Keeping Up with K&D: Jay Peak

This past weekend not only was the weather gorgeous and Devin and I were both off from work, but our good friends, Carl and Cassie, came all the way from Michigan to visit us! We had a great time hanging out and eating good food :) On Saturday we went skiing at Jay Peak, a mountain I had never been to before. It was possibly the most perfect day for skiing!!

Carl and Cassie were beginner skiers, but picked things up super fast!

Around lunch, Devin and I decided to venture to the top of Jay on the Tram. We waited in line for almost an hour! The Tram is definitely either a really early day venture or only once in a day thing.

Up up up!

It was SUPER windy at the top! And despite the nice sun, it was really cold. I don't mess around when it is that cold... Devin is just a nutter.

You could see for MILES all around Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and into Canada. Awesome :)

Everything at the top was covered in snow and ice. Very sparkly though!

A perfect day on a perfect weekend. xo Kaht

Kubota/Taufer Workshop Fabulousness

When my friend Daria e-mailed me earlier this summer and said, "You MUST sign-up for this workshop in October!" I held little ground for an argument. For Kevin & Clare Kubota and Vicki & Jed Taufer to be visiting Vermont for a workshop was awesome! Maybe a once in a lifetime opportunity to have them in our home state. (I hope they'll come back of course!). So, no argument about it, I signed right up and eagerly awaited October.

What a great time! Kevin, Clare, Vicki, and Jed are fantastic people, photographer's, business entrepreneurs and overall just a ton of fun! In just two days I learned SO MANY new things about my business and my photography. Blows my mind! Education rocks :)

Daria Bishop. Unfortunately her husband and fellow photog Andy could not join us because their son was sick. You're a good Dad/Husband, Andy! :)

Whether he is behind the computer or the camera, Kevin Kubota is an awesome teacher! (And photographer/computer guru)

Working with models on Sugarbush Mountain. Clare is not only Kevin's lovely wife, but his trusted asst. in many things.



Beautiful bride model Liz and trusty workshop mascot Tiki! (Barrie Fisher's dog)

A little swing action for our model couple.





Barrie's nephew Sam was the model for Vicki's Senior Portrait part of the workshop. He did pretty great!

Natalie Stultz and Kathleen Landwherle

Tiki!

Vicki works with Hanne, John Williams daughter and the model for the kid and family portraits section.

Mike Riddell hopped in for a little family snuggle with John and the kids :)



Barrie, Tiki, and Sam



We wanted Tiki to lie down between Barrie's boots to get a cute shot that way. Well, Tiki was not having it. Barrie, being an extreme photographer and willing to do anything for the shot, got down on the ground to entice Tiki to lay down. No such luck.

When all else failed, Barrie brought the boots to Tiki.

Barrie pretty much rocks :)

Daria working it from a distance!

Pals Kevin Kubota and Daria Bishop.

WHAT is this? Well, The Laying Down Game, of course!

We were given the task of taking the best Laying Down Game photo and submitting it for the workshop. The Laying Down Game is basically just that: you lay face down, arms at your side, straight, ANYWHERE and take a photo. Here are Karen Pike, Robin Langdorf, Daria Bishop, Barrie Fisher, and Tiki doing their best Laying Down job.

Devin, bless his heart, went out with me when I got home from the workshop and we (I) embarrassed ourselves a little at the local market.

But THEN later that night (LATE!) we had a great idea. So we packed up my gear, grabbed some props, grabbed the cat Leisl and headed downtown to the cemetery. A little Halloween version of The Laying Down Game :)
All in all an awesome 2 days! xo kaht

Almost 50, Certainly Fabulous

When Kathy initially contacted me for photos of her husbands surprise birthday party, I was excited. When she then gave me all the details about the extravagant birthday weekend she had planned (secretly), I was ecstatic! How fun! And I could not wait to be a part of it. 

Brad, the birthday boy (who is not really 50 until December), was whisked away on a weekend trip to The Woodstock Inn & Resort by his lovely wife. She told him that he would be coming face to face with someone important Friday evening. Who could it be? Well...Brad had NO idea! A running joke in his circle of family and friends is that Brad really enjoys seeing himself (in pictures or the mirror). Kathy took that joke and ran with it!

Kathy, Brad is truly blessed to have such an amazing woman by his side, making him smile, and keeping him young. From the arrival gifts to the departing brunch, the whole weekend was amazing! I'm sure you hear, but everyone kept saying what a great time they were having. And Brad, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! From now and through the whole year, CELEBRATE!

Enjoy some of my favorites below from a fabulous weekend.  

FRIDAY Night Surprise Party

Kathy had large posters made with Brad's picture, that were displayed in The Main Dining Room.



Who was Brad coming face-to-face with? Himself of course! Kathy had masks made of Brad's face for everyone to hide behind during the surprise. It was a hoot seeing "Brad" all over the room!

SURPRISE!





All of Brad's friends collaborated to put together a slide show with music, photos and memories. It had everyone laughing!

Kathy got a standing ovation for all of her hard work that was put into a great weekend trip.

SATURDAY Day Activities

Saturday was gray, but that did not stop anyone from getting out and enjoying the Woodstock area. Group photo first!

The Quechee Gorge hiking crew.

Lunch break at The Farmers Diner!

Brad and his beautiful wife, Kathy.

After lunch we visited the different artisans around The Quechee Gorge Village.

And checked out the beautiful glass at Simon Pearce.



SATURDAY Night Dinner

Everyone wore their "festive" black to welcome Brad to his new age.



SUNDAY Morning Brunch

Sunday dawned sunny with blue skies. A perfect Vermont spring day!



Some early birds had to hit the road before breakfast.

Kathy had cards for everyone to write a note to Brad. The back reads: "Brought to you by YAAA. Youth Against Aging Alliance and the Committee to Keep Brad Young"

Did I mention the life size photo cutout of Brad? Check it out in the background here. It was present all weekend at the various events. As I was departing after brunch I heard discussion of how it will be passed around amongst the friends and photographed in various places. Was there mention of him perhaps modeling a bridal gown?? :)





And "Brad" is off for his first visit with friends! 
Thanks guys and gals for a great weekend!

xo K