While packing up for tomorrow’s session, I came across this hat. I thought I’d pretend it was cold here today.

Updates and random ramblings:

1. There are only 6–count them–6 holiday session openings left.

2. I have two birth photography session openings left for 2009–one for October and one for early December.

3. For those of you that have contacted me about mini sessions or getting together during our Washington, D.C. and Richomond, VA trip, I’m pretty sure I’ve got a plan worked out.  I will be sending information out in a week or so to let you know what’s going on.

4. We spent yesterday at the Snake Farm and the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch.  Snake Farm–hot and a little scary being in a room full of the world’s most venomous snakes. Wildlife Ranch–amazing…an absolute blast, but be sure to watch out for rogue ostriches.

5. This morning, we realized that yesterday would have been Virgil’s first day back at work.  I like homeschool. ;-)

6. We’ve also realized that we’ve been very busy homeschooling all summer long.  I’m working on a blog to chronicle our journey.  I tried to get it posted this week, but by the 7th interruption (Amry needed a new diaper, Logan was stuck on a puzzle piece, Tristan wanted a new brush to use in Photoshop), it was a futile task. Maybe we’ll have it up by the end of the year.

7. Falling asleep at keyboa…

…that this little one is simply precious.

P.S. If you’ve written to me about getting together in DC/Virginia in Dec. and I haven’t gotten back to you yet, I will.  To be honest, I’m just overwhelmed with the response.  Wow, I had no idea!  I truly hope to be able to figure some way out to meet up with everyone.

With all this little guy (and his family) had going on near his birth (right smack dab in the middle of their move to a new house) and his twice (or was it three times?) delayed newborn session, he was just as easy-going as he could be!

His big brother was a champ, too! Can you believe that beautiful, perfect little curl?

A beautiful family all around. Congratulations to you on the new addition and the new house! 

(What does this mean?) At first, this may seem like an unusual choice for Pic of the Month, but I do love these images together.  She’s a mom of 2 boys and had her daughter (just like me). I love the connection, the wonder, and the purity that was captured at this session. Congratulations!

If you are planning to have photos done in time for the holidays for cards, gifts, etc., the time to schedule your session is now. September is pretty much booked, October is on it’s way, and in November we reach our holiday card/product ordering deadlines. (Stay tuned to the Session Openings Calendar for updates).

I mentioned this before, but a reminder: as a special incentive, I am offering a set of 24-5×7 flat holiday cards with CD purchase to anyone who holds their holiday session in August (you can choose from a handful of designs).  This offer is good only while openings are available, so jump on it NOW! If you already have a session booked in August, you can receive these cards. If you’ve already booked your holiday session for Sept, Oct, or Nov, and move it to August, you can take advantage of this offer, too, but again, only until August books up.

Also in August, our Senior Xpressions for Austin area seniors graduating in 2010. Details.

(How do you like this moldy oldy? Our holiday card, circa 2007)

I had the privilege of watching this little guy make his entrance into this world.

I got to work with him again when he was about 6 months old:

…and despite this, we did manage some wonderful images this weekend in honor of his 2nd Birthday!  Happy Birthday, Mr. JV! 

P.S. – Guess what I learned today, Mom & Dad? The reason I couldn’t attend Jack’s birthday party was because I was photographing one of his classmates (and his new baby brother – whose birth I also photographed…craziness).  Recognize him?

 Small world!!!!

Finally.  Finally we got to do his newborn session.  Totally worth the wait. He was a gem!

Brace yourself.  This post is chock full!!!  You will want to read through all of it to get through the hodge podge of information, including a special holiday offer! ;-)

First, some incredible news I got today!  See that adorable baby girl in the heart up there? Yeah.  Well she took home FIRST PLACE in the humorous category for the annual Miller’s Baby and Child Contest.  I’ve never submitted any image before, but this year, on a whim, I decided to give it a go.  I am so very happy for her and her family. Congrats to you all!!!  (Click HERE to see the rest of the winners!).  This would be the "over the moon" portion of my post.

Second, I got some incredible deliveries on my doorstep today (which would be the "out of this world" portion), starting with this STUNNING Platinum Album:

If you could see their house you would notice that it matches their decor PERFECTLY.  I’m thrilled that mom thought outside the box in the design of this album!

It’s been like Christmas around here, people.  Here’s another set of books I shipped off today…matching maternity and newborn.  These are SO adorable together:

And then, I got this gigantic canvas too:

Of course, we had the AWESOME mini maternity sessions at Baby Coco this weekend.  A quick sneaky peek here:

And here’s a pseudo sneak peek of the newborn session that has been postponed and rained out and postponed again (LOL, V, I promise we will get to his newborn session while he’s still a newborn):

(I promise to explain the boxes later.)

And finally, some pics of the biggest reason why I’m sooooo behind on blogging:

I’ve got the theme from Flash Dance running through my head.

Okay, there you have it. That pretty much sums up the past week or so.  What??? It’s only been a week?  Wow! July is almost GONE! 

Which reminds me, if you haven’t booked your family holiday photo session yet, the time is NOW! September is pretty much booked, October is on it’s way, and in November we reach our holiday card/product ordering deadlines. As a special incentive, I am offering a set of 24-5×7 flat holiday cards with CD purchase to anyone who holds their holiday session in August (you can choose from a handful of designs).  This offer is good only while openings are available, so jump on it NOW! (If you already have a session booked in August, you can receive these cards. If you’ve already booked your holiday session for Sept, Oct, or Nov, and move it to August, you can take advantage of this offer, too, but again, only until August books up.)

Thanks a bunch and stay tuned for LOTS of sneak peeks coming up over the next few weeks! 

While proofing this guy’s birth, saw this pic, thought of this caption, and I decided I liked it. A lot. Just wanted to share. (Be sure to check the calendar for birth photography and other session openings. Not many left in ‘09, that’s for sure.)

P.S. I just realized I’ve held true to my Pinkle Toes namesake lately. The past 5 out of 7 posts have featured feet, toes, or shoes. ;-) Go me. 

Every time I get one of these books in from the printer, I hold my breath.  And every time I actually get to flip through it in person, it makes a session so much more real…more tangible.  And every time, I get a little sad because it marks the end of that session.  But, every time, I get hopeful that I’ll get the chance to do this again in the future. (Now, if I can just remember to take pictures of these books every time ;-)).

Speaking of the future, don’t forget, the Mini Maternity Sessions are coming up next Saturday, July 18th!  There are still some openings if you want to play. 

Also, still have some stuff available (I moved it to it’s own page).  If something’s out of your price point, please, please, please feel free to make an offer.