Starting to look a lot like Christmas . . .

It's hard to believe that Christmas is ever so nearing and the snow falling outside this evening truly helps get weary souls in the christmas spirit. I have to say that this time of year is my absolute favorite. I've decorated our little apartment with all the trimmings and put up our little charlie brown christmas tree. It helps to make family feel not so far away. If I had one prayer this holiday season it would be that time itself would slow and that the moments spent with family and friends would last for much longer than time would allow. For Thanksgiving this year I was able to enjoy a long wonderful in Northern Colorado it was so nice to get out of the city. Thankfully this year Brooke and Brian will be home for Christmas! It was a great weekend filled with lots of love, laughter, food, fun and of course what's a Jonckowski holiday without great wine! I am so blessed and look forward to the upcoming holiday season. Tis' the season!

Tobias and Kingstin pooped out from the Holiday festivities

What can I say just another classic Jonckowski family photo!

Playing around with the night scene feature on my camera . . . a little creepy!

A beautiful table . . .

Mom and Dad getting ready for the fabulous meal . . . Mmmmm!

This past Saturday was Flood and Peterson's annual Christmas Party. It was a wonderful party at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Denver. Not only was the hotel simply beautiful but the ballroom was on the 37th floor and over looked the city skyline. The view was stunning and simply perfect for the formal holiday party. Dan and I had so much fun and can't wait for next year!

After the party was over a group of us made our way to the lobby bar to continue the party. Dan loosening his tie and kick'in back.

Dan and I at the party!

Friday Night we kicked off the holiday season with the Parade of Lights in downtown Denver. It was a great night to get out and spend time with friends.

It did get a bit chilly but our hot toddy's kept us nice and warm! Jana, Miranda, Aliecia, Jen and me waiting for the parade to start!

Me posing as the Faith Bible Chapel float passed us by!

Waiting for Santa!

One of the prettiest buildings in Downtown!

With Love from Chicago!

Last week I embarked on my first business trip with Flood & Peterson to none other than Chicago! It was an absolutely wonderful experience, I was able to get to know some of my colleagues and I began the transition away from the 'new girl.' Needless to say we dined like royalty the entire trip and drank the finest wine! We went to Harry Carey's which was very fun and an experience all together! My favorite was a lovely family Italian restaurant called Ballo, it was great to sit and enjoy fine dining with new friends. Oh and yes the seminar was very informational and I learned quite a bit. Here's a few pictures from the trip. Enjoy!

Tobias enjoying some pre-Halloween festivities (he unfortunately didn't get to go to Chicago with me)!

I took this picture in my hotel room just as I looked out the windows for the first time . . . I have to admit the city took my breath away.

This was my favorite part of my hotel room!

The view from Sear's Tower!! Such an amazing sight . . . what a wonderful city!

Some of the F&P crew enjoying the House of Blues!

Thursday night we went to this wonderful Italian restaurant called Ballo. It was an absolutely amazing experience! If you're ever in Chicago you must go this family owned restaurant.

Our feast at Ballo! Truly some of the best Italian I've had since Noni's cooking . . .

This picture is taken from my room . . . I sat on the couch for over an hour sipping on a glass of white wine watching the big city bustle about even through the rain.

Ahhh the view from the plane . . . on the way home. When you rise above the clouds it seems as if you could reach out and touch the very face of Heaven.

A little bit of Life

I have to admit that I feel like I have finally started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. My last job I realize now how much it was actually chipping away little pieces of my heart. I was miserable and it followed me in every aspect of my life. Unexpectedly a new job fell into my lap and as sad as this sounds I was a bit hesitant to start all over again. However I took a leap of faith and jumped in with both feet . . . and my goodness I am so blessed. This new job is a breath of fresh air and I'm starting to feel like myself again. This new job is incredible and I couldn't imagine going back to banking! I'm so grateful to those (mainly Brooke and Dan) who have put up with me over the past year . . . I know I wasn't always easy to handle and I'm sure glad you didn't judge me for it. I'm heading off on my first business trip next week to Chicago! I'm very excited as I've never been there and of course the new company does everything in style!!

There have definitely been some fun memories over the past month: Dan's birthday, Breckenridge, Counting Crows concert and the Broncos game. Here are some fun pictures hightlighting the events!

Part of the crew Dan, Brooke and Brian getting ready for the game! It was a bit chilly but what football isn't fun without cold weather and a beer?!?!

Miranda, Jana, me and Dan getting ready to go in . . . yes that is schnapps in Dan's hand. We brought it in and it mixed perfect with hot cocoa. Gotta warm the soul some how!

The view from our seats! Yes they were a little high up but I think this is where the 'real' fans sit! We had so much fun and really it isn't as far as it looks.

Dan and I taking up a great picture opportunity atop Hoosier Pass during our weekend up in Breckenridge. It was so fabulous to sneak away for the weekend with the people I love most Tobias and Kingstin! Er um just kidding!! Me, Brooke, Dan and Brian and yes the pups got to tag along with us.

Vail Mountian and all her glory!! I can't wait for snow . . . I just bought new skis so I can't wait to try them out.

Jonckowski/Hopkins' don't mess around when it comes to video games!! Me and Brooke having fun in Breckenridge.

For Dan's birthday I took him to the Capital Grille for dinner in Downtown Denver. We had such a wonderful time . . . the food was phenomenal, the wine out of this world (so great we ordered two bottles), the service outstanding and my company priceless!

Dan and I at the Capital Grille . . . Yum!

Mary and I . . . we ended up meeting up with a couple of friends after dinner. Perfect way to close the evening.

Brooke and I enjoying a beer at Lucky Joes . . . oh we were still so tan. Sigh Mexico!

Just another day in Paradise!

Ah Mexico what a glorious trip we had . . . it's hard to believe that tomorrow we'll already been home for a week. Very sad to be home and back in the 'real' world. But needless to say the trip was absolutely fantastic, it was just what the doctor ordered! So much fun was had by Me, Brooke, Dan and Brian . . . SO many wonderful memories! I think we've decided that this is going to have to be an annual thing but instead of 8 days on the beach we decided 10 would be much better! We had wonderful weather, thankfully hurricane Gustav missed us although the tide was really high and rough towards the end of the trip. The boys didn't complain one second as it allowed them to act like little boys and body surf quite a bit! They guys did go deep sea fishing and both Dan and Brian were able to catch some pretty impressive fish. As for me and Brooke we pretty much laid on the beach all week, did a lot of reading, relaxing and soaking up all of God's beautiful country down there. Honestly I couldn't have asked for a better trip the hotel was stunning, the staff was very kind, the beach was beautiful, the food was delicious, the cocktails just how we like them and I was with my 3 most favorite people in the world! A girl couldn't ask for anything more! What can I say I'm blessed!

Along with the wonderful trip came another blessing . . . unexpectedly I interviewed for a job as a Business Development Coordinator for Flood and Peterson Insurance Co and I GOT the job!! This is a huge blessing for me and I can't wait to see where this position takes me! I put my two weeks in tomorrow . . . wish me luck!

Okay enough about that . . . Here's the some pictures from the trip!


Brooke and I taking advantage of a great photo opportunity on the beach!


Funny who knew!?!?!?! We went into Playa del Carmen for shopping and had to stop at Senor Frogs a few cocktails . . . needless to say we had a lot of fun!!


More fun at Senor Frogs!


Sigh this was our last night . . . we went to dinner at the Japanese restaurant which was delicious! And I have to say we were all looking very gorgeous that night (especially the guys in their white linen pants very Don Johnson-ish).


Gotta have a traditional 'Jonckowski' sand, sun, toes and ocean picture! Ah paradise . . .


Have another beer in Mexico!! We had just arrived in Cancun and the beautiful thing about this airport is there is a bar right as you walk out . . . can't really ask for anything more! And don't you love my dress?!?!? I sure did it was the perfect 'airplane dress!'


Dan and I on our first night in Mexico . . . we were so excited that we just stayed up late listening to the live music and sipping on cocktails.


Now tell me how looking at this could ever get old?? Pretty sure I'd be okay if I had to look at the ocean every day! The water down there is simply breath taking life is just a little bit sweeter down there!!


Every night there was live music in the hotel courtyard . . . we always had a cocktail and listened to the band. Dan and I dancing . . . Mexico is very romantic!


Me and Brooke before dinner at La Bodega . . . so much fun!

Lake Tahoe!

This past weekend The Campbell Family (my mom's side) had a family reunion in Lake Tahoe and my goodness it was pretty much a slice of Heaven! So much fun was had, lots of good food, wonderful company, lots and lots of cocktails and no to mention the scenery was spectacular! Here's some of my favorite photos from the trip. This trip was so therapeutic for me . . . I truly needed to get away from Colorado. Sadly my job has taken it's toll on my spirit and I have finally decided that it just isn't worth it so stayed tuned I believe the times are going to be changing!

This is Brooke and I at our first pull-off on our way into Tahoe . . . simply a stunning view!

Yet another fabulous view of Lake Tahoe!

On Friday Mom, Dad, Brooke and I drove around the entire lake stopping at tourist spots for pictures and the little towns around the lake were awesome. We did stop at a wonderful place for lunch called Gar Wood's and oh my goodness it was delicious not to mention it had a great view! Brooke and I enjoying lunch and a beer!

This boat was out front of Gar Wood's . . . I think it might have been the owner's because the value is around $100K!

Ah yes another fantastic view of Lake Tahoe . . . notice the 'little' house down below!

Mom and I trying our luck at the Casino . . . I was the big winner for the evening drum roll please I won $4!!

We took a dinner cruise around the lake on Friday night . . . so much fun and great views! This is Brooke and I as we pulled out of the dock.

This is me and my cousin Mike singing or rather attempting to sing Jimmy Buffet!

A few of the Campbell ladies!!

On the dinner cruise . . . My Aunt Maureen, Me and Brooke!

My goodness you just couldn't get enough of the beautiful lake . . . this picture was taken on the dinner cruise.