From Zion to DC

A couple of weeks ago, my long lost LDS brother from the Land of Zion came to hang out with us for a weekend, and got to spend a little time in Obama’s town. This being his first visit to the capitol city, we of course had to see all the sites… and there are a few. I had a few blisters after walking about a thousand miles, but we even saw a few things we’d never seen before, so it was all good. And best of all, we got to ride the metro with 50,000 Washington Nationals fans (even though I never would have guessed the Nationals had that many fans… though to be honest, I think there were more people wearing jerseys for the other team). So other than the long delays on the train, and the heavy crowds around the mall, it was yet another exciting site seeing tour of the city.


Just hanging out at the steps of the Capitol. Paul's been there so many times already he's barely amused.

However, this was Adam's first visit to see his Senators and Representatives. He hurled a few garbled insults and spit some drool over his disgust with their performances and inability to get us out of the current economic crisis.

Paul on the other hand, was not concerned about the economy. He never has to worry about whether his endless supply of funds will run out. Right.

You can never have enough pictures of the monuments. Just ask any one of the six hundred thousand tourists down there any day of the week. Including this tourist.

Paul tried to climb through the fence to speak with Mr. Obama. He spent the rest of the weekend being waterboarded in an underground holding cell beneath the South Lawn.

So Josh had a good time visiting the nation’s capitol and all of the monuments within… and what’s even better – we get to do it all again when my sister gets here in September! And probably again if Becky’s parents come in October. And probably again if her sister comes in January. And then probably again. And then probably again.

The trip out west...

Thought I should finally catch up with this blog, since I missed most of July. Becky and the boys spent a couple weeks out west, so I didn’t have much to talk about or any pictures to post last month. They’ve obviously been back for a while, but here are a few pictures from their time in Coeur d’Alene and Missoula.

Of course they spent some time with the Clayburn family in Northern Idaho. Aunt Kelly, Uncle Chris, Brookie B, and Sophie Marie.

Two cousins quick to become best friends.

Just hanging out, looking for trouble and reasons to pick at each other.

He did it! No, no, no... I had absolutely nothing to do with anything ever. And stop pointing at me... thank you.

Sleepy Sophie.

Spent a few sunny days in the park with Aunt Kelly

Made it to Montana, and of course hung out with Mr. Flint, the always pitiful pit bull.

And spent some time with Great Grandma Steele out in the woodlands of Lolo.

Happy boy Adam Michael with Great Granny. If only he was old enough to ask for bacon and dip eggs for breakfast.

And Grandma Cindy got to carry the chunky boy around a bit too.


Meanwhile, back at the Unbehends, there was rarely a quiet moment with these kids around.


Sophie just relaxing a bit.



The Clayburn girls.

And Granny G with her youngest grandson.

Paul kicked back in the pool, oh what a rough life he leads.

Peaking out.

Running wild along Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Happy to hang out with Aunt Kelly.

So a big thanks to everyone who spent time with the boys and bought them far too many toys and clothes! Hopefully I’ll get to tag along the next time they get back out west!

Independence Day!

Hopefully everybody out there had a great Fourth of July last weekend! We went down to the National Mall and watched the fireworks around the monuments. There were tons of people, but overall, it wasn’t extremely crowded and wasn’t too difficult to get out of there afterward. A beautiful summer day filled with explosions, what could be better? Check out the photos:

Another great 4th of July! It was a good experience, Paul enjoyed the fireworks, and Adam pretty much slept through it.

Out of June... into July

We spent the last weekend of June on Theodore Roosevelt Island on the Potomac River. I wasn’t even aware that there was a memorial for him until Ted told us about it, so we figured we’d better check it out. It was basically a little island on the river accessed by a foot bridge. Other than a few water fountains and a statue of Roosevelt, the island was mostly forested with a nice trail around the perimeter and a restroom filled with creepy Daddy Long Legs. I made a quick stop in the bathroom, because one of these fellows looked at me and leapt from the wall to chase me out. Needless to say, I ran screaming out into the woods. Otherwise, the island was great!


It was extremely humid at first, but then the storm clouds rolled in and cooled it down considerably. We had just a little luck that day, as a Florida-like rain fell on us just as we were getting back to the car.


Wave to Teddy, Paul! No, not Uncle Ted... that old bronze looking dude over there!

"Alike for the nation and the individual, the one indispensable requisite is character." Paul is quite the character.

"Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground." Sound advice from Teddy.

The island was a little swampy with some lizards and strange dragonflies, but this cool wooden path ran most of the way through it.

Mom and her boys, always together... and occasionally I get to hang out too!

Yet another good weekend adventure here for the Maryland Sellers. And now... we head into the chaos that will be DC on Independence Day. Somewhere around 750,000 people may be down and around the National Mall... and we're thinking it's a good idea to join them. We may not think that afterword, but it could be a once in a lifetime event, so wish us luck! And Happy 4th of July to you all out there!

If only every day was Father's Day...

Why can’t everyday be like Father’s Day? Why can’t that feeling go on, endlessly? Oh if every day, could be just like Father’s Day, what a wonderful world it would be! That’s how that song should be. Everyday should be a day where Dad can lay on the couch watching one baseball game on the TV, and another on the internet. A day where Mom doesn’t harass Dad to sand and mud drywall on the ceiling, or mow the grass or make a blog post or something. Well, Father’s Day is over, and it won’t come again for some time. So this morning I put up drywall mud, now I’m making a blog post, and later I’ll probably have to mow the grass. Oh well. Here is what we did on Father’s Day.

Paul and Dad hitting the greens on a sunny Sunday afternoon. What could be better? We went up to the Severna Park miniature golf course to play a round.

I'm Tiger Woods! I'm Tiger Woods! Well, probably not, but we would take the Nike contract.

The hole is your home, ball! Go to your home... you like your home, ball. Go to your home!!

The following day, we went up to Great Falls National Park on the Potomac river to take a hike through the woods. It was a beautiful day, though a little humid, as can be expected.

Adam's usual view. The path was not exactly "stroller friendly" and was actually a little difficult to navigate at times, but we survived.

Adam was not too bothered by it, though a few times I almost tipped him out, trying to four wheel it over some boulders in the path. Anyway, we had a good time, and a successful, fun Father's Day 2010. Until next year... now I should probably go mow the grass.

The Boy is 3

Paul turned the big three years old a week or so ago. He’s almost over the hill, contemplating retirement and what to do in his golden years. He has trouble getting out of bed in the morning, he keeps forgetting where he left his cars, he’s getting my bald spot, his hearing is almost gone… every time I ask him to do something he says, “What?? What dad??” He’s an old man, that Paul Sellers. Here are a few pictures from his birthday.

A huge thanks to everyone who sent cards, gift cards, and cold hard cash! Paul's been going to Target and spending it all to fill the house full of even more toys that he can scatter around.

We're sorry Paul, you can't spend it all at once, and you can't use it all to buy cars... due to the fact that you already own more vehicles than GM.

And a big thanks to Aunt Kelly for buying the creepy looking tarantula. She can always be counted on for wonderful gifts. We're excited that Paul's cousin Brooke is having a birthday next month.

It's time for some serious 3D chalk drawing! Paul had me cover the back patio with sharks, crabs, whales, and a race track for the cars.

Sporting the Big Brother/Little Brother shirts. Adam was not too keen for taking family photos.

A family of four, and the boys are growing up already! Next thing we know it will be Adam's birthday... but hopefully not too soon. So thanks again to everybody who sent a card, sent a present, sent an e-mail, sent a telegram or a fax, made a phone call, or just thought of Paul on his big third birthday!

Just a day at the beach...

Monday marked Adam’s first trip to the beach! Paul, of course, has actually been to a few beaches in his time, but it’s been a while. We headed up past Annapolis to Sandy Point Park on the Chesapeake Bay. It wasn’t exactly the ocean, but the water was warm, the sun was shining, and the sand was burning hot, so it felt like the beach!

Laid back... does it get any better than this? Probably not.

Ahh... bring some of that sand over here so I can eat it and rub it in my eyes!

A natural born Floridian... still and always.

The water was not exactly crystal clear, but it was warm... and full of Maryland Blue Crabs!

Oh yeah, well that's not so bad, is it?

Wait no!! No it's bad!! It's real bad!! Get me out of here!!

It was definitely not Jacksonville Beach, but it was as close as it gets up in these parts. Paul had a great time digging in the sand, splashing in the water, looking for sharks, and just enjoying the sun. Summertime is here!