Daycare Photo Session: Babies!

We did a photo session at a daycare back in October.  Here is the class of Babies.  Aren't they adorable?

Valentines Day

Well here we are, its Valentines Day.  I used to hate this day with a passion.  In fact I think some friends and I made "Happy Singles Awareness Day" in college.  I guess everyone hates this day until they find their own valentine.  I know its a made-up commercial holiday (I told Randy not to get me flowers).  But honestly I don't see much wrong in having a day that focuses on your love.  Too often we get caught up in our lives that we take our loved ones for granted and its nice to be reminded to appreciate them.  Randy and I found each other about 4.5 years ago.  We met online and chatted it up for about a month before we had the nerve to go on a real date.  Our first date is one for the history books, if you know us, you know this story, but since most of you don't (and I love telling it) here it goes:

We met for dinner at Bricktown here in Dubuque.  I had to laugh becuase Randy asked if it was ok to meet at 5pm for dinner.  Up until then the only people I knew that ate that early were my grandparents.  So of course I had to ask about the early-bird special (to be fair we were going to a movie as well and Randy lived about 45 minutes out of town and it was a school night).  I thought he was so cute when I saw him for the first time.  We ordered dinner and we got mozzarella sticks as an appetizer.  When they arrived he picked up his knife and fork and started using them on the sticks.  I told him that I was not that kind of a girl and then nearly peed my pants I was laughing so hard.  It was then that we both were put at ease and we have been laughing ever since.

After dinner it was time for a movie.  I had suggested Chicken Little, but he said that his mom had seen A History of Violence and said it was good.  I thought it sounded a little rough for a first date, but his mom said it was ok so how bad could it be?  After the first 5 bodies were stacking up I looked at him and said "Great choice for a first date".  Now that I know Barb a little better she was not aware that Randy was taking her liking the movie as a suggestion for a first date and we still laugh about it.  So every year on our first date anniversary we watch A History of Violence and just laugh at the gore!

When he took me back to my car we shared that awkward first kiss should we / shouldn't we moment and then we went our separate ways.  I waited until I thought he was home and called to set up date number 2, the Vikings and Packers were playing on Monday Night Football.  I wasn't about to let this one get away from me (even if he is a Packer fan).

Fast forward a few months to our first Valentines Day.  I thought it would be fun to make stuffed animals for each other and then head out on the town.  Here is a picture of our animals we made that night.  Randy picked the white tiger for me and I make him a lion.  I'm pretty sure we were instructed to put a wish into the stuffing of the animal.  I know mine came true because a few months later Randy asked me to marry him and he is the best Valentine I could ask for!

Erin and Wade's Engagement

It was Mother's Day.  She had already given him the world with their daughter Anna, he just wanted to make this love forever.  He asked and it was possibly the best Mother's Day Present she will ever get.

Randy and I met Erin working at Kids, Inc in Cedar Rapids while we were taking school pictures for the kids.  She never mentioned that she was getting married this year.  Wade emailed us a few weeks after we had gotten the photos back to parents and wanted to meet with us.  Erin and Wade had stars in their eyes for each other every moment of that meeting.  They were looking at each other with such love and devotion it was remarkable. 

They will be married in Cedar Rapids at St. Jude's Church with a reception at The Longbranch Hotel on April 24th.  With such an early spring wedding we had to get their engagement session done this winter.  They were troopers!  Randy and I told them they could leave their coats on, but they instisted on taking them off for our outdoor pictures.

We started at the Grand River Center to get warmed up and have a lot of space to work with.  I love the intensity in this picture.  It looks like they are so deep into each other that I doubt they noticed the loud mouth (me in case you were wondering) snapping photos.

If I had to describe Anna in one word I would use DARLING!  The look on her face is awesome! "Ummm, what are you doing that for?"

The love Wade has for Erin is extremely evident in this picture.  He was just so sweet to her all day.

I know people think that I'm strange (understatement, right?), but I think that these type of pictures (couple from behind) are the best!  They are so romantic and intimate without being in your face about it.

We headed out for a few in the bitter cold.  As I said before these two really were good sports about it!

Don't worry folks, Anna was in the safe warm car while we were shooting these.  I'm not sure that they needed their coats for this hot set!

I'm not sure we have ever gotten this great of a smile from one of our groom-to-be's yet.  Either she loves him a lot or shes really funny, but I'm betting on both!

Her cuteness is back for another picture.  We left the river area and headed up to Four Mounds.  This was our first time shooting up there.  It was a little warmer and the views were incredible!

We had great light to work with up there.  It just caught her ring and made it sparkle!

I'm putting this one in the blog because I think its adorable.  Their noses are turning pink from being outside for so long, but they are still smiling.

There were some inn keepers working so we got to go inside and warm up a bit in their beautiful house!  It felt really nice to get indoors and sit down.

It was a great day with Erin, Wade and Anna and we can't wait for the wedding in April.  See more of their pictures here.

Katie and Kaleb's Engagement

It is really difficult to find a happy ending to a blind date story...especially in High School!  It was their junior year and Katie's friends all had dates with Kaleb's friends from another school.  This is how their story begins.  Randy and I met this happy couple a few months ago and I saw right away how much fun these two were going to be.  I'm not sure if we have laughed any more in a client meeting.

We started at the newly renovated Hotel Julien in Downtown Dubuque.  All I can say about the renovations is wow!  Katie and Kaleb were total naturals in front of the camera.  Of course I think its easier when you are with the one you love and can concentrate on them!

It was so cold outside that we were looking for some big indoor spaces to take some pictures.  Of course we landed at the Grand River Center.  Randy loves these pictures.  We told them to totally ham it up getting off the escalator.  

We went outside and braved the cold a bit.  I couldn't help but get a bit cheesey and asked them to do the fish and hook move.  I think they do it quite well!

What a great looking couple!

 

Of course we had to show off the bling.

We headed to the brick wall wich makes an excellent backdrop for these two love birds!

We just couldn't get these two to keep their hands off each other!

These two are going to be very happy for the rest of their lives.

We ended at the field behind the Mt. Plesant Home.  It was fun to play in the snow even if it was a bit packed.

 

This is my favorite picture.  The love they have for each other just shines through.

Katie and Kaleb will be married on May 29.  I can't wait!  See more pictures here.