cindy cieluch photography . blog

You know it’s cold when there’s an icicle hanging from your eyelashes.  Here’s Matt after snowmobiling.

My sweet, little niece Kalyn.  I can’t get enough of her!

Below zero temps make for super rosy cheeks on my niece Hannah.

Stay warm out there and have a wonderful last day of 2008!  Happy New Year!!!

…from our family to yours!

Matt & I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday!  Here’s a look at our Christmas in Minnesota.

Our niece Isabelle during the Christmas Eve church service.

I’ve given Kalyn the nickname of “DQ” for Drama Queen.  Her expressions and sayings made me wish I had a video camera with me.

Our niece Lawren makes drying dishes look so good. 

Our nephew Andrew is getting so big!  It looks like he’s cracking up at a story that Grayden just told him.

The kids left cookies for Santa AND carrots for the reindeer.

Duncan posing on Lake Minnetonka!  So handsome…

Boerne froze his little paws, but had a blast chasing the kids across the frozen lake.

I’ll be on my vacation until January 1st.  I’ll post when I can!

That smile…

that hair…

those eyes…

those little legs…

those not-so-little cheeks…

that sweet expression…

those lips!

I hope Drew warmed up your bitterly cold day!  Congrats Spencer & Carly!!!

Sorry for the lack of photos lately!  I’ve been buried deep in orders and Christmas cards, but I’m finally getting all caught up.  My reward is my blog.

This family was the perfect break from my holiday rush.  We started things off in their gorgeous home, which is the most natural setting when there’s a newborn.  When I got there, 2-month old Kinlie was taking a nap so I popped into Quinci’s room where she was playing with her My Little Pony collection.

Kinlie was so alert after her nap.

I couldn’t decide which one of Kinlie was my favorite.

Headin’ outdoors to a nearby farm.

Hello cutie pie.

After running around with Miss Quinci, it was sexy mama time.

And back to Little Miss Quinci…

I got a couple of my Christmas gifts already!  My best friend April and her baby boy Ryland flew in from Texas to completely surprise me!  They’ve been keeping me company as I plug away at my holiday orders, but we’ve also managed to squeeze in some fun.  :-D  We drove to Neihart to play in the snow and snap some photos for their Christmas card.  Here’s what we came up with! Is Ryland not the most beautiful little boy?!?  He’s a million times better than everything else on my wish list!

FRONT OF CARD

INSIDE

BACK (he looks like his mommy in this one!)

MY FAVE!  I had to post this photo as a stand alone image because he’s just way too stinkin’ cute.  I LOVE THIS LIL’ MAN!

My friend Sydne makes the most amazing soup.  So amazing, in fact, she may get flown to the Super Bowl to represent Montana in a cook off!  All you have to do is vote here to help a sister out!  I tasted her Spicy Sausage Soup with Chipotle Cream recipe at a recent Griz game.  Trust me…it’s the bomb.

While we’re on the topic of food, here are some more photos from my trip to South Korea.  To see more from Korea, click here and here.

If it’s ever been in water, you’ll find it at a Korean fish market.

The apples there were the BEST I’ve ever tasted.  No waxy film or annoying little stickers to peel off.  Just fresh, crisp, sweet goodness.

Enormous pots of soup boiling outside of a restaurant.  When you go to Korea, you better bring your appetite!  Sydne - you should have these pots!

TGIF.  Have a fun weekend and stay warm!

While I was celebrating Thanksgiving in Cincinnati with my family, I couldn’t help from doing an impromptu session.  I was in shock at how much my little cousins have grown and in awe of the incredible people they’re growing into.  The best time to do the shoot was actually on Thanksgiving day, so we ran out to this sweet train yard for an extremely quick session.  Here’s my Uncle Steve (AKA “Stevie”), Aunt Terry, and cousins Rachel, Zac and Shiloh.

Shiloh doesn’t like to wear her hair down, so I had to beg, plead and trick her into taking it out of the ponytail.  My trickery paid off!

Shiloh did NOT want to get dressed up, so I told her, “Fine, be a grouch!” and threw this shirt at her.  She smiled and said, “YEA!  I love this shirt!”

I’m loving Zachary’s long, shaggy hair.  Hello cutie!

Watch out ladies!!!

I’ve always thought of Rachel as on “old soul.”  She fits her big sister role just right.  She’s smart, she’s a leader and she watches after Zachary and Shiloh.  I’m so proud of you Rachel…and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  (She shares the same birthday as Matt).

My Uncle is one of the goofiest and most genuine guys you will EVER meet.  When you’re around him, you can’t help but smile and laugh.  After all these years, he still makes my aunt crack up.

The tough look.  Wow…even Uncle Steve pulled it off.

This shows their real personalities.  This also shows what happens when one person (I’m not naming any names) is done with photos and ready for turkey, video games and football!  Love you guys!!!!!!!!

Photos, words, cake, gifts…none of these things can truly express what my husband means to me.  He’s my best friend in every way a person should be a best friend.  Matt listens to me (a full-time job), makes me laugh every day (no jokes - just by being himself), pushes me to do things I don’t want to do (but should) and constantly reminds me of what’s really important in life (God, family, friends).  Today is the 8th birthday I’ve celebrated with him and each year, I feel extremely thankful and blessed that he was born!  I hope I didn’t embarrass you too badly, Matt!  I love you more and more every year….even with the gray hairs! 

I grabbed this shot of him at Jaymee + Jeff’s wedding.