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Friday, July 31, 2009

Mexico... Yes Please!

Brian and I just booked a trip to Mexico for the end of September! We are going over the big 30th for Brian which is on October 2nd! What a way to celebrate, hey?! We got a killer deal <- I mean smoken hot deal- and we could not be more excited! If you know me/us- We love the beach! So his birthday was a perfect excuse to get away!! It is our heaven on earth. We are staying at the Paradisus... here are a few fun shots of the hotel..







Friday, June 12, 2009

One Hell of a Long Weekend!!

This last weekend was a blast! I believe it was much needed medicine for the heartache we have been dealing with! First and foremost... Brian and I celebrated our year #3 as a married couple on June 3rd! To all of you who have walked so closely with us over the last 3 years- understand that it was not a 'bed of roses' and quite the journey for us. But we are making it and we are so happy! Thank you for believing in us!
Our weekend started off with a Friday night concert at Red Rocks.. What gets better then Red Rocks in the summertime in Colorado? We caught O.A.R. for an awesome performance!! Amazing live! The next morning was followed by the GoodGuys Car show! One of my absolute favorite summer kick offs! I love this show and I am not even a huge car person. But these gems are a sight to see and the show gets better and better each year! We wander the car show for a couple of hours only to count down for a flight to Vegas in the early evening! Ah... Vegas!!! Brian and I had so much... seriously one of the best trips we have taken. We had so much fun... we were out late (2 am every night! that is a Hopkins world record!)... we drank too much.... ate too much... laughed too much... it was perfect! I am blessed everyday by how amazing my husband is! Love you Brian! So here are a few fun photos that captured our long weekend!!!


Red Rocks!!!


My cute husband!! I love the lady behind him! Sexy!!!


Most of the O.A.R. crew! So fun... Yep we drank a lot here too!


Miranda, Jami and I... Jana is peeking in too!



3 years!



'It's a BEAUT, Clark! A real Beaut!'

Check out this boat!!! I could hardly fit the whole thing in the photo! Love the flames.
Weld County Garage always has the beefy ones!! Note the doggie door!
Mom and Dad... This is a little slice of heaven for my dad! Beer, the summer sun, his 'girls' and hot cars! What more could a dad ask for?
This girl was a looker! I am a sucker for the 1920's gangst look... Man she is pretty. I would LOVE to cruise down the 17 mile highway in Pebble beach in this!!!! MWAH! It is money!
VEGAS!!!!!!!!!! We were at a club called Rok at NY NY... It was so fun.

Brian and his ladies!!!!! Hands off ladies... He is mine!


Love Vegas!!!!!!!!!!!!
The gardens in the Bellagio... It is always breath taking...
The Mr. and Mrs! Love the bag, Brooke! ;o)

The Las Vegas strip in all her glory... So fun!


Happy hour at Bent Fork!

Up close!!! Jim~ you are going to be a gorgeous bride!
Jami's love birds... assisting after a few cocktails! Hey, it happens!
Wedding hair?! Love it!

Something else to note... My brother, Nick turned 30 on June 4th. It was a very hard day for our family. I miss him more then words could express... and I wish more then anything that our family could have celebrated with him. Nick- I hope your day was special and I hope you know how much your family loves you and misses you... Happy Birthday. Love always your sister...

Friday, May 29, 2009

Our Beloved Harley T April 1997- May 2009


With a heavy heart and tears in my eyes... I am so deeply sadden to say that our beloved friend and dearest companion Harley passed away yesterday afternoon- May 28, 2009. My parents, Jami & I had to make one of the hardest decisions to 'let him go' at Friendship Hospital for Animals. Two days ago, little Harley started acting funny and he was not able to keep his food down. We thought he may just be out of sorts, because he was staying with Brian and I while my parents where in Utah. However, yesterday morning he took a terrible turn for the worst and I rushed him to the hospital. Blood work was ran, xrays were taken and an ultrasound was performed... we soon discover that our little old man had a tumor (most likely cancer) near his spleen. It had grown to over 3 inches by 3 inches- surgery was out of the question for our little 12 year old baby. Our doctor was unsure if he would even make it through surgery, because his kidney's were failing and he had inflammation of his little lungs. Dr. Cross gently and quietly told us that it was Harley's time...
Gosh, I love that little dog- Old Man Winter. It was so hard to let him go; yet I know we made the right decision for him. My mom held her little baby as he left us for the big dog park in the sky. Dogs are such faithful companions and love you all their little life's- that in the end we as pet owners need to do the responsible and loving thing for our beloved friends. As hard as that decision was... it was the right thing for Harley.
Goodbye old friend... we will miss you.
I Haven't Left At All...
"I saw you gently weeping as you looked through photographs. You paused for just a moment at one that made you laugh. But as you turned more pages the tears began to flow. You whispered that you missed me but I want you to know; I softly licked those stinging tears that down your cheeks did fall. I want to help you understand I haven’t left at all.

On those days that you are overcome with sorrow, pain and grief I rest my head upon your leg to offer some relief. When you take our walking path I’ve seen you turn around. Because I know you surely heard my paws upon the ground.

At night while you are sleeping I snuggle at your side. You stroke my fur as you touch that place where I used to lie. You said it’s just your heart playing tricks upon your mind. But rest assured I’m really there, my spirit’s left behind.

I know your heart is hurting; it’s like an open sore. You think my life has ended and you won’t see me again. But for those of us bound tight by love, death is not the curtain call; It’s really the eternal beginning that waits for us all. So, my dear Master as you live your life I patiently await. Await for us to be together when you pass through Heaven’s gate."
~ Author Unknown

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Graduation Weekend!

It truly was a fabulous weekend. It was amazing to walk in the commencement ceremony; it felt incredible to graduate with honors after all of my long nights and long hours; it was awesome to hear my family cheer for me as they announced my name. It was an amazing journey to experience and I am so grateful for my time at Regis University. We had so much fun celebrating all week and weekend. I am so spoiled! Brian and I stayed at the Grand Hyatt on Friday night and went to dinner at the Capital Grille on Larimer Square. We spent WAY too much on dinner but it was worth every penny- one of the absolute best meals I have ever had. Here are a few fun shot from the weekend. Sadly, it was really cold the morning of graduation... so we did not take many photos!


The graduating students. All masters and doctorate candidates.


On a total high!


Lunch at Maggiano's after the ceremony.


My two wonderful families!


A few nights before my graduation... My parents, Brian, Jami and Dan threw a little party for me at Brian and I's house to celebrate. They showered me with amazing gifts, love, support and encouragement.. oh and who could forget all of wine! This photo was taken after I opened my gift from Brian... a Movado watch. I was in complete shock and crying... He is such a good man.


A little blue T&Co box from Jami and Dan....

Shock at how beautiful my gift is... Black Onyx silver toggle bracelet...

Jim and Mom enjoying wine at the celebration.


Mom and I!

Monday, April 27, 2009

hit 'Send'....

Today... I think I will always remember today and the feeling I have. It is something that I cannot quite express in words, but my emotions are so many. This morning I submitted my final paper for my MBA program at Regis. I am officially done with school. As I hit the send button on my email to my Capstone Professor; I was overcome with emotions and I began to cry. It has been such a long and amazing journey; one I would not trade the world for. However, I am excited to close the door on the masters program and open whatever door is out there and what is waiting for me. Thank you to all my precious family and friends who have walked so closely with me. Thank you for being a shoulder to cry on during my mental and emotional break downs, thank you for easing my stress, thank you for being a voice of encouragement and reason, thank you for always telling me I can finish.

Thank you for your love and support....


NOW... let's party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Graduation is this Saturday on May 2nd! Photos will follow.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Kingstin is Famous...

Yes... it is true my baby made the pages (along with every other person who submitted a photo) of 9news.com today. It is true.. he is that cute. Unfortunately, his brother Guinness was unable to be photographed because he hates snow. But Bear on the other hand... is a freak for snow and well okay he is a freak for water... food... okay a lot of things- he is slightly weird but of course we love him.. He reminds me of Jami in a funny sort of way! Here are a few fun photos of the snow day!


Resisting to come in... "no mom... I will not."

Oh it is true... my dogs wear clothes.. er Kingstin wears clothes- I have a hard time finding outfits to fit my 100lb Guinn Dog...
The winning shot! His favorite thing is to dig his little head in the snow... and this is the outcome. I love it...
Is it funny that I talk about my dogs as they are real people, my children? ;O)
PS- do not mess with Kingstin or Guinness... or else...
Just kidding....
Okay not really....

Monday, March 23, 2009

Ahhh... Spring is here!

It is hard to believe that March 2009 is coming quickly to an end. It is amazing how fast time is moving by and personally I have to say I am okay with that. It means I am that much closer to the big grad day... 6 weeks and counting!! But I must say that all is well in NoCo and the Hopkins/Jonckowski/Wiens family are excited for summertime. Jami and Dan's wedding is coming to life and it is going to be an amazing affair. I love to be so involved and love all of the planning. She is going to be a stunning bride.... Here are a few fun photos that we took this weekend...


My Kingstin Paia Bear Hopkins.. what a cutie pie.
Trying to pose with Guinn Dog... he is not a fan of the camera!
Jami and Mr. Tobias...
Brian and I... It was a lot nicer then it looks in this photo! The weekend was awesome.

The boys had a 30 minute fishing competition on Sunday afternoon...

Dad hoping to find a little fish to call his prize..


Did Brian get anything?


The gang waiting for Dad, Brian, and Dan to head in...

No bites! Maybe next time!

Grilling and beer...
Happy Hour at the Bent Fork! I love this place..
Mom and Dad enjoying a little red wine with us...

Mom and I!
Mom and her girls...