First annual pro-am with Team Schady

The idea of hitting the slopes with Leslee Schader would be like shooting hoops with Sue Bird--oh, you know, just a wee bit intimidating. I'd been waiting for the day when I got to see this trailblazing super stud whip down the slopes, and I must say, I was not disappointed.

She makes snowboarding look like a cruise down a country road. Although she's a bit more conservative since she's a mommy of two, you could tell by the way she sped through the parking lot and into the lift line, she didn't mess around when she was in her glory days of boarding. I chose to ski while Taylor snowboarded with Les and her hubby Troy. Taylor has been snowboarding for years, but he said both of the Schaders were such good teachers and taught him some great techniques.

We had a few mishaps early on in the day, with the lifts closing because of a lightning storm and Troy losing his keys on our first official run (no joke!)...but it was smooth sailing the rest of the runs. That is, until Leslee took us down the run less traveled, and I had to figure out a way to get down a black diamond cliff. Luckily I had her there to help guide me and the support of all the random people on the chair lift above.

I need to transfer the waxing party pics off my phone, but here's a few snaps from our day at Meadows...

Matchy-matchy, Schados.

Waiting forever in the bunny slope line so I could gather some confidence.

Team Kaylor

Can you believe it's our first photo together? What the heck!

Their kids have some seriously athletic genes, people!

Taylor and Schady.

Everyone getting back on their boards after our prayers were answered and Troy found the keys!!!

CUTE!

SO MUCH FUN! 

What were we thinking?

I still need to share the story of the magical handbags...and I will...but not tonight! The following photos add to the story. I'll let you enjoy these right now! 

Freshman year of high school, circa 1999. This was Halloween. Hence, I am wearing who knows whose blonde wig (still hadn't discovered makeup???), Kell's wearing a yellow furry bathrobe, Katie's too cool for a costume, and Matea's donning a boa on her head. I'd like to note I've owned that blue and white gingham shirt two separate times in my life. Kell and I had been friends since third grade, and this was just a month after meeting Matea and Katie. Pretty sure Mariel was there, too. Probably took this photo.  

Takin' it to the Max one summer night in 2006? I think we'd all just turned 21, right? Beavers baseball game and the Marathon Taverna? Apparently the open-mouth look was my pose du jour decade!

Ahhh...such a classic. Katie's magical wedding on San Juan Island. Twelve solid years of friendship and counting. 

No sun? Frozen river? No problem!

A couple weekends ago, Em and Greg hustled down from Seattle after work on a random Friday. We met at a Fred Meyer parking lot, hilariously merged belongings into Taylor's car and set off for Sunriver. We knew it would be a quick trip, but we were determined to notch a getaway together before Taylor took off for Tax City, population CPA.

The plan--just like our plan the week before at Detroit Lake--was to ski one day and snowshoe the next. In our haste to get out of town, however, I forgot to phone ahead to Mother Nature and tell ol' girl to cooperate.

Much like our backpacking trip back in the fall, we didn't need perfect weather conditions to concoct a mighty fine weekend. The boys headed out Saturday for some serious fly-fishing, while Emily and I caught up on girl talk, rode our bikes around in the brisk 20-degree mountain air, and perused the new shops at the village mall. We also decided to do a little Sunriver bar-hopping, taking advantage of all happy hours we could find. This all before a serious halibut feast, courtesy of the Lagreids, and some out-of-this world duet action a la Doll and Dirt. 

Emily's suitcase. Legit. 

When it's pouring rain, the thought of organizing is a bit much.

Photo 1 in a series of 2 dedicated to Emily's favorite pastime. 

Hey Dirt, want to sing some Johnny and June?

Saturday breakfast...the exact moment Emily decided she's not a vegetarian, and in fact, has a true passion for turkey bacon.

And pumpkin waffles.

Didn't think to ask for a general location of their intended whereabouts...but I did think to get a pre-fishing photo.

These next few photos are from Greg's phone...this is the cabin he wants to buy for Emily. 

I think you missed your calling, Greg. Photography...where it's at! 

Photo 2 of 2. 

She's up! And we're at 'em!

Since Hola at the Marina was closed for the season, we had to settle on margs here.

And beers here.

Prepping the halibut.

The traditional "rock" pic.

How does someone look so good without makeup? Clearly I don't have the same gift. 

The whole gang.

Christmas card redo?

Doll and Doll! 

Shhhhh...these fish are very smart! 

Rounding out the weekend with a trip to 10 Barrel in Bend. How cute is the baby pint glass?

Best friends. Best pizza and beers. Best quick-trip to Bend.

Bring your sister and nephews to work day!

Had a great lunch date with my big sis, Campbell, and Leo yesterday. Campbell couldn't believe we have an arcade game in the lobby at work!

Happy New Year from Detroit!

OK, OK. So, we didn't go to Detroit-Detroit, but we did ring in 2012 at Detroit Lake, Oregon.

Although our initial plans of sharing a cabin with three other couples sort of fell through, we did enjoy a nice long weekend with Chris and Keely. Poor Keely was terribly sick all weekend, and thus the boys had to put up with a tag-a-long...ahem...me. ;)

Taylor even let me reel in some fish! Now that's huge!

Taylor, Chris, and their new friend, "Aaron," at the local watering hole.

Detroit Lake's finest live band...nearing midnight. 

I should mention the three of us ran down to the only bar open in town at 11:30 on New Year's Eve. We took a shot of Southern Comfort (that'll take ya right back to college, eh?), and then we ran back in time for Dick Clark to count down till midnight!

Being silly.

Detroit is festive, right?

Boys.

I couldn't get my camera out in time to capture these guys in front of the fireworks some local was lighting off the side of a shopping cart. Interesting.

Taylor doing work.

And me...reaping the benefits of that work.

He takes care of the hard parts. 

One fish.

Two fish.

So proud! 

The quickest fishing trip ever.

Could that smile engulf any more of my face?!

The sweet cabin.

And a nice little waterfall.

Goodbye Detroit...hope to see you this summer!