Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope you have enjoyed a fun and relaxing holiday. Thank you to all of my friends and family that helped make 2011 so special. After receiving a second chance at life over ten years ago every year is a blessing. 2011 was extra special. Undoubtedly the highlight of 2011 was the birth of our daughter Bali last spring. She’s the best; we’re loving her. It’s so fun to include her in all of our adventures. Another highlight was being inducted into the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. That was an awesome experience. I was really proud to join an amazing group of people that have contributed so much to winter sports. Also making the 2011 highlight podium was the 6th Annual Aspen Summit for Life. It was a sell-out success with five hundred participants raising $130,000 to support CKF’s mission of eliminating the wait for the over 112,000 currently waiting today for a life-saving transplant. I’m proud to volunteer with CKF and help others get a second chance at life just like I did over a decade ago. We’ve got an exciting line-up of events in 2012 including Winter X, Warped Tour, American Transplant Games, Fitness Festival, and Donor Dudes Campus events nationwide. Hope you’ll join us!

I’m excited about 2012. I’m hoping 2012 will bring some big snow storms soon. I thought I’d have a harder time adjusting after traveling the world on my snowboard the past twenty-five years, living out of a suitcase. It was an awesome ride, but I’m loving being home in Aspen full-time balancing work and play. I enjoy the challenge of my Aspen real estate business. I’m grateful for the opportunity. It’s just like snowboarding, competitive and I want to be the best. I’m looking forward to challenging myself athletically in 2012 with events like the Grand Traverse, Power of Four and the Leadville Trail 100 again. I want to break eight hours at Leadville. We’re planning to have a CKF Team this year, so stay tuned. My personal goals are to be the best dad, friend and husband I can, climb some new peaks, continue to expand my real estate business in Aspen, demonstrate to the transplant community and the world what’s possible after a transplant and do everything in my power to help the over 112,000 currently waiting today for a transplant.

Baby Bali shared her 2012 goals with me yesterday. She wants to learn how to walk, talk and stop breast feeding. Actually the last one is Missy’s goal. If I could accomplish half of what my daughter will in 2012 it would be an incredible year. I’ll do my best to keep up with her.

I wish you all happiness and prosperity in 2012. Make the most of every day. My mantra is don’t take a single turn for granted. Hope to see you back in Aspen again soon, on the mountain or on the trail. Have a great 2012!? CK