Category Archives: Friends

Weekend Retreat – Wild Horse Inn in Tabernash

Last weekend Bob and I used a gift certificate to Wild Horse Inn given to us by Amanda and Parker. Due to family crazyness we were unable to celebrate our 30th anniversary, birthdays and other important events when they happened so this was a perfect get away. Amanda had shot a wedding last September where the bride and groom stayed at the Wild Horse Inn. She love the place and thought we would too. She was right – it’s a lovely place!

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We opted to stay in one of the three cabins. A very good choice! With a living room/kitchenette and a big beautiful bedroom, it was like being home away from home.

© Kokoro Photography

© kokoro photography

I should mention that the bathroom had a huge two person bathtubs that was fabulous… but I won’t since my children read this and will think it’s totally gross that mom would even bring it up. :-)

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Bob signed us up for the “Romantic Escape Package” which included a beautiful vase of flowers in the room, champagne and yummy breakfasts in the cabin.

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The weather was overcast most of the time. Once in a while the sun would peek through and then just as fast as it came out it would be snowing.

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Saturday morning started with John, the owner of Wild Horse Inn, delivering breakfast of orange ginger french toast.  YUMMY!

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We hung out for a while, then decided to drive out to Granby for the heck of it. Lets just say there isn’t much happening in Granby in October!

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So we gathered up the cameras and headed over to Devils Thumb Ranch for the afternoon. First we went to their stables to take photos. Sadly their horses had been turned out for the afternoon. © Kokoro Photography

I’m convinced the red chicken was trained to stare you down. She never took her eyes off you.

© kokoro photography

© kokoro photography

Then just like magic it’s snowing like crazy again!

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So we hopped into the car and went to The Ranch Creek Spa at Devils Thumb for a couples massage. This was perfect for the two of us – I’m pretty sure with work and family stress we’ve forgotten how to relax. Everyone at the spa was great, very accommodating which was good since I think Bob has had only one massage before and was a bit apprehensive about what his crazy wife was getting him into.

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We stayed for dinner at The Ranch House. Amanda and I have loved their meals when we’ve shot weddings at the Ranch. The food is excellent – lots of game choices and the chocolate desert was perfect. After we headed back to the cabin to watch movies and let the snow fall outside.

The next morning Bob went over to the main house to get another yummy breakfast. Got to love a man bringing you food!

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After lounging around for awhile we headed back to Littleton where the snow was worse than what we’d been having in the mountains. Go Figure!

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We had the perfect relaxing weekend. John and Chris at Wild Horse Inn have a great place to get away from it all. In a month or so the snow up there will be perfect for skiing. Tabernash is called the “Icebox of the Nation” for a darn good reason – it’s cold up there!

Thank you Amanda and Parker for the gift certificate and for staying with Spencer and Grace while we were gone. We appreciate your thoughtfulness!

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Jeanie’s Senior Photos

Last September we told you about our soon-to-be intern Jeanie who due to a fall, ended up with a serious closed-head injury. We worried that she may have long term brain damage, physical problems, or the multitude of other issues that come with this kind of injury. Jeanie’s journey has been a remarkable one – one that has amazed her doctors, nurses, friends and family. Jeanie is one determined young lady and has set her sights for her recovery high. Due to a lot of hard work and determination on her part, Jeanie will be released from Craig Rehabilitation Hospital on October 6th, she will be able to graduate with her class and slowly resume her life as a teenager.

Congratulations Jeanie – We are very proud of you!

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On Sunday, I met Jeanie and her parents and sister for a brief Senior Photo Session at the park. We will do more a more extensive session later but for now she needed a photo for the Littleton High School yearbook – they have graciously held a space open for her photo. We are looking forward to having Jeanie interning for us in the future.

© Kokoro Photography

and to Jim and Jean…. you are remarkable parents. Watching from the outside how dedicated your family — Jeanie’s siblings were to supporting Jeanie throughout this long and difficult time is a testament to you as parents.

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Jeanie

As many of you know, one of our interns, Jeanie, is in the hospital having suffered a closed-head injury. She tripped and fell down a flight of concrete steps during a party with some of her friends- just a simple freak accident. We’ve received lots of inquires about her situation, and I wanted to give everyone an update.

Jeanie is stable and her condition is slowly, slowly improving. The doctors are taking very slow steps to bring her out of her induced sedation- they’re just allowing her time to rest and recuperate between every procedure, every move they make, and allow her to heal herself as best as she can!

Thank you, everyone, for your continued thoughts and prayers- I know her family really appreciates it!

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Jeanie and her niece, Elise.

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Perfect Wedding Guide Honeymoon Giveaway

A couple times a year we work with the Perfect Wedding Guide assisting with photographing their Giveaway Events. So far we’ve been there for several dress giveaways but this time it was a honeymoon to Cancun.

Ashley was this events lucky winner. She and John will be getting married this November in Castle Rock. Ashley was a bit confused as to why we were showing up on her office with a cake from The Makery and camera flashing.

© Kokoro Photography

©Kokoro Photography

Ashley had a hard time believing she had really won her honeymoon! But Phil from Perfect Wedding Guide convinced her it was for real.

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Sylvia, from Perfect Wedding Guide filled Ashley in on the details of what she’d won. © Kokoro Photography

Sylvia, Ashley, The Makery and Phil

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Some of the group from Ashley’s office got into the spirit too.

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Ashely and John also won a limo for their wedding.

© Kokoro Photography

© Kokoro Photography

The Makery did this beautiful cake. All the ribbon is chocolate.

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Congratulations Ashley and John – Have a great time in Cancun!

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Christmas Eve

For the past 30 years Bob and I have hosted Christmas Eve dinner at our house. The door is open to everyone. At times we’ve had as many as 30 people, some from as far a California, Wyoming and even Germany.  Our tradition is a big cheesy lasagna, plenty of snackie stuff and chocolate — lots of Chocolate! Over the years we’ve added enchiladas and as the older 20 something kids noted — more “grown up drinks” are served.

There are presents, but more important there is family. Our family has grown over the years, in numbers and in size. Our babies are now in their teens and 20′s, taller than I am and no longer wait up for Santa. I miss the stage where the anticipation of what Santa might bring was the center of their lives. But I like this stage too. I like being able to have adult conversations, seeing the world through their eyes. Having the 16 year old nephew tell me a dirty joke — which was pretty darn funny! I like that most of them can get themselves to and from the party on their own and will help with the dinner without being asked. Ana and Cody had little Marco this September so there’s a baby again. Next year he’ll be old enough to sort of understand what Christmas is about and the cycle of anticipating Santa’s arrival  will continue.

Happy Holidays – Debi

chris1Grace celebrating the advent wreath. Every Sunday she was very dedicated to reading the scripture of advent.

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My favorite ornament — this year.

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Miss Sophie got a toy mouse for Christmas.

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My father, David

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That sibling thing never goes away no matter how old you are! Bob’s sister Lisa expressed her feeling about having her photo taken.

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Spencer hamming it up for the camera. He’s feeling much better these days :-)

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My mother, Joan and Cinnamon. She walks in the house and Cinnamon goes right to the treat door. I’m not sure who’s got who trained!

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Me holding little Marco. Grace and Jessica were amazed at his little tiny fingers. Really — they were hoping to get to hold him next.

chris9Cody, Parker, Jessica and Sarah

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AC and Dori

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T w i t t e r !