1. It's hot. Really hot. But cute babies can make me forget how hot it is.
2. I LOVE my new Nikon and I'm soooooooo glad I switched. Out of habit, I totally overshot these Xpressions Sessions to overcompensate for focus and I totally did not need to ;-). [All of my canon equipment has already been sold, thanks!]
3. It was worth the risk of looking like a goob to practice my new off-camera flash techniques. I hope to get braver and braver.

[As with all Xpressions sessions, these images have only received basic edits to adjust brightness and contrast, but no other retouching. August Xpressions are full and we have just a few openings left for Sept. and Oct.]

Love, love, love this dress from Lillipops Designs. The cut, the shape, the fit, the flow, the fabric...so classic and romantic and still child-like. Much to my surprise, the dress sold out just after she posted the pics on her FB page, but hang in there, I think she's planning to create this dress again, just with a different material.

Oh dear, we had a time trying to get these pics. Basically, Amry doesn't like me to be more than 1 foot away from her. So short of shooting everything with a fisheye lens, I'm forced to set her down, run, and pray I can get one or two shots before she starts crying for me. [All the folks around me just looked at me and shook their heads in pity--not sure who for? me or her?]. I thought the popcorn would do the trick, but quite literally after I took that pic, she turned the entire box upside down. I'm in major trouble in a few years, aren't I?

Now for the news on Pinkle Toes holiday sessions. Are you ready? Here it is: there are only 4, that's right FOUR, openings left for Premium Sessions (2 in August and 2 in Sept) for the holidays. Yeah. I couldn't believe it myself. I double counted. It's accurate. Now, I will be holding some Xpressions mini sessions scheduled in the fall, but keep in mind that those are only for up to 3 immediate family members.

Anyway, I just thought I'd throw that out there. I know it's hard to think about holiday pictures when it's 110 outside, but I don't want you to get "left out in the cold" either (funny, huh?). So, if you want to snag one of those openings, you need to contact me ASAP. They will be filled first-come, first-serve.

While Pinkle Toes is still technically "closed" through the end of July, I felt like I had to pop on and blog our beach pics. Somehow, an event doesn't seem real unless it's blogged. Frankly, the blog has become the only family record I really have these days...how sad is that? [Before you click "contact" to ask me where I got the above dress, be sure to read all the way to the end of this post ;-)]

We had our annual trip to Port Aransas...it's such a lovely little beach town (even if the hurricane kicked up all kinds of lovely seaweed on the beach). The kids just loved it.  Well, the boys loved it. I'm afraid Amry would much rather be kicking back with a sippy cup and a can of Pringles by the pool than dodging seaweed and surf.

Virgil and I had fun, too, but when did a vacation become so much work, LOL? Virge and I kept having to split up...he mostly hung out with the boys and I had Amry attached to my hip. I don't mind being close to Amry--I love getting to spend all of this time with her. But I really feel like I'm growing apart from the boys. I hope not. I hope it's just me.

And yes. I actually posted a picture of me. In a swimsuit. As is. Muffin top and all. Oh well. I'm obviously tired. But alas, it's me and my girl together and that's all that counts.

Now...about that dress in the top pics. I gotta tell you that it's my most absolute favorite dress I've ever purchased for Amry to date. So unique, so fun, love the colors and the textures. It's unfortunate for me that I like this dress so much because now I'm going to go broke shopping at Zozo Bug Baby on Etsy. This gal is SO creative and I can't even count how many times we got stopped in town by people wanting to know about the dress. ;-)

ETA a link to my swimsuit. Also, some of you asked about the giraffe suit...that's from Gymboree this year, but it's sold out online. You can try in store or ebay perhaps?

[Side note: I know many of you also follow my friend Lyndsay's blog. Her sweet little boy is going through a really tough time right now. I'm very upset for them and I feel pretty helpless, but perhaps if you could let her know you're thinking of them, maybe all of that positive energy will do something to carry them through this.]

Pinkle Toes Photography is now officially "closed" for some workshopping, catching up, summer-like things, new inspiration, family time, and recuperation. To my current clients: don't worry, I'll still be filling orders and proofing ;-), but communication may be sporadic during travel times.

We're still having Xpressions on July 18th and then we'll be back in full swing in August, when [gasp!] the holiday season begins (better book now...October is FULL and September is almost there).

Until then, happy summer!

~M

It's not your typical family portrait, but I loved it. I loved this entire session. It was sooooo hot that day and I think anyone can understand how tough it can be to get 4 kids to all cooperate at the same time, but you wouldn't believe the kind of images they gave us!

Even cooler, remember her birth? I'm always so amazed when I get to see my birth babies while they're growing up. It means the world to me.

So, congrats to the A fam! It's a much deserved honor because I know you guys wore yourselves out at our session.

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