treasured hand made, hand dipped and hand boxed Cranmer chocolates. Grandpa and Grandma start these the day after Thanksgiving, they make all different kinds and this is a valued family tradition that has been going on for probably half a century! They make home made caramel, peanut clusters, lemon, turtles, mints, cherry chocolates, orange, straberry and rasberry and maybe more. They are so beautful and there is SO much work put into making these for the people they love!

We were lucky enough to get to help box the chocolates, it took about an hour with all four of us and we packed 80 boxes. I couldn't believe when Granpa told us that they normally box ten boxes and then take a ten minute break... that would take all day! I am glad we were there to help! We kept sneaking mints behind granmas back... I think she knew but never said anything.... THEY ARE JUST SOOO GOOD!

This is a fleece tie blanket that I made for Kyle for Christmas this year. We had his name and I thought he would like this and a camo scarf I tied too. It took me about a month to make and I finished the top (the part you see) on the plane to SLC. It was a little embarrasing when the big wig sports authority president (or somehting like that) got up to get off the plane and he had hunter orange fuzzies all over him... he was so nice though and didn't seem to care... after all he was wearing a camo hat and had complimented me on the blanket.... Kyle seemed to like the blanket on Christmas because within ten minutes of opening it he was passed out under it!

This is a headboard I claim to have made....I pulled it out of the garbage after Thanksgiving and thought I could make it beautiful! I wish now I would have taken a before photo... it was looking pretty sad... the fabric part was added and before it was only the dark wood, behind the fabric there is a large gap where there were some metal dowels that had been broken out and busted up... so I punched them all out so I had a huge rectangle gap and made the padded part out of cardboard, batting, fabric, buttons, stapler,gorilla glue, tape and needle and thread... I am very proud of the way it turned out. I have wanted a head board for a long time but we just can't afford one.... I am thankful I found this one by the dumpster! I really felt Heavenly father was blessing me when I found this... and I still think he was.

This was a simple one, I didn't make them but we did decorate them... our first stockings!

This is a wreath I made from left over branches of our Christmas tree! I worked on it for about 2 hours although you can't tell... I love it though! it reminds me of when I was younger mom would always do this.

This advent Calendar is my favorite Christmas decoration/gift. My aunt Georgie made this for us and gave it to me when I was home in October. Everything is hand sewn all the tiny sequense and stitching... this must have taken her a long time and I really really appreciate and love it so much! I have such good memories of racing to be the first kind up at home to put the next thing on the calendar that Georgie had made my mom... now I have one of my own!

This is our Christmas tree this year! Brett cut it down two days after Thanksgiving and I couldn't wait to put it up! The hand made thing in this photo is the ornament at the very top just beneath the bow, it is a picture of Brett when he was a baby attached to a handmade pillow with lace around it. Grandma Burtenshaw made this a long time ago and use to put one of every grandchild on the tree. It was fun to go through them and see Bretts brothers and sisters too. I love it so much and that is why it's at the top of the tree! Under the tree also is Grandma Burtenshaw's Christmas present to us, it's a collection of poems she has written over the last year, we read Where Is Christ... one of our favorite poemsof at our Christmas eve dinner, everyone loved it just as much as we do!

These three things above our TV are hand made from some Trash that our friends were throwing out. I took there card board added batting, fabric, ribbon and buttons and wala!!! art that we can add pictures or in this case Christmas cards too!

This was our table for Christmas eve dinner. There are three hand made things in this photo, over on top of the A/C untit (top right) is one of my most favorite house hold decor pieces. My brother Matt made these two matching containers they are green and bronze slab pots, he is really good at pottery and I would love if he made me some more! hint hint!

The picture of Jesus was hand painted for Brett by an investigator in Germany. The quilted table runner was hand made by Grandma Checketts. She gave it to me a while ago but I can't remember if it was for a birthday or something... I don't use it as a table cloth usually just as a decoration cause I am afraid it will get ruined but it fit so beautifully on the table with all the other green and red decor that I had to use it! Grandma is so talented at Quilting! The vase to the right of Jesus was made for me by Linda Hoffman my boss at Hoffman cleaners in South Ogden, she was such a nice lady!

The only home made things in this photo are James the Westbrooke's baby and Kaili the Hobel's baby... Kaili is in Tori's belly behind my head!

For Christmas mom made me this flannel nighty and Brett those matching pj pants. Kyle is SO good at leather work and made Brett a really awesome wallet with his inititals on it that he will probably start using immediatly and he made me one to with roses and my initials on them... everyone we show can't believe my 16 year old brother made these!!!! I really can't either they are really nice! Thanks Kyle!

This is a hand made MESS!

My next project, a big ol B to go above our bed.

I am so grateful to have been raised by family who taught me to use my hands to create beautiful things for my family and others. It was a wonderful Christmas, Brett and I stayed in the house all day and had a rock band session! the day flew by but we didn't do much of anything besides just be together and it was SO FUN! I hope you all had as great a Christmas as we did!

why this month was the best!

2010-12-19T20:03:00.000-08:00

So this month has been my favorite so far this year! here is why:
1. studied my tail off and felt confident in my finals
2. finished all projects early so we could leave to go to Utah
3. Surprised our families when we randomly showed up unexpected!
4.got to spend quality time with family and especially grandma and grandpa Checketts cause we stayed with them
5. Learned the basics of crochet from grandma
6. helped grandma and grandpa Cranmer with their christmas tradition of chocolate boxes
7. got to spend good time with my parents and brothers
8. learned how to crack wheat
9. saw tangled with Mandy and Debbie
10. got to go to dance with mom twice
11. got to eat at Cafe Rio
12. got to spend a night at Brad and Kelly's so fun staying up late and visiting
13. Got to wrestle with Paige, Quin and Sadie
14. got A's in 6 classes and a B+ in Math
15. ate breakfast everyday with grandma and granpa checketts
16. Went through the Timpanogas temple with Mandy for her first time ( very special)
17. Got to eat at Olive Garden after the temple, had fun talking with Katie and Keith... the only people who can down more diet coke than me.... talented!
18. got to give our presents to Brandon and Michelles family.
19. got to see Brandon and Michelles new house! and had such a nice time visiting with them
20. got to see Matt's baby alpacha Nini
21. Got to go to lunch with matt
22. Got to visit Georgie and again over lunch at El Matador!
23. Got to pull Kennans tooth that has been hanging for a year and she was too scared to pull it or let anyone touch it!
24. got to go to a movie with mom and the boys
25. got to make Grandma fruit crepes for her birthday!
26. got to spend all my free time with Brett
27. made a headboard
28. got to eat at Tacanos with Steve and Nicole and their son Greyson
29. the snow
30. got to visit with Grandma Burtenshaw and Aunt Dalmar and got to take home the cutest ornament of Brett when he was a baby... it's now at the top of our tree.
31. time to relax
32. mom made me a beautiful new temple dress... I think it's the prettiest one out there... and it's warm with secret pockets!
33. went to Breakfast at Jerimiahs with mom, dad, matt and Kyle.
34. got to see cousins, aunts and uncles...
35. going to see Wicked
36. Heather is coming to visit next week
The list really could go forever... my favorites of December though have been all the time we were able to spend with our family.... we really valued the time we had in Utah with you all.... and the other favorite was the temple with Mandy.... it was such a great experience and that temple is so beautiful!

Merry Christmas everyone!

new family photos

2010-12-02T20:45:00.000-08:00

So After two years of marriage we got our family photos done... it was fun and seemed a little like engagement photos! But who says you need to wait to have kids to get your family photos done!!!

Jennacole photography did these for us.

more fun in Chi-town

2010-11-17T19:46:00.000-08:00

Ok there is a story here. I have been doing pretty much nothing lately except studying for tests... I like to be comfy and warm so this is what I end up looking like... Brett thinks it's really funny.... anyway I was coming out of the bathroom and Brett was standing right there to scare me...anyway it worked and I had pretty much a heart attack.... so I of course chased him and he ran into the kitchen where I followed and because of these awesome socks... I biffed it pretty bad right there on the kitchen floor... so while I was down Brett tackled me ... of course! I was laughing SO hard and was so angry at the same time and my knee hurt and I was being tackled and he was laughing... so he tried to help me up but I kept sliding on these dang cute socks.... finally I made it up and one minute later i was getting a drink and I don't know how hw does it he snuck up behind me and scared me again....!!!!!!!!! so I dropped my water bottle and screamed.... Anyway I seriously love our marriage and our life together! Everyday just gets better and better...

We did a trade with a professional photographer Jenna cole of Jenna cole photography She is awesome We babysit her adorable son while she has sessions and in return we work off hours so we can get our family done as well! We think we scored big because we could never afford her any other way and besides her son is so cute and fun!

Brett found this alley and we loved taking pics there... He is such a good sport!

Out on the town!

When Lisa and Jenny Pierce visited B&T they took us to this awesome steak house! mmmm. mouth watering.

Brett's first day of Internal med rotation. He did 4 weeks with Dr. Husane, 4 weeks at 4:30 am every single day....with Dr. Kumar (the one who invited us to the benefit dinner) and now is in 4 weeks with Dr. Suh. He has really learned a lot and is getting smarter and smarter all the time! :)

Navy Pier in Chicago. Date day! you can eat lunch or dinner in that hot air balloon!

Brett has a big mouth!

Date night off to see Shrek the musical... We had ok seats but right before we went inside a woman offered her WAY better and more expensive tickets for FREE!!! her daughter canceled on her at the last minute and she didn't want to go anymore... so we called B&T and gave them our ok tickets and sat up front it was a blast!!!!! Brett really liked it!!!

Yeah we're having a blast here in Chicago!!!

It's getting cold though we'll see what we think about winter!

fun in Chicago

2010-11-17T19:14:00.000-08:00

So we have been in Chicago since August 2010. We really are loving it here! Brett is so close to finishing his internal medicine rotation! He has been working with the Doctors from a hospital close by our house called Jackson Park hospital. The actual hospital is kind off in the ghetto but where we live is really nice and a block away from the beach of Lake Michigan! I have been SO busy with school taking 18 credits including a math class that takes up most of my time. In three weeks I will be done with Math FOREVER! hurray!
In the last while I have visited Utah in October to see family and take a developing team leadership class required for my major of Technical Sales. I also visited California with my friend Tori for her baby shower. Tori's family let me stay with them and we had a blast of a weekend having the shower, shopping, and just getting to know her family and hometown. While I was gone Brett and Brandon Tori's hubby went to a Chicago Bulls game and they had a blast as well! Well we have found a custard place to replace Neilson's in Bountiful it's called Scooters and we LOVE it! it is the destination of many of our dates! We were called to be the activities people for the ward a few weeks before Halloween and then last sunday we were released, I guess the church is disolving the activities committees. Brett is starting to study for CS (clinical science) part of step 2 he will take it in February crazy that we are already to step 2!
This weekend we have our firs dress up medical dinner.... I don't really know what to call it. Brett was invited by the last doctor he worked with, to go to this dinner and lucky me I get to go too! I guess it's a benefit dinner for the Medical association of American and Indian doctors... I probably got that wrong...
here are some pics highlighting our time here so far!

Chicago style pizza at Giradanos! date night!

At Octoberfest!

Brett at the Bulls game!

The do not pass sign in front of President Obamas house. The sign says that if you walk past the sign you and anything you are wearing or carrying will be searched! There are Secret Service everywhere! If Obama was a Mormon he would be in our ward! ha ha!

Obama's house through the trees.

fun at the museum of science!

Chi town second anniversary.

2010-09-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

So we decided to go to a movie a couple weeks ago and since the only one we could afford was the 10 AM show we woke up early and caught the train by our house. We rode up into the city and went and saw inception. We both liked it but the coolest part of the trip was before the movie. While we were walking to the theater we ended up right in the middle of filming for transformers III . They had all the bridges we needed to cross closed and were shooting a helicopter scene. It was really neat to see.

After the movie we walked around a touristy part of the city called Navy Pier and took the train home.
For our anniversary we bought nose bleed seats to SHREK the musical. I was so excited. When we were a block away from the theater a lady stopped us and offered us awesome seats that were much more expensive than the ones we bought. Her date cancelled and she didn't want to go anymore. We were so excited and The musical was awesome! We got in trouble for taking pictures inside.... our flash was off... she said no flash photography not no photography. Anyway It was a wonderful 2nd year anniversary. I can't believe it has been two years already! So much has happened in such a short period of time. I would say these have been my best two years so far.

We got Brett some golf clubs and he improved his golf game, This is the side of the golf course.

The walls in our apartment are basically concrete and it is so hard trying to hang anything on them, we have went through many nails before just giving up. So I wanted to do something for my wall.

My toilet paper roll art. I cut up toilet paper rolls, glued them together and then spray painted them. This is a super light weight piece of art so it was easy to tape up on the wall.

A day with Tori's family at the Science and Industry museum.

I will post more pics when I can get them uploaded. hope you like the update!

Chicago Apt video

2010-08-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

Here is our Chicago Apartment. We want to put more decorations up but the walls are pretty tough!

4.0

2010-08-12T21:42:00.000-07:00

I got a 4.0 summer semester at Weber State I am pretty happy about that!

A couple more semesters and I am a college grad!!!! awesome!!!!

Really we got a new car...

2010-08-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

How weird that I was joking about getting a new car last post and now we actually had to get one.
So on Thursday July 29th I had just finished getting ready for the day and was about to start the last part of packing for the move to Chicago. My family was driving across country to help with the move and were going to arrive that night. Brett had left for his rotation about 20 minutes earlier and the phone rang.... it was pretty early so I wondered what was up. Brett just said KELL..... my heart sank, the way he said it I knew something was wrong. Well a lady had the sun in her eyes and made a crazy left handed turn into on coming traffic which happened to be Brett.

He wasn't hurt to bad. He had burns and blisters on his arms from the airbags but other than that he was ok. So Brandon our friend was so nice to pick me up and we went to find Brett. The car was really crushed on the passenger side corner. The ladies car looked worse than ours. The big bummer was that we had been working hard to pay the car off and we were about a payment away from our goal.

We found out that day that the car was totaled and we would need to buy another car. The ladies' insurance paid for our rental and that is what we drove to Chicago in. Later I mean way later that night my family made it safely to our place. I was SO SO happy to see them. Family just makes everything better! It was good to get hugs and kisses from them! We all went to bed. The next day we packed the Uhaul and then had some fun in Atlanta. We went to the aquarium and then the national museum of patriotism. We had dinner at Steak and shake, one of our favorites in Atlanta.
It was a long day and we hit the sack early because we woke up at 2:30 in order to get on the road at 3:00 am. We met the Hobels at a gas station near the freeway and the trek began.

We made it to Chicago by about 4:00. We had lots of help moving in because we had the Westbrooke and the Adamow couples waiting for us. Krista made a delicious lasagna that everyone loved and it was so nice to have a yummy dinner after the long day of driving. My family stayed in Chicago with us only for a day and then they had to make their way back to Utah. I was so sad to see them go!

the next day we test drove some of the cars we had been researching online. We knew more about the cars than the dealer... we had studied the car fax and compared prices from a lot of places. one car had hit a deer and the sales guy had no idea until we showed him the grill and explained why it was cracked... funny. I am grateful for my education and this day it really came in handy. Because of my contract and negotiations class I was able to get the dealer down about 3,500.00 on the price of the car we wanted. I wouldn't have known what to do with out taking that class.

We drove our 2010 Hyundai Elantra off the lot that night. Because we had our other car almost paid off we were able to put a good chunk of money down on this one and because we did well negotiating the price and warranty we basically stole the car... Also because we are from Utah they used Utah's sales tax instead of the almost 10% here in Chicago. One of the guys working with us looked up the details and told us they only made a couple hundred off the car. that made me happy!!!

The car is AWESOME!!! lots of room, nice interior, ipod hookups, shiny and new!!!

Chicago has been so fun so far!
We have tons of trails and parks by our house. We live one block from Lake Michigan and have beaches all over the place. Our ward is good, lots of people like us there. The university of Chicago is close by so there are quit a bit of student families.

Brett says the thing he likes most about Chicago is everything and I have to agree. We are happy here... Don't quote me but I can see us staying here a while....

We will see...

New Hair! New Car! New Home!

2010-07-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

So we have been in Atlanta for nearly 3 months now. I have been so busy with my school work and haven't had much time to blog.... sorry. We have had a great time in Atlanta as well as some wierd and not so great times but the last two weeks may have been the best of them all!
On July 7th Brett asked me out on a date... we went to the fork and screen movie theater and saw Eclipse... Brett cheers for Jacob... It was a fun date. The next day the 8th Tori took me to a salon here in Atlanta and we both wacked our hair off... That was really fun! A new hair cut/style is always fun and different. I was proud of myself for actually doing it... usually I get too scared.
The next day Brett and I hop in the car and he starts driving, I have the map but have no idea where we are going... Finally after about an hour Brett hands me an envelope with my name on it... I open it up and he had made me some coupons for a new pair of shoes and a hat. He had looked up some outlet malls about a hour north of here and we had a blast walking around! I got an awesome pair of bright green nike running shoes and a really cute black hat!
Pretty great birthday huh? Well it doesn't end there. the next day July 10th my real birthday Brett surprises me with a day at 6 flags!!! We had a blast! we rode pretty much everything!
That night we had dinner at Benihanas!
We were so pooped that night!
Then this last weekend we went on a road trip to Myrtle Beach South Carolina! Our Friends John and Amy Potter live there with their darling baby girl Emily. We hadn't met Amy and Emily yet and had so much fun getting to know them over the weekend! Myrtle Beach was really a cool place! There was so much to see and do, it's one of those places you need a few weeks to get everything in. We went to the beach twice. Brett lost his glasses from the big waves. Myrtle Beach really reminded me a lot of the Bahamas. It really made me miss our scooter! We went to a pioneer day celebration with the Potters and then had an early dinner at a really cool restauraunt which was kinda like Benihannas only with better tasting food! yes it's possible! It was just fun hanging out with John, Amy and Emily. She is the best baby. She never cried just giggled a lot. The drive there and home was really fun too! We listened to all our favorite music and made it through some crazy rain storms!
Brett isn't liking his rotation much. I think a lot of it has to do with the doctor he is working with. He is just a shmuck... I won't say more cause I will get upset.
but Bretts rotation and Atlanta will all be over in 10 days.
We took the car to get serviced, they gave us a really nice loaner car and it was fun pretending it really was our new car for the day. It was so hard to give it back!!! So no we didn't get a new car just used one for a day
We are moving on the 31st we are so excited and anxious to see what Chicago has in store for us!
I will post pics of all this soon!

our apartment

2010-05-16T16:49:00.000-07:00

Here it is! all our stuff is here and in it's place!

We went to church today. Our ward is cool, even though it's the same church everywhere the people are sure more welcoming outside of Utah. It's nice and kind of sad...

our apartment and Atlanta

2010-05-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

We are settled in Atlanta. We really like it here. The other day we wanted to go see iron man 2 and so we looked on the iphone for the cheapest one. We found one called the fork and screen. It was so cool it was an actual dining movie experience. You were seated at a table and waited on before the movie. There was a button to push if we needed anything. We ordered dinner and ate durring the show. It was so cool.

Last night Brett and I went to a place called five points here in Atlanta. What five points was in the olden days was a town where the railroad was causing trouble and a mess for the towns people. So what they decided to do about the mess and trouble following the railroad was built their city up above the railroad leaving the trains mess and trouble underground. Now it is used as an underground mall. There are all kinds of shops and things to do underground there. I found this cool original gas lamp that had a hole in the base from the civil war. There were all kinds of things down under where the trains used to be. Old cars. malt shops, newer stores... It was a fun experience. Today Brett took me to where he has his rotation. After that we went to this place called the steak n shake. Which may be our new all time favorite place to eat. ( in the fast food category) There shakes where awesome. I would say even better than Burger Bar back home... Well we still have lots to do and see, we are planning on going to a braves game and going to the worlds largest aquarium too! It's cool to be here seeing all this stuff! I am glad we have this oportunity.

2010-05-08T07:02:00.000-07:00

This is our nephew Quinn and niece Sadie showing off their moves at the dance recital.

Atlanta!!!

2010-05-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

So we arrived in Atlanta Wednesday night. we like it so far! There are so many trees here... In Utah they have mountains here we have trees! here is our apartment.

We will upload another after we get out furniture and stuff settled in. We have a target, wal-mart and pretty much anything we need close by. We live in a really nice neighborhood. Our apartment is in the corner of the complex and is very private. It's humid here but nothing compared to what we have seen already. Atlanta seems way fun and we are excited to be here.

Last week in Ogden!

2010-04-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

So we are pretty much packed and ready to go! We have tubs and tubs! We are using ABF moving company. They leave a trailer at our place, we pack it and they pick it up and drive it to our new home. We are really looking forward to the move since we don't have to drive all our stuff across country. I like road trips anyway! The dance recital is this week so it is doubly busy! The recital is always a stressful time but since we have the move laying over this one it is taking priority.

Brett is subbing all week and I have rehearsals all week, the recital is Friday at FHS if anyone wants to come. It's crazy to think we are to another move again!

I am glad school is over for now but next semester starts the day we move... bummer!!!

We're Moving!

2010-04-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

So Brett took his Step 1 and passed!!! we are now moving to Atlanta Georgia for a few rotations and then to Chicago for the rest. We are packing already because we are moving May 3rd. We are using a moving company, so all we have to do is drive there and not worry about driving a uhaul or trailer. We have our apartment in Atlanta it looks nice and has most everything we'd like in an apartment. We are excited for the adventure, I love road trips anyway!
Brett has been substitute teaching at a local high school and he is excited to be done with that and moving on to actual hospitals and things he likes! Brett just had his 27th birthday last sunday. He got a few games forhis x-box, scrubs, dress shirts, a cordless dreill and an itunes gift card. He had a good birthday, Debbie took us to Good wood and that was so delicious!
We are very excited for this move and also sad to leave friends and family. I just finished spring semester and am SO glad it's over! I am taking summer classes that start the day we move! ha ha! it never fails I always startor finish the semester during a move.... at least I am still in the same country this time.
The dance recital is next friday, I am supposed to dance in it but have no idea what to do really.... The recital is a big deal to me and so I am trying to get all the moving stuff done that I can now so next week I can focus on that. The dances are sooo cute and the costumes are adorable! I will post pics after the recital.
Well until then...

Still in Ogden

2010-02-20T19:04:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, it's been awhile. Brett and I are still in Ogden. Brett is getting ready to take the lecensing exam soon and I am half way through my semester here at Weber. So not too much is deifferent. Brett had an eye exam today, he got contacts and was an A+ contact putter inner. Starring at the computer screen every day all day isn't good for his eyes. At school I am taking a dance for the camera class, it's way fun and interesting to film dance in cool places. We are looking forward to having Bretts test over. It's been a blast living in Ogden, we are so busy with studying. It's fun seeing people we know in stores and having family around! hope you all are well!

2010 SO FAR

2010-01-13T19:52:00.000-08:00

So I am sorry it's been so long!
With the move and the holidays and starting school my time has been limited.
So we moved back to Ogden and are living with Debbie, Bretts mom. Living with Debbie is such a blessing to us right now! School is just up the road for me and we just got faster internet so Brett can stay home and study all day. So I am taking some dance classes and business classes up at Weber State, I love all my classes! Brett is studying his tail off, trying to get ready for Step 1 in February. He has about 12 books to get through and is really working hard!
Our studies keep us pretty busy but I am also teaching dance at my mothers studio Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We like our new ward, Brett goes every Thursday to play church ball. I like to go and watch, he's a baller for sure! It's been great seeing all our friends and family whenever we can! knowing the roads we are driving on and not worrying about getting lost all the time is wonderful!

After Brett takes this Step 1 we can apply for rotations which we are hoping will be a 2 year stay and we can catch a break from moving every few months. There are lots of options out there for rotations so we havc no idea where we will be living in the next 5-6 months.

Sorry this is short but I have homework that somebodies got to do... better get to it!
Hope you all are well!

2009-10-23T15:25:00.000-07:00

This week has been a fun one so far!
I made my first loaf of bread ever! Also I made a big batch of halloween sugar cookies and Brett and I frosted them. We sent a Halloween package to Casey and since he is on his mission we made these missionary ghosts!

We went to a really nice steak house here to celebrate our friend Erins B-day!

This is us at the university of Miami vs Oklahoma game!

Bretts first day of school here in Miami. To the right Michelle to the left Jake, our neighbors who are also students.

I found this cute apron in bed bath and beyond. It says Domestic diva! I don't think you can see but the pink bow in the center has rinestones on it! CUTE!
We are doing good in Miami, we both are just pluggin away at school and only have 6 weeks until we move back to Utah.

Hope you all have a happy halloween!

2009-09-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

My pics are in backwards order but that is ok.
The one above is Brett and I at a super fun place called the cocowalk. We are eating dinner on a balcony over looking the coco walk, a indoor/ outdoor mall.

The jersey Brett is wearing I gave him for our anniversary. It's a Utah Jersey, Brett has always said he would love to see me in football pads so for our anniversary I granted him his wish and stuffed on of his old jerseys with all the plastics grocery bags I could find. Then I took him to a park by our house and he taught me all there is to know about the game of footaball. Ok not all there is to know, but I learned some routes and plays.

Mom and I at the Georgia border!

mom and I at the Laquinta, where I left a pair of pants a a shirt that I probably won't see again. We are holding up 3 because it's our third day on the road trip to Miami!

This is outside of the Olive Garden The Nelsens took us, Casey and him comp out to dinner. It was so fun to see Casey! He is working hard and enjoying his mission!

Dinner with the Nelsons and Casey!

Casey and someone elses comp.

Vanna White showing us the lovely Kansas border sign!

Mom and I on day one actually this would have really been day two but it was hotel one.

This is the Dolphins stadium here in Florida. The stadium isn't far from our house and we found a good deal on a preseason game so we were able to see the Dolphins play the panthers the day after we arrived in the states.

This was back in the Bahamas, if you look closely you will see a yaght that we are showing off.

This is on the cruise from the Bahamas to Ft.Lauterdale. We are sitting on the front of the ship. You can see the captian station behind us. It was super windy out on the open ocean. We saw these flying fish that were really cool!

Also back in the Bahamas, man Brandon and Tori are just fun people and we miss them a lot.

Well we are settled and getting into a routine here in Miami. The apartment is great and our neihborhood is wonderful. It would be nice if we knew how to speak Spanish though. Brett took his Comp Test yesterday and we are glad to have that over. We won't find out for another week the result but he studied hard and did his best so I know he did great!

Miami

2009-08-11T11:58:00.000-07:00

We are on the 10 day count down for the move to Miami!

Brett has an exam tomorrow and also next thursday and then he is done with 4th semester!!!

We are excited for him to get into hospitals and clinics and get to do more hands on learning! We are moving to the Coral Gables area which we hear good things about from previous residents. We will be in Miami from Aug 21st - Dec 7th. I have never lived in a big city like Miami so we will see how it goes!

Brett and I are taking the cruise ship over to Ft. Lauterdale on the 21st we are planning on getting him all settled and cozy for his study-a-thon for the comp. While he is busy studying I will be flying home to Utah ( :( sadly only for 24 hours). I will be picking up my mama

, the car and my cute Dog Koellie.

Mom and I will be driving through Oklahoma on our way to Miami and we are so lucky that we are able to stop and have dinner with Elder Call ( Casey) and the Neilsons the family that he lives with. That will be so fun!!! Mom will be staying in Miami with us for a night before she flies home to the fam again. I am looking forward to the road trip with mom and Koellie! not looking forward to leaving Brett though!

So Miami will be another adventure we can add to our list. We hear great things about it and are really excited to go to some games and fun places.

The 5th semester students are SUPER busy in Miami they are going to hospitals, doing shifts in the ER, I talked to one a few weeks ago and he assisted in removing bullets from a guys leg... I tried to imagine Brett digging for bullets.... Or cutting the pants off the guy.... interesting thought. I don't think Brett wants to do emergency medicine though but the experience is still very cool! Brett is studying like a mad man for these last two tests. The test he has next week is a 6 hour accumulative exam!

Pic of Coral Gabels the city we will live in.

Here is some info about Miami:

Established in 1896, Miami had a small population of 1,500 people. Back then Miami was mostly used for vegetable and citrus plantations.
Miami sure has grown since those days. Known today as the melting pot of North and South America, Miami is the habitat for people of all nations, and it sure shows in the variety of cultures one sees here.

This is the corinthian where we will be staying, it is furnished and allows dogs!

Spacious Apartments Furnished in Downtown Coral Gables location. Apartment has living room, dining room, and kitchen. Remodeled Unit with over 850 sq. ft./ 1050 sq.ft. of living space. Beautifully renovated kitchen, with new granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. New Marble Bathroom with premium fixtures. Master bedroom (14 X 13 ) with Walk in Closet. All Lines/Towels/Kitchen and Bathroom accessories included. Central A/C, Oversized Balcony Great Panoramic views of Downtown Coral Gables, Downtown Miami and Coconut Grove. Building offers New Fitness Center, New Pool, Gated Parking and Tele-entry access system. Interior lobby and hallways with marble floors. Walk to Miracle Mile. Miracle Mile is a street that has lots of shops and restaurants and fun things to do on it.

We are looking forward to the next 3 weeks there will be a lot of hard work to do but we are ready for it!

funnest week ever!

2009-07-13T10:54:00.001-07:00

So last week was a really busy one but we decided it has been THE funnest week ever!
We were able to spend time with lots of great friends and also got to spend a lot of time together.

On Wednesday evening our friends Brandon and Tori took us out to a nice restaurant called China Beach.

While I was in the restroom they told the waitress it was my birthday dinner so after dinner I got an awesome birthday song and this huge piece of delicious cheesecake!!!

That night we went to their house played games and saw fireworks off the balcony!
This week my birthday was on friday. So on Thursday Tori, Katy and Aileen surprised me after lunch with a trip to the salon for a manicure/ pedicure! it was so fun and felt so nice! I had never had a pedicure before and I decided that I love them! The best part though was being able to hang out with the girls. We don't have much more time here in the Bahamas so making the most of it is a good idea.

Brandon and Tori were so funny they gave me a card with 5 ec in it.... ec is the money we used while living in Dominica and is worth about 1.60 here or in the states. They did it as a joke and we thought it was really funny!

So I woke up on my birthday to a decorated house and yummy smelling breakfast thanks to my wonderful husband!

We had a bunch of unused balloons so we decided we would have a water fight! at 8:30 AM!

We filled all the balloons and left them on Brandon and tori's door step. We knocked and ran.

So they opened the door to find some water filled balloons and this sign!

We were ready for them! They tried to be sneaky and get around us but we got em! Water balloon fights at 8:30 am are really fun!

later we went to lunch in the port and Brett bought me a pair of earings and a really cute bracelet. It was fun having a lunch date for a change. For dinner Brett made my favorite chicken alfredo. We were given some peppers from a woman in the ward and Brett used one called a goat pepper.... I guess the Bahamians love them.... it was the hottest thing we had ever tasted we were eating with sweaty faces and runny noses because of it! although dinner was really spicey it was really good! Then later friends came over for ice cream cake. Yes that's right Brett made an ice cream cake all by himself! it was so awesome! everybody loved it and it tasted great too!

After ice cream I schooled everyone up to round 4 of phase 10 and then we headed out to see some more fireworks. July 10 it Bahamas independence day so there were parties everywhere. We found out that the fireworks wouldn't shoot off until midnight and so we went walking on the beach with the full moon.

This picture is us on a huge life guard chair!

The prop club, one of Brandon and Tori's favs was close by so we went there and found an empty dance floor so the six of us. Us, Brandon and Tori, Knema and aileen had fun dancing funky for a while!

We made our way over to were we thought the fireworks would be and sat and waited. We were sitting on the side of a large canal hoping the fireworks would be fired from the opposite side. Sure enough we were the ones with the best seat in the house! they went off almost right over our heads! it was so AWESOME!

It really was one of the best birthdays I ever had.

Saturday was the banquet for the fourth semester Ross students. Brett was looking sharp and I finally got to wear the dress I bought when I went home. We had a nice dinner and had fun being with friends. There was a dance floor there and we danced a lot, more than I thought we would. When people started getting tipsy we left. but overall it was a really great night!

Here are some pictures of the fun we had at the banquet.

Modeling With Genoveva

2009-07-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

So here is the link to Genovevas photography blog. She was teaching another woman in our branch some photography tips and My friend Aileen and I got the pretend like we were models for a day!
I was looking through her wedding blog and found out that she actually was the photographer for Richie Howards wedding... what a funny coincidence.....
Hope you like them!

http://genwayment.blogspot.com/2009/07/kellie.html

4th of July

2009-07-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

Paul Sweeney: “How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy.”
This last year has really been an eye opener while living outside of the United States. I have realized that I was and am a very blessed person. Growing up I never worried about not having food to eat or clothes to wear. Instead I picked through the food on my plate or didn’t eat it because it wasn’t hot enough. In school I remember not wearing many of my clothes because they weren’t in style. I got a job at age 16 not realizing how important a job is to some people. I would complain about having to work and then after earning a paycheck or two blow it on something too frivolous to remember.
I was a decent student but I hated English class, I didn’t realize that many people of the world would pay anything if they could just learn how to communicate in the English language. I came to understand the importance of government and how it can make or break a people and nation.
I have become grateful for living in a country that has dairy farms so you can have fresh milk at the grocery store and not have to survive off of food storage milk. I became very thankful for the clean water that runs from the tap of my home in Ogden. I never once, growing up ever worried that the water might make me sick or might not be there when I turn the faucet handle. This past year I have realized how some places in the world do not have a dependable police force we have seen a drunk driver smash into someone’s home and the officers just laughed and let him walk home no ticket or jail time.
I have asked myself so many times in the past year why was this other person born here... in a country where it is so poor they will never see anything else, and I was blessed to be born in a place where I had every opportunity in the world sitting on a platter waiting for me to take it. As I watched people washing their laundry in the local river I wonder why them, do they wish for something better? Why me? I complained that the washer happened to be in my room growing up. I should have been thankful that we had our own washing machine so we never had to wear dirty clothes.
As I helped with English Classes in Dominica I asked the people where their families are and how long since they have seen them. For some it has been decades and many countries apart. For some of those people they crave America so bad they can taste it. They work for a while on an island to get enough money to get to the next island that is closer to America. All I have to do is book a ticket and I am home.
I realized I am thankful for so many daily things that I took for granted in the U.S. Electricity, water, A/C, internet, school, sunny days, sidewalks, street lights, warm showers, milk, diet coke, drive through, ice cream, friends and most of all family.
This 4th of July will be the first that I truly truly truly am grateful and thankful to my heavenly father that I was born in America to a good family who loves me. I wonder who I would be today if that one circumstance was changed. I have enjoyed traveling and living in different countries the places and people are amazing. The last year has been so awesome the people and places are seriously great! But there are things that you realize you take for granted when you don’t have them and America and all that comes with it is one of them.
I want to say to all my friends and family that I love you and I miss you and I hope you remember that you might not be wealthy or famous but you do have the freedom and liberty to be what and who you want and I think that is really cool.
God bless you and God bless America!

Doctor stuff

2009-06-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

So This week we are starting to feel the grip of mini #2 taking hold. Brett did pretty well on his mini#1 and has really been staying steady in preparing for the next one. On monday we will be able to apply for fifth semester and we will be applying for the Michigan program. Saginaw Michigan would be a good option for us for fifth because it is a lot cheaper to live, and really that is the main reason we want to go there. Our other option for fifth semester is Miami which would be way fun! The only thing about Miami is that it is very expensive to live there. We hear great things about both programs and Brett says that he will be fine with which ever one we get into. Michigan only takes 60 students because they are a newer program and are also working with Michigan State Med school. Miami takes many many students so it's pretty common to be sent there. Michigan would be fun on account that we would get to see some snow for a change! I think I can speak for both of us in saying that we have had enough heat and humidity to last quite a while. We apply on Monday and should know which program we get into by the following monday so I will be sure to post about it then. In less than two months we have another move on our hands. But we don't mind. So far we have enjoyed the diferent places and people of the world we've seen and are thankful for the opportunity to experience more while we are able.

I just thought I would post some funny medical words... These would probable be my definitions if someone were to ask me....
Cauterize
Made eye contact with her
Distinguished; Well known
ARTERY–The study of fine paintings.
BARIUM–What you do when CPR fails
. BENIGN–What yoiu are after you be8.
CAESAREAN SECTION–A district in Rome.
COLIC–A sheep dog.
COMA–A punctuation mark.
CONGENITAL–Friendly.
DILATE–To live longer.
FESTER–Quicker.
G.I. SERIES–Baseball game between teams of soldiers.
GRIPPE–A suitcase.
HANGNAIL–A coat hook.
MEDICAL STAFF–A Doctor’s cane.
MINOR OPERATION–Coal digging.
MORBID–A higher offer.
NODE–Was aware of.
ORGANIC–Church musician.
OUTPATIENT–A person who has fainted. POST-OPERATIVE–A letter carrier.
PROTEIN–In favor of young people.
SECRETION–Hiding anything.
SEROLOGY–Study of English knighthood.
TABLET–A small table
. TUMOR–An extra pair.
URINE–Opposite of you’re out.
VARICOSE VEINS–Veins which are very close together.

My new sweet baby - Brekell!

2009-06-24T12:54:00.001-07:00

Ha Ha! I guess we will have some cute kids according to this website! how could we not though! So we lucked out with a sweet blond girl and a rascal redheaded boy! That's funny he turned out red, cause red runs on my side. Anyway we are not pregnant or anything just thought it would be fun to see what the future holds for us!

What do you think about my little new baby Brekell?
MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?

My new sweet baby - Brock!

2009-06-24T12:50:00.001-07:00

What do you think about my little new baby Brock?
MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?

Dance Recital 2009

2009-06-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

Friday and saturday we had a great recital at the regency theater here in Freeport Grand Bahama. Here are some of the performances that I was involved with.

So I don't know if my computer or camera has the problem but I couldn't get the videos on the blog. So instead I uploaded them to youtube so you can enjoy them!
Just click on the link and it will take you to the hip hop tumbling and my solo routines.

The dance called never alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q28xPJ4CQk

The tumbling routine called rocking robin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIldwFQA1xc

The hip hop routine right round
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ffORHY0YMk

Hope you enjoy these! I loved choreographing them and working with the kids!

Kellie

this fun week

2009-06-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a fun one for us! Brett and his friends finally got the YMCA to let them use it to play ball. We usually play at the local park but the last time it was like a circus there. There was so many people who wanted to play that the locals started arguing telling the Ross students they couldn't play so we just left. The YMCA is better to play at anyway, nicer court and hoops. Brett just got some new D wades and is ballin it up out there!

Friday and saturday night I had the dance recital with The Louis Seiler Academy of Dance. I loved it! All of the dances were fun and entertaining for the audience. Brett was so supportive and was there both nights and admitted that he liked the recital!!! YAY! I love doing things like this, it makes me know what I want to do and have when I someday have my own dance recitals. I choreographed the hip hop routine called right round, also I choreographed the gymnastics routine Rockin Robin. The kids did such a good job in the performance.

That gymnastics class was tough 20 kids against me... but we made it through! I have been asked to do more summer classes and am considering it. Both Friday and Saturday performances went well. It was a lot of fun.

Saturday our friends Brandon and Tori came to the show and we went to dinner after and walked around Port Lucaya. We did jazz hands in the street and had a great time. We love doing anything with them they just are like the sprinkles on top of a cake... they just make things better!

Today at church we had a very very full class with 8 teenagers! Most of the kids know what reverent means but some just can't grasp the concept. Before class we remind them to think about where they are and how they should act. Our lesson today was about keeping the sabbath day holy. One girl raised her hand and we are thinking cool participation... Then she loudly blurted out: So since it's wrong to have sex with your brother how did Adam and Eves kids not be retarded? oh man..... I was like WHAT??? Then one boy said that they didn't even have any girls so how are we here? Then everyone had something to say about having sex with siblings and Adam and Eve and it was a little crazy for a minute... Finally we just said save those questions and we took time after the lesson and answered them.. it felt a little like bible bashing but Brett did a really good job at keeping it under control.

Religion is a huge part of the culture here. The day we were at the park playing ball and the argument happened there was some huge speakers and what looked like a dj by the court and we thought maybe there was a function. So you know me Ms. Curiosity I went and asked and he said no there is no function there has just been complaints lately that there has been disturbing music played so in the evenings they set up the speakers and play good christian music. So while all the guys are on the court yelling at each other we have blairing chirstian music playing... it was kinda humorous. Our gym at school is finally finished! it is all brand new and shiney! we are excited to start using it!

2009-06-14T18:58:00.000-07:00

So although our anniversary is a few months away I want to write a post about someone elses day. Yesterday Brett and I werea able to help with our good friends anniversary Brandon and tori.

Brandon sent Tori and I and Aileen our other great friend on an awesome treasure/ scavenger hunt. some of the things we had to do were handstands in the ocean, dance on the beach with strangers, jump in a pool that is usually heavily guarded by security guards and not get caught. Get a braid put in our hair ( a super touristy thing to do) call Bshows taxi cab service which turned out to be my adorable husband acting like Ben Bailey the Cash Cab guy. Brett talked like him and asked us questions and we won real money on the way to Port lucaya! then we had to solve riddles and puzzles and find clues around town. Tori was so excited at all the clues and gifts and I was so happy to get to go along. It was a fun week, Brett and I put together a video for Brandon and Tori for their anniversary of video clips of them answering questions about the last year.Having the mac is a wonderful thing when we need to do things like that because it has such awesome programs that make videos and slideshows so easy. I can even cut my own music for dance!

We are loving life here in the Bahamas. We are sad and also excited for fourth semester to be over and find out where we will be moving for fifth semester! maybe Michigan, maybe Miami.

Anyway we are having some really great times here!

The trip home

2009-06-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

So being back in Utah was fun! I loved the familiarity of it all. Despite being away for almost a year not much has changed there. I got in around midnight and we went home to sleep for a few hours then we were back at the airport the next day to Get Elder Call! That was really fun. As soon as he was with us again it felt like he had never left. I was really expecting him to be a lot more wierd than he actually was. I think that first day was super hard on him... he didn't want to go anywhere or do anything... he kept looking over his shoulder for his comp. Anyway despite that it was a nice day. We went and watched Casey do some team roping at a little rodeo that night The announcer was a kid who went to the same mission as Matt and so he announced that Elder Call came home today from the Micronesia Guam mission and that he would be dancing at the dance after the rodeo... Matt was sitting in the car about 1 minute after that ready to go home. I felt for him... The week was nuts so much to do and so little time.. I wanted to see everybody but that was difficult to do. i was lucky most the people I wanted to see came to Matts homecoming and Casey's farewell... Thier talks went well. And there were lots of people over at the house after. Then it was Casey's turn to have a hard time. The day he was to be getting set apart was really hard for him I think he really was sad to leave shalea behind. AnywayI guess the MTC has some cases of the swin flu. So the fam wasn't able to go into the MTC and by that time I was already in Dallas. I am really glad for Matt for accomplishing 2 years of service and I am so happy for Casey to be doing it as well. Living here in the Bahamas you really see the fruits and labors of missionary work differently than you do in Utah. I love seeing the missionaries every sunday and I think of my brothers. My favorite part about being home was the day mom, dad, me, matt and casey all went to the temple together. That was really cool! I always waited for the day when I would be able to go not thinking how awesome it would be if my family was there with me. Also another favorite part was monday night I made dinner for the family, parmesian chicken and had shalea, and my two best friends over Jackie and Alissa and the fam all ate dinner and played games after.

If you are thinking that these look like they could be my kids I think so too.& I wish they were!

These are our neices Paige and Sadie and our cute nephew quin! I was so lucky I could get to see them this trip. We had dinner and danced and read books, it was so much fun!

I wish I could have seen all of our family but I will be back in August and we both will be coming back in November so it won't be too much longer.

One of the absolute hardest things about being home in Utah was remembering to drive on the right hand side of the road! I started out on the left many times and the boys would always laugh and remind me to switch at least before we hit country corner.

by the time everything started to settle down I was ready to fly home to Brett. I think if he would have been there with me it would have been easier to stay longer.... Kyles twin bed just insn't the same and home and Brett! :)

The fun game is the best this is how you play:
rules:
everyone gets 5 strips of paper.
everyone writes a persons name on the paper. ( ex: gumbi, obama, moses....etc... it has to be someone most of the people playing will know... so if you are playing with Katie and Cambree you would put cinderella or Dora the explora) ( playing with my family we had about 10 clint eastwoods in the bowl!)
then you fold and put all the names in a bowl
divide into teams 1 & 2
Round 1 -each player pulls names out and says anything they can to get thier team to say the name. once the team guesses the name grab another until 1 minute is up.
Round 2 -each player can only say one word to describe the name on the paper. ( ex: if I had papa snurf I would probably say blue. If I had Obama I would say president.) Once the team guesses the name grab another until the minute is up.
Round 3 - each player grabs a name but cannot make any noise to describe the name. you can only act it out. you can't even say hmmm... ( ex: if I had pop eye, I would immitate strong muscles and eating spinache.)
the team with the most points after all 3 rounds wins!
It's called the fun game for a reason...it's really fun!

2009-05-21T20:14:00.001-07:00

This is the reason why Kris won! it was all me and my awesome cake! ;) kidding kidding, his awesome voice and personality was probably helpful... my favorite part of the whole show was the last 20 seconds when his wife Katie came up and they hugged and he finally let it go and cried and she cried. Man there life will never be the same. crazy!

So school is started and we are finishing up the second week. It's kinda hard for me without books but that will end soon! I am excited to go home in a week and see everyone! my brother Matt is coming home from Guam after his mission and our new nephew Cameron!!! I can't wait to go to a walmart!!! Today was a very cool day for Brett, he went to a real clinic for the first time as a med student. He liked following the doctors and said they taught him so much good information. He said the patient he was assigned to was very cool and was a bball fan. he can't say much about them because of privacy laws. He said that the doctors were nice to the med students but were grilling the doctors who are there in their residency, he said he is not looking forward to being grilled. Today I guess one of the residency girls was almost in tears because the doctor was grilling her. He loved going to the clinic and I love seeing him reaching his goal step by step. He still has a very long way to go but with every step it's neat to see him getting closer and closer to being a doctor. It's been raining a lot here lately and has been stormy weather for a few days. The cool weather is a wonderful break from the heat. It's been so wonderful having our scooter to get around! I love it!!!

Vacation

2009-04-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

Since last Wednesday we have felt like we are on a second honey moon or on vacation or something. I am surprised at how busy we have been since Brett is done with the semester! We have been so busy staying up really late and sleeping in late. We have been so busy bumming around on the beach sipping virgin daiquiri's. Life has been jam packed of buzzing around on our AWESOME NEW SCOOTER!!!!

I will give you an example of one of our busy days of the break. Last night we stayed up late like 1 or 2 and decided we wanted to make breakfast so we looked up Debbies recipe of breakfast before and made it. We slept in and woke up to yummy

breakfast before and then we buzzed around town and went down to port Lucaya a fun touristy place about 4 min drive from our house. We walked all over in all the shops watched the fish in the marina rounded up some creates for our scooter.

We had a blast, ate at Zorba's a yummy greek place. We went to garden of the groves with Mac and Ginny our neighbors down the hall. ginny has been giving me cooking lessons because she is really a pro. Mac was everything and a judge in New York. Anyway the Garden of the groves was fantastic! the wildlife and plants were so amazing! After than we bummed around on the beach at a bar and grill there

Anyway what I am trying to say is that the break has so far been so wonderful!!!! it's feels like we are on a second honeymoon. There is so much more we can do and see now that we have a scooter.

Like our favorite luchador Nacho says " Life is gooood, I mean REEEALLY GOOOOOD!"

Finals

2009-04-20T04:59:00.000-07:00

This morning we woke up as early as we always do and Brett got to studying some microbiology before he rode off into the sunrise to school. Today in about one minute they will be starting mini#3. This is going to be the last mini of the semester and we couldn't be more excited! he still has a final on Wednesday but it shouldn't be any harder than the one today. We are just thankful for the needed break coming to us in about 3 days!

Saturday was Brett's Birthday! He is 26! not to old but getting up there! :)

He was really busy getting ready for this test that I was worried we wouldn't get to have cake and ice cream, but we did. We had a few friends over and had dinner, my first time ever making manicotti ever and making crepes to go in it. then we had cake an ice cream. It was a nice break for the boys to get to relax for an hour or so. Brett got a lot of cards and a dvd Live Free or Die Hard. I am sure we will be watching it soon!

I think it was a good birthday for him, although we are planning to celebrate more over the break by going parasailing! That is something we have wanted to do for a while!

I wish we had a water proof camera to take with us! oh well.

For those of you back home, I will be coming home the 28th of May so I can be there for Matts homecomming and Casey's farewell. If you haven't heard Casey got his call to Tulsa Oklahoma. Matt isn't too excited to come home, I think he want's to be a missionary for life. Sadly Brett won't be coming home until after fifth semester is over which will be sometime in November.

HAPPY EASTER!

2009-04-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

Last night while Brett was brushing his teeth I hurried and hid a bunch of Easter eggs and his basket around the house! The alarm went of today and he kept hitting snooze! I was like common man! get up and go find your eggs! ( in my head) He didn't know I had hidden any thing, so he mosied to the bathroom and showered and then went out into the living room, I don't think he even noticed all the brigtly colored eggs around the house. Finally I said HEY you have to find all the eggs! It clicked, and he soon was getting all the eggs and finally found his basket, chocolate bunny and candy under the table. In each egg I wrote something that I loved about him or something nice he has done for me, or a fun memory, I loved when he would read them and get a smile on!

It's really different for me be away from Utah on Easter. Even when I moved out of my parents' place mom still made me come over and find my Easter basket full of good stuff. I love those family traditions, and aparently I am keeping this one going. I am glad that we aren't waiting till the kids come to start family traditions, they are so fun!

This week has been a busy one with all of Bretts studying and school stuff, but we managed to get out on thursday night at have a really fun bonfire down at the beach by our house with some really good friends!

It was pretty chilly that night so we all bundled up and got round the fire,

we played the fun game, it is called the fun game because it is really so much fun! we roasted mallows and made smores and it was just so fun! Good friends are the best!

Brett has been pretty sick lately, we thought it could've been a sinus infection so we tried curring it with home remedies, but that never works for him. Finally I called the Doctor and yep we were right it was a sinus infection and the antibiotcs the doc gave him pushed him over the top to recovery!!!! Just in time for all his tests! He has 2 tests this week and two next week and then we are done! over the break we have some big plans, you'll see!

link

2009-04-08T06:38:00.000-07:00

If you are interested go to thebahamasweekly.com you can read about Bretts school and see the article where he is doing ear and eye exams. So many people have told us thank heavens for Ross University here. Ross is really helping the community and economy here in Freeport.

the semester in winding down!

2009-04-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

Well Brett only has a couple weeks left in his semester with his final exam being on the 22 of this month! I am not as lucky I still have tests and such until the first week in May. By the time I am done with my school he will be ready to go back to his! We are having a great time here and are really loving life. This past week we had a new nephew! his name is Cameron. He is very cute and healthy! Two weeks ago Brett volunteered with a group from his school at the health fair here in town. He helped with eye and ear examinations. It was really neat to see the students helping in the community. They all looked so nice and professional. The eye and ear exams were a big hit, I think it may have something to do with the handsome medical students performing the exams. I really enjoyed being there with Brett and I actually was able to help in my own little way.

I held the eye chart up for the people to read as they covered one eye and then the next. The funny thing was that Brett has been using glasses lately. His eyes get a little strained from reading and studying all day. At the health fair he had forgot to take his glasses and so the patients are reading the best they can and Brett is also trying his best to make out the tiny letters on the chart.

Sometimes he would lean in to make sure the patient got it right. If you go to thebahamasweekly.com you can read an article about Ross University and the health fair. There is a large picture of Brett doing an exam and if you look close at the other pics I think I am in he background of one holding up the eye chart. All in all I feel like it was good for the community and even better for the students to help out!

Wasn't conference great! I missed a little of the saturday morning session but overall we got it all! I remember growing up and the whole family would gather in the living room and watch conference, I remember doing that since forever ago. Props to my parents for getting all of us to stay and listen. I know that couldn't have been easy. Also props to both our parents for making conference a priority. Both Brett and I feel like conference is a very important thing that we need to take advantage of. I know this has everything to do with the way we were raised. There are so many people out there tha feel like conference is a day off. But how could you do anything else when you know the prophets of the lord are going to be giving a message to the world... why would you want to miss out on that? we don't understand it. We hope all is well!

2009-03-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

This was a great week for our little family! before I mentioned we were nervous about that big test.... well the next day Brett came home with his scores and he had done really well! better than he expected. We were very happy.

Monday after the test the school was hosting a beach bash. It was very fun! we got free Ross T- shirts and food there was fun things to do and music. That was a fun day, after the mini at least.

Yesterday Brett cam e home from studying early and we got in out tennis git up and rode our bikes over to lucayan towers to the Ross Tennis tournament! Brett and I were competing in the doubles part of the competition. I have only started playing tennis this year but I am really enjoying it and Brett is pretty good!

We are lucky enought to have a tennis court here at our house; so it makes it easy to walk out there and practice! the tournament lasted a few hours. We were the firsts ones out. But I am glad we played it was fun to see how good everybody was and now we can say we played in a tournament!

We had a fun get together with friends yesterday we had a potluck potatoe bar and played a game called the fun game. Justly so because the game is very fun! After the party we all went to the movie theater, all in all it was again a very fun night! School is going good for both of us and the semester is on the down hill slide!

I am sad the time is passing so fast!

March 9 09

2009-03-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody sorry I haven't posted in a while. We have been very busy with school and all our other activities here in Grand Bahama!
Brett is currently taking mini #2. I am so excited for him to come home and not have to think about it anymore. Ross is having a beach bash after the test and that should be pretty fun!
Dance classes are going really well and our recital is June 20. My hip hop class is pretty good, it fun to have a big group to work with.
We made a new schedule for ourselves his go around so we wouldn't feel crammed before our tests and it worked pretty well and we will really see when Brett gets his score back. Brett comes home everyday about 4 or 5 and we go jogging, then get back to studying. It's been good for us!
I was at the pool the other day and a party started for a 75 year old woman named Olga. Some of our neighbors who knew me where there and made me come over I made many ne elderly friends that day! they were actually fun to hang out with! ha ha! All the old ladies made me take all this food back so Brett wouldn't feel left out!
I am not kidding from the weather to the neighbors to the sandy beaches this is a good place for us to be right now. Even though we miss you all we are making some really great Brett and Kellie memories!

I will post again after the test!
-Kellie

2009-02-26T16:45:00.000-08:00

This is a story I thought was cool. This was writen by my AWESOME AUNT AMY.

Maybe we all can think of a P A K and carry it out soon!

Kindness... inspires kindness!

I had a nice experience that I wanted to share. I've been growing increasingly aware of the self-centeredness of my pre-teen daughter. She's a good kid but it seems she's following the groove of society and has started to turn more inwards and is settling on her own needs and feelings instead of thinking more about others. I'm not complaining here, just trying to set the stage and give a little more of the back story.Wanting to give her the opportunity to turn outward and do something nice we set up an after school PAK (planned act of kindness). She invited several of her friends over and we spent the afternoon making Hershey Kiss Rose bouquets that could be left, anonymously, for workers at their school.As the girls gathered in my home, I introduced the idea of an act of kindness and giving without getting and then turned them loose hoping they'd stick with it to make at least 12 bouquets. What happened instead was pretty amazing. These girls took the idea and ran with it. They starting working in assembly line fashion all on their own. Some were in charge of flowers. A few wrapped them in tissue paper and the others made the cards. The whole time chattering with excitement about who they were going to leave them for. In the end they made 25 bouquets and would have happily made more had time allowed.

When the bouquets were done, it was time to deliver them. I had made arrangements with one of the night janitors to let us into the school after the teachers had all left. So, with much excitement and giggling, the girls snuck around their school and left their treats. With each bouquet they left a tag saying "thank you" or "have a nice day" and they signed them "The 7 Secret Sixth graders". Several good things came out of this activity. The girls got to experience first hand what it felt like to do something nice without expecting anything in return. They were focused on making someone else's day instead of worrying about themselves. And, the teachers and workers at the school arrived to find that someone cared and was thankful for the work they were doing. But the best part for me was what happened with the janitor.I know this man, he is a very kind, quiet man. He goes into work just prior to when the kids leave so he doesn't interact with them, nor do they really know who he is. He said usually the kids will pass not even noticing him. However, when we delivered the bouquets, we also gave him some cookies and the girls made him a card to personally thank him for letting them into the school. Since that day, when the girls pass him, they will call him by name and say "hi Mr. so-and-so." He said being called by name is something that never happened before and has been meaningful to him. Overall it was a great thing for the girls to do. They really ran with the idea and much to my surprise the girls want to get together again and do another planned act of kindness. We just might start a PAK club.

222 feb 22 09

2009-02-22T20:49:00.000-08:00

we rode our bikes to church today. The other churches have church buses that come around and pick up all the members... I think that is kinda cool. There are over 300 churches on this island. Our church building was built only a year ago but the membership is growing rapidly. We have had six baptisms this last two months. Brett and I teach the youth sunday school class. We have only two boys that are 13 in our class but they are really fun to work with. Today our lesson was on prayer and one of the boys said he prayed for a PS2 and eventually got it and that strengthened his testimony of prayer. I thought that was really funny. They are characters. Brett takes charge of the class mostly and I am glad, I think the boys really look up to him...

Our branch is a really great branch.

Tonight Brett and I practiced a medical case. I looked one up on the internet and I memorized my symptoms and he practiced the way he was suppose to talk to a patient, he took my blood pressure and asked about all of my symptoms and he figured out what was wrong with me. He did really good! It was fun to practice!

Brett wanted me to put up our video of our scooter ride. So I am trying to upload our video.

We rented a scooter a lil while ago we needed to travel far and didn't have bikes. so we made a scooter video.

This is the dance studio that I am teaching classes at. Nice huh!

Well the video isn't working but I will keep trying.

Valentines Day & Liat Airline

2009-02-17T05:04:00.000-08:00

I am truly blessed to be married to Brett! I love him so much, and I feel so loved by him. This last weekend was Valentine’s Day and we decided to not do anything big no gifts or anything like that. So Saturday I woke up to some yummy smelling coffee cake! He had woke up early and made Breakfast for me! I thought that was an awesome V-day gift. But the cuteness didn’t stop there. When I had gotten home from Babysitting he had cleaned the whole house! It smelled so nice! He then made dinner for me! Then after dinner we walked down to the beach, and watched the sun set!

This is my favorite part, while the sun was setting Brett grabbed me close and we danced on the beach while the sun was setting… Oh yeah we also wrote I love you in the sand it was really cute!

Sounds like a love story doesn’t it!

I loved it. We walked home and we watched the NBA dunk championship. Nate Robinson 5'8" won the Dunk Championship by dunnking over Dwight howard 6'11" Last years Dunk Champion.

It was the most fun and romantic and fun Valentine’s Day I have ever had.

You could say I am bragging about how great my husband is and I would say I don’t care I like to brag about him. I know his life is very busy and I contribute to the business but I never feel like he is too busy for me. He always makes me feel loved and special no matter what. Brett always helps me with dinner and the house. He is always surprising me with funny things. I am so grateful.

On a meaner note.

I know my friends from Dominica will understand but a lot of you who read this may not. The only airline that you can catch a flight with to Dominica is called Liat.

Liat is a terrible terrible airline! In the past they have lost our luggage for a week! And the first time I used my new luggage from my Grandma they ripped a huge gash in the side of it. They stole Bretts cell phone from his luggage and just have a terrible terrible reputation. They have changed our flights without telling us and plain out cancelled flight without telling us. They are scary to do business with. I know some of you know what I am talking about. Well here is the story: We don’t use our credit cards except to purchase airline tickets mostly and so we haven’t been checking our credit card statements on line as much but the other day Brett had a feeling he should check it. So he checked it and he found that Liat had just barely charged us 500.00!!!! just the other day! We haven’t even been in that country for a few months and haven’t bought anything from them since October. Well Brett contacted American Express and they are looking into it and he also is in contact with some Liat worker who could care less if they are scamming us. Anyway that’s not the best part!!! It gets better! So American Express is investigating and Brett didn’t want to just wait to see what they had to say and so he went through all of our statements and guess what he found. The trip that we got charged for was our honeymoon flight that Liat cancelled on us before we took it! He also found that they charged us for the flight when we booked it and when they cancelled the flight they charged us again instead of taking it off or cancelling the payment. So far this airline has charges us over 1000.00 for a flight that they cancelled and we never took. The Lady Brett is in contact with from Liat called him FOUL! Can you believe it! He has never cussed or called names just said they are not reliable and their company needs to get their act together. I really hate that airline. Anyway I am glad I have a blog I can vent. I know some of you feel our pain when it comes to Liat and I wish we never had to do business with them! If it wasn’t such a monopoly!
Anyway good luck to those of you who still have to fly Liat. Don’t leave anything in your bags of value.

Those Loveable Zany Idiots At LIAT Airlines Still Pulling The Ultimate Practical Joke… “Welcome To Your Vacation - Your Luggage Will Be Here In A Week!” HA HA HA!!!!!

Flying LIAT? You Might Want To FedEX Your Luggage!
Time and time again it happens with LIAT, so it must be a deliberate joke.
Nobody, but nobody, is this incompetent.
Right?

Ha ha I hate Liat!

Update

2009-02-03T05:21:00.000-08:00

Well we have been on Freeport Grand Bahamas Island for almost a month now, and we decided we love it here!

The only challnenge we have faced is transportation.

Our neighbor gave us this sweet tricycle and Brett rode it to school last week.

I wanted to ride it too but apparently the door has been bolted shut and I can't fit our trike through only one side of the door I need them both opened. Man you should have seen me pounding on that door trying to get it open, I really worked up a sweat and was really frustrated! Then I looked up and saw the metal piece newly screwed to the door. I was so frustrated but at the same time relieved that I didn't ask anyone for help and then felt dumb when they pointed out why the door wouldn't open. We have seen a lot of cool thinngs here. Start fish, a shark, cool buildings. Brett's first test is coming up this coming monday. Wish him luck. He has been studying so hard. I know he will do great, but it's stillnot the funnest thing for him to have to go through.

The school here is sooo nice. Everything in Brand New and Brett loves it. They clean the school often and take good care of the students. Brett studies really well at the school.

We rented a scooter this past weekend and next to Brett it is the love of my life. ha ha! we used it to go to a baptism saturday and also church and all over. It was fun to have and take rides. We are thinking about getting one, but are not sure yet it's kinda expensive.

It has been cold here the last little while and a little rainy. It has got down in the fifties. The Bahemians are freesing and have beanies and coats and all we have are jackets on. They look at us like we are nuts but they don't realize we just came here form Utah where it's so freezing cold that the fifties for us is nice.

Well we love you all and hope you are enjoying life as much as we are. :)

2009-01-22T12:24:00.000-08:00

Hi guys,
I know it's been a while so here is what we've been up to. I went back to that dance studio to talk more about teaching and taking classes. It turns out I will be starting a hip hop class the first week in February. I will teach the class and in return I will get to use the studio in the mornings if I want and I can take any class I'd like free of charge. I was pretty satisfied with the answer.
Brett is doing well in school and today had to dress up, In third semester they will dress up a lot and if they don't they will get docked points. He looked so handsome! He rides a bike to and from school every day it's about an 8 minute comute without the wind that is.
Brett likes riding his bike. We love our place it really feels like home and we find ourselves still saying wow I love our house. I love this place.
Sometimes I will have these Ican't believe we are here moments, married, in the Bahamas going to school. But it is a good feeling. Brett's school is in the same complex as a grocery store that's really nice being as I have no car and have to take buses to any store I want. A bus ride here is 1.25 one way. The bus drivers are usually very nice. The transportation for me is an issue. I would like the freedom of a scooter or car. But we just can't live like that now. One day. One Day.

I have really enjoyed the way Brett's schedule has worked out. He is home with me all evenings all saturday and sunday. I love it!

Well I will post some pics later but that's it for now!
Love, Kellie

2009-01-10T17:10:00.001-08:00

So we are settled into our place! We cleaned it already and we feel very lucky! We discovered we have a washer and dryer in our place and that was not mentioned before. When we got to the airport the people were so nice to us. Ross had a representative there to meet us and they gave us a care package with food and things in it. When we were dropped off at our apt. We met Fred and clover a man and woman who manage cove house, the place we live. Fred and clover really took care of us. Fred introduced us to a man named T.B he tells us think of tberculousus and remember him! anyway, T.B is from Colorado and migrates here every winter. T.B gave us a bike to use whenever we want and he also showed us were he keeps his other bike and said anytime but morning we are welcome to use it! nice huh! so we went cruising aroung town on bikes.

The people are so nice here. Everyone talks to you and when they hear you'r from Ross they get a big smile on their face and start asking all kinds of questions about the school. We think the school will really help the economy here. The tourism thing isn't very strong here and hasn't been for a few years. Brett and I both have blisters from walking so much. Some of our friends have gotten cars and scooters but I think we are going to stivk with bikes. We have been to the beach, oh man it is so nice! long white sandy beaches with clear blue water! The best part is that the water is not very salty! On our walk yesterday we found our church builing, we were so excited!

Our church building is light olive green and looks like a building you might see in Utah. The steeple is typical of an LDS church building steeple . Across from the church building is GB fitness and inside GB fitness there is a dance studio. We went in the studio and talked to the lady there. Her name is Garret. I told Garret that I wanted to take a class and we talked a little and I told her I have taught for the last like 8 years. and she got really excited because her hip hop teacher just left and so did her gymnastics teacher. The only problem is that you are not allowed to work here at all. A work visa is really hard to get and by the time I got it we would be leaving. So brett and I talked a little about teaching to Garret and Brett suggested maybe I could take a class and not have to pay for it if I teach a class. I am thinking I will teach her hip hop and maybe suggest a lyrical class if she will let me use her studio durring the day one or two hours a week so I can teach the little girls from our branch. That way I am making money by teaching my two girls and not have to pay rent for the studio. besides I loves teaching hip hop so that wouldn't be bad at all. I am really excited about this and sounds like they are too. The studio is called the Louis Sieler Academy of Dance. Today Brett and I went to the food store as they call it here. We haven't heard it called the grocery store yet, it's always food store. We walked to the store and loaded up as much as we could and packed our back packs and headed home. A man named Dave cook picked us up and turns out he was a double for Bootstrap Bill in pirates of the caribbean Brett says he looks like a pirate. Dave has a lot of gold teeth but was so nice to us and his boat is in the marina behind our apt. He also wrote a book called pirates of the Bahamas. So today we realised we still have alot to learn, we bought fabric softener and we thought it was laundry detergent. :)

We really like our apt it has 3 ceiling fans a huge table and a huge enterinment center with a itty bitty tv. we have a mini couch and chair. We created a desk and moved the furniture around to look really nice! The mattress here is so much better than in Dominica. In Dominica Brett always had a sore back and so far he has had a good night sleep and no sore back. The homes here are huge and this place is full of older people that you can tell are probably here for the winter. They are all really nice so far though. We have a movie theater here and two dance studios, we swam in our pool today it was a super nice day

This island has a Wendy's! yesterday we had a #6!!! and a diet coke! a weird thing is that every buildig wether it's wendy's or the bank has a security or door man at the door who will open the door for you.

family

2009-01-04T15:23:00.000-08:00

Paige was doing my hair

So it's been really nice to be home and hang out with family. here are a few pics from our family get togethers.

Brett & Brylie being goofs.

Good Times

2009-01-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

We are so blessed to have such great friends and family!

Tonight we were able to have dinner at Tacanos in Salt Lake with a few friends from our branch in Dominica. It was so much fun to actually be in America and be with our friends from Dominica. We love that these people are our friends, they are all so wonderful and great. It's good to have friends like these people. It's kinda sad to me to say good-bye and watch them walk away not knowing when we might get another chance to see them again. But the good thing is that you know they are there for you even though you are not around each other.

For New Years Eve we had dinner at Grandpa Checketts' we ate yummy lasagna and breadsticks. It was so nice to get to see all our cousins and their new families. Jen's Baby London is such a doll!!!

After Dinner we played bunko as New Years Eve Tradition. Between Brett and I we made 2.00! we figure thats a good amount to start our children's college fund! :)

Speaking of children... is it just me or does everyone have a baby? I swear maybe the lord is sending me a message but I have held so many babies since we have been home. I love it! Babies are so fun and cute! Even my Yorkie dog Koellie has two babies! ha ha but really no babies for us for a while.

We have had a few family parties on both sides of our family and have picked up all the things we think we will need for the Bahamas. We are going to go to the temple soon and after that I think we are ready to head for the Bahamas!

We are very very excited to get there and get settled in.

Tonight was a blast! to get to chill with friends from the island!

2008-12-29T12:21:00.000-08:00

We are home!
We love being back in Utah! it's funny because I feel like we have been through so much and changed so much while experiencing so much of the world and we come home and everthing is still the same. you ask people whats new and usually they say not much. I am glad that we have had so many cool experiences and that things are changing.

My view of change has changed. I like it! I like moving and meeting so many new people and going new places!

We are so blessed! being home has really made us realize how blessed we actually are. With families who love us and the church all around us, and temples!!! It's nice to be so close to the temple. It's sad to see people on the island with huge testimonies but not the means to visit the temple.

It didn't take long for us to get use to the comfort of home. We love being close to our families over the holidays. Although we are excited to move to the Bahamas!

LIFE IS GREAT FOR US!

2008-12-19T17:58:00.000-08:00

Hey Yall!

Today was a very very fun day! We slept in! that is a first for us in months! we got up when we wanted ate breakfast when we wanted. Later we met up with some friends and we rented a car to go on a road trip down the island. So we loaded up the car and we headed down the island, the drive is always nerve racking for me cause people are CRAZY! drivers here! I am not just saying this... you would not believe it unless you saw it! We drive on the left hand side of the road here, and there are no speed limits or stop signs here. The roads are so windy and twisty.

We went to a place called Titou Gorge earlier on this blog there are some pictures of it. I have been before and I really wanted Brett to experience how cool it was! needless to say he loved it!

We leave the island for good on tuesday Dec 23. We are so so excited to go home for christmas before our move to the Bahamas. Brett did well on his final mini of the semester! It has been an awesome 5 months! Learning and growing and loving has been a blessing in our lives.

Merry Christmas!

Bahama Bound BABY!

2008-12-05T11:25:00.000-08:00

This is a map of Freeport Bahamas, our next home to be.

we are moving January 7th and are very excited!

We will be getting bikes while we are there, we are told it is very flat (unlike here)

and are excited to ride around town.

If you find the red circle that says Ross U. and you see the golf course under it, we will be living to the left of the golf course, in the canal-ish area! water all over! The beaches in the Bahamas are white sand beaches and the snorkeling and diving have a great reputation too!

This is our condo/ timeshare/aprtment builing! We are on the third floor and are paying the 3rd cheapest rent on the list of apartments! We have a pool, Tennis courts, blacony but most of all we have each other! :) ... cheesy? I don't care.

I called prior to comitting to this apartment and asked the landlord if we could make a deal. I told her I would only sign the lease if she comitted to painting a monochromatic apartment for us. She readily abliged! ha ha just teasing! but isn't it sweet! our whole place is white and black... I actually have seen four or five other Bahama apartments that are black and white so it must be a thing they do there? oh well!

Look we have a ice maker in our fridge! and a dishwasher next to it! We have a couch! and a huge table that can seat 6! a queen size bed! I know you American are thinking ok whoopee..... but for us not having a table, couch, toaster, and sleeping on a foam thing with shoved pillows under it we are pretty excited that we have this opportunity!

We hear the Branch there is a good size, we look forward to going to church there!

Brett is currently studying in the other room for his Anatomy test. oh wait he just walked in to get a good luck kiss and know he is out the door headed to his 3rd big test in two days! next week there are 7 more... He is doing great! we are going to trade some of his books back for next semesters books, that is gonna save some mula!

My school is over after I take 2 more finals soemtime between the 6-9 of December! Life is nice here, simple.

Cinderella's house

2008-11-25T12:18:00.000-08:00

About a week or so ago me and my friend tori had to go to Porrtsmouth, a town just north of us. (well I think it's North.) We needed to drop of our security deposits for our apartments in the Bahamas and so we went to fed ex in Portsmouth. After dropping the papers of a Fed ex we wanted to just walk around the town. And we found the coolest house on the island

This is Mike, We had to go talk to him when we saw this awesome house! The house is made out of concrete and he has worked for seventeen years cementing all kinds of shells all over his house!

Tori said it looks like cinderella's house.

Mike was so nice to show us his house and he searched for a huge shell to give me but couldn't find one not attached to his house! :) Mike told me to come back some time and he will give me one! I am excited to go back sometime. cool huh!

one more month

2008-11-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

Today, the first thing said after good morning and I love you was: WOW! we only have one more month left on this island. We leave dominica on the 23rd of December. The Bahamas will be great but we will always remember our days here on Dominica. Lately We have been doing a lot of the same. School and studying hard cooking cleaning grocery shopping.

Thanksgiving is this week and we are not sure what we are going to be doing, I think we are getting together with friends. There will be no thanksgiving turkey and probably no stuffing and all that thanksgiving food. It will be fun though I am sure! This month we are going to wrap up school and get all packed up and ready to go to the Bahamas. This is the beginning of our professional career as movers! :) Hope all is well. Brett and Kellie

Someone's got a crush on Brett!

2008-11-16T14:41:00.000-08:00

Brett and I are primary teachers for the 7-12 yr old kids. But before we head upstairs to teach our class we sit in sharing and singing time with all the kids. Today was an especially great day in primary it seamed like every kid was crying and hungry... One girl Marrissa never EVER talks in primary and she hardly ever participates. We don't know why but she just doesn't... Until Brett talks to her!!

Marrissa loves Brett! Today we were making a thankful turkey and all the kids got feathers to color what they are thankful for on single feathers and then they were attached to an adorable thankful turkey. Today was no exception for Marrissa, she wasn't talking or participating until Brett took her out of her chair and held her on his lap, Marrissa came alive! she was smiling and coloring and TALKING! I think Marrissa was on cloud 9 she was holding brett's hands and pretending to lead the music. It was really cute.

In primary the president and I and all the other teachers try to get Marrissa to participate or talk and it just does not happen. Today when I saw how happy she was on Brett's lap I couldn't help to snap a picture to capture this little miracle.

I must admit I was a little jealous at how happy she was sitting on his lap! who wouldn't be? he is so handsome!

it's been a bit

2008-11-14T18:51:00.000-08:00

I know it's been awhile but sometimes I get sick of being on the computer so much for my school work that I want to get off of it as soon as I can.

These past two weeks have been so busy! Brett is studying hard! and I am too. The weather is cooling off a bit with the exception of today. It hasn't been raining every day but still is often. I have been able to go snorkeling a few times, twice with friends and once last saturday with Brett. We are for sure moving to the Bahamas January 7th. we just sent the lease off for our apartment today! Our apartment in the Bahamas has a bath tub, table with 6 chairs, 2 couches, a king size bed, an ice maker in the fridge, a washer and dryer, a pool. All of those things we do not have now so we are feeling very lucky to have this opportunity. We will be maybe a mile from the reef in Freeport Grand Bahamas. I am mostly looking forward to the shopping there it looks like it will be cheaper and as opposed to here I won't have to carry it all home in my backpack!

Ross University gave us a barrel to ship our stuff for us to the Bahamas that will help the move be so much smoother! The barrel is huge! we can fit all our stuff in it and more!

For those of you who are wondering Brett had his second mini last week all the students said it was the hardest test including him but he did well. I am constantly impressed with my amazing husband.

I finished a book this week called the 5 love languages. The book was required to read in my marriage class. Fortunately I loved the book and it gave me such a different perspective on marriage. so if anyone is looking for a good book I recommend this one.

Brett was a ref for the championship football game today, he got super muddy as anyone does who steps out on those fields. After the game we headed up to school and watch the friday night movie Wally and Get Smart We are home now watching the bbal game.

We are on the countdown till we leave, I have mixed feelings I am excited to move but there are things about this place I will miss.

5 things I will miss about Dominica.

1. The clouds here are different looking to me. They look like they go up and up forever. The clouds here move so fast it's really cool!

2. I am going to miss all the rainbows. It rains alot but the rainbows are worth it.

3. I am gonna miss our friends who are locals here.

4. I am gonna miss our cute little first apartment.

5. I am gonna miss our huge shower!

5 things I am excited about for the Bahamas

1. Better selection and convenience of grocery stores

2. a real bed

3 hot water

4. customer service ( doesn't exist in Dominica)

5. Wendy's #6

This past Halloween Brett studied up at school and I helped with the Halloween party for primary. I had no costume so I colored and cut kitty cat ears and taped them to a headband, then drew a black nose and whiskers with some eyeliner. The party was fun but lasted only an hour. Then I headed home carved some oranges to look like jack-o-lanterns filled them with chocolate pudding so we could have a halloween treat and read a book... That was a weird Halloween for me here.

Dominicans don't celebrate Halloween here they are busy celebrating their independence of 30 years. I am talking major parties and stores and banks are closed for like 4 days! it was cool I got to see a parade of the local school kids they all dress up in their Creole clothes and wave Dominican flags around!

Last weekend Brett and I went exploring! we walked up the road behind our house. We had never walked that road before and were curious to see if we could get a better view of the ocean from up there. Instead of a view we found a grapefruit and banana farm so we picked some grapefruit and Brett showed me his grapefruit juggling skills! it was so fun! Walks here are awesome you never know what things you will see

.This is me jumping and jumping til I finally got that grapefruit!

Brett made home made chicken noodle soup Sunday! with home made noodles too!!! I am not joking! This was the BEST SOUP I have ever had! I ate till I thought I might be sick! I was so impressed by my husbands talent, and I love to brag about it to anyone who'll listen!

I just have to say I love being married! LOVE IT!!!

wedding photos

2008-11-01T05:21:00.001-07:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/Kentnamy/WeddingPhotos?authkey=g-i0rb6b8xM#

Try to copy and paste this link to see more of our wedding photos

The life of Brett Burtenshaw

2008-10-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

I decided that the last few posts were a lot of my adventures and I wanted to show you a little of what Brett does here in and out of school.

A normal day consist of waking up at 5:45. Before we head off to school we shower, eat breakfast, read scriptures and pray.

Brett will either have class or spend his whole morning studying and media sight ( watch his class online) his lectures later in the day. We eat lunch around noon, then more studying.

Dinner is at 5 every day and then headed back to school for labs, TA sessions, PBL study groups or just some plain old studying.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lcLemq_L7F0/SQOyaK2y5vI/AAAAAAAAAQU/NGW9KdyKIMo/s320/P9050385.JPG

This is Brett at a Lab Demo. They go in the Cadaver lab and listen to what another student just learned about the muscles, nerves, etc. on the Cadaver.

Brett studies a lot in the PBL room #4 with his friends David and Erick. They have to reserve these rooms in advance and lately it has been difficult to get one due to it's getting a little crowded here. The PBL rooms are usually freezing cold, sometimes you will see people wrapped in sweaters and blankets in these rooms. Brett likes that they are so cold he says it keeps him awake while he studies.

In between studying we still get to have fun! We took a walk on the Beach a few days after Hurricane Omar caused a mess on the Beach, the fence Brett is standing by used to be a real fence with pickets; they are gone now.

Brett Plays on the 5th semester football team here and he is AWESOME! He is #2 and scored 3 of the six touch downs in the game yesterday. Two of Bretts Touch downs were in overtime. The funny thing about yesterdays game is that he was playing against his own semester. After the game some of the second semester people were joking with him beating his own semester.

At the culture show this lady sang a love song in German to Brett. She was singing the song and asked if there was any guy out there who knew German. I was excited! Brett would have never gone up if I hadn't given his Language skills away then the people around us started cheering for him to go so he was a good sport and went. The video is a good one but I think it is too long to upload on blogger. It was really funny. He looked cute up there!

Brett is really working hard and doing well in school. I am so proud of him and thankful for him.

I have THE BEST HUSBAND in the world! He is the Best Best Friend. I am a really lucky girl! :)

Hurricane Omar

2008-10-17T10:47:00.001-07:00

HURRICANE OMAR

By order of the President of Dominica all institutions were to shut down yesterday due to Hurricane Omar. The school was evacuated and we spent the day at home inside. The power was out for a few hours and we have not had clean water for about 2 days. Here are some pics of the island during and after. The video at the bottom was from our front door. (sorry about the end of the video. Dang bugs freak me out! )
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more of TiTou and Middleham falls

2008-10-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

This is Tori and I swimming in TiTou gorge! it was so awesome!

Scaling the wall to get to the jumping point.

That's me jumping!

middleham falls

2008-10-17T07:05:00.000-07:00

The hike to Middleham is 45 minutes of stairs! my calves really got it that day! It was another hike through the rain forrest and it started raining on us! a bunch of girls hiked down to th actual fall and got in and swam. Victor our tour guide started cliff diving. and me, Tori and Nellie wanted to too! Victor helped us scale the wall next to the fall and 1.2.3... jump! it was such a fun thing to do! The jump was about 15-20 ft above the water next to the fall. FUN!

A palm tree farm on the way!

Can you see the cave on the left side of the fall? we climbed into that and then scaled the wall towards the fall and up 15-20 ft above the water. I will find the pics of us, I know someone took some.
The trees here are so amazing! the grow in such weird designs not to mention they are huge!

The stairs are man made and have foliage all over them. When it started raining it gets pretty slick.

Titou Gorge

2008-10-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

.....
This trip was by far my favorite! I wish I could bring everyone I know here! we swam through a narrow path to get to a waterfall at the end. ( where they filmed the sword fight in pirates of the Caribbean. where the pirates are in that round cage.)
The picture of the 2 small springs, the one that is orange is a hot sulfer spring, the other is cold.
vicotor was our tour guide, he saved me from drowning. I was really scared. The waterfall was really powerful Victor even said it was the most powerful it had ever been. Well I was stuck between a wall and the push from the fall. Victor was trying to reach me but I just kept going under. He finally jumped in after me and pushed of the wall and shoved me to Tori who was already in the little cavern by the waterfall where you can stand.

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When you look up all you see is a slit of daylight. It was such an amazing swim! The waterfall was beautiful and kinda scary. In the picture is Me Tori and Nellie.

This is the opening of Titou gorge. the water was so crlear blue. There is a narrow path you have to swim through that leads to a waterfall!

If you look closely you can see me! Me and Tori and also one other girl took this crazy jump. There is only about 4 ft. to the other side and so you cannot jump of the ledge you just have to step out and stay straight as a pencil the water is deep and there are no rocks at the bottom! you know me always up for something with a little thrill!

Swimming away so Tori can make the plunge i had to root for her. The jump was kinda scary. Only 3 girls of the 12 jumped and of course our awesome tour guide Victor.

Sorry it's kinda blurry. This is from the inside of the gorge looking out!

Beach Bash!

2008-10-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

We are on our way to the Beach Bash! After the first mini ( big test ) of the semester there is a huge party, we went snorkeling and swimming. We ate free hamburgers and picked up some sweet shirts.

We had a great time and the best part was this beautiful sunset!

After the beach bash we walk over to Kieth and Chelsies and played spoons, phase 10 and BS. It was a really great Monday!

2008-10-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

On Tuesdays and Thurdays we meet at our church building at 6:30 and we teach English lessons to all the locals who show up. Nadalyyn and I teach in the downstair room and we teach Begining Eglish while chelsi and Leslie head upstair with the advanced English class. We teach in our lime green church house.

Teaching English is a really fun thing! I love how willing the people are to learn and better themselves.

wedding pics

2008-09-25T10:55:00.001-07:00

What a GREAT FOREVER!

Thanks to all our family and Friends we love you!

lizard in our room!

2008-09-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

Brett tried scooping him up and getting him out! The lizards kept jumping all over the place... it took us a while!!!!
yesterday t=we came home and there was a 6" Lizard in our bedroom!

Sundays!

2008-09-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY!

today was a great day! at church we were called to teach the oldest primary class... the valiant 8 I think. The kids are great and so are the other primary workers so it should be a great time! our church is a lime green 2 story building. Sacrament is upstairs then we go down for primary. After church Brett and I made some really yummy home made pizza from scratch! Sooo good! and we made cheesecake! we cheated on that one however. We took a long siesta sundays here are great! my favorite day so far!

First week of school.

2008-09-13T07:32:00.000-07:00

Well we made it through the first week of school! it wasn't bad Brett said it's not too much work so far, and he likes his group this semester. Last semester he was the only guy but his group this semester has another guy in it! unfortunately for his old group they got another girl so they had five girls and have a hard time turning cadavers over and things like that. Brett is studying a lot, but not as much as I thought he would be. I am sure as the semester goes on he will be studying more and more.

Brett at the SHACKS small shacks that sell yummy food breakfast lunch and dinner. Bretts favorite is this warm banana chocolate chip bread made by one of the locals!

This was the resort view from our room!

I went on a spouses shopping trip yesterday to

Roseau it was fun I got some good stuff! I will try to post lots of pics for all to see. There is a hot spot in Roseau (The capital of Dominca) The KFC! Bre

tt made me promise I would bring home some chic

ken for him! the only fast food we have here is a subway on

campus at school. I am starting to cook things I never thought I could! It's fun! Brett helps me a lot! I love cooking with him!

We are attempting Debbies home made pizza tomorrow! I am nervous but so far we are doing good!

well

Brett is currently outside practicing

some football. The semester 5 team b

egged him to play with them this semester. We are only second semester so I guess it's kinda cool to be recruited by the older team... They heard Brett played in college and asked him last semester but he wanted to focus on his studies, this semester he sai

d ok. I am heading out to wath them play I will get some good pics!

Honeymoom!

2008-09-11T07:17:00.000-07:00

We have been living on the island now for about 4 days, and of course its is wonderful! being maried is great! While we were in the taxi on our way home from the airport Brett handed me some papers and while reading them I realized that he had made reservations at a resort on an island one below us, so we spent the night here in Dominica and the next morning we were off to the airport again! the resort was amazing and we had such a good time there! endless pools and waterslides, a spa and the food was amazing! Brett was in Heaven and so was I! something sunny about the drinks there is that we always ordered of the kiddie menu in order to get the non-alcoholic drinks, everytime they would look at us kinda funny and then chuckle.

We didn't care the kiddie drinks were so good! my favorite was called Powerpuff girl and was a bright pink made from coconut cream, guava and maybe pineapple? Bretts favorite was called bob the builder very manly! hence the kiddie cartoon drink names. Bob the builder is made from coconut cream, milo ( an enegy mix). When we arived back home here in Dominica we were glad to know our luggage had finallly made it unfortunatly it was sunday and the room were the luggage was was all locked up. Brett started school on Monday and I went and got our four bags, what a good feeling to have some nice clean clothes after a week! I am doing online school at Weber from Dominica, I know it sounds weird but it is cool! Well if anyone wants to come and visit our place is always open! if you need me my email is kelliecall@hotmail.com cell:1-767-295-9499. hope all is well! Love you all!