cindy cieluch photography . blog

Nearly a year after their beeeeeautiful Wyoming wedding, Kendell + Bobby now have a baby girl.  Her name is Tana (an homage to Montana) and she’s just too cute for words.

Matt and I smiled from ear-to-ear when we met her yesterday.  Tana pounced around, barked with all of her might and slipped around on the wood floors.  She’s all fluff and energy and just plain’ ol squeezable.  Plus, I think she wants to be a photographer when she grows up…

The Lion King pose! 

Congrats you guys!  Duncan + Boerne are counting down the days until their play date.

Matt insisted that we bring 2 cameras on our anniversary trip.  To be honest, I didn’t want to lug all of it around.  I’m glad he didn’t listen to me.

My view…

Matt’s view…

More photos (mostly from Matt!) on the way…

…exactly 9 years ago.

It was a hot Friday night in San Antonio.  My girlfriends Jenn and Kristi practically forced me to meet up with them at the Officer’s Club on Randolph Air Force Base.  You see…as an Air Force brat, that’s honestly the last place I wanted to mingle.  A bunch of single, on-the-prowl, military men???  Nope, not for me.  But after non-stop phone calls from my verrrry convincing girlfriends, I caved in and thought, “Why not?”

A few hours and pool games later, I had my fill of pushing through a crowd of drinking guys and giggling girls.  But once again, my friends informed me that I wasn’t going anywhere.  So, I walked upstairs to the quiet lobby to let my sister Jessica know about my plans to stay.  As soon as I hung up my cell, I heard the friendliest yet most obnoxious, “HEEEEEEY LAAADIES!” Jenn and I whipped our heads around and that’s when I got my first look at Matt…followed by a huge crowd of rowdy pilots walking through the double doors.  In my typical smart aleck fashion, I responded, “HEEEEEEY FELLLLLAS!”

And that was it.  Matt liked my sassy attitude.  I liked his sexy flight suit.  We were instant friends and quickly fell in love.

Then five years ago, we returned to Randolph Air Force Base for our ceremony.  And, of course, to that fateful bar for our wedding reception.

Our wedding is a day I vividly remember: Listening to Matt’s family’s beautiful voices echo through the chapel as they sang before the ceremony began.  Staring at our adorable little nieces’ faces so much that I didn’t notice they didn’t have flowers in their baskets.  My girlfriends pampering me with prayers, hugs, lip gloss and too much body glitter.  The emotions I felt as my two dads walked me down the aisle.  The expression on Matt’s face when I walked down the aisle.  Our first kiss, which was so long that my dad (Appa) actually shouted out, “GET A ROOM!”  The toasts given by my family + friends: some sweet, some hilarious, some downright embarrassing.  My dad (Al) hugging me so hard during the father-daughter dance that I thought my dress was going to fall down.  The DJ randomly busting out some cheesy slow song on the microphone.  My mom getting sandwiched by high school friends getting down n’ dirty on the dance floor.  Matt smashing cake up my nose.  Making a grand exit through a sea of bubbles…only to return 5 minutes later to keep dancing.

We met in a bar.  And today, we are celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary with Matt’s parents who will soon be celebrating 50 years.  I can’t think of a more meaningful way to look back at the last 5 years and look forward to the next 5…10…50.

Happy anniversary, Matt.  Since it’s cliché that we met in a bar, I’ll continue the cliché theme: I fall in love with you more every day.  For better, for worse.  I do.

6 . 18 . 2005

Ceremony: Chapel One . Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

Reception: Officer’s Club

Photography: Rick Hunter

Matt’s dad was all teary-eyed right after the ceremony.  This is one of my absolute faves.

I still remember looking at Matt and saying, “Here we go…”

After we went under the sabers, the pilot on the right slapped my butt super hard.

He’s lucky he didn’t cut my dress! 

These lil’ stinkers are Kalyn and Shaylee, our cutie pie nieces.

The bouquet was designed by my best friend April’s mom, Lynn.  I loved the simplicity of it!

Our families mean everything to us.

They traveled from all over the world: California, Minnesota, Ohio, North Dakota, Indiana, South Carolina, Florida, Chicago…and Bahrain!

My bestest friends in the entire galaxy.

Two of my soul sisters, Mia + Stephanie.  They were simply radiant when they gave their toasts.

My best friend April + little sister Jessica.  Let’s just say that Jess was a little emotional.

Korean dancers entertained the crowd during dinner.

It was very important to us that we showcased my mom’s culture, as it was a huge part of my upbringing.

HELLO!!?!?!?  Hottie hubby alert. 

Matt’s mom was extremely P R O U D.  Matt is the baby of the family and once told his mom that he’d never get married.

Renée replied, “Oh, you just wait and see.”  I’m glad that moms are always right…

Another unforgettable (and unfortunate) moment.  I was so out-of-control excited about being married that I tripped my way out of the reception.

Matt swooped me up right before I bit it big time.  Even after 5 years, I guess some things never change. 

…I was brought to tears watching Gavin enter the world.

Today, it was CAKE TIME!  Happy 1st birthday, cutie pie!!!

When the benefit for Stacy kicked off, there was instant energy you could feel in your bones.  It’s hard to describe all of the emotions on that incredible night, but I’ll give it a whirl.

You know the feeling when…

…you’re so full of love that your heart hurts?

…you’re so happy that you can’t stop smiling?

…you’re so moved by the acts of family, friends and complete strangers that you are brought to tears?

Stacy’s benefit was everything we were hoping, planning and praying it would be…..plus MORE.  There were more than 100 items for the silent auction.  Incredible packages for the live auction (like a bed-and-breakfast in Scotland!)  Meals provided by Big Mouth BBQ.  A 55″ pimped out flat screen TV donated for the raffle.  A moving video about Stacy + Mike’s journey produced by Eikon Media Productions.  The donations, hugs, kisses, stories, memories.  We didn’t want the evening to end!

The money we raised will be used to help Stacy with her medical and travel expenses.  But as Mike told the crowd that night, it’s not the financial support they appreciate the most: it’s the friendship, love and prayers.

Mike’s *thank you* speech was the most touching combination of gratitude, wit and affection.  Mike talked about Great Falls’ claim to fame: home to the oldest man in the world.  Yes, that’s a fact.  113-year-old Walter Bruening lives right here in Great Falls.

He went on to stress that a “good life” is not necessarily a long one.  A good life should not be based on years lived, what your job is, or the number of Facebook friends you have.  It’s who YOU are.  It’s HOW you live your life.  It’s WHO you impact.  It’s the way you LOVE and the way you leave an IMPACT on others.  It’s your FAITH in God.

TEAM STACY was in full force and will continue to be!

The silent auction tables were hoppin!

Auctioneer Fred Burow in action!

Aussie Mike getting a taste of good ol’ American food: Big Mouth BBQ! 

Stacy: Our support will continue to grow every day!  We will always have your back.

GO TEAM STACY!!!!!!!!!!!

*Thank you Ali for taking these very special photos.

Courage.  It’s what Stacy is made of.

Dressed up in a shiny outfit and red cape as “Captain Courageous,” the Great Falls native has traveled to hospitals throughout Australia to cheer up sick and terminally ill children.  Now, Stacy is in the biggest fight of her life.

Last fall, Stacy was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  ASL is a disease of the motor neurons, muscle-controlling nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.  ALS initially affects legs, arms and/or throat and mouth muscles, then ultimately affects all voluntary muscles.

But ALS is not how Stacy wants to be defined.  Her body may be getting weaker, yet her spirit has never been stronger.  Stacy and her husband Mike have an incredible drive to live life to the fullest and fight this disease with all of their might!  They actually just flew from Australia into Great Falls for a benefit we’re holding THIS Friday!

We’re raising money for Stacy’s medical costs and her upcoming trip to the Sierra Integrative Medical Center in Nevada.  You can also learn more about Stacy and Mike’s journey on her blog: http://stacyneild.blogspot.com/

Our benefit for Stacy is FRIDAY, MAY 21 at 5 p.m. at Great Falls Christian Center. There will be silent and live auctions filled with beautiful art (paintings, pottery), super cool services (spa, hair, home services) and other amazing donations (dinners, sweets, wine basket, hunting trip, Bed & Breakfast in Scotland) from around the community.  Big Mouth BBQ is donating all of the sandwiches and coleslaw, Pepsi is donating the beverages and Baker Bob’s is baking up hundreds of cookies!

If you’ve always wanted to book a photography session, I’ll have a super sweet package complete with a session & 24×36 canvas gallery wrap in the live auction!!!!!!  All of the proceeds go straight to Stacy!!!!

Please show Stacy how much we love her by attending this beautiful benefit.  See you there!

if you’re not able to make it, you can make a donation online at: http://stacyneildbenefit.eikonproductions.com/

We love you, Stacy!  Your courage inspires all of us.

Stacy and Mike spent time in Great Falls for the holidays.  Here’s the shoot we did back in January!

What a special and fun time for all of the family.  3 super cool couples + a quirky, loving wiener doggie!!!

What a stunning day with sparkling snow and bright blue skies.

There’s no look that compares to a mom’s adoration.  Debi’s love and respect for Stacy is A W E S O M E.

Kisses from dad!

The girls!  It was super chilly that day, so Stacy, Debi and Stephanie did lots of cuddling.

Then a week later, it was photo time for just Stacy + Mike.

It was 25 degrees below, so we opted for an indoor shoot…a laundromat!

if you’re missing a sock, it might be hanging here.

We were laughing so hard because next to Lover’s Lane was Skid Row.

When you’re in a laundromat, that is just wrong and brilliant all at the same time!

Latin for “Grace of God.”

You’re sooooo beautiful, Stacy.

The laundromat provided instant props.  Stacy + Mike provided strong acting abilities!

Fave.  Hands down.  We love you Stacy…and are rooting for you every day!

Here’s a quick look at my FANTASTIC GIRLS TRIP last weekend to Arizona with Mia + Stephanie…and their bellies.  Many, many more images to follow soon!

Our sweet nephew Andrew needs your help!

Not only was he diagnosed with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome which I’ve shared on my blog before, but he’s been recently diagnosed with another extremely rare syndrome: Pallister-Killian Syndrome.

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome occurs in 1 out of 15,000 births.  It is not genetically passed in Andrew’s case, but for 5 years this diagnosis left our family hopeful as these kids typically have initial delays but later reach most developmental milestones and typically live a healthy, independent and full life.

Then 6 months ago, Andrew was diagnosed with Pallister-Killian Syndrome.  This syndrome is extremely rare, as only about 200 cases are known WORLDWIDE and is very difficult to diagnose.  We’ve learned since this diagnosis that the severity of Andrew’s delays is the norm for these children.  Most of the PKS traits are traits Andrew possess, such as deaf/blind, profound low muscle tone, hernias, seizures, short arms and legs, small ear canals, turned up nose, sharp heart shaped lips, coarse facial features, severe developmental delays and mental retardation.  Andrew is 5 year old and not walking, talking, crawling, feeding self, dressing self or toileting self.

Here’s where YOU can help.  We’re trying to get enough votes to receive $25,000!  This money would help offset expenses for our family and many others who will be attending the PKS Conference this summer in New Jersey.

The cause has even been featured on WCCO in Minneapolis!  Watch the story by clicking here, then vote by clicking here! All you do is plug in your email address, create a password and vote.  There’s no junk mail or anything.  It’s super simple!  You can vote every day until the contest ends on April 30th.  EVERY VOTE COUNTS!  I just voted again today and PKS’s rank went from 33rd to 32nd.  Your votes will make a difference.  Thank you!!!