Dino Triathlon

AH... it's over! I started thinking about doing the Dino Tri. in December, was decided in January, and began stressing over the training in March. I am so glad I made the decision to do it, and so proud of all the hard work that went into it. Our weekend started with Del and Jackie getting to Vernal around lunch time Friday. After our greetings we took our bikes into the bike shop to get them tuned up, and to buy our energy candy (DISGUSTING!). KP did a nice job on our bikes and made them as good as new! We then went and organized our transitions. After I got off of work we went to pick up our packets. I got real intimidated picking up the packet. There were some very athletic looking people in the room! We got all our stuff and got our body markings on and we were off! I picked Stac up and we went to cheer on Elly and Annalee in the kids triathlon. They both did AWESOME! We were so proud of them. I couldn't believe how fast they could swim, run, and bike. We had a blast cheering for them. After the kids tri we headed to our carb loading dinner. Del made a delicious spaghetti and lots of yummy salads. After dinner we headed to Red Fleet to drop our bikes off and set up transition one. By this point I was sick. I laid everything out and kept running my transition through my mind praying I didn't forget anything. We got the information on the swim (they made the swim the exact opposite of what we had all practiced), drove the bike course then went home to go to bed. After a restless nights sleep the morning was upon us. I could not believe it was actually happening. While we were waiting outside for Del to find his keys the first shuttle drove by us. This really freaked me out for some reason. We got to the high school set up transition two and hopped on the bus. When we got to Red Fleet we were given our timing chips, and told to prepare for the race. I kept finding new ways to lay out my transition gear, but finally just gave up and left it alone. After what felt like FOREVER they told everyone to head to the boat dock. I met up with Emily and we were both questioning our triathlon idea. They told the olympic people to get in the water and the whistle was blown. It was cool watching them start. I started to relax when two of the olympic people couldn't even swim twenty-five yards. They told the men sprinters to get in the water and their whistle was blown. Finally, I jumped in the water waiting for the go word. We had to tread water for at least two minutes before we were started. I took off and felt great! It was actually fun to swim in the lake. I got out of the water and started running up the boat ramp. I made a fast transition and took off. The climb out of Red Fleet is brutal. As soon as I made it through that I knew I would be fine. I turned onto H 191 and started looking for my cheering section. As I came up the last big hill they were at the top of it! It was so fun seeing them there. I loved it! Somewhere in the half mile out of the park, and where they were Del passed me on his bike. Neither of us recognized each other, weird! I was happy with my bike time, but relieved to be able to get off the bike at the high school. I ran into the transition area and couldn't find my stuff. Just as I was about to tell someone that my things had been stolen I decided to walk up the other side of the transition area. Sure enough, my things were there. I threw my shoes on and took off. My legs were heavy. I was running, but not fast! I decided my goal for the run would be to never stop to walk. I made it, barely! I was excited to see Jake, Brilee, Stacia, and Michael at the high school. They encouraged me to keep going. I then got to see my Mom and Jackie at Maeser Elementary. Right after I ran by they had to rescue a 61 year old lady who pulled her calf muscle in the race. As soon as I turned around and started running the down hill stretch I felt great! I came into the high school and the announcer started saying I was the first Roosevelt contestant to finish. I finished and was so happy to have it over... Thank you so much for all the support I have gotten from everyone.

Del rocked the Dino Tri and took third overall!

Right after I finished I took Brilee on this blow up slide. This was the hardest thing I had ever done. I would have had an easier time doing the race again. I got stuck in the stupid thing, couldn't lift Brilee up the ladder, and got ran over by a ton of little kids. It wasn't fun for me...

Or for Bri Bear.

Jackie came all the way from California to watch us race. Thank you so much! It was so nice to have you here!

Love my little fam bam!

Right after I finished the race...

Crossing the line... I am so glad I got to this point.

It was so fun having my Dad and brother do this with me!

Wahoo! 

Brilee had to have a shaved ice after our adventure in the blow up toy.

Us and our awkward hand gestures for pictures.

Mark on the home stretch of his bike ride. Julie Barr in the background cheering for him. We had the COOLEST, LOUDEST, and most SUPPORTIVE cheering section there!

Del in Dry Fork Canyon.

My Dad finishing his bike ride.

Mark cruising towards Steinaker.

My Dad getting to the top of the painful hill!

Me climbing the last BIG hill!

Del right after he passed me.

Father's Day Weekend

As tradition, we spent our Father's Day weekend on Diamond Mountain participating in the hound trials. Jake and I have been looking at campers since March and on Thursday we found the one we wanted. So... we now have a camper! We love it, and are very excited about it. B&D were awesome and had it ready for us to pick up Friday afternoon to take to Diamond. As soon as we picked it up and did some shopping we took off. We were excited thinking we would make it to camp before dark... that would be a first for us! On our way up the mountain we passed a truck and trailer broke down. Jake said he knew the people, and so we turned around. Tom and Nicki were coming for the trials from Craig, CO. Their camper got two flat tires, and as they were getting off the road the rims fell onto ground. Apparently, they fell hard enough to shift their campers whole center axle. We gave them a ride to camp and a couple other people headed down to their camper to help fix it. They plan to trade it in tomorrow. After a comfortable night in our new camper we got up to the barking of hound dogs excited to compete. Jake entered Grit and Yodi in the junior division of the short drag. Yodi went first and surprised us by taking second line-first tree. This meant he would be in the finals later on. Grit finished her drag, but not fast enough. Brilee fell asleep an hour before Yodi's finals, and so we didn't get to watch. I knew things were good when I could see Jake's smile from across the creek. Yodi SMOKED the competition and took first line (by a long ways) and first tree. We were excited! After all the finals were over we started getting a team put together for the five dog bear pack. Jake and I only brought three dogs, and one of the dogs (Weasel) won't run on the fake scent. We found Jared Workman who put two dogs in with us, and Jason Bristol put one of his in. We went and got in line for the race. When it was finally our turn we pulled up to the line, jumped out of the truck, and all tried to grab a dog. We missed one of Jared's dogs and it took off. It made it all the way to the tree. So we had to go and get it and start again. We were able to watch our dogs come across the field, and Jake and I were excited to see Yodi leading our pack. We ended up taking second in the bear pack for the second year in a row. Always next year... Brilee had a rough night Saturday and so when the long bear drag was about to start Brilee and I couldn't wake up. Jake went and came back a couple of hours later. They announced over the radio "Birchell's black and white dog (Yodi) has this won!" Jake was excited. He went to the finish line and watched Yodi get hung up in a rock that was feet away from the finish line. Yodi turned around and ran a half mile out of his way to avoid the rock. In the meantime another dog finished, so Yodi didn't win. Jake decided he wanted to stick around and test our dogs swimming skills. Brilee was still sleeping and so I decided I would just walk to the lake when she woke up. I loved the walk, and I am so glad I did it. Brilee and I timed it perfectly, Jake was just finishing with Grit's race (she swam but came in last) and getting ready to start Weasel's. Weasel swam too, but came in second to last. Jake decided we should just take off because he was SURE Yodi wouldn't swim. As we were getting ready to go Stacia and Michael showed up. Jake decided to race Yodi so they could at least see something. He assured me Yodi wouldn't swim and we would head home. Well, Yodi swam, and swam really well. He took first line and first tree. It was cool. We headed back to the camper and cooked breakfast. Went back to the lake in plenty of time to watch Yodi SMOKE the finals in swim too! Stacia and I were then talked into doing the Powder Puff entry. Stacia had flip flops on, but she still did it! We had to walk across the dam, down the rocks, and release the dogs in the lake. Some lady accidently let go of her dog and he went right to the water. The crazy lady went right in with the dog. It was wild! She was swimming after her dog, all our dogs are going crazy, and everyone back at shore is laughing hysterically. When all this was over we decided we might as well try Yodi in the Iron Dog competition. Jake turned Yodi and Grit lose without collars. UGH! All the dogs (but one) chased elk. Luckily, Yodi was found early and put back on the trail he was supposed to be on, and so he ended up at the lake. Grit being out of shape wore down quickly, so we caught her easy. We grabbed our dogs and took off! As we were busy throwing camp together the girl in charge came and told us Yodi was the HIGH POINT HOUND! He scored the best of any other dog there! She took Jake and Yodi's picture to be in the magazine Full Cry next month. It was a busy, hot, long, exciting, and happy weekend! 

Here is a random picture that was on my camera of everyone I work with. 

Jake cooking Brilee and I breakfast! I love breakfast food while I am camping. 

Brilee loved napping while we were camping!

She ate some yummy licorice right before this picture.

Jake taking Grit to the short drag. He is the guy in the black shirt and hat.

Jake cracks Brilee and I up when he feeds her.

Every Night When Daddy Comes Home the Monkey's on the TABLE!

Jake, Brilee, and the champ!

Jake letting Weasel in the water.

Brilee thought she needed to keep up with these two older boys who spent the day catching frogs, fish, and snakes. 

You cant' really see the dogs, but that is Yodi pulling out into the lead.

Happy Father's Day Jake, Dad, Barry, and Grandpa's! We love you very much and are so grateful for you all being the best DAD'S!!!!!

Yellowstone

We have spent the past five days in the Yellowstone/Jackson Hole area. It was such an amazing vacation. We had the best time. While we were there we saw hundreds of buffalo, four moose, deer, coyotes, tons of elk, big horn sheep, three wolves, one grizzly bear, and four black bears. It was awesome! Here are A LOT of pictures!                                                                                                                      

Brilee loves Scooter. She is a little confused on their age difference though. She calls him a baby and is always trying to mother him. She was hugging him every chance she got. Poor Scooter!

This is at the Bar J Wranglers. It was such a fun experience. We got to the ranch walked around, rode on the carriage, ate, and watched the show. We loved it! Right before this picture was taken poor Cy about fell right on his face. Leeber caught him though. 

Walking around the ranch.

Brilee on the carriage, being pulled by Bert and Ernie.

Our hotel room was 342... anyone know the significance? (Carly will probably be the only one!)

Two moose as we were heading into the park.

Grandma chasing the babies while we waited for Old Faithful.

Stinky board walk!

While we were exploring the Old Faithful area we had a crow digging into our suitcase. As we were walking to the truck I found a pair of Jake's underwear across the parking lot. I was embarrassed and confused so I just threw them in the stroller. When we got to the truck we saw the crow. He had put a hole in our suitcase, ripped up our dirty clothes bag, and took the underwear. It was SO random!

We lucked out weather wise. It rained all day and when we got to Old Faithful it stopped. 

Brilee figured out how to escape from her stroller.

Look how cute the baby buffalo is!

We wore these two babies out. They were the best babies the whole trip.

Brilee tickling Cy. 

One of the high lights of the trip was being able to swim three nights in a row!

Brilee and Annalee hanging out!

Right out our hotel door.

We hiked to the bottom of the Tower water fall to find out the trail was closed. 

We got WAY close to these elk!

I can't get this picture to turn, but I love it anyways!

Yellowstone Lake

Yummy Mud Pots!

This is where we saw the HUGE black wolf and Grizzly Bear.

The wolf was eating an elk that had been hit the night before in the park.

We ate dinner at Bubba's. Brilee LOVES Bubba's!