The Running Man Part 2

RJ ran his first 10k on the 4th of December. RJ, Patrice and I drove to Moab for the Winter Sun 10k. I thought it would be a little warmer than Bountiful, but it turned out to be a bit colder. He did a great job and has even gotten into the lottery for the half marathon in March. Here are a few pictures. I'm so proud of him!!!

We were also able to see my aunt, Diane and uncle, Charlie while we were there. We had lunch with my cousin Carter as well. It was great to see them and their beautiful house and talk and laugh about memories and good times with family.

He's not JUST my Dad

Happy Birthday Dad! I love you and want you to know what a special person you are to me. Sometimes it's hard to find all the time to express all my caring and compassion to you but always know it is there and that it flows steadily forever and in all directions.

I have always been at ease with you...our eyes are the same and I believe our hearts are too. I see such a willingness to connect within from you and I share in that. I celebrate all you do professional and socially...but most of all I thank you for bringing me my sisters and my brothers. I thank you for the long nights you have spent on our behalf and the many more you will experience.

You are truly beautiful...handsome and caring. TI AMO!!!

Always your daughter-
Chels

KP-da-Shelly

Most of you know her as Casey but I know her as KP-da-Shelly. She celebrated her birthday on October 16th and I have been neglectful in blogging about one of the most beautiful women in my life. So, to you KP, I apologize. I write this publicly but to your heart only.

Case, you truly are an angel. You are absolutely complex and yet so openly loving, caring and giving. People will live a lifetime attempting to get to the core of you and yet experience it at the same time. I hear people talk about the bond that sisters share and the way it weaves together over time. You are like that silk thread that shimmers on the dark days and pulls me into the light again. You are my late night rescue from a bad dream and the early morning escape to watch the sunrise.

I have surfed the waves with you (literally and figuratively). I have rushed down the mountains, only to climb them with you by my side. I know I can always look to my side and see your baby blues there.

I love you...I love you...I love you!!!

The Running Man

RJ ran his first 5k on October 10th. Our nephew Jared ran too.

It was fun to see them together and have Jared over to spend time.

RJ has been training and working really hard at the gym to get ready. It's such a great accomplishment for him and I am so proud of him. It has really turned into a wonderful outlet for him and I've watched his determination grow. I've always known what strength he has but this became more of a mental victory than anything. He's been a little chatterbox about planning everything just perfect and making the right steps...just like he does in life.

I got emotional when I saw him crossing the finish line. We've struggled so much this last year and he has carried US in many ways that I was estatic to see him do something just for himself. He is always taking care of me...worrying about me, my family, his family, his work, friends...it's so nice to see that he is remembering how important he is too.

RJ and Jared's official finish times. They both did great!!!

Relaxing after the race.

So proud of them...

It was a cold moring but my entire family (except Drew...cause he's a working man : ) ) came to cheer RJ on. We are so lucky to have their support and love.

The sisters...Stacey and Casey.

The Dad...Chesley, Amy and the brothers...Corey and Ashton.

The Mom...Patrice.

I love you buddy and really am SOOOOO very proud of you!!! Congratulations!

FALLing in love

RJ and I have a tradition each Fall. We take a drive to see all the beautiful colors nature offers up in the changing of the seasons. It's during these times that we have our best talks, our biggest laughs and sometimes just that comfortable silence that life requires to recharge. This year we took a drive to Eden and then through Ogden canyon. We didn't get too many pictures but here are a few. I love to fall in love with the Utah seasons each year and I love falling in love with RJ!!!

Happy Birthday Corey and Ashton

I just wanted to get a quick post out there about the cutest little brothers in the world. They are turning a year old today and I am so excited. Corey and Ashton are such little angels in our family. They have brought us together, made us laugh, made us cry...and many other feelings. I love you both!!!

Party tonight, so hopefully there will be some great pictures too. Stay tuned!!!

Love your Big sis-
chels

For Love and A Game!!!

Happy Anniversary to Stacey and Drew!!! Three years and still as beautiful and sweet as ever. I love the unique and original love you display with each other...the respect Drew shows to Stacey...the twinkle in Stacey's eyes when she talks about Drew...the feeling that follows you two around...you are BEAUTIFUL!!! I love spending time with both of you, thanks for adopting me on the nights RJ works. TI AMO!

And not to diminish the love of two amazing people...but a love for a game.

YEAH, it's officially football season! Go Utes (and bucs...holding my breath on this one)!! One down with a win in the pocket. I had a blast at the game with Dad, Amy and Casey and celebrated the kickoff of what will hopefully be a great season. I guess I should be excited like everyone else for the the Cougars and their big win against Oklahoma ("it's good for the conference") but that only lasted about a half and hour for me...now I'm just seeing RED!!!!

I can't wait for the upcoming month. There should be a lot to "report" on. Casey's birthday, the twins FIRST birthday, Pops moving the Firm to the new building...maybe something about me in there somewhere...stay tunned!!!

Road Trippin' or just TRIPPIN'

RJ and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary on August 28th. We decided to spend a little time together and take a road trip to Steamboat, Colorado. It is incredibly beautiful there. Sort of a smaller Park City without all the hype.

RJ was raised in Vernal during some of his childhood and I had never been there so he decided it would be fun to drive that way and show me all the sights and sounds that make Vernal...well, Vernal.

We drove all over town and then out to Maeser to find the old house and the tree he used to climb. He was so excited and had many stories to tell me about his friends and trouble he caused...yep, he's not as innocent as he seems!

We even got to spin our wheels dragging mainstreet Vernal looking for my dads new sign at their Vernal office. Pretty hard to miss and it looks AWESOME!!! I'm really proud of my dad and his accomplishments professionally.

The Vernal LDS Temple.


Me and Pinky the dinosaur.



Probally my favorite picture EVER!!!

No vacation from the phone...

Our Balcony view...fun and really pretty!

The sunsetting on our way to Strawberry Springs. This is about 20 minutes from downtown Steamboat and was romantic and really beautiful. It's pools of naturally heated water all connected in different temperatures and levels. You can even schedule massages there...in the beauty of the trees and the sound of the rushing water. The best part is that the "kids" are gone after dark...wink wink...call RJ for more info.

RJ overlooking Fishcreek Falls. It's about 5 minutes from downtown Steamboat and then a just a short hike to a beautiful 200 foot waterfall.

Mt. Werner, Steamboat...the Gondola.

Waiting for the Gondola...CHEESE!!!

On the way up to dinner...bigger CHEESE and don't look down!!!

Dinner and Sunset from the top of Mt. Werner in Steamboat.

Dinner at Hazies...2200 feet above Steamboat. We rode the Gondola to the top and had a romantic Anniversary dinner. It's beautiful and you can see the town below...

Hiking to the Petroglyphs outside of Vernal on our way home and some of them that we could pick out in the mountain.

The top of the Flaming Gorge Dam...

The Flaming Gorge Dam...crazy stuff! I would NOT want to be downstream of this puppy.

The two of us attempting our best tourist shot at the Flaming Gorge Dam.

I just wanted to see if RJ would crawl into this cave...he did :)

The cows were just staring us down in a chicken fight. There were cows everywhere at the Gorge. Personally, I was looking for a bear, but the cows are just as cute I guess.

Flaming Gorge...fast becoming one of my favorite places!!!

We had a great time road trippin' our way through Utah and Colorado. Some of my most favorite memories are the trips that we have, the conversations, singing at the top of lungs and laughing at stupid things...

RJ, do you remember the jug n' loaf and the Dale Gribble look alike?

I love you babe! It was a great get away with memorable times. Strawberry Springs forever!!!

Smooches...ti amo!!!