I’m always so honored when I’m asked to photograph a family again. I love to see how everyone has grown and changed.  Plus, there’s none of that "getting to know you" stuff…you can just pick up where you left off.  But most of all, when the kids jump out of the car and run up to me and say, "Michele! Michele!" excitedly…wow. Now that will get ya. 

This is only a small peek for you guys, but the whole session was awesome! 

[And to the blogstalkers: if you haven't arranged a 2010 session yet, don't forget about the special offer this week.]

Thank you for pushing us to do this. It only took us a year to make it happen, ha! I hope this is close to what you were looking for. We had a wonderful evening with you guys!

[embrace the grain. embrace the grain.]

And although you can’t see it just yet in these pics, thanks so much to Modern Muse for the outstanding make-up (would totally recommend her!).  And now, the awesome pics from the other side!

This beautiful mommy-to-be (who is due to give birth any day now) will receive and 11×14 canvas of this image AND a $500 gift card for a 2010 Pinkle Toes Premium Session.  Congratulations, J! 

We also have two runners up, who will each receive $100 gift cards for a 2010 Premium Session:

and

Congratulations once more to winners and all of the nominees who ran a very close race.  Thanks so much to everyone who took time to vote and help make this tough decision. I can’t wait to see what kind of images 2010 turns out for us!

To help get YOU motivated to be the 2010 Pic of the Year winner, I have a VERY limited time special offer:

Book your Premium session by NEXT SATURDAY to be held in April or May 2010 and receive a complimentary leather accordion album featuring 14-4×6 images from the session! (Not valid with any other offer. While supplies last.) Contact me to set up your session now!

Working on their session right now and it is rockin’ my world. I had to share this one real quick.

My temp gauge in the car read 18, yes 18, as my sis/assistant and I set out for Baby Coco bright and early yesterday morning. All of these adorable expectant moms sure made it worth it and they braved the cold beautifully. We’ll be seeing everyone again soon when these babies start "hatching," as my middle child would say ;-). Just a few quick peeks for the mommies and of course, the newest Baby Coco model is featured above. I think we could have stayed all day and played with her…she giggled and cooed and smiled pretty much the whole time.

[Voting ends THIS Friday for Pinkle's Pic of the Year!]

It was a beautiful (albeit chilly) evening in Austin, Texas when we got these families together for their photo session. The girls were amazing and I just loved their exuberance and how their love for one another shows. Most importantly, their patience totally made the session as their little cousin had entered a bout of severe separation anxiety the minute he arrived. But bless him and bless his parents, after hours of coaxing, we finally got him to warm up…a little bit. Doesn’t matter. He’s still cute as heck.

Loved the drama here!

[Quick link to choose YOUR fav for Pinkle's Pic of the Year 2009]

I wrote a book. Kinda. Actually, my first book was a few years ago, when my eldest was 3. I did an entire construction-themed session just for him and then (with the help of his daddy) turned those images into a storybook just for him. I really, really, really wanted to do the same for my Logi Bear, but I could never summon the inspiration or energy. But at last, he’s got his own book based on his favorite word, "Awethome!"  [Hmmmmm...I wonder if I should have spelled it in the book like it's pronounced ;-)]  Okay, so I maybe writing children’s books aren’t my forte, but I LOVE these images of him…probably my favorite ones I’ve taken of him ever because they’re SO *him*. And the graphic art by Elizabeth is amazing, no? Or should I say, "Awethome?" She and I are working on a very special project for PT4P to be released later this month.

M’kay…here’s the book: 

 [P.S. 800 votes and counting...choose your fav for Pinkle's Pic of the Year 2009!]

I took some risks and tried something new. Couldn’t have been a cooler family to try this with and I am VERY excited about the cool stuff we got tonight. So great to meet you!

P.S. I’m so behind on blogging here, it’s not even funny.  I did manage, however, to eek out a homeschool post (with the gentle, yet persistent urging of the hubs).

P.P.S. Only three openings ONE opening left for the Austin Baby Coco Mini Maternity Sessions next week.

P.P.P.S. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite image if you haven’t already – voting ends the 15th!

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

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!