friends, babies, and the slopes

Christmas was fantastic. Blake and I feel abundantly blessed by our families and friends, and we could not ask for more. While at breakfast one morning with some of my closest friends since middle school I had to stop myself and ask, "is this real life?" They've seen me break, change, and grow like nobody else has-- it's friendships like these that can't easily be replaced.

{shout-out to forever friends! Woohoo!}

Of equal excitement this Christmas: new babies.  Our nephew, Sam, is ridiculously cute and such a joy to be around.

He wasn't so sure about his "Holiday Dinner" baby food (yes, it actually said that on the package)

BRECKENRIDGE, CO
Following Christmas, we spent 7 days in Breckenridge where Blake and I discovered an outdoor sport that makes us both feel alive. When it comes to sports, we're opposites: my strength is in lower body sports (I won't kayak unless you want to see me drop the paddle 20 kajillion times), his strength is in upper body sports (he won't run unless there's a fire.)

For the past several years, we've been trying to find a sport we can enjoy as a couple since we both like staying active. Blake has bad hips and knees due to premature osteoarthritis and malformation of the joints associated with his form of dwarfism, so any lower body sport typically leaves him in extreme pain.  Prior to our ski trip with his family, he found out about something called adaptive monoskiing. Let me start by saying that adaptive monoskiing is not for wimps. It's hardcore. Just watch the Xgames and you'll find out for yourself-- it takes some serious skill and upper body strength.

With no surprise to me, Blake picked up adaptive monoskiing in just 4 days. I managed to get some video. I apologize ahead of time for how shaky it is at certain points... I was on skis too just trying to keep up with him.

I was so thankful after a long day on the slopes when he looked over at me and said, "the best part is I have no pain!"  I got my "fix" working my lower body while he got his "fix" working his upper body... and we did it together. In reality, adaptive monoskiing is greatly underutilized. Maybe people think it's something only for those who are wheelchair bound, or perhaps they just don't know it exists. Regardless, it's awesome and more people should try it. It's just another way to conquer a mountain.