Soooo...

It's been a really long time I know but we are going to be getting back into this blog thing soon. We just moved into a new house and have been really busy but as soon as things settle down a bit we'll get some new pics up and update you all on what's been going on. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Our Senior Prom...Kinda

Well Amber and I never actually went to Prom and until this point in our marriage have not had a lot of opportunities to get all dressed up and go out. However, now that she is quickly becoming a big time business executive I think we are going to have numerous opportunities in the future. This last weekend was a big celebration at the end of her business convention at the Grand America Hotel in beautiful downtown Salt Lake City. It was a formal event so I actually had to go out and buy my first suit and we went out and found her a gorgeous dress and had ourselves a heck of a good time. She was recognized for her achievements and we had a fabulous meal followed by a little dancing. We truly enjoyed ourselves.
Ahh yes doTERRA's next Diamond Executive and some dude thinking he's gonna have a sugar momma!
My gorgeous bride and fantastic sales leader.
So people were seeking her out all night to compliment her on this beautiful dress. I picked it out just so you all know.
The name is Bond...James Bond

You've Come Far Pilgrim...Feels Like Far

So I recently got home from a trip of a lifetime. A firefighter from Utah, a retirement home manager from Montana, a business executive from Illinois, and airplane builder from Washington, and a service and delivery man from Idaho came together to hike over 40 miles through the back country of the Grand Teton National Park. The Crest Trail as it is called by those who have achieved the success of finishing it alive and without becoming bear food is an amazing trail covering the backside of the Teton Range. We averaged over 9,000 feet for most of the trip with some passes and divides being close to 11,000 feet. Hiked through some snow fields and over many ridges and shale fields with some gusting winds that almost blew us off the mountain. It was absolutely breathtaking at times. You have to have been there to truly appreciate the beauty of God's untouched and unspoiled country. The pictures can't do it justice but I will try to show you a glimpse of some of the spectacular scenery along the way.
Five companions setting out on an adventure to the unknown.
Dad and I on the morning of the second day with the Grand Teton in the far background.
We crossed fields and fields of wildflowers with absolutely beautiful colors.
Looking back across the Death Canyon Shelf
So we came around the corner and what we saw was the Alaskan Basin with it's flowing streams, wildflowers and mountain lakes. Wow
Battleship Mountain...as you can see
Standing on top of Hurricane Pass at 10,400 feet just an arms length away from the Grand Teton.
The view from one of our campsites, unreal!
One rugged trail
Good friends for over three decades together again for the first time in fifteen years.
Another mountain lake with crystal clear water
The view of the Teton Range the day after we got out. We had wonderful weather for our trip but the day after the range got slammed with large thunderstorms. We managed to stay dry and have an amazing time. If you look carefully though I think you can see Buck with all of his rain gear running for shelter!! He spent one more night on the mountain without us ;-) I must say something about my Uncle Buck...hiking with him is a little like WalMart in the back country. He has everything you need and as the hike continued prices were falling!!
So as I ponder the quote that I used for the title "You've come far pilgrim...feels like far" it carries a different meaning then it did before. When originally stated on the trip by my father about the route that we had taken it meant simply that...we had walked a long ways. But as the trip continued and conversations grew it became a greater expression of life. I'm not sure if it's possible to take a trip like this and not reflect on life and God. After all it is God's country and we were able to experience it in such a unique way. We were also able to build relationships with one another and learn more about life's challenges.
I met a man my father had been friends with for over thirty years. He was a great guy and it was a pleasure getting to know him and meet a man that had known my father long before I was around. He has recently been dealing with some difficult things in life and has found himself in a new place searching for answers. This is a similar situation for my parents. Although the circumstances are greatly different the questions and search for answers are similar. In life we sometimes find ourselves not knowing what to do next, feeling overwhelmed by the situation, feeling trapped and frustrated by the unknown.
I don't pretend to have all the answers or believe in my thirty years, yes almost thirty years, that I have seen it all. I do know however that through the struggles my wife and I have encountered (health, finances, moving, and any other stress young families have) that we've always managed to make it through. I don't believe we could have ever done it alone.
So as you step off the tram and look out across the great unknown with great valleys, ridges and climbs realize that it is all part of a greater plan. As we cross highs and lows in life there is great beauty and great struggle. At times it may feel hopeless and that the end may never come. But as you cross the ridge and the wind tries to blow you off the edge realize that you need to do nothing more than put one foot in front of the other and look to God. He created the heavens and the earth and took the time to create and love each one of us. He will not forget you, He will guide you through and will bring you to the other side. Then when it is all over you can look back and think about what a journey it was. Building great memories, great relationships and great character.
So pull up a saddle, grab your red cowboy hat and your assless leather chaps and toast your glass of wine cowboy. Life is what it is....it's life. Love ya all

Our Nation's Capital and A Dope

Well so catching up a bit...Last month I had the opportunity to visit the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg MD and boy was it a treat. I had a wonderful experience at the NFA and felt as if I learned a lot about my new position as Captain for SJFD. I met some really cool guys from around the country and look forward to returning to the academy in the years to come.

I was also so very blessed to spend some time with my younger, yet bigger, brother and tour our nations capital. "Yes Jenny I am happy to be at our nation's capital." Matthew had the amazing privilege of guiding me around all of the sites and all of the foreigners. It was a pleasure riding the metro rail in DC and fighting for room on the train with all of those annoying Nationals fans that are rooting for a loser of a team. Not that we would know what that is like. We saw all of the memorials within a thousand square miles and managed to make it up to Gettysburg and visit the battlefield that probably changed the shape of our nation. I had a wonderful time and was happy to be the one to add a few blisters to Matthew's feet as he prepares to do it all again when the Miller Heard comes to town and the Grandparents Sellers' make the trek to DC. I really truly enjoyed myself and thank the DC Sellers' for their hospitality and pleasure of my company. So here are a few highlights of the trip...

Here is the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, a lot of names rest on the stones surrounding this place.

The Fire Academy at sunset

Looking across Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg

That's me hangin out with General Longstreet, if he had only listened to me the battle could have gone very different.

What a Dope...he wanted to check out the Colonel Sanders Memorial

Pretty cool place at night

The Hulk and I are going to fix things in Washington

So this was quite a surprise, the mere size of the wall and all of those American boys who paid the ultimate price. As I stared into the reflection of the wall it made me think about how different life could have been. What era we have lived in and how blessed we have been. Too think about who's name could have been on that wall and so many others like it.

Presenting...Mason James in GOOFY SPIDERMAN

Kids are crazy, no doubt. But there is no one I'd rather hang out with...cheap entertainment.

Double Take

I am laughing so hard right now. I just saw the post that my husband made and noticed that the one proceeding it is also a trip to Missouri, leaving one to wonder if we get back there a lot to visit. (Wishful thinking) Honestly, they were two totally seperate trips with a lot going on in between yet some how they were back to back on our blog. That's how bad we are at keeping it updated. Awesome.

Work Hard, Play Hard

So we would like to say hello again. We miss all of you and have been busy and unable to update our blog much. We work like crazy and pull crazy shifts so we can travel and have fun with family and friends. Pretty much stating the obvious but what the heck. So I had a day off today after working five days in a row pulling down about 90 hours. But it's all worth it. We spent a little over a week with my Sis back in good ol' Missouri where the humidity is hot and the thunder storms are hotter. Here in a few weeks it's off to our nations capitol for the National Fire Academy and a few days with my little brother and his family. I am REALLY looking forward to that. Then it's home bound for a few weeks and off to the rugged back country of the Grand Tetons for a week. Hoping to survive long days of hiking, grizzly bears, four old men and there snoring and hopefully not have to carry one of them out. Good times.

PS...I'm just sayin'

I am dedicating this blog entry to Liz. It was her that said, "Um, you need to update your blog...PS...I'm just sayin'"
A couple weeks ago I got to fly to Kansas City and see Liz and Ryan. She is one of my favorite friends from highschool. Somehow we manage to see each other every 2-3 years. Although a few times its been more often. She let me come do a doTERRA class with her family and friends. We had a blast. Afterward she took Laura and I to eat at Brio. It was SO good. (Although the near riot in the streets below...not as good.) :) After catching up with her and getting to spend time in her storybook house,(Cheers to ministering pantry trolls) Laura and I crossed the border to Missouri and headed to her house. To try and explain my trip to Laura and Shane's house would take forever. So, to tell the story I'll just show the photos... This is Laura and Shane's house. They've done so much work to it. Its great. After my first night in Missouri, and staying up for most of it with my sister in law, I was awakened at 6am. For what reason...yeah, there's not too much more to say. I was milking a goat! It was my first time, and Laura and the kids found it hysterical. Sunrise from the farm...BEAUTIFUL! I LOVE these kids. They are so dang cute. And...much to my surprise...I loved Missouri. Laura and Shane's house and property is amazing. It was so beautiful and there was a lot of things to see that I don't typically see in my little corner of the world in Utah. For example... Goats... Really scary trees... and frogs... We got to walk to a covered bridge. (Only 1 of 4 left in the state of Missouri) It was a beautiful day, perfect weather. The bridge is a gorgeous old red wooden bridge, but this was still my favorite photo of the day. This is how Rowan travels. He goes EVERYWHERE on Wyatt's shoulders. Missouri Mud Baby Josie, Laura and I made necklaces together. It was so much fun. Leaving them was terrible. I'd give anything to live close and do things like this all the time!

These kids are amazing. They each gave me a gift while I was there.
My little Mo made me laugh so hard. His gift to me was his company. On my last day there I was up in my room getting ready. I could hear him on the stairs and I said, "Just a second hunny, I'm almost done changing." To which he said, "I know. I'm not coming in. I was just gonna sit right here on the steps and keep you company." He then proceeded to tell me all about his really cool sword and some of his most favorite games. *Priceless* I have to add that he followed me into the bathroom and stood by me while I put my makeup on, telling me he didn't want me to be lonely. We chatted about really important things like doing flips on the trampoline and wrestling. (Which we had done a lot of) I had finished my mascara and he said, "Wow! Your eyes just jumped out of your head." I told him that was the effect I was going for :) Here is the sign Wyatt made for me. I love it! We hung it on the door during the doTERRA class at Laura's. And I've used it for my classes ever since. These are the bracelets my beautiful Josie made for Izzy and I...so cute! I have never taken mine off.

This should brighten your day, no matter who you are. It literally sounds like someone has let the goats into the house.
I had an absolute blast and it was HORRIBLE to leave. I enjoyed every minute and can't wait till the family reunion in June...it will be worse to leave then unless we have our next trip planned. I love you guys so much! Thanks for an awesome time.