Meet Brenda!

About six months ago, Brenda agreed to come and help me organize my office and take care of my bookkeeping. I think a lot of her because not only is she a good friend who I have known since college, but organizing my office and bookkeeping has been quite an unenviable task and she has done a wonderful job! :-)

Brenda is also quite popular with my kids, because yesterday she and her family donated three adorable kittens to the Bartels farm! Here is a picture of Brenda that I sneakily took when she came over to get her kids' pictures taken!

Here is one of the kittens-Hobbes-"reading" a Calvin and Hobbes book. The other two kittens' names are Calvin and Susie.

A couple favorites of Steve and Brenda's adorable kids...

Jamie and Jason

I met Jamie and Jason in Sioux Falls a couple of weeks ago for their engagement session. I always enjoy shooting somewhere new, especially on such a beautiful day! We started at Falls Park...


Then we went for a little walk down town...



We ended up at a little place that is a favorite of Jamie and Jason's...

Jamie and Jason: I enjoyed meeting you and am looking forward to your wedding in a few months! Thanks for showing me around Sioux Falls a little!

I just put the kids to bed 15 minutes ago...

...when suddenly I hear a stampede of footsteps coming down the stairs: "Mom! Look at the beautiful rainbow!" It was way more beautiful and vibrant than I can capture in this image, but I wanted to share this sunset rainbow with you anyway. A good reminder to me...God keeps His promises!

I just wanted to say...

...Happy Father's Day, Eric! I can't imagine a better Dad for our children or a better leader for our family! I love you!

On a cool and blustery saturday a few weeks ago...

...Jenna and Josh tied the knot! The night before the wedding I lay in bed listening to the wind howl and I hoped that it would be quiet in the morning. But it was not to be, as I awoke to the same wind, but at least no rain.

After blowing into the church with my equipment and setting up, I went in search of the bride. And there she was-totally peaceful and absolutely radiant! Josh was equally calm and happy!

As it ended up, we were able to spend lots of time outside and get way more great outside shots than I ever imagined that day! In fact I have so many favorites that I had a difficult time narrowing them down. Here are some of them:
Jenna's gorgeous dress and beautiful flowers...

A private moment-Josh and Jenna's first look.

the wedding party outside...

and just the couple

Jenna-stunning bride...


we made a quick stop at a park between the ceremony and reception.

at the Sioux County Court House

the wind kept picking up Jenna's veil!


the getaway car was a '76 convertible of some kind-Camaro maybe? OK, so I am not a car buff!

Jenna and Josh, thank you so much for letting me capture some of the fun of your wonderful day! It was truly a blessing in so many ways!
Vanessa

It has been so rainy this spring...

...but that did not keep Megan and Patrick from getting some great outside (and inside) images for their engagement shoot!

Megan...

This is way more than what I usually do for post processing on my images, but I thought this style really fit this couple and so I had fun with it!

Patrick...

They are a beautiful couple...

...and you can see they love to have fun together!

Thanks for being patient, Megan and Patrick! You image gallery will be online tonight! I so enjoyed meeting you and very much look forward to your wedding later this summer!!

It was not that long ago...

...that my boys went to Miss Heidi's for Kindermusic and piano lessons. Now she has three boys of her own!

Here is her and Dan's newest little sweetheart-Ezra!


And big brother Eli...

And middle brother Abram...

One of the whole family-aren't those little red feet so sweet peeking out of the blanket?

And one more...this was Dan's idea and I think it turned out really fun!