I just returned from a weekend of reconnecting and recharging with several of the funniest, most talented, most intelligent women I've ever had the honor of meeting. When the idea of a Pinkle Toes workshop reunion first came up last year, I never imagined it might actually happen. I was also a bit concerned about mixing people from different workshops--*I* knew all of the ladies, but I wasn't quite sure how everyone would get along. But from the first 10 minutes of sitting in the hotel room with the group and laughing until we cried, all of my concerns flew out into the windy city.

I think I left a little bit of my heart in Chicago. I'd never been there, but I was completely blown away by how clean, fun, vibrant, and eclectic it was. I had my first Chicago style hotdog (YUM! - going to introduce the kids to this at dinner tonight ;-) and I think it's safe to say that ALL of us LOVED "the bean" (Cloud Gate). 

I'd like to say I'll come back and blog more of the BAZILLION pics we collectively took during this trip, but just in case that might fall through (which it probably will), I'll go ahead and sum it up here: easily one of the most enjoyable, fun-filled weekends of my life and I feel extremely lucky to call these women friends.  I would recommend (and use!) any of these photographers in a heartbeat:

And of course, my mom...AKA MeeMaw.

Thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart!

[Oh, and to the girls that couldn't make it or to those who just came to workshops this year, we are very excited that plans are in the works for another one. It's just going to get bigger and better I know it!]

She had mentioned red, white, blue, and sparklers for her session. The day of, I happened upon the PERFECT quilt at an antique store. But the quilt and the sparklers aside, it was their comfort and connection as a family that made this session for me. Her son is such a gentleman. Her oldest daughter is full of life. And that baby girl is full throttle, no fear, she believes she can do anything, LOL! (I don't normally let kids climb on ladders at my session...they found it and there was NO stopping that little one!)

And they just take it all in stride. You can see the pride in mom's face when looking at what she and her husband have created together. You can see how much her husband loves them all. *That's* the kind of thing that makes me grin from ear to ear whenever I'm proofing a session: when you can actually SEE love.

...seeing your pics in print in a magazine makes you feel like what you do is more real, somehow. Like maybe this photography thing is going to work out for me afterall ;-).

Another fun feature to check out is my recent interview on Sarah's amazing website. But be warned, you're going to end up staying a while. Her pictures are fantastic and the other interviewees in her "Inspired" series are just phenomenal...many photos whom I've admired for years.

I said to her, "What do you think about doing your entire session in a parking garage?" She said, "Awesome!" And the rest was Pinkle Toes history...

P.S. Last time, that little guy was elsewhere ;-).

P.P.S. LOVE her sense of style and that awesome hair color! Meg...you pulled everything together beautifully!

in one of my most favorite spots. You just can't beat it!