Tyler’s big sister came in for her four year portrait and here’s some of our favorites. I love this one of her laughing. It is so natural and SO her.
This was another one of our favorites. The expression is so sweet.
And finally, Dawn choose this for her wall portrait. I just never get sick of looking at this. There is so much going on in her eyes. The eyes say it all.
Erin and Don were married at Immaculate Conception Church in Gilbertville on May 31st, 2008. They hold a special place in my heart since Don is my cousin, and one of my favorites. We were all so happy when he met Erin Oberbroekling from Sumner and decided that she was THE ONE. It was an honor to be asked to play such an important part of their special day.
Erin’s eye for detail was incredible. Instead of the traditional flower boutineer, she opted for a more shabby chic version that included fabric wrapped buttons and ribbon in her springy colors of a soft sagey green and petal pink. Together it was the perfect combination.
One of their main themes was the Circle, an unbroken and neverending circle symoblizes a committment of love that is never ending. It played out in the ring bearer’s accessories, was on the programs and was given away as favors, circle cookie cutters. Her little flower girls wore rain boots with their dresses and a garland of spring time flowers covered their heads. Also in the soft sage green were the little worn tin buckets that the flower petals were placed in.
Don’s reaction was AWESOME. Erin looked incredible in her dress from Elegant Affair By Amy.
Her flowers included fragrant rosemary and smelled incredible. The flowers were so important to Erin and she choose the Flower Farm for this important occasion.
After the ceremony, they provided pink iced sugar cookies and pink lemonade to their guests on the lawn by the grotto, while they waited for the butterfly release. Erin’s Dad read a poem and many of the little children were given butterfliess to release (With strict instructions on not to crush them 
) on Erin’s cue. The butterfly release was in honor of all their loved ones who had passed. It was a touching tribute when Erin and Don passed out butterfly ornaments to their family members who had lost someone.
After that they got on a Hawkeye Bus to go to the park for a few more pictures. We got some fun ones of the wedding party at the bus.
At the reception living centerpieces and candle lit lanterns graced the tables. They were announced and dinner and some heartfelt and sometimes funny toasts were a great tribute to the relationships they have with their friends.
Erin and Don like to have fun and are die hard IOWA FANS, (Go Hawks), even though they have a few cyclones as friends. They even danced to the Fight Song as the wedding party dance.
Erin and Don are living in Waverly and luckily have not been affected by the recent floods there. Hopefully there will be a new little hawkeye on the way soon. (No pressure, Don!)
It’s early Thursday Morning and we are still so blessed to not have water in our basement. Last night was not the easiest one to sleep through. Every drop of rain hurt.
Wyatt is still with Grandpa, we called him last night and he cried, which broke my heart. He doesn’t understand why we just can’t come and get him.
We have no mail, or UPS, or any deliveries of any kind. Which has been challenging for our business. I had to learn how to do online banking last night, so we could bill pay, since I’m sure the big credit card companies don’t care about excuses for being late. Even if it is legitimate.
Just watching the chopper reports showing such devastation so close to our home and business makes me so grateful for our island status. There is nothing in place here to protect us, except for the grace of God. Which when you think about it is all you really need.
I hope you and yours are safe and dry and that the summer starts to settle down so we can all enjoy it.
Ninya and Woody
Not quite sure why the media is calling it the “Great” Flood of 2008. I personally don’t think there is anything great about it.
Internet service is off and on here. I just got on for the first time today. We are doing pretty well. Our neighborhood has become an island. The roads leading to and from here are all closed, so we’ve had to reschedule most of our week so far. Most of you know that our business is in our basement. So far we are EXTREMELY grateful that we do not have any water. We breathed a little sigh of relief when it the river crested. But with all the rain forcasted, it makes me a little nervous. We are hopeful and thankful that our home and business will be spared. Right now our concern is sewer backup. We anxiously await the forecasted rain and pray it breaks up before it gets here, and becomes much lighter than what is predicted.
Our home is on the other side of the devestated Ice House Museum. Water surrounds us on all sides. Luckily our house sits higher.
Being “trapped” at home is a little unnerving. Yesterday was surreal with a beautiful blue sky day, kids were playing in the neighborhood park across the street, but almost every hour the sound of helicopters flying low reminded us that we were in the eye of the hurricane. (So to speak). We are having to be a little creative with our meals. Since we didn’t get to the grocery store like so many others did. But we are here and everything is going to be ok.
Our son, Wyatt went on his first camping trip with grandpa and had a great time, but he is still there since we can’t get to him. It’s hard for me to be away from him. When stuff like this happens, it is always easier to be surrounded by your loved ones. I’m the type of person that has to see, hear, touch everything for myself. So it is really hard to have a piece of you missing. I can’t wait to see his little face again.
We are very thankful and lucky to have great client friends. So many of you have called or emailed to check up on us. We will keep you posted and please pray for everyone in the Cedar Valley affected by this flood and for the continued strength of the volunteer sandbaggers who saved the city for the night. You are all heroes. We are with you in spirit and if it was possible, we’d be right there beside you.
Take care!
Ninya and Woody
Rhian and Jim are getting married this July. They took some time out of their crazy schedules to be photographed with their little doggie. Rhian is now in Guatemala on a missions trip. I am so excited to hear some of her stories when she gets back. The best part of the session included meeting Breckyn, Rhian’s nephew. Almost a year old. We photographed his parents wedding a few years back. It was great to see Bryndi again.
I Love this Browntone quiet moment. It’s one of my favorites from the session.
Kate and Ian are getting married in Belle Plaine in October.
Ian’s canadian, but we won’t hold that against him! JK He was a good sport, even though most guys think having their portraits made is equivalent to getting a root canal without novacain! We try to make it as fun as possible, and it usually only lasts an hour. The engagement portrait is the last one you’ll have before you start a family, so it is SO important.
I love this one! Kate has amazing hair and skin. Just really classic beautiful features. I love the playfulness of this image.
This was another one of our favorites. I love the softness of this and the expressions. It has such a tender feeling to it.
And finally Allison and Kevin are getting married in November. They requested a beachy feel, so I found this little nook, (That is completely submerged in water right now) 
I love near far realtionships. Their flip flops in the sand are so much fun!
At the end of the session I was amazed by the sea of dandelions. Who knew ugly weeds could be so cool?
Carson was in a week ago for his 6 month portrait. He is the smiliest (is that a word? guy I’ve ever photographed! What a sweet little face.
I LOVE HIS PIGGIES!
His sister, Grayson, helped him to stand, they are best buds and she loves him dearly, right after this image, she kissed the top of his head, without any prompting! It is so heart warming to see siblings love on each other like that!.
Jodi and Josh from Chicago, had an amazing day May 17th. The weather was outstanding, sunny and in the 70’s. Jodi’s gown was jeweled ivory design. The silohette was amazing, and very sexy. While her sister make up professional, Lori, finished her flawless face, her Dad Les, showed up in his harley clothes and a crazy wig. He was so much fun, we couldn’t wait to see him at the dance.
Josh’s Harley, (Clearly his second true love) made some appearances in the wedding portraits and he actually convinced Jodi to ride off to the reception on it. The whole town of Gilbertville was in attendance (or at least most of it : )
Following the ceremony, we went to Park Place for some fun wedding party pictures, the sun cooperated and went behind a cloud for a few mintes, so we were able to get some of the shots that Jodi LOVES.
Little votive candles worked as placecards for the guests, and tiny wedding cakes at every table created by Kathy Griese were fun and delicious center pieces. The talk of the night was the signature drinks, Blue Martinis, chilled to perfection after a ride down the ice sculpture luge with Josh and Jodi’s name on it.
Jodi’s sister, Lori’s touching toast remebering their mother who had passed from Luekemia, brough tears to everyone’s eyes. Chad provided comic releif and filled us in to some of Josh’s PG rated antics. They both did a great job.
Les didn’t let us down when it was time for the dance. I was laughing so hard at times, it was hard to hold the camera still. I saw some moves I’ve never seen before. That man knows how to have a good time! He was the life of the party!
A chocolate fountain, provided last minute sugar fixes for all the sweet tooths in attendance and smelled INCREDIBLE. The kids especially found it too hard to resist.
The first dances with the couple were auctioned off by Les and Bill, fathers of the bride and groom, and it was pretty lively. After a honeymoon in Aruba, they’ll settle down into married life outside the Windy City.
Ashley and Matt took some time away from spring training to take their engagement portraits with me a couple weeks ago. The team Matt coaches made it to the playoffs last year! They like to laugh a lot together, so I’d say they are perfectly paired. These are a couple of my favorite images from the session.
