Adventures with Grandpa Billy

Paul and Adam’s grandfather, Grandpa Billy (as Paul was so kind to call him over and over again) came to visit a couple of weeks ago, mostly to work on the list of chores Becky made for him. He built some shelves for the new shed, patched some drywall, did some plumbing and electrical work, and went to Home Depot at least a dozen times. He was also fortunate enough to show up at the time the flu ran through our house, and probably got sicker than any of us. Lucky! But during all that, we did get a chance to go out in the frigid winter wonder-Maryland.

Pretty much as cold as you can get, here in Annapolis on the bay. The water was iced over and the wind was brutal, but we survived... we are all from Montana afterall... well, except the boys, but Paul's Florida blood has adjusted to snowy weather.


Back in the day the kids in grade school used to call me the True Value boy because I always had an assortment of True Value t-shirts. I should have stopped in to Stevens to pick one up.

Adam Michael says, "It's cold."

Ted and I stopped for a moment to hear a story by Alex Haley. It was about some dude named Kunta Kinte, or maybe his name was Toby... I don't recall.

Later in the week, we went to the Washington DC auto show, where all the 2011 cars and concepts were on display. Paul drove in the big race with a remote control car and took home the checkered flag!

And then the snow fell, and a snowman had to be built.

So the boys had a good time harassing their grandfather, and are looking forward to spending some time with the rest of the family coming up in March!

2011... It's about time.

So long to 2010. I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say, it won't be missed. But of course for us, we will always remember it, every time we have to think to ourselves... now how old is Adam? Yes, overall it was a lousy year, but it was the year that Adam Michael showed up on the scene, and we will forever be thankful for that. But now it's time to move forward. It's the dawn of a new year, and it's sure to be a better one. So at the start of this new 2011, here are the Sellers Boys:



Uncle Ted bought a new shed the other day, and since this one has yet to be infested with the Spider Plague that destroyed the last one, the boys are enjoying hanging out in it.


Just hanging out with the boys. But I would like to apologize for Paul's hat. It is not my intention to inflict my children with the disease my father passed to my brother and me. We only bought it because it was randomly at the Children's Place today. From now on we will only purchase Yankees, Lakers, and Patriots clothing.

Big bro, little bro, chillin' on a brisk January day. Right on.

Yes, the crawling champion, soon to be a walker. He's fast on his hands and knees already, and has been pulling himself up every time he gets a chance. His favorite hobbies include: pulling out power cords, knocking over trash cans, and playing in the dishwasher.

I tried to put Paul on the roof of the shed, but he wasn't too keen on the idea.

Peeping Paul.

They're growing up too fast, but that's the way it goes. We hope the turn of the new year was good for everyone out there, and hope that this year turns out to be the best ever!

The Clayburn Sisters

Kelly asked that Becky take a few photos of her girls while they were here. I think a lot of them turned out pretty good, so check them out:

The Idahoans

It’s a new year and already we’ve had a multitude of visitors. Last year it seems somebody was coming to visit us almost every month, and this year is starting off the same. I guess that just means we’ll get to see the DC sites again. And again. And, yeah, probably again. But it’s all good. The youngest Unbehend sibling came to visit us in the first week of the new year, and she brought with her the growing Clayburn family. Paul and Brooke are about a year apart, so they got along great together and were rarely apart throughout the week. I had to work most of the time, but here are a few highlights of their trip to the nation’s capital.

We've had multiple people take multiple photos under multiple state names at the WWII memorial... so here's another one. And the first from the Potato State!

Uncle Christopher and Sophia Marie.

Of course, local resident Ted Unbehend tagged along for the journey, here with PJS.

January is a cold month in most places, and it's no different here. But they survived. These people are from Idaho after all.

Quite a tourist group for Uncle Ted to manage, but he helmed the minivan well.

The kids checked out the dolphin show at the National Aquarium in Baltimore... of course.

And saw a few cannons... of course.

Brookie B enjoyed her time in DC.

Gotta take the kids to the zoo. It's free. You can't beat that. Even if it was a bit cold.

Adam Michael hung out with Uncle Chris, and didn't fight to get away!

Paul looking overly excited at the zoo. But he did really have a great time with Brooke and the rest of the Clayburns. Next up will be Grandpa Bill next week... but I won't be surprised if someone else shows up shortly after that. So thanks to everyone who came to visit in 2010, and we look forward to seeing you all again now that it's 2011!!

Countdown to Christmas!

Thanksgiving is over. The leaves have fallen. The cold wind is blowing. It must be just about winter time, which means... Christmas time is almost here!! This will be Adam's first Christmas of course, and Paul is more excited this year than any before. Soon we'll be stringing the lights, decorating the tree, and (maybe) shoveling snow. It truly is the most wonderful time of year!

A boy's first Christmas. Plenty of wrapping paper to eat!

Bring on the presents! As if this kid needs any more toys.

Any Christmas candy lying around here??

Ah yes, bust out the sled and lets hit the massive mountain slopes... uh... kind of.

Ready to hang the ornaments and tinsle... or just eat them.

Not sure what this thing is, but I'm ready to go... I guess.

Oh, Adam Michael.

Still no snow. No snow for sledding. No snow to jump in. No snow at all. Oh well...

Visions of sugar plums are dancing in his head... or visions of all sorts of junk he doesn't need but saw on TV and now thinks he has to have for Christmas.

Trying to get a picture of both boys together and both looking at the camera - let alone smiling - is next to impossible at this age. Oh well... it's Christmas time!! Happy Holidays!

It all falls down...

It’s already the middle of November and Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. The time flies by. Becky and the boys have been hard at work in the yard, raking up the endless supply of leaves. But that’s a good thing, since the weather has been incredible and the fall has been beautiful around here. Check it out:

Adam thoroughly enjoyed his time rolling around in the leaves!

This seems like a good idea... let's bury our little brother in the leaves!

Just like this...

Wear a goofy hat: check. Eat some leaves: check.

Never, ever, ever a quiet moment.

Whatever, Paul.

A big hug for a little brother.

Gotta love this time of year! Bring on the Holiday Season!