Brehm & Lucas :: 3 & 8 months

I think I have met my match... if not my match then maybe a "future" second shooter...

A few weeks back I got together with an old friend, who's little boy, Brehm, I photographed when he was just a few months old. I was so excited to see just how big he got and along with seeing him, I got to see the newest brother, Lucas, added to their family a few months back.

I was pleasantly surprised at the fact that the minute I see them both, they got huge smiles on their faces, as though I was remembered by one. (Fingers are crossed that's the reason!) Brehm even asked me to hold him as we walked. I felt so proud at that moment, that was pretty cool to a 3 year old and I wasn't a scary looking monster. Haha!

As I started to photograph Brehm, he was cold and I felt terrible for him, but he started to ask his mama for a toy she had for him. His mom gave it to him, and he had what I believe to be my most prize possession, an item that I'm not sure where I would be without, what I would be doing without, how I would be living in a home without, or enjoying life without... a CAMERA! I couldn't believe it! He was totally the professional and was even taking some footage of me while I was taking footage of him. I am seriously considering hiring this kid in like 15 years or so... haha! We'll see what happens...

But not only was Brehm a true champ despite the cold front we had, his little brother was awesome and I should add, they both were the most adorable little boys to photograph. Both were so happy and smiley, and Lucas had such a passion for eating dirt... hilarious! I guess it's true about boys... they love getting dirty!

What great kids they were and what an extremely fun session... Congrads Brandi on such an awesome bunch of kids! I can't wait for the next one ;)

Adorable...



Umm... could we say "heartbreaker"...



A little cold, but sooo cute...



A true photographer in the making...



LOVE IT!!!



Another "heartbreaker"...



He was so smiley... it's so contagious...



Gotta love those kids who learn how to clap and just love doing it all the time... so fun!!!



He's total GQ here... haha!



Now these are pretty funny... such different ages have such different attention spans and you can totally tell here...




Help Mom!



Haha!!! Hilarious!!!

Happy Thanksiversary!!!!

Happy Thanksiversary?

Yes, you read that right...

Today is a double celebration here in the Veldman house. Not only is today Thanksgiving, which is so great because we can remember all the things we are thankful for, and I mean ALL the things, but it also falls on such a memorable day as well! There are sooo sooo many things to remember and be grateful for today, BIG and small that has allowed us to get to the exact point in our lives. I am so thankful for all of those situations and circumstances....

I remember seven years ago there was a horrible tornado that hit Indiana. My mom saw it go over her house and then it hit the skating rink just three blocks away. The skating rink's roof was no longer there. That's the horrible part... skating was so stinkin' fun there when I was young. Sad days there! But just 25 miles to the east of the tornado there was a school that I attended and that same frightful storm was passing over us. I was there not really sure what to do, being a rebel teen I was, I wanted to stay outside and admire the extremely cool sky and dark clouds. As I was outside, there was a boy and his friends who were hanging outside the window, right across from where I was, to get a better view. I, being the huge rebel, went over to the "Boy's Only" dorm to hang my head out the window as well. Little did I know that this one situation would later be pivotal in my life.

Fast forward about 6 months or so... another situation at the same place brought myself and that same boy from the tornado incident together again. I was there for preseason soccer, he was there for new student orientation... Little did we know this time would be the start of such a beautiful thing. I am so glad that everything in my life brought me to this boy from the tornado. He is the love of my life, my closest and dearest friend, someone who can make me laugh and smile, someone who supports and takes care of me. He is truely the most amazing person I know! I am forever grateful for him and his huge loving heart!

Four years ago today was the day we said "I DO" and I'm so thankful for the chance to celebrate our life together on one of the most "Thankful" days of the year. I am sooooo thankful for all the situations that has brought me here to this exact moment!

Happy Anniversary to my LOVE, today I remember all the excitement, love, nerves, and joy, that we had on our special day! You mean everything to me and I am truly am the luckiest girl alive... XOXO!!

Happy Thanksigiving to everyone... enjoy this day and be thankful for all of your situations that brought you to today!!! XOXO!

Playing Catch Up... and Mark & Carly :: Wedding

There is nowhere like home sweet home...

I decided to go to Indiana for a couple extra days before Todd came down to Indiana on last Friday, and after giving him a big hug, I told him "I missed our dogs!" Haha! We had to photograph a wedding last Saturday, which was soooo beautiful, and headed back here on Sunday. When we rolled into the driveway, I was beyond excited, I jumped out with my key in hand, opened the door real quick, and I was in doggy heaven. Both dogs were jumping up and down in excitement, and I'm sure I wasn't helping by rolling around on the floor with them! Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to our girl Roma the next day (last Monday). Since learning how to jump our fence, she has been quite the handful. But she did get a home with a dog trainer, so hopefully that will help her get through her issues.

Love ya Romes!!!



I had lots of QT with this little burger...



And got to see my bestest and her little guy, who is scared of me... whatever, I'm not scary!



Then this last week was pure chaos. I started the week out with a big bang, not only did Roma find a new home (Bummer!), but I went to the doc and found out I had broke my finger and snapped my tendon away from my hand. I initially just thought I jammed it and thought it would heal itself. Seriously, I'm the clumsiest person around! But last week was jam packed with catching up, along with quite a few meetings, and then we headed to Ohio to do a little overnight stay, somewhat looking for some stuff for our back room, but also just visiting the Amish Country again. It hasn't changed much... haha! We ran into the biggest horse imaginable and I totally got snotted on... awesome! Haha! But it was a good trip.

Before... (look how big this horse is...)



After...the horse scaring the crap out of me... haha!



Todd loved this little guy... it was so cute!!! It would run back and then butt his head into you...



We are now back and started to slow down a bit, well hopefully after all of these holidays, but what an exciting time it is...

Onto the main part of this post...

I have been meaning to get this couple up on the blog about for the last couple weeks. Mark & Carly! Carly is a part of one of my favorite families ever!!! We photographed her sister Sarah's wedding a few years back, and Todd and I fell in love with them all. It was great to be able to see the whole gang again, plus some new little ones running around.

Mark & Carly were married on one of the rainest days of September. It rained from the morning to night. I think it might have stopped when we were leaving that night. Both Mark & Carly were so excited I don't think it phased them whatsoever! It happens... and we made it work! They were married at St. George Lutheran Church and reception was over at Crystal Gardens Banquet Center... both places were so beautiful and the couple made it even more stunning. You could tell they both were having so much fun, from the time they saw each other to the time we left. They came into the reception dancing away and it was so cute how they barely left each others side all night. Adorable!!! Todd and I had so much fun, and despite the rain... the day was perfect!!!!

Congratulations you two... we wish you nothing but the BEST!

Check out some of my favorites and a slideshow from their day...

Dress: Eva's Bridal
DJ: Muckles Entertainment
Cake: TBA
Flowers: TBA


Carly is sooo beautiful...





And her girls were awesome and so fun... LOVED THEM!



Mark was also looking very handsome...



Guys were such gentlemen...



Dad had a rough time giving away his last baby girl...



And the whole bunch together was sooo fun!!!



So in loveee....



One of my favorites from the day...



Carly being the pastry chef she is, gave whisks as their favors... sooo creative!



This photo just describes how fun both Mark & Carly are... Love it!!!



Check out their slideshow with more from their day...

It's warmer down south...

I guess when you "go south" it really does get warmer...

Last week, it was freezing, it even snowed... I almost had a heart attack. I was starting to think that we weren't going to have anymore fall days, that would've been a HUGE bummer. Turns out that was not true.... phewww....

This past Friday, Todd drove me half way down to Indiana, where my sister waited for me. She picked me up and drove me back to their house where a little 2 & 1/2 year old jumping up and down in excitement screaming "Abby, Abby!" awaited my arrival. It was the best welcome.... EVER!!!!

Todd and I will be in Indianapolis this weekend, for a wedding we will be photographing, and why not take advantage of the location and take a few extra days to visit the family and get some good, fun fill of the little gobblin' running around, which has been nothing but hilarious, some sisterly love, and some mom & me time. I've been promoted to the new babysitter this week, which I don't mind, but I'm not used to all the "kid" stuff, including putting pull ups on backwards causing poop to not only get out of the diaper, but all over the pants, shirt, and surrounding toys. Not a proud moment for me, but oh well!

But it has been great... I feel like the funniest person alive because no matter what I do, I get a laugh even if it's just running in circles, cheers-ing her sippy cup, jumping on the bed yelling "SUPERMAN"! I know that's HILARIOUS, right? OK, not really, but it is fun being silly and making someone little laugh, even if I did that to Todd he would think I'm so stupid, which I just might have to do to tease him... haha!

I was able to get a few shots the other day for them and what a great week for photos... LOVE THIS!!!

Gorgeous Family...



We all know who the star of the fam is though... haha!



Adorable...



Haha... in mid flight her face looks like this... a little scary!!!



Haha... LOVE these two!!!

Baby Eden :: 8 months

Life sure flies by, doesn't it?

It seems like yesterday that I moved up here... scared, lost, and with no direction. Then I got a job, met some nice people, and it started feeling like home. Then Todd and I got engaged, married, and now are here in our home and our life together with our dogs. Haha! Oh how fun it has been.

Along that journey, I met a girl and she was really sweet and really nice. We had lots of fun chats, lots of laughs, and lots of folding towels together when we worked at the gym together. She ended up finding a very nice and great man, who is one of the funnest guys I know, and they got married, started their life together, and then baby Eden came.

I had been wanting to meet her for quite a while now, but life sure sneaks up on you. She is so precious, soooo sweet, fun, and all she wanted to do was eat whatever she was sitting in... grass, dirt, leaves, bark, moss, you name it, she wanted to eat it! It was pretty funny... but it was great to meet her and see her mama again. I sure have missed her and it was so fun to see her in "Mommy Mode." She's wonderful at it!!!

Enjoy some of my favorites and Congratulations you two... I had a blast!!!

Is she not the cutest???



Haha!!





It begins...



And again...



Cute, but still trying to eat the ground... haha!



Look at that face... she's so silly...