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! 

I'm not neglecting my resolution ...

... I've just been working on my other blog that will someday accompany a book--if I can get my proposal together in time. I've got until the end of the term, and it's moving along a bit slower than I anticipated, but it's moving.

Aside from that, here's the rundown:

• The team has been traveling a ton. That's an understatement. We had three days off in January, so I'm pretty pumped the calendar changed yesterday. 
• Mariel and I continue to cook as much as we can. The other besties, Kelley and Katie came over and we made homemade pasta yesterday--that was quite a treat! 
• I'm running a half-marathon in a few weeks, and I'm trying to start swimming in hopes I can do a triathlon one of these days. So far I've had just one lesson, and I can't say it was my favorite exercise session, but it went OK.

That's about the extent of what's going on in my life. The days are flying by faster than ... well ... they're flying, and before you know it, it will be June, I'll be graduating, and then ???

If anybody has suggestions as to what I should and could be doing for employment come summer, please oh please let me hear 'em!

And, if I had a few more days off, I'd be at the mountain, snowshoeing or skiing around ... I guess it's OK the mountains don't have much snow right now!!!

Rocky Mountain High

Skiing in Vail, Colorado. Rocky was so pumped because he didn't have to babysit me snowboarding. I chose to ski this time, and I'm not sure I'll ever go back! Although he hit the double black diamonds, and I barely made it to the blues, I am anxious to get back on the slopes. Next time I visit Colorado in the winter, however, I'm not going to forget to bring ski clothes. Thankfully I was able to slap together an outfit for the weekend.

Vail Village after a long day on the slopes

My wonderful, funny, pretty, stylish, thoughful, cheese-loving, wine-drinking friend, Jenny!
The Dallas/Austin/Fort Collins/Denver, group: Mike, Geoff, Matt, Rock, Wes, Will, Brandon, Erica, Chelsea, Jenny, and Lea.
The newly engaged Erica, me, (Will in the background), Jenny, Lea, and Chelsea.
Check out this beach party at Arapaho Basin. People stake out their slots early in the ski season and back in their trucks for a winter tailgate party. Kegs, grills, burgers, and fun for all!