From tonight…last session of the year ;-). So long 2009. You were good to us.

Finally, I was able to perform the holy grail of baby girl hair-do’s: pigtails (or "toots" as my mommy used to call them). Okay, so maybe they’re a little crooked, but you try fixing hair on a baby who just wants to eat the comb and yank the rubber bands right out. Truly it’s a wonder I was able to do anything to the poor child’s hair…just look at it in its natural state.  I have no idea where her crazy hair came from.  Neither of the boys had a nest like that.

Speaking of the boys, this little gem in my freezer today is reason #1,163 why I’m relieved to have baby girl to provide a little balance in this house:

You’re welcome. ;-)

She was vibrant, funny, energetic, and beautiful. And I loved every minute of her session!

You are all beautiful. You are all patient. And you are all wonderful for braving the cold that day. [Sigh...this was the only Xpressions session in VA that didn't get completely snowed out :-(.]

There’s so much to tell, so many pictures I want to post, but time at the computer is so rare amidst all of the visits with family and friends.  So, here is our holiday card from this year and here’s the latest from VA:

1. Hearing, tasting, seeing, and smelling *real* snow again has been heavenly.

2. Watching my boys have a knock down, drag out snowball fight with their daddy and the three of them loving every minute of it was even better.

3. Rosy-red cheeks and sweaty hat hair is just about the cutest thing ever on kids.

4. I am feeling blessed beyond words to introduce this place that was such a huge part of my childhood to my own children.

5. The hospitality shown by my Great Aunt and Uncle and the rest of our family here just warms my heart.

6. Tomorrow, we hit Colonial Williamsburg to have our session with my good online friend and rockin’ photog, Patti. Can’t wait to finally meet her and her family!

7. So far, this has been one of the best Christmas holidays ever.

8. I hope my kids feel the same way.

9. And, I hope this holiday season is just as wonderful for you!

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I started this post before we left and had already included a preview of our annual calendar (our gifts to family). If you wanna flip through here you go, but Mee Maw and Nee Nee…NO peeking!  (Also,before anyone asks, this is a template I put together using several other design elements for my personal use, but it is not for sale/distribution): 

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL holiday and enjoy your time with family and friends!

They just GLOWED the entire session…so much love between them, so much excitement about the journey ahead. Their connection is going to serve them well as they become parents.  As you will be able to tell from the images below, I didn’t really have fun at this session at all:

There. I believe that will get you through the next few weeks while we shut down for a bit to recoop and regroup. This will probably be my last post for a while (unless I get *really* inspired over the holidays). 

I *will* be announcing the winner of the Heartsong drawing on Wednesday via Twitter and Facebook…it’s not too late to enter. Oh, and don’t forget about the Bump Mini Maternties at Baby Coco on January 9th. If you’re pregnant in Austin and due in February, March, or April 2010, you can get a FREE mini maternity session with me when you book your newborn or birth photography session.  Even if you’ve already booked a birth or newborn session with me during those months, you can still come play! Please, take advantage of me ;-) and sign up quickly because once the spaces are gone, that’s it for this round.

When we return in 2010:

• we will start the voting for Pinkle’s Pic of the Year!!!!!
• clients and clients-to-be will be able to check out our rockin’ new collections and products
• we will announce the 2010 Xpressions dates
• and there’s some even *bigger* stuff in the works, but my lips are sealed for now!

Oh, I’ve been having so much fun looking at all of your beautiful holiday cards.  I was hit with the holiday spirit something fierce this year. Maybe it’s because my boys are finally at an age where they get it, but they don’t fully get it? Or maybe it’s the unusually cool weather? Whatever it is, I’m feeling very blessed and very joyful and I hope that you, too, have an AMAZING holiday season with friends and family.

Happy Holidays and since I’m no longer in school and technically shouldn’t do this anymore because I’m a grown up: "See you next year!"

Love,

Me

This is it! This is the last Pic of the Month for 2009 and our last entry for the Pinkle’s Pic of the Year contest!!!!  Drumroll, please….

Chosen because I love the color. And I love the hat. And I love babies that love to rock. Congrats to the V family.  (And mama…would you like to share your other awesome news regarding your rock/superstar son?)

ETA 12.14.09: He is not only a rock star, but he’s soon to be a TV star as well.  I got a notice from one of the casting directors of Friday Night Lights asking if I knew of any cutie patootie newborns to film some scenes. Well this little guy just landed the role and has already begun filming. Congrats on all of these great developments!

These images make me giggle and my heart melt at the same time.

I feel as though I’ve known them forever. We’ve had many, many sessions together but each one has been so unique…so different. And now that baby number 3 is on the way, I just can’t wait to see what changes this will bring to their loving family dynamic.

This morning, we came downstairs to find Twink doing a little entomology.  Then, just about an hour ago, we discovered there was a "birth" in the family:

"Here’s lookin’ at you, Bob."

[Confused? Catch up on The Chronicles of Bob and Twink - start at the earliest post and work your way up.]