If you have ever met us, you already know that we are one   C  R  A  Z  Y   little family. We became the incredible Hillyard Team on March 10th, 2012 - just one year ago - and have been inseparable since. In fact, we will be stuck together forever, so let's hope we like each other ♥ Lucky for us, we both love wild adventures - usually in the majestic Utah mountains or along a beautiful tropical beach somewhere.

At the moment, we are just a couple of kids in college still trying to have some fun. We are both completely addicted to electronics, namely our laptops, and are perfectly okay with that.  Learning to become Engineers, we are a little on the nerdy side and are very competitive with each other. But hey! It gives us something to work on... humility and TEAMWORK! Still I am grateful that we are equally dedicated to learning and constantly striving to do our best. It might just so happen that our kids will be calculus pros by the age of 8..... and possibly socially awkward as well. Thank goodness for families who can all be weird together!

We often refer to Landon as "the Labrador" because he is so energetic and constantly moving. Even so, it amazes me how patient he is, especially while being married to me. He rarely gets upset and is always asking me if I am happy. Even if I say yes, he still tries to make me even more happy. He also gives the tightest hugs you could ever give. Landon is an all around Mr. fixit. Be it a car, computer, or an oven, he is always right there with his super glue and zip ties thinking up a creative solution. He is literally a walking encyclopedia, well more like wikipedia. He talks to everyone he passes and always comes away learning something. This guy probably knows more about everything than anyone on this planet. Landon has always had a deep love for dirt biking and has now been sharing that love with me. We take every chance we have to get away from the world and go find a fun and challenging motorcycle trail.

I, on the other hand, am quite the perfectionist. Just like my mother, I want things to be done the right way, the first time. I can be spontaneous at times, but I am usually carrying around my planner everywhere to keep my life in order. I suffer from what I like to call the travel bug and love going on vacation. Of course it was my crazy idea to live in Africa for a summer (where I found my appreciation for toilet paper in public restrooms) and I drug my new husband along for protection - they are good for that kind of thing. I have always loved but have recently been pursing photography. It is amazing to me how much beauty you can find in the intricate details of life. I also love capturing all of life's precious moments, both big and small. I am the biggest fan of summer and would be perfectly content with a yearly visit to the snow, but one visit is all I need.




















The biggest adventure of our lifetime has of course been joining the Navy ranks, except that the actual work hasn't kicked in quite yet. In January, Landon was accepted in the Nuclear Power Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC). The application process was extremely long and tedious, including some hard core technical interviews in Washington D.C. Finally all the papers have been signed and life is pure bliss until we finish school in 2 years. Although he really has no duties Landon is paid as an Active Duty E-6, along with all military benefits, healthcare, etc. Once we graduate, we are committed to 5 years of service, which include Officer Candidate School (OCS), Nuclear Power School, and submarine deployments of 3-6 months. We are fully aware that this journey isn't going to be easy - we knew that from the very beginning, but it is a dream worth pursuing and we are in it together, side by side. I am prepared to support Landon in every way that I can; because I love him more than anything in this world and nothing can change that. ♥

Joining the Navy has definitely been a complete change of lifestyle for us and we couldn't be more grateful for the blessing is has been and the opportunities it will continue to provide for our family. But for now we are living every moment to the fullest while awaiting the next round of changes and adjustments. I am just excited to finally live on the coast! And I'm sure somewhere along the way we will have a couple little kidlings join the team, but for now we are doing just fine.  Life is so good.