Nearly twelve years ago, I became buddies with Maggie… through the big buddy/little buddy system at school. Every sixth grader was assigned one or two kids from kindergarten. We would do activities and art projects together. Good times were had by all. :-) A couple years after that, I started babysitting Maggie and her younger brothers (Amanda was old enough to take care of herself, and help me make food and clean dishes).

When I was a senior in high school, I remember thinking how grown-up Maggie was now that she was in the sixth grade and had her own little buddy. Fast forward six MORE years and HER little buddy is now going to get a little buddy this year at school!!!!! CRAZY!!!

Now, Maggie is filling her summer with sports camps and work. And she looks GOOD doing it!! :-) I can’t remember how many times I told her how pretty she looks. Apparently it was too many, because she called me out on it. Sorry Maggie. But you ARE!! And I’m going to SHOW you!!! :-)

Kent + Leah picked the perfect day to have their wedding at the Tretheway Pavilion in Spearfish. The park was full of kids playing, families biking, and even another wedding party taking photos! :-)

Their families traveled near and far to be there for the wedding, and coming from a large family myself, I know how awesome and special that is that so many people came!!

I don’t know where the ushers were hiding during group photos, but they sure were excited to get their picture taken before the ceremony!!

Yes, they kissed more than once when they were first introduced as husband and wife. :-)

Me with my lovely assistant, Hannah:

And me with the happy couple!!

Kent + Leah: hope you’re having a fabulous time in VEGAS!!!!!

I’m off again for a little while! I’m on my way to my hometown to do some senior photos (so excited!!) an engagement session (finally get to meet Ryan + Krystal!!) and a wedding (congrats to my cousin Jill and her soon-to-be-husband Aaron!!) but I wanted to share with you a sneak peek from Kent + Leah’s Spearfish wedding yesterday before I take off!!!

Hi there! It’s been pretty quiet around here without having any sessions – my next wedding isn’t until the 19th!!! I thought I’d break the silence that is my blog and show you a photo I took few weeks ago at Mount Rushmore!! Lance took me there for breakfast the Sunday before I left for those two weeks doing weddings and engagement sessions east river. What fun is living in the Black Hills if you can’t be a tourist every once in a while?! :-)

You might remember from Brian + Barb’s engagement session post that Brian and Lance grew up together. I have known Brian ever since Lance and I started dating a few years ago. I loved hearing stories of how excited Brian was dating Barb. Lucky me, not only was I their wedding photographer but I also got to meet all their family and half the town of Emery, dance the night away and go home with one of the groomsmen! ;-)

Barb’s mom is such a talented woman!! She made all the girls’ necklaces and purses and also helped get Barb ready for the day:

Everything about Barb was simply gorgeous:

Flowers courtesy of Gustaf’s Greenery in Sioux Falls:

First look!! I just love how Barb is glowing!!

And Barb said there was ‘absolutely nothing’ by the church for photos. :-)

Brian + Barb had an awesome and unique unity candle ceremony – their godparents lit candles from the Easter candle, then they lit the matron of honor and the best man’s candles and everyone else’s candle was lit throughout the church to the back where their mothers were waiting. Their mothers then brought their candles up, lit Brian + Barb’s candles and in turn they lit their unity candle – with all of their guests having a special part of it! :-)

Mr. and Mrs. Olinger!!!

Their wedding reception was at the Museum of Visual Materials in Downtown, Sioux Falls:

Brian + Barb – Thanks so much for inviting Lance and I to be such special parts of your wedding day!! Safe travels to your honeymoon tomorrow!! I promise the rest of your images will be ready by the time you get back! :-)