Brigham Young's Chosen Ones!

Ma, Pa, Harrison Becker, Ashlee Edens, Quint Seymore,

Rexx Huish, Taylor Birrell, Sacia Heywood,

Cindy Young, Lauren Otey, Trey Fulton

(Sacia's expression is priceless)

Pioneer clothes are so NOT flattering!

The dresses are great for outdoor potty breaks,

but combined with bloomers, undergarments and aprons

and they are horrible in "J-Johns" !

Trey was trying to stay dry with the chickens.

Just as we approached our version of Rocky Ridge
the hail came fast and furious. And so did the wind, rain,

lightning & thunder. Our trail boss figured it out that
we were climbing (slipping & sliding more like)
seven (7) stories
pullin' & pushin' a handcart caked with mud.
It took a lot of sweat & some tears but we made it.
We set off after a short break but didn't make it far.

The weather wouldn't let up and the mud was too much

for our families to conquer. We made camp off to

the side of the road. The wind and rain were relentless

and putting up the tarp tent was insane. The stakes wouldn't
stay in the saturated ground, the tarp ripped
letting in the rain and we were all cold and
soaked to the bone. Needless to say, Stephanie
(Ma) was hysterical. I was laughing so hard I
had tears streaming down my face. The "kids"
kept taking photos and I couldn't believe
any of it was happening. Murphy's Law was in
full effect that night. (That was as close to
being a pioneer that I ever want to be). While trying to
get warm in our sleeping bags Jim told stories
from Fire of the Covenant. Everyone was
humbled and grateful for our current lives.
We said a prayer and tried to sleep,
but the wind and rain rattled our
"tent" all night. AND Ma Fillmore couldn't stop giggling.

Pioneer Humor became our family "catch-phrase".

Pa would say, "Did you get any bacon?" while

we were eating cornmeal mush. The kids eyes

would light up and I would say, "Pioneer humor!"

(guess you had to be there)

On the horse is our trail boss, Greg Olsen, and standing
is one of our captains, Duane Shumway.
That's our family approaching.

Pa Fillmore and Trey Fulton in "the box".
Lauren Otey is riding on the handcart.

Taylor Birrell & Ashlee Edens
make cute pioneers!

In the end, we were very tired and very dirty,
but very grateful that we were called to serve as a Ma & Pa.

The 2009 Chandler East Stake Trek was an

experience we shall never forget!