Baby Lexi

Alexis Shellcy Brandt was born on March 15,2013.

I had worked the night before so when I woke up I went to hang out at the hospital with Ash and Jake, since I also had to work that night I kept hinting that the lil babe(who was a surprise at the time as to whether it was a boy or girl) better come before I had to leave for work. Jake and I were making bets when the nurse guessed 5:30 I said 3:25pm while Jake said 3:30. Well at about 3:00 I finally went to the cafeteria to get some food when about 3 bites into my sandwich I got a text from Ash saying she was complete and they needed the photographer now. I threw my food away, ran upstairs and Alexis was born at 3:27 PM. Giving me one more perfect baby to call my niece!!!

 It's tradition for me to get the baby girl's some obnoxiously large bow that Dad will roll his eyes at : )

 

Needless to say, I am obsessed!!! 

Russ's B-day

26 years ago on March 4, 1987 the earth got a little more blessed, and a little more mischievous as this handsome man entered the world....

 

His birthday was on a Monday so I took the weekend off so we could celebrate. Friday night we went to dinner at Olive Garden with the gang. The boys snuck out during the 45 min wait and saran wrapped his truck, when we came out and found it we took advantage of warming Jesi up with it.

Saturday was his choice day-we could do whatever he wanted all day long. He chose four wheeling up by Midway and Cascade Springs so we took off with some yummy Gandolfo's breakfast sandwiches and four wheeled in the remaining snow. We grabbed a late lunch in Heber that afternoon and went home and rested up our sunburns before I blindfolded him for a surprise.

I sneakily had packed an overnight bag of things that he'd need for the night then as he got in my truck he took off his glasses(so he couldn't cheat) and then I used my scarf to blindfold him. I took off up the canyon to Daniels Summit Lodge. There's a restaurant there that we eat at all the time but he's never stayed at the lodge before.  I remembered how awesome it was from when I was little so I secured us a little overnighter to get him away from the the craziness that was going on at work.

When I asked if he had any idea where we were he immediately guessed we were in the canyon and about the exact whereabouts of how far up the canyon. darnit! Never try to trick a mountain man, who travels these roads all the time and relys mostly on his senses. So I threw him for a loop as I took a few wrong turns up in midway and Heber before continuing on a route he then had no idea of our whereabouts.

He was so excited when we got to the lodge, and I loved watching him roam around checking out all the cool decorations, the sweet mounts in the lobby's, and exploring our room turning the fireplace on, standing on the balcony and crashing on to the bed. We hurried and ate dinner at the restaurant and then spent the night relaxing watching Sherlock Homes 1 & 2 on TV before bed.

 Sunday we had dinner and FHE with my family where Kez and Jax brought him his piece of cake with a candle.

 

 

Monday, March 4 was birthday day! Channy and Kezy dropped off some treats to him at work. Tyson, Luke, Russ and his mom, sister and niece and me went to Lunch at Tucano's. I decorated his room that afternoon while he finished the work day. Then we had dinner at cake at his dad's house in Provo.

 

Part of my decorating was trying out the soda can cake.

Needless to say it was a great weekend!! Some of the things I love about this "old" man are: always having a positive attitude even when life isn't fair he's finding the good,  hard worker, multiple talents (he can make or do anything), his love of adventure and life, he's nice and accepting of everyone, he's thoughtful and sweet always looking out for others but especially me, his love of little kids and the way he is with them, etc.... He's pretty fan-freakin-tastic!! I love you babe : )







Island Park 2013.

Russ has the coolest traditions with his friends and one of them is that every year over President's Day weekend them and their spouses/significant others rent out a huge cabin up in Island Park Idaho and go snowmobiling for the weekend. I was invited this year and was somehow able to get work off so I could go.

I had worked the night of February 13 and I got off work, we loaded our stuff and began the drive to Idaho. I hadn't been that far north into Idaho since I went to school there (uh about 6 years ago) and it was interesting to see how it's changed, or at least from a distance : )

Part of their yearly traditions is how they do the meals, one person is assigned one meal the entire weekend. For that meal you're responsible to buy the food, cook and clean up and then you're done the rest of the trip. So essentially each couple is responsible for 2 meals. Russ got the first dinner there so when we finally arrived to the cabin about 9pm we started our valentines day dinner meal for everyone and then after eating took off to bed after a long day of driving, and me being up for about 28 hours.

(pardon the red eye. He's not that creepy looking, the photo edit just didn't transfer over from my phone)

The next few days were spent sleeping in, eating a delicious breakfast then hitting the mountains on snowmobiles for the day before returning home to the cabin to spend the night playing games, eating and eating, and eating, playing pranks,watching movies, or my personal favorite-kick it back by the fireplace. Russ has amazing friends and I spent the whole weekend laughing watching them over there man bantering and goofing off on snowmobiles and in the cabin.

 It really was gorgeous up there!

 Some of the hooligan men on the trip

 Some of the boys getting whooped by Matt at poker, again.

 We spent A LOT of time during the day digging out stuck snowmobiles. There was so much snow and after a little sunshine it was really soft, causing lots of ruckass for this group of people that can't stay on or go on the trails.

 

 This hill was particularly rough, Brittany was stuck in this picture and below you can almost see the other 3 snowmobiles that got stuck as well.

 Sunday was our last day out on the snowmobiles and since Matt and Brittany had left that morning I was the only girl out with the men on what they made an even more adventurous day. We made our own trail on the way down the mountain going off who knows which direction and Chad found himself ran right into a huge hole. We(as in the menfolk and their camera lady) got him out and thank goodness his machine and him were totally fine.

The cabin we stayed in was AMAZING! I didn't get pictures of the whole thing, but was able to document a few of my favorites.

 Panorama's of our master bed and bath courtesy of the iPhone 5 : ) There was 2 full on master's in the cabin and this is the one I won drawing straws, and I loved it!

It was a much needed vacation and I was dreading returning home and just wanted to stay up in that cabin forever! I almost got my wish as we went to load the trucks and go home but couldn't find Luke's keys to his truck. Long story short, Matt and Brittany had accidentally taken them home on Sunday....Thank goodness that Russ and Luke know vehicles like the back of their hands and was able to start Luke's truck and since the security feature won't let you shift without a key in the ignition-they bypassed that by Russ getting out and manually shifting the truck. It was interesting, but we made it back to Farmington where they key was and all was well.

Thanks again for the great getaway, can't wait for next year already!!

game changer

I used to be different. I used to look at life differently. I used to think about relationships differently.
Then almost a year ago I met the game changer....

Then: I never dared be myself around someone I could be interested in.
Now: After being myself from day 1 I've realized why wouldn't you be yourself?? Being you is what makes you unique and special and awesome!

Then: I used to make excuses not to text or call and most of all to avoid dates.
Now: I cannot wait to text, call and especially go on a date!!

Then: I used to be a work-a-holic and pick up extra shifts, burying myself in school and work with a mindset that I don't need marriage and will be fine being alone working my life away and making millions(okay okay probably just thousands).
Now: I hate working. I dread my shifts because working = time away. and the sad thing is I only work 3 nights a week...

Then: I thought seriously dating and marriage would be boring, that I'd get sick of talking to someone all day long, or get annoyed by their constant presence and it would get mundane.
Now: He's the first person I tell everything, and the presence I always want around. Life is adventurous and always looking for something new to try, adventures to have, and ways to better myself.

Then: I found myself being so negative and dwelling on things that I couldn't control in life dragging me down to see only the bad.
Now: his positivity has rubbed off on me, that everyday is great even if in reality it's a bad day. Work is great, even if in reality it's a bad shift. I see the good again!

Then: I used to feel inadequate, that I couldn't compare to all the picture perfect women I feel surrounded by.
Now: I feel beautiful, special, and amazing. Because I'm told that frequently.

I'll tell you what, not a day goes by without being grateful for my game changer. I love you.

welcome home

He's Home!!!!

My little brother returned home from his LDS mission to Tijuana Mexico on January 28, and we couldn't be happier to have him home!!

 

WE LOVE OUR MISSIONARY!!!!

 

 

It's so great having him back home and having the whole family back on US soil safe and sound!

Welcome home Elder. 

update.

Life in 2013 has been great to me so far, but I feel like life goes by way too fast.

Christmas came and left as fast as it came. I got Christmas day itself off but worked all the other days that week so I tried to make the best of the Holiday. (Let's just say I never feel bad for those people that always complain about their christmas break of 2 weeks or more off work ending cause in healthcare we never get a "christmas break") Christmas day was busy as I crammed everything into one day: I went straight to my parents when I got off work that morning, we saw our santa then drove to the Brandts to see what the kids got. Back to my parents to eat breakfast before everyone came over for presents. I ended up falling asleep during that part as I had been up for almost 20 hours. Sleep didn't last long before Russ came over and we did some of our presents before eating lunch and playing games with the family. We left my parents and went to Russ's where we did the rest of our gifts before I went to my house and changed out of my PJ's. Dinner at Russ's mom house with his family followed by presents then I hurried back to my parents to chat with Elder Olsen (who comes home in 11 days!). I went back to Russ's mom's where we ended up watching a movie that I of course fell asleep watching. Despite being exhausted it really was a great day!!

New years eve was also a blur as I was at work ringing in the new year by an unstable patients bedside. I was so preoccupied with him and the monitors that I thought the noise from the fireworks was the pt in the other room making noise. Luckily I turned my head past the window in time to catch a few : ) I had new years day off so Russ and I spent the day in the mountains checking out animals and enjoying each others company. Ended the day at Daniels Summit Lodge with dinner.

The day after New Years Russ woke up extremely sick! I ended up taking care of him from that Wednesday to Sunday as he got hit with influenza A! It was a rough week and he was sooo miserable, but I'm gratefuly to have him back to his usual self. Even more grateful that my flu shot held up and I didn't get it!

In other news... I'm no longer orienting at work. They make sure to train you really well the first few months and I was loving the security blanket of a close second opinion (even though I was already doing all the work on my own), when the week of Christmas I started flying solo! It's been a great change and I'm grateful to be in a place where I can learn everyday! I love my co-workers and I love being back on night shift where my sleep schedule is much happier even though majority of the time sleep is MIA.

I finally made myself make some new years resolutions (since I never did last year) that will hopefully help me be a better person, help me learn more, have more adventures, and have better relationships with Russ, my family and friends.

Happy Friday!!

the end of the world.

The year 2012 is coming to a close and that means it's Christmas card season! One of my favorite things to do this time of year is sift through all the Christmas card's/letters at my mom's house-see all the pictures and hear all the stories of how everyone has spent their year. Well seeing as I'm not a wife and mother it'd be a little awkward for me to send out Christmas card's, but if I was to write one it'd go a little something like this...

Feliz Navidad Family and Friends!
We find ourselves at the end and this estimated end of the world has treated me far beyond my expectations! 2012 has been the best year yet and as I look back the biggest word that comes to mind is ADVENTURE!

2012 started on the wrong foot as January was the worst month and made me want to quit my job! I began to learn a lot about life and realized some people just aren't what they seem-therefore major changes in the social circle were made and I moved on to bigger and better things!

I finally began to see the world more this year-starting with Texas in March. Besties 2012 was a trip of a lifetime as 3 best friends and Kyle took Houston by storm! I'd have to say crossing the Houston Rodeo off my bucket list was my favorite, while the vietmanese food was not. Many memories were made as we embarked on multiple adventures that trip.

The week I returned home from Texas I met a boy....not just any boy mind you. I met the Hud man aka The Hudson Hornet, aka Russell Hudson. A mutual friend that I worked with at Provo set us up and let's just say she knew what she was doing. Between our busy schedules we found some time to hang out and talk up the updates aka lift I was doing to my truck, but it felt like forever until we went on our adventurous first date. Due to some mutual confusion it leads us to a pause in this part of my story...

I moved out of my "condo" at the first of April into a darling townhome with a co-worker. I bought a huge bed that I actually fit in and lifted my truck along with some other touch-ups for the ol Hanky Panky.

And then the 2012 traveling train took me to Tennessee!!

My mom and dad, Tanner and I traveled to Marysvale! Toured the neighboring cities then ventured to Nashville where I was able to cross another thing off my bucket list: Visit the Grand Ol' Opry!! and yes it's just amazing and full of country music spirit as you imagine it is! Other adventures included zip line tours, cruising around the rocky mountains, music row and the country music hall of fame, nashville zoo, and visiting neighboring tourist towns like Gatlinburg! It was an amazing trip that ended to soon findng us back in the 801.



We may now return to the Hud man story: after some mutual friends intervene and clear up the confusion we began dating in May! The summer of 2012 was filled with so many adventures and fun times with this boy.

One of the biggest adventures the summer brought was my first deer hunt experience! Russ had drawn for the bookcliffs archery hunt and I took a week off to tag along. I ended up having to help pack out the deer just the two of us from the bottom of a canyon. I learned a lot from that deer hunt and the hunting extravaganza continued over to another deer hunt, then grouse, duck, and elk hunting! my man loves hunting can ya tell : )

Mixed in with the summer hunting adventures I also celebrated the 4th of july, turned 24, and kezy who's suddenly a little adult turned 3.I also got the AMAZING news that my sister is pregnant again which means 2013 will bring the joy of a new niece or nephew to my life. I'm so excited I can't wait!

I ventured into a new adventure the first of October as I quit my first nursing job at Provo and became a real big girl hospital nurse! It's been the biggest change (for the good), and I'm learning a lot! I'm so grateful for how it's worked out and the lives that have already effected me because of it. Not to forget another benefit is now working with my BFF brookie!

A novemeber highlight of the year was when I got to FINALLY attend an Eric Church concert! It turned out to be quite the adventure with Kip and Justin Moore also performing. I was in heaven, such a fun concert!!

Thanksgiving was spent with the Garlick clan in Sanpete! Us Olsens took off to the moutainside before the dinner to shoot off some pumpkins and clay pidgeons.

Which leads me to December-Jax has now turned 2 and I feel my niece and nephew are officially smarter than me! However, they never fail to make me smile and always remind me what's important in life.



As 2012 comes to a close I find myself being grateful. Grateful for: the amazing year and all I've been blessed to experience, my family, Russ, my friends, a great job, a roof over my head etc...

Happy Holidays!! Love Britt