Happy Holidays!

It has been too long since I have posted to this little blog. So to ward off the cobwebs forming on this site I am sending a Christmas wish to you all!
I pray your spirit is light with hope,
your heart is filled with joy,
and your holiday is blessed with the glory of God.

Merry, Merry!

Music Lovers Unite!

I love music, especially live music! A co-worker turned me on to NPR podcasts and I can't get enough of them. So I want to share my sweet find with you all. NPR Live Concerts from All Songs Considered are free podcasts. Just subscribe and enjoy.
Subscribe at: http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_detail.php?siteId=15842121
If you use iTunes, click on the iTunes button under 'Subscribe' and it will take you to the menu of concerts available - SO SWEET!
My favorite's right now are Radiohead, Iron and Wine and The Frames!!

The Amazing Schmoops

Halloween was in full swing during the BFBL (Beer Frame Bowling League) last Thursday night. Who would have thought mild mannered Scot led a secret life as 'The Amazing Schmoops'. He comes to the rescue when there is trouble around (or beer abounds). Special skills include: dazzling people with his red cape and blond superhero helmet hair, bowling strikes, and dance moves. Scot's video has officially gone 'viral' and can be seen on You Tube (special thanks to Kevin Walter for this one).

Yes mom, that really is my boyfriend. :-)

A road trip, a game, a long ride home!

When BSU plays University of Oregon at Autzen Stadium, you better believe there are going to be some road trippin' Broncos. Scot and Sarah (AKA Dopko-Schmoops), the Walter's and the Dahlberg's hit the road for Eugene. Broncos beat the Ducks in a major upset and Danielle and Mike had their first official weekend away from Keaton. Trip highlights included: the fantastic driving skills of Kevin Walter (he drove the whole way, there and back), a HUGE Bronco win, hanging out with Kyle Wilson's dad at the bar after the game, Danielle walks the drive thru at McDonald's and a LONG ride home for Sarah.

The gang at the game!

Where's Scot? Can you spot him?

Insert Scot here.

Kevin Walter, Jerret Hopstad and Scot after the big win!

Renae and Danielle road tripping to Oregon!

Girlfriend's Birthday

I have to say, I have the coolest bunch of gal pals! In our endless pursuit to find reasons to get together, eat good food, drink wine and hang out we have instituted GIRLFRIEND'S BIRTHDAY! Basically we throw ourselves a party and celebrate everyone's birthday all at once. It was so fun! Thanks Laura and Kelley for hosting. More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/sdopko/GirlfriendSBirthdayParty and on Danny's blog at http://dahlbergfamily.blogspot.com/2008/09/girfriends-birthday-celebration.html

Kristen Marries Jack!

The much anticipated wedding of Jack and Kristen took place in Ketchum on Sept. 6. It was a beautiful weekend. The weekend kicked off with the rehearsal dinner on Thursday, followed by a night at the Roosevelt on Friday. J Diamond (world's greatest Neil Diamond impersonator and Kristen's new husband) made a special appearance. He literally had women dancing on the bar at the Roosevelt but he only had eyes for his Montana woman, Kristen! The weekend was topped off by a beautiful ceremony and rockin' reception on Saturday.

I am so honored to have been the maid of honor in my best friends wedding!

Introducing Jack and Kristen Thomas!

Kristen and Sarah at the wedding rehearsal dinner.

Matt (dad), Sarah and Lynne (mom) Dopko at the wedding rehearsal dinner.

J-Diamond (Jack Thomas) performs for the crowd and his bride at the Roosevelt the night before the wedding!

The Bridal Party!

Congratulations Jack and Kristen!

Scot Scheffel and the Giant Cheque!

Scot stepped onto the baseball field during a Boise Hawks game to present a giant cheque to the Hawks Nation Charity. While the money raised will go to a good cause, Scot and the giant cheque brought to mind an image from our favorite TV show, 'The Office'. In an episode, Michael Scott presents a giant cheque made out to 'science' to a stripper nurse.

Michael Scott: I would like you to accept this cheque, for three hundred and forty dollars, made out to 'Science'. Make sure that gets into the right hands.

Fortunately, Scot's giant cheque moment was not as ridiculous and the Hawks Nation Charity is extremely grateful to ISMI. Plus Scot looked very handsome out there on the field! :-)

Trip to Chicago!

Scot and I and the Mogensen's headed to the windy city to eat good food, watch the Cubs and shop! We also got to spend time with my cousin's Charlie and Jes and their daughter Addison and Tom's brother Mark and his wife Erin. It was a fast and furious trip and we had an awesome time!


Scot and I at the 'bean' in Chicago.

Tom and Laura pose with the 'bean'.

Charlie, Jes and Addison enjoy the Cubs game. CUBS WIN in honor Addy's first Cub's game. :-)

Sarah, Scot and the famous Wrigley Field sign!

Sarah, Scot, Charlie, Jes and Addison after the Cubs win!

Mark and Erin ham it up at dinner.

Tom, Mark and Scot drink 40's out of brown bags at a bar in Chicago! A real classy group of fellas!

Rachelle Gets Married!

It was off to Seattle last weekend for Rachelle and Doug's wedding. Rachelle and I are close friends and we have known each other since we were 14! I was so honored to be her maid of honor!
Scot came in for the wedding and also got to spend some time with his brother Pete who is living in Seattle. On Sunday, Scot and I caught a Mariners game at Safeco field. At the game Scot ran into a fraternity brother he had not seen in almost 20 years! Totally random!


Rachelle, her sister Roxanne, and Roxanne's girls Mariya and Shayla on the Seattle waterfront the night before Rachelle's wedding.

Rachelle and her maid of honor, me!

Sarah and Scot at a Mariners game! This was Scot's first time to Safeco field!

This is Spence, Scot's fraternity brother from UNR! They had not seen each other in almost 20 years and ran into each other at the game! Small world!

Thompson Peak Summit - July 26, 2008!

Scot and I ventured to Stanley, Idaho with the plan to summit Thompson Peak. Thompson Peak is the highest summit in the Sawtooth Range (10,751 ft), and can clearly be seen from ID 21 and ID 75.

This is an incredible hike with amazing views but it is tough! The hike roundtrip was ~7.5 hours with an elevation gain of ~4,000 feet! The later part of the trail is mostly cross country and you cross rock fields, meadows and snow fields. The summit push is a scramble - watch out for rock slides. Once on the summit, the view is amazing (and a little scary)!
Enjoy these pictures and others of the hike at http://picasaweb.google.com/sdopko/ThompsonPeak


Thompson Peak is the peak in the distance above Scot's left shoulder.

Looking up on Thompson Peak just at the base of the saddle. I had to pump more water here.

Crossing a snow field on the way down.

Sarah and Scot on Thompson Peak! (10,751 feet)

Looking down at a lake 1,000 feet below the summit!

Thompson Peak is the one right above my head.

BOSTON Rocks!

One hot Friday in July a group of north-enders ventured out to Nampa to listen to the classic rock ballads of Boston! While the concert was great and the people watching was even better, by far the best part of the evening was Matt Wolff's review of the concert. See other pics from the concert at http://picasaweb.google.com/sdopko/BostonConcert

Sarah and Scot go to Washington

Scot and I spent 5 fun filled days in Washington D.C at the beginning of June. I was there for the Computerworld Honors Program, an event that honors software technology benefiting society, and Scot joined me to take in the sights! Washington D.C. is a very cool city. Highlights included: the Capital Building, seeing President Bush's motorcade drive by and a freak rainstorm that left us soaked!

See more pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/sdopko/WashingtonDC2008

Lynne Dopko Turns 50!

Lynne Dopko AKA 'Mom' had a big birthday in January. At 50 years young, she has never looked better! Family and friends gathered to celebrate her big day! See the photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/sdopko/MomS50thBirthday