sleep.mode.

Technically, I'm not sleeping (that may be part of the problem), but I am putting Pinkle Toes into sleep mode for a bit. There's lots of work to be done to get ready for the New Year, so I need to take some time to focus my energies on that for a bit. While we're in hibernation, if you do call or send an e-mail, please note that it may take a while to get back to you. Meanwhile, if you do want to get on the waiting for when I open up 2008 for booking, please do send me an e-mail and I'll add you in. Thank you and hang in there! We'll be back soon...

whew.

Can I open my eyes now? What a whirlwind Christmas! Bear with me...this post will be a hodge podge of many things, because frankly, my mind and our home is in a hodge podge stage right now (how long does it take to recover from Christmas?). I hope you all had a great one and I'd love to hear from you! What did you get? What was your favorite memory from this holiday? For me, there are so many to choose from. The first image is of "Santa Tracks"...what he left behind of the carefully laid out cookies and milk. Funny thing is, the kids never noticed Santa had eaten the cookies until I dutifully pointed it out to them.

This is a sampling of a few of the holiday cards I designed for my wonderful clients this year. Thought you'd appreciate the collection at a glance. So many bright, beautiful families!

For the first time in a while, we didn't have to go anywhere...all of the family came to us. I was quite proud of the dinner table setting (especially since I had nothing to do with the actual cooking of the holiday meal). While it was great to get to stay home, I am convinced it is MUCH more exhausting to host than to be hosted.

The boys' gift from Santa. The look on their faces was priceless. My gosh, they love this thing!

Couldn't resist. He looked so cute and pensive.

One of my favorite ornaments from my mother-in-law.

And now....for the best Christmas present ever! Remember our house was getting a face-lift? Oh, it needed so much carpentry work on the outside and I couldn't even fathom trying to paint it ourselves again. The above is the before...

And here it is now....

Soooooo much cleaner! Gosh, it feels like a new house (hence the bazillion pictures of it). Plus, I wanted to show off the great work done by Tim and the crew at Timberline Painting. E-mail me and I'd be happy to give you their contact info if you're in need of some painting, roofing, or siding.

Okay. There you have it. Now I'm off to finish up Pinkle Toes's face lift. The next time I post, hopefully, it will be to tell you that I've opened 2008 for booking and to reveal the new Pinkle Toes website! Take care!!!!

holiday.cheer.

Wanted to pop by real quick to wish you all the happiest of holidays! Not a day goes by where I don't pinch myself, wondering if this is for real. I'm so thankful to have met so many beautiful families and talented people. I hope you all enjoy this time and relax and snuggle up with those little ones and celebrate the lives you have created on this earth. We are all very blessed.

The above image is of the sweetest surprise from my sweet little mommy. We saw a special on this lady on the Food Network this summer and were just fascinated with the beauty and skill in her little business. The presentation alone makes my mouth water. Oh, they are the most beautiful chocolates ever!

And now, making cookies for Santa. My little sis, bless her, was bound and determined to make cookies with the boys this year. Little did she know how exhausting it can be to wrangle a two and four-year-old in the kitchen. But they had fun (and I'll bet she's thanking her lucky stars she bought the premade cookie dough.) Betty Crocker has left the building...

Life is sweet and I hope your holidays are even sweeter!

rock stars wanted.

No. For real. Trying my hand at something a little different on someone a little different. I'm currently looking for bands or musicians in need of publicity images. If interested, please contact me at michele@pinkletoes.com. Serious inquiries only from serious musicians only, please. {Note: this model is not currently a rock star, but I have no doubt he could be someday.}

since I couldn't justify the cards

I just dropped nearly $30 on a hat for a baby girl that I don't have. Size 12-24 mos. So the question is, who gets to be the first lil' cupcake to let me photograph her wearing it? Feel free to collect the matching accessories and outfits from http://www.gymboree.com/. I won't mind. Really. I won't.

(Still confused about the cards?)

As my son would say...

"My want these." Somehow I can't justify $4 per card. Or can I...?

satisfaction.

After spending the last few months doing holiday cards for everyone else, I have to admit I was really proud to see this finished stack of my own cards. I haven't done *real* cards in years. Very excited to be sending these out...obviously. Who else photographs their cards?

Speaking of cards, Maria, thank you for this sweet and heartfelt note. It is truly the little things that mean so much. This card is going to be framed and set on my desk. ;-)

And now, I'm off to wrap presents. It's going to be a loooooooong night for sure.

hill.country.high.fashion {part 2 of 2}

Here are the rest of the sneak peeks from this session last weekend. These are cousins and you can tell they are going to have a blast growing up together!

Isn't she simply lovely? Natural beauty and a naturally amazing big sister.

Tee hee. This little dude just cracked me up!

And here's our cowboy! This was taken just after he finished learning how to muck out the stalls (groan). He was really into the work of the ranch we were visiting. He said he'd appease me and wear the jean jacket because it kinda made him look like a cowboy--but he let it be known what he really needed to complete the look was a cowboy hat. True, true.

2007: Year in Review Slideshow

Thought you might enjoy seeing what an incredible and amazing year you helped to create. Thank you. I {heart} you all.

Side note: have you noticed this little thingy on the right-hand side of the blog?
It tells you who's been on the blog in the last 24 hours. The flashing circles let you know who's currently on. I'm so addicted to this little widget it's not even funny. But I can't decide if it makes the world seem bigger or smaller...

birth photography

Just to let you know, if you're having a baby during summer '08, I am now accepting bookings for birth coverage. It's not what you think and having a professional photographer there to capture the birth experience is something you will treasure forever. Contact me for more information. Meanwhile, you can experience a birth from behind my camera here.

peace.

A new fav from this session I just had to share.

is it time yet?

I am soooooo ready for the holiday break, how about you? More pics from our little session by my mentee, Katie. Just thought I'd share. Trying out a new blog format. Not sure if I like it. (My husband calls this behavior "tapping the glass:" I can never leave well enough alone. I'm forever reorganizing and rearranging things in the house. Why should my blog be any different? ;-)

And, in the spirit of things, here's an image of my littlest dude from Christmas last year:

(Yeah, definitely not liking this. Off to bed, though. We'll just have to live with it for now.)

hill.country.fashion {part 1 of 2}

Had an adventure of sorts today with five gorgeous kiddos in the gorgeous Texas Hill Country. Thank goodness the sun stayed hidden behind clouds all morning or we would have cooked in this unusually warm weather. Isn't the above look just killer??? I love images like that!!!!

Such personality!

Sassy, yet adorable!

Put on a scarf and watch this girl go!

Stay tuned for the 2nd half of this fun family!