Belly Time

I get it.  Be proud of the belly :)  

In my defense, it is the first time in my life (and any woman's) 

where you are encouraged to gain a round protruding sphere on your stomach.  

But with all the kicking lately it's hard to ignore that this belly is housing our newest family member.  

So I'm working on embracing the belly. 

Everyday, I'm getting more excited to meet the little belly maker.

Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow :)

My yoga attempt with the belly

Classic Ski & Window Trim

I've been procrastinating my weekly blog post because I haven't captured a picture of the new interior window trim that Zach and Nick worked so hard on over the weekend.  It's wonderful!  And the best part is we can put up our window shades in the living room now so we won't be on display for the neighborhood at night.  There is still 11 windows to trim out but regardless they are knocking them out window by window. 

Luckily, it wasn't the BEST ski weekend so Zach didn't feel too badly about missing anything in the mountains.  I started painting the baby's nursery with no VOC paint and a gas mask.  I have a lot to do!

I did get in a free classic ski clinic with Brett, Hannah, and Jenna at Galena Lodge over the weekend.  Great simple tips that improved my functionality immediately.  After class we went for a nice long ski loop back to the lodge for hot coco and chocolate chip cookies.  My favorite :) 

Brett and Jenna with some random in the background.

Brett, Jenna, Hannah

So grateful to have Nordic skiing and girlfriends while I'm pregnant!

Under the Weather

Since last Tuesday I have been fighting a cold that seemingly had it's grip on me.  Knocking out all my energy, sinuses, throat, and breathing makes it that much more difficult to be pregnant.  Boo hoo :(  But luckily I had lot's of support and am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel today.

Zach's mom, Jean, came by every day with chicken noodle soup, oranges, drinks, books, and cheer.  She even brought dinner for Zach so I wouldn't have to worry about feeding him.  What a woman!  Zach's sister, Katherine, ran by the drug store for me TWICE to pick up some approved medicine.  Jenna brought over soup, bread, and books to read.  And Zach put up with me coughing non-stop for the past week.  Hope I can return the generous help next time someone else is sick.  It truly kept me going.

Despite being sick I managed to make my mom's New Years black eyed peas with slang-jang (tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumbers, and onion salad) for good luck.

Zach got the sore throat part of my cold but it barely stopped him from skiing everyday this past weekend in negative degree temperatures with friends.  It was hard for me not to be envious of all the fun he was having when I was stuck at home but I'm really glad he got out of the house and wasn't forced into my misery.  His favorite ritual before heading out to ski is making his eggs and hashbrowns a la' our wood stove.

Can't wait to get out of the house tomorrow and start the road to recovery :)  Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year Holiday!

New Year Cheer

Happy New Year!

Am I the only one that never really knew the words to this traditional song?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine^† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS 

Clearly I was making up words as I sang along :)

Christmas Review

View from Roundhouse Lodge.

It was a whirlwind weekend filled with presents, food, friends, and family.  I'm exhausted!  Wouldn't have done it any other way though...We started Christmas morning by heading up early to the Roundhouse Lodge via gondola for breakfast with the Latham's and Bridwell's (Kat & Bryan).  A perfect view of the town below and a chance for most of the group to get some early morning ski runs (minus Jean and I).

The gondola ride up to Roundhouse.

Stairs up to the Roundhouse.

The Christmas crew from left: Kat, Bryan, Zach, Sarah, Jean, and Nick.

On the deck at the Roundhouse Lodge.

Our table inside the Roundhouse restaurant.  

 Later we meet up for a light lunch and present opening at the Latham's house in Indian Creek.  We had some good laughs and cheers.  Our army of five labs, four females and one Gus, frolicked happily outdoors in the snow like freed beasts.

Nick & Jean

Zach and his new goggles.

Four of the five dogs.  Left is Abby, Gus, Lucy (in back), and Ruby.

Zach and I squeezed in a quick skate ski at Quigley before we made dinner for Nick and Jean at our house that evening.  Stuffed Cornish game hens, buttered squash, green salad, and crescent rolls.  Dinner was followed by Jean's boysenberry pie with vanilla ice cream.  I think I can easily say we were all round and jolly by the end of the day!

Merry Christmas!

To friends and family everywhere

we hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

xoxo

Sarah & Zach

Snow, Snow, Snow!

...and more snow makes for happy locals this time of year.

Zach skied two days on Baldy and managed to take an afternoon off to help with the window trim and shades in our upstairs bathroom and bedroom.  No longer will a pregnant lady be seen streaking across the lighted windows at 521 Mother Lode.  Thank goodness!

Lucy and I got some classic skiing in and even joined some friends for sledding afterwards on Sunday at Quigley Nordic Center.  The Walker children, Owen (5) and Hadley (almost 2) had Jenna, Sarah S., Davina, and I as cheerleaders.  Owen was having a great time and didn't even bother with a sled at times.  Hadley wasn't too interested in actually sledding and was more curious to watch what everyone else was doing.  Lucy and some other dogs chased every sledder down the hill creating their own game of tag.

Davina helps Hadley put her goggles on.

Sarah S. and Owen get ready for their decent.

Jenna cheerleads from a top the sled hill.

Zach was snow-blowing late into Sunday evening just as the last of this weekends storm hit.  It's 19 degrees as I write this but luckily my husband did an excellent job clearing out our driveway and front porch so we won't have to wade to our cars in thigh deep snow for the work week.  Snow is much more enjoyable when you have the time to enjoy it :)

Ski Tired

We were busy with the December snow this past weekend.  Zach was on Baldy both days skiing with friends.  Lucy and I skate and classic skied out Quigley near our house over the weekend.  "Skate" skiing is a form of Nordic or Cross Country skiing where you glide along a relatively level ground with a short lightweight skinny ski.  "Classic" skiing is another form of Nordic or Cross Country skiing but this time you are in a designated track where your motion is more straightforward.  Imagine gliding while you walk with poles. 

On Saturday Lucy and I were joined by Jenna and her two doggies for a skate ski.  It's fun to see all the excitement from the dogs.  They act like they have been in cages for the good portion of the year.  Run, run, run!  They do their best to keep up with us when we are going down hills.  Lucy always tries to race me.  Once the hill runs out she usually wins :)  The best part about playing in the snow for Lucy is that not only are there endless amounts of snowballs to chase but she can eat them to her hearts content. 

Sunday Lucy and I headed out again to Quigley, this time for an attempt at classic skiing.  It was a beautiful sunny day with snow covering everything in sight.  It felt good to get my pregnant belly outside and enjoy some winter activities.  I promise I kept things mellow.  I was relieved to know I can do some physical activity outdoors this winter without going crazy.

Needless to say we were all tired from our weekend of skiing and Lucy managed to capture our exhaustion.

LEED AP ID+C

I passed!

I'm officially a LEED AP ID +C

(Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Associate Professional in Interior Design & Construction).  

I know it's a mouthful but trust me I earned it.

What is a LEED AP ID+C exactly?  It's a credential that provides a standard for professionals participating in the design and construction of environmentally responsible, high-performance commercial spaces and tenant improvements.  It's awarded through the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI)and the US Green Building Council.  I am now officially an expert on green building design ;)  Hooray!

Little Tree

We managed to squeeze in a quick Christmas tree hunt this past Saturday.  Borrowing Nick & Jean's snowmobile made the effort MUCH easier this year!  After a brief period of searching we were happy to settle with a little full tree.  Much smaller then our trees from years past but I'm learning that smaller can mean a lot less hassle and stress (which I'm not into this year).

Zach posing with our Xmas tree pick.

Sarah at the snowmobile with Xmas tree wrapped in the sled.

You can't see Zach sleeping on the couch.

Decorated and ready to roll!  Now back to studying....