[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
Finally done with holiday orders and I'm pretty sure everyone's cards have been sent out, so now begins the fun job of sharing all of these sessions! This family is dear to my heart as I've photographed both of their boys as newborns. It is always such an honor to get to watch these kiddos grow up and they have become healthy, energetic, all-boy-boys! We had to outrun the rain, a footrace, and in many cases, the boys, themselves to snag pics at our session, but gosh, just look at those grins and bright blue eyes!
Wow. I'm a little behind on this, huh? I have to say I had a tough time choosing because there have been so many amazing families this fall with some really unique images. I figure that since I'm so late in posting this, I could pick more than one for each month. [What is Pinkle's Pic of the Month?]
So, here are the winners for October:
And then, here are the winners for November:
So, here are the winners for October:
(hey...just noticed there's a theme there....)
And then, here are the winners for November:
We've got one more round of winners to come at the end of December and then in January, it's voting time again! I can't wait to see what happens this year!
Congratulations to all of the finalists!
Congratulations to all of the finalists!
Fall always has been and always will be my most favorite time of the year. Driving home from my session tonight, there was the most incredible purple and gold and auburn sunset (too bad the session was over) and I thought before we get swept away into the winter holiday season, perhaps we could appreciate the beauty of fall for a second. I decided to put together a collection of my favorite images from this fall so that maybe when we're all sweltering in the summer next year, we can look back here and feel fresh, and crisp, and warm, and cool, and fuzzy, and hopeful, and thankful all over again...
We've only known you for two years, but somehow in that short time, you changed the very core of our family. I can't help but to smile whenever I talk about you. You have made me enjoy life more, dream bigger, and love more fiercely than I ever have before. You've turned your dad into a softy, your oldest bro into a loving guardian, and your other bro into a partner in crime. You turned me into a mother with a daughter...something I feared would never happen. 
You are all things pink and sparkly.
A fashionista/commedian.
You have a songbird voice with an endearing baby lisp.
You love to sing and listen to music, current faves include "Monkeys Jumping on the Bed," "ABC's," "Baby Bumble Bee," and "Welcome to the Jungle" (you can thank your Daddy for that.)
Rosebud lips and girly lashes, I love to kiss your cheeks, rosy and warm when you wake from your nap.
You still suck your thumb, love your "Dat," and have adorable elbow dimples.
You are excruciatingly independent.
You make us read "Pinkalicious," "Brown Bear, Brown Bear," and the dog book every day.
You wish you were brave enough to ride a pony.
You love shoes and make-up, but you're just as rough and tumble as your brothers.
You could watch "Ni Hao Kai-lan" and "Yo Gabba Gabba" all day.
You love to tell "Knock Knock" jokes.
You love to give all of us sweet hugs and kisses and to yell "BOYS! Calm down!" when your brothers are too rowdy.
You're the boss of us...and I couldn't be happier.
Your birth day couldn't have come at a more appropriate time...we are all incredibly thankful to have you. I love you. Happy Birthday![Dress from Etsy]
