Holiday Recap...

Well... well... well...

We are still alive... BARELY, but we are at least still breathing.

Last week, Todd and I ventured down to Indiana to visit my family and boy was it fun. We had lots of laughs, jokes, Christmas songs, lights, snow, cold weather, and all and all a great time. It was fun to see the little Miss Izzy get up on Christmas morning to see that "Santa" arrived and brought her lots of TOYS. It was actually quite funny seeing how overwhelmed she was with all of the cool stuff she got and wanted to play with it all, all at once. I think some of her dolls got baked in her play kitchen. Hilarious!

Later on Christmas, we headed back to Michigan to hang out with Todd's family and their friends for their annual Christmas Party, and then Sunday morning we headed over to his parent's house for Christmas with them... little did we know we both we be having a visitor from a guest that we were not expecting. Sure enough... the flu bug came a bit later in the day and is still here. I'm not sure I've ever even had the flu before, but this is the WORST feeling EVER! Hopefully it goes away soon so that we both can be normal again. I mean I haven't even left the house since Sunday, I'm getting winded walking up and down the stairs, and when I think about normal food I get nauseous... It's terrible! We've been living off of crackers, jello, pudding, applesauce, and soup. LOVELY! I guess this is our way of not gaining the holiday weight, huh? Let's hope it leaves us soon... I'm getting cabin fever and there's only so much TV you can actually watch before you start to get bed sores. Haha!

We hope everyone had a Happy Holiday and a much better one than we are having as we speak!!!

Gotta love Christmas lights... even the tacky ones...



We ventured over to Todd's aunt's in Indiana who is building such a beautiful home... we can't wait to visit when it's finished!





We had lots of time with little Miss Izzy B... She's such a fun little girl now...



She adored Maddox...

Mike & Angela :: Engagements

I love a good reunion...

I love seeing someone I haven't seen in a few years and catching up... Reminiscing of old times and stories... It brings a huge smile to my face.

One of those "people" was just recently when I was contacted by a fellow coworker, Angela, that I used to work at the gym with. She and I had lots of fun times together. A few years back she was dating a guy named Mike, who she knew was "the one", turns out she was right and he popped the question not too long after I left there. After getting engaged, they got married in a small intimate ceremony, just the two of them, but are having another ceremony and big reception next year. I'm so excited for their big day because I had so much fun with their engagements and the fact that Mike and Angela are so stinkin' cute in front of the camera. We had a blast together! We had some amazing weather, and I'm talking weather you don't get often. We not only had a beautiful fall day, but a double rainbow grace our presence, minus the rain. Holler! What are the odds of that happening? I'm not sure but they are one lucky couple!

Congratulations you two.... We are so happy and excited for you guys!

Here are a few of my favorites.... There were so many, I had a hard time narrowing down!

Such naturals in front of the camera... such a sweet couple...





Love these two... adorable!!!





Rarrr...



The infamous rainbow... how memorable...



LOVE this one...



I'm thinking this is my cue... we are done! HAHA!

It's a Wrap...

It's a wrap...

2010 is coming to a close and this past Saturday was our very last wedding for the year. What a bittersweet moment!

I know that both Todd and I had such a great year with all of our clients and we enjoyed every minute of it... but I'm not going to lie, it's going to be pretty nice to have a few months off to just catch up, relax, and prepare for the next string of weddings, along with the next remodel project on the list... SYKE! Considering we are still doing the finishing touches with decorations, etc... I think I can do without a project for a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY long time. For now, I will just enjoy our home the way it is and enjoy the time off.

What a way to celebrate the closing of a season then to have the holidays be right around the corner, along with a fun photo to share...



(Love you honey!!!)

Happy Monday!!!

Mike & Karen :: Wedding

I know... I know... my new nickname can be M.I.A.

I'm terrible! I'm having a hard time sitting down. This holiday season is catching up to me like I'm in a scary movie and it's dark out and I'm being chased in the deserted woods. Plus I have a husband who thinks I can run errands all day long... then he wonders where my day goes. Grr... whatever!

Anyways... I'm going to do my best to finish this year off right and get all my last sessions done and on here by the end of the year. We'll see if that happens considering we'll be out of town some for the holidays, but like I said, I'll do my best... starting with the beautiful Mike & Karen, two of my favorites.

I walked in to meet Karen for the first time, being as she lives in Chicago, and we totally clicked. It was as if I've known her for years and we were just catching up. Plus, we love our dogs and talk about them often, so that's a true bond there, plus she chose to make her favors donations to her pups favorite animal shelter, which I thought was so nice and I know all animal lovers would appreciate that so much. Love it!!!



But Mike and Karen were married at the St. John's Inn over in Plymouth, MI on one of the most beautiful fall days, and also the day Michigan played Michigan State... not a good day for my husband, the Michigan fan, but maybe it was good he was helping me and not seeing them get beat down. I love that their bridal party weren't occupied with that and were there supporting their good friends... you guys were awesome!

During their photos, they actually told me they have terrible luck when it comes to weather. It usually rains in places that don't usually rain when they visit, but I'm pretty sure that streak has changed, considering how beautiful the weather was on their wedding day. I'm pretty sure Mike and Karen made it even more stunning with their excitement and love for each other. They are two of the most loving, sweet, caring people I have ever met and both of them are ones I'm going to remember forever.

Congratulations you guys.... we had so much fun with you both and wish you lived closer!!! ;)

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

DJ: The Sprague Brothers (Extremely Good- Email me for their contact info)
Cake: Lakes Cakes
Flowers: One Enchanted Evening

Is she not the most radiant bride?



Her girls were stunning... and so fun!



Stud right there...



Such gentlemen...



I'm not sure why, but this one is one of my favorites... not wanting to let go...



And of course, the processional... always my favorites!!!!



What a great group they had supporting them...



Could they be any cuter together...



Adorable...



I love this one...



And this one... one of my many favorites from their day...



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

Greg & Charis :: Engagements

Sisterly Love...

I love my sister and when it comes to girl's chit chatting, my sister is the first person I call. We tend to call each other often, a lot more than most sisters do, but being 400 miles away from each other, it's a lot easier

Speaking of sisterly love, I'm super excited to be shooting a sister of a fellow bride of mine. Charis is the sister of fellow the Talitha & Josh duo and I'm even more excited that it is the same time of year. What a tradition! Maybe another sister next year as well? You girls work on that and get back to me... haha!

But Greg and Charis are two of the sweetest, cutest, fun loving, adorable couples out there. They have so much fun together... love to laugh... I mean LOVE to laugh... and are so sooo soooo in love! I had such an great time at their engagement session over at Greenfield Village, what a perfect place for this session. Getting to know them was so fun, it makes me so eager about next weekend for their special day!

Congrads you guys... I will see you in just a few short days!!!

Here are a few of my favorites... although there was so many I had a hard time with this post...

What a gorgeous couple...



I LOVE that they have so much fun together...



What a moment...



Little bus stop action here... they are catching the LOVVVVEEEE train... haha!



I'm in love with this carousel... they were adorable riding it...



What a great spot... but this could have been a disaster if they fell in... thanks for agreeing to this despite the rope we had to climb over... there's my rebel side coming through, just for a photo! But sooo worth it!





That is a HUGE windmill, don't ya think???



Love those old carney booths...

My Ticker Starts Over...

Welp... I'm totally dragging it today.

I think I'm suffering from what doctors like to call, Birthdox-Hangtovitious, or as I like to call it "Birthday Hangover." It does not involve alcohol, considering I don't drink, but rather the eyes and ears seeing and hearing the phrase "Happy Birthday!" all in one day has caused extreme depression today. I was so happy yesterday, I got to do all my favorite things... workout, play at the dog park with Maddox, be spoiled by my husband, hang out with my great friends, eat cheese-less pizza, be mistaken for a 22 year old while someone trying to hook me up with their son (Don't worry, I informed the guy both of my age and my marital status)... BEST birthday ever!!! Haha!

But today is just another day... one that starts the counting ALL over again, and another year before I get to hear that phrase said to me. It's a bit surreal... I don't FEEL older, I don't REALLY look older, considering the story above and the fact that every time I go to the doctors during the day he asks if I need a note for school, haha! So basically it's just another day... but I think I'm ok with it!

I love that I don't feel or look older, I love that on one day people remember me and remind me how happy they are that I was born. It sure makes you feel special... Thank you to everyone who made it special including this guy...



Thanks again... I feel so blessed and LOVED so much! It's great to be alive!

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!