This is what happens when you show up, hang out, and happen to take a few pics of a family being a family. Well...we did have some mosquitoes and a mishap with a set of stairs, but just look at their connection! Can't beat that!
[Ahem...by the way, only a few votes are separating first and second place right now. I'm even biting my nails. VOTE!]
This morning, you were greeted with streamers in your doorway and a visit from the Birthday Fairy downstairs. Just like we do every year, for each child's birthday. But this year is different. Instead of the tell-tale yellow construction toys that you loved back when you were 2-5, or the strange boxes that would arrive from mail order butterfly catalogs when you were 6, this year, it's all about gears and motors and creation.
Your room looks like a funhouse, filled with all kinds of brightly colored things that come to life with the touch of a button. Your ability to read through those complicated instructions and turn those into real working models impresses me beyond belief. You live and breathe Legos and Erector Sets and Knex.
And that's one of the things I love most about you. When you get into something, you jump in FULL FORCE, usually pulling in everyone else around you as well. It can be exhausting at times, but I love to watch your imagination on fire, your unbreakable concentration as you plug through a project, your elation when you finish and it actually works.
Today, you're working on something that has 2,004 pieces and will stand a little more than 4 ft tall. That's funny...you were born in 2004 and now stand a little more than 4 ft tall. You'll get to break another board in karate to honor this day and then it's off to the Lego store, followed by the dinner of your choice (sushi), and the birthday cake of your choice (key lime pie). You were totally understanding when we discovered your sister had already opened your birthday present. You're up at the crack of dawn every day and chances are if I checked your pockets right now, I'd find some change and a bunch of Werther's original wrappers (I swear you're a 60-year-old man trapped in a 7-year-old's body). You are a funny little man, T. My quirky, funny, sensitive, technical, creative little man. And we love you...
Your room looks like a funhouse, filled with all kinds of brightly colored things that come to life with the touch of a button. Your ability to read through those complicated instructions and turn those into real working models impresses me beyond belief. You live and breathe Legos and Erector Sets and Knex.And that's one of the things I love most about you. When you get into something, you jump in FULL FORCE, usually pulling in everyone else around you as well. It can be exhausting at times, but I love to watch your imagination on fire, your unbreakable concentration as you plug through a project, your elation when you finish and it actually works. Today, you're working on something that has 2,004 pieces and will stand a little more than 4 ft tall. That's funny...you were born in 2004 and now stand a little more than 4 ft tall. You'll get to break another board in karate to honor this day and then it's off to the Lego store, followed by the dinner of your choice (sushi), and the birthday cake of your choice (key lime pie). You were totally understanding when we discovered your sister had already opened your birthday present. You're up at the crack of dawn every day and chances are if I checked your pockets right now, I'd find some change and a bunch of Werther's original wrappers (I swear you're a 60-year-old man trapped in a 7-year-old's body). You are a funny little man, T. My quirky, funny, sensitive, technical, creative little man. And we love you...
I'm not exaggerating a single bit when I say this: that hug...they just did that...because they love each other...no bribery involved whatsoever. That hug was also within the first 5 minutes of meeting them. It was like getting the cherry on top before I had even scooped out my ice cream. In fact, I think we had finished their entire session in just under an hour. I could have sworn I'd forgotten something, but nope. It was just her little angels being...well...angels. (And can you believe that hair on little miss?)Therese happens to be talented photographer herself. I'm always so humbled (and so nervous) when I photograph a photographer. But working with her family put me instantly at ease...no pretense, just love...and fun!
QUICK LINK TO VOTE HERE!
[Also, don't miss the annual "Year in Review" slideshow at the end of this post]
Let's kick off 2011 the best way I can imagine with a recap of 2010 and determining our 2nd Annual Pinkle's Pic of the Year Winner! Each month in 2010, I selected an image (or images) that moved me, but now (as before) it's YOUR job as the Pinkle Toes Blogstalkers to decide
which of these was the best image of 2010.
M'kay, let's vote! You can click on the images in the poll to view larger:
[Also, don't miss the annual "Year in Review" slideshow at the end of this post]
Let's kick off 2011 the best way I can imagine with a recap of 2010 and determining our 2nd Annual Pinkle's Pic of the Year Winner! Each month in 2010, I selected an image (or images) that moved me, but now (as before) it's YOUR job as the Pinkle Toes Blogstalkers to decide
which of these was the best image of 2010. M'kay, let's vote! You can click on the images in the poll to view larger:
The winner will receive an 11×14 canvas of their winning image AND a $500 Pinkle Toes gift card to be used
on a Premium session in 2011. Two runners-up will each receive
a $100 gift card and the Grand Prize winner gets to choose a 3rd
runner-up, also to receive a $100 gift card!
The fine print:
- Voting will run January 1st-31st (ending at midnight central time)
- Voting is monitored by IP address, so no multiple voting.
- Results will not be shown, but I will announce winners on the blog Tuesday, Feb 1st.
- I reserve the right to disqualify entries or terminate/modify the contest if necessary.
- No purchase necessary to win.
Just like last year, I have absolutely NO clue who is going to take this prize. I'm just as excited as these families are to find out what will happen. (Did you know we had more than 1,400 votes last year??? Craziness!)
And of course, I can't start a new year without taking a look back at all of the amazing people I've had the fortune of working with last year. I love making this slideshow every year...I love remembering each and every session. Be warned, though, this slideshow had to go pretty fast so I could fit all of the images in. Be sure to watch because it's full of my favs from the year and many, many images that I haven't even blogged yet:
I've said it many times before, but thank you...a million thank you's to all of my clients. I truly feel blessed to have met each of you. Thank you for inviting me into your homes, to the births of your children, to glimpse into your lives and for trusting me to capture what makes your family so special and beautiful.
Much love,
Michele
[Kinda hard to show on here, but this is a 5x7 wide format card...the red pages are the front and back of the card and then green pages are actually side by side and fold out to a 14 inch spread when opened.]
I was very proud of this year's holiday card for several reasons:
1. I honestly didn't think it was going to happen. I've had this concept in my mind (and Amry's dress in my hands) since this summer, but when the busy holiday season actually hit, I just couldn't imagine finding the time to take the pictures and then create and send cards. But with the help of my AWESOME husband and our new Pinkle Toes Office Manager (my mom!), somehow, we got cards mailed out.
2. I knew I was going to have to use my new lighting techniques I learned this summer and honestly, I was very skeerd that I wouldn't be able to make it work.
3. It was cold. And my kids were NOT happy about taking these pics. In fact, most of the images from that night looked like this:
4. And most importantly, it served as a visual reminder of my goal to TRAVEL more starting in 2011. We're ready to explore...to see the world...or at least give it a good start. This is why we homeschool and I know I want the kids to experience these places and not just see them on TV. We're going to start small by hitting a few places in the U.S. and see how it goes, but I'm very hopeful we can make it happen. I'm VERY excited about 2011!But for now, I think we'll take a little break and hunker down at home to enjoy this Christmas. Thank you to everyone for a wonderful 2010 and I wish you the most magical, wonderful, special, and love-filled holiday season ever!
Much love,
Michele
