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!

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

But he gets even cuter:

For A.

The bad thing about blogging sessions is that it can be a little tedious to post images and in the end, there are so many that you don’t ever get to see.  I’ve been showcasing sessions here and there and I would like to try to do that more, starting with this newborn session. When I walked into their home, everything was crisp, clean, and modern. Mom happens to be a photographer herself and I know she must LOVE the absolutely perfect soft light that makes the whole living area glow beautifully. Of course, a perfectly snuggly, perfectly sleepy, and perfectly perfect little baby boy doesn’t hurt either.

And the full session: 

(Dying to see how your book turns out, J…you’ll have to send me some pics!)

P.S. Don’t forget about the FREE Bump Mini’s on Jan. 9th!

What does this mean? Read up here. It also means we’re just ONE pic away from the vote to determine Pinkle’s Pic of the Year for 2009!  I cannot even believe we’re that close and I’m extremely excited to see which image YOU (the blogstalkers) choose!

I selected this image because it was such a new and challenging technique for me, but mostly because she worked so hard, was so patient, and sacrificed this dress, her beautiful curls, and make-up just to get this shot. Congrats, J, and congrats on your upcoming arrival. It won’t be long now… (the rest from her maternity session here).

[P.S. Even though I can't promise any underwater shots, if you're pregnant in the Austin area and would like to have maternity portraits taken, check out the FREE Bump Mini Maternity Sessions coming up on January 9th!]

It’s "Sneak Peek Sunday" again, so thought I’d share a carnival-themed image followed by a parade of other little sneaky peeks from the past week or so. The holiday rush is *almost* over, whew!

Well, it’s official. My baby turned 1, my eldest lost his first tooth, we hosted Thanksgiving, AND we had a One Year Birthday blowout all in the span of 4 days and we’re all still standing. A’s 1st birthday party was so amazing! Thanks to all of our wonderful family and friends for coming out and making it so very special. I’d especially like to thank my little grandma for making the trip from ALASKA to visit with us. I was so excited to get to spend some time with her, for her to meet her first and only great-granddaughter and for us to snap some pics of "4 generations of women." I truly think my baby girl knew exactly that this party was for her and she enjoyed every second of it:

(Hmmmm…I look reaaaaaaally tall in the generations pic. Okay, my mom and grandma *are* short, but they’re not that short. Definitely the way I was sitting, I think I hope.)

I cannot begin design work on cards, books, or burn your CD until payment is received in full.  I’m flying out to VA before Christmas, so I can’t do any "rush ordering." If you want items in time for the holidays, please adhere to gallery expiration dates.  Late ordering/payment creates a backlog for those who have already placed orders on time.  And it confuses me and makes my tummy hurt. ;-)

Meanwhile, just try to resist her…

We held our last round of the Austin 2009 Xpressions Sessions today and all I can say is, "Wow!" I cannot even begin to tell you how beautiful all of these families were, how wonderfully charming the kiddos were, how kind and patient the parents were, and how absolutely outstanding my baby sis/assistant was. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who made these Xpressions sessions FANTASTIC!  As always, the images shown have only received basic edits to enhance contrast/color, but no full retouching.  I’ll show you an example of the difference at the end of the post.  Also, before I forget, if you’re pregnant in the Austin area and want maternity portraits and are due in February, March, or April of 2010, you can get a FREE mini maternity session (kind of like these Xpressions Sessions) in January. And, I *still* have a few spaces open for the Xpressions photo sessions in Washington, DC and Richmond, VA in December.  Meanwhile, to continue these awesome sneaks:

And to illustrate the difference between the digital negatives (the files that are sent on CD with the Xpressions sessions) vs. the files that are fully retouched (prints ordered through me or those that are available as part of a Premium Session):

Oh, I cannot wait to go through all of these images! Today was a great day all around. Thank you all again!  I’m so honored to get to do this for you.