Omaha, NE
{personal}

naomi & logan {1 year}

And just like that, we have TWOย one year olds! The year 2016-17 will most likely be unlike one we will ever experience again — pure joy, exhaustion, happiness, frustration, extreme highs (and lows)ย and an abundance of love — all rolled into one, in this crazy life we’ve created together as a family! For anyone that has experienced parenthood can probably agree that it is one of the most rewarding, yet, hardest jobs we’ll ever do! I thought I had a handle on it after raising our daughter for 4 years by the time the twins came, but, they are most definitely a whole new challenge! I won’t sugar coat it as say it was all uphill and easy. We fell… a lot. And, we got help … a lot. And when they say “it takes a village” — it truly does. I am SO thankful for those who stood by us and helped when we needed it most!! We love you for that and appreciate all the love surrounding our little ones. We are truly blessed and try to remember that every day….even through the hard times…. I could not imagine our life any other way!

Naomi and Logan have completed our family and it is so fun watching them grow and learn more every day! They are twins, yes, but they are their completely own individuals. Naomi is our serious little comedian with a lot of spunk. Sheย has the cutest overbite smile (at the moment), gives the best snuggles, and says “this” when she wants something. Logan is so happy, content and just a chill little dude. Except when his sister has something — he likes to take/grab whatever toy, sippy cup, snack she has. Sharing will be interesting…. ย He has learned to walk just in time for his 1st birthday, and his new word he is attempting is “car.” He is definitely all boy.

Today and this week is a celebration of the babies turning one, and their big sis Natalie turning FIVE in 6 days, and to us surviving our first year as a family of five!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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brooklyn grace {newborn}

On Christmas day, we arrived at my in-law’s house with the first news of, “they’re in the hospital — they’re gonna have their baby today!” My husband’s brother and his wife were not due for another few weeks, so my first response was “YAY!” and “awww!”…..as I really wanted them to spend Christmas with us! ๐Ÿ˜‰ I got past that quickly when realizing that they were having THEIR baby on CHRISTMAS day! Seriously the best gift ever. They waited many years for their little miracle and I am so happy for them. Brooklynย could not be any more precious. My daughter already talks about how she loves her baby cousin, and that someday she will be big and can play with her! I look forward to gatherings with the growing Bockelman family. ๐Ÿ™‚

Here’s a peek at Brookyn’s first shoot! She did very well, and I can tell that she absolutely loves snuggling.

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natalie {2 years}

Another year gone by and wow has she grown! Our daughter, Natalie, is 2 years old today! She is a perfect combination of sweet and sassy and is definitely developing the vocabulary to display those characteristics. ๐Ÿ˜‰ She has so much spunk, curiosity of the world, and love (for her friends/family, Cat and The Hat, Dinosaur Train, her puppies, “special treats” — amongst other things that are really important in a toddler world). We are so proud of the little lady she is already becoming and so happy to be celebrating her big day today! ๐Ÿ™‚

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audra & brett {proposal} ;)

To start off, this might be a little long…but so cute! You have to read. ๐Ÿ˜‰

A little over a month ago, my sister-in-law’s boyfriend (now fiance), Brett, came to me with some exciting news and a fantastic idea. He first informed me that he was going to propose to my sister-in-law, Audra, and that he wanted me to capture the moment! I was SO excited for them, and, I have to admit, a little nervous to take on the challenge as we would have to be hidden in the dark, far away from the subjects of course, and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before. I gladly said yes though, and we met one evening in the place he had planned for to scope out an exact spot to make it happen. For those that don’t know, every year Omaha has an amazing light display in the Leahy Mall area. Since this is a place Audra and Brett go see every year, he thought it would be a perfect time and place to do it. Unfortunately when we went to scope out a location, none of the actual Christmas lights were on yet, so, we picked the one place that we knew would have some constant light, and, where I could hide out, paparazzi style, behind the trees. ๐Ÿ˜‰ We were hoping all the planning would work out!

The night of the proposal, my husband and I plotted our place to “stalk” them, and sat waiting…and waiting… Since they were at dinner beforehand, we really didn’t know exactly when they’d show up, all I knew is that Brett was going to text me. I soon saw the words “now” come across my phone from him. We waited some more and watched and finally spotted them heading in the right direction. I seriously became really nervous for him, but also super excited as I had never seen an actual proposal take place! Audra looked in our direction for one second and was so nervous she spotted us! She did not, thankfully. As I watched him stop in the exact spot we chose and turned her the right direction, he soon after got down on one knee and all we could hear were squeals echoing across the river — coming from Audra of course! It was a magical moment and so wonderful because it almost looked like they had the place all to themselves! People were nearby, and some actually cheered, but, in that moment, I could tell they were in their own little bubble.

After capturing that moment, we had to keep quiet that we did so — for almost an entire month!! On Christmas day, Brett presented her with a canvas print and I captured Audra’s expression (tears of joy) as she had NO idea any of this took place! Thank you to all the other friends and family that kept quiet and allowed for a fun surprise. ๐Ÿ˜‰

I am so excited for these two! They are an amazing, fun and sweet couple. Truly made for each other. I am excited to be taking their engagement photos and honored to be in their wedding!

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heaven gained two angels {my grandma & grandpa}

{February 19, 2014}

Exactly 5 months ago today, my grandmother passed. Today, I found that my grandfather passed late last night. After 60+ years of marriage, it was not very often that they were apart, and even now, it was not long before they were once again joined in heaven. Truly sole mates if you ask me. ๐Ÿ™‚ I posted the original in memory of my grandma, and have added a few photos in memory of my grandpa.

He was — Kind. Goofy. An avid canoer. An amazing campfire builder. A brother. A pastor. A husband. A father of 5. A grandfather of 8. A great-grandfather of 5 — he was my grandpa.

 

{September 19, 2013}

Today, Heaven gained an angel.

She was — Sweet. Creative. Caring. Spiritual. A daughter. A sister. A wife. A mother of 5. A grandmother of 8. A great-grandmother of 5. — she was my grandma.

After battling cancer for what seems like forever, it was her time to go, and we pray that she is now in peace and no longer in pain. Below are just a few sweet moments to remember her by — some of our last visits with her. I will always remember our fun memories with her — especially those at Lake Camelot in WI. We love you, grandma, and will miss you!

June 2010

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natalie {1 year}

I didn’t know you could love somebody so quickly until one year ago when we welcomed our precious little girl into the world. How fast the time has gone!! Happy first birthday to our beautiful little lady. She has brought so much joy into our lives already. Can’t wait to watch her grow and experience life with her! So many wonderful things to look forward to. ๐Ÿ™‚

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natalie ann {6 months}

I never knew that someone so small could bring so much joy to our lives! Our baby girl is 6 months old today! It is such a fun age as there is (less) crying, and, we are able to play with her a little more. Granted, she won’t be throwing/catching a ball or anything anytime soon, she is definitely letting us know what is fun for her. I absolutely adore her bubbly little personality, and her blue eyes still captivate me — I could have a staring contest with her all day. She is becoming more beautiful everyday, both on the inside and out. She is also cutting her first tooth this week! I think it’s about time for some life-sized human food. ๐Ÿ˜‰ We can’t wait to see the many changes that will happen in the second half of her first year!

 

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margarita party {2012}

There are a few people that I know whom I’ve told should be a party planner — one of them being my mother-in-law. Every year, she and her lunch group, also known as the “Lucky 7” have a margarita party. I’ve never really asked how it turned into a margarita one, but my guess is that it’s Rose’s absolute favorite drink, and, what’s more fun than being surrounded by tropical goodness? (Is that a word… ? ) ๐Ÿ˜‰ I’m pretty sure the day after the party ends, she starts planning for the next year’s event! She really does get down to the details…. so, I thought I’d share how fun this party is with just some of the details. They are even being featured in their neighborhood newsletter this time around!

For those of you that I’ve told should make a business out of party planning… get to it! I’d hire ya. ๐Ÿ˜‰

 

{reminiscing}

As I sit here wearing my flannel pj’s, super thick slipper socks and have a blanket wrapped around me (no, not a Snuggie), I look out the window at the falling snow. Knowing that it’s only 8 degrees outside, I often wonder what the heck I’m doing still living in the Midwest! Although I do love the seasons, during mid-winter I get pretty antsy and want to go somewhere tropical and HOT. I feel blessed (and somewhat spoiled ๐Ÿ˜‰ that my parents have lived in Hawaii for the last seven years, and so I’ve milked that for all that it’s worth by going to visit them — after all, they unfortunately won’t be there forever! (Don’t worry mom and dad, we’ll still visit you even when the time comes that you don’t have a beach in your backyard… ๐Ÿ˜‰ Each visit has been an amazing experience, and of course I’ve captured those experiences and the beauty of Hawaii in my millions of photographs! I share with you just a few, as this winter, I will just have to dream about lying on the Hawaiian beaches since instead we plan to stay frozen and go skiing in Colorado! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Where are you dreaming of (or actually) going this winter?


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{Emma Grace}

** Photo taken by Jeremy DeVries ** (my brother-in-law)

I don’t have any more photos to go along with this post (yet), but I just wanted to announce that I am a proud aunt to my new niece, Emma Grace! Emma was born on our 1 year wedding anniversary (August 15th), so we are very excited to share the day! She is such a cutie pie, and I can’t wait to meet her on September 3rd when my husband and I go visit my sister and her husband in Oregon. It will be then that I’m sure I’ll go camera crazy — it’s a baby! ๐Ÿ˜‰ — and will share some photos after we return. Congratulations Laura and Jeremy!! You have been blessed with a beautiful little lady! xoxo