I Love Halloween

So, we went for it today.  We kept Avery inside, warm, and rested, and at 1 o'clock we headed down to The Children's Museum for Truck-or-Treat.  Avery had a hoot.  Glad we went.  I loved the Ghost Busters car complete with the whole set of Ghost Busters (2 of them were on a break).  How cool is this car?  Superb!!

From there it was over to Mellow Mushroom for a late lunch.  Mmm, Mellow delivers.  Y-U-M-M-Y

Next we headed to Old Salem for a little old school trick-or-treating.  Good gracious, Old Salem, you brought it.  We will have to do this every year.  I think the pumpkin party a week earlier will be a recurring event.  We really enjoyed this day.  My favorite pumpkins were:

I loved this guy's stem!!  

Way to think outside the box.  Love the stem nose!

Someone is super talented.  This one was a fan favorite.  I had to wait my turn to take this pic!

Upside down.  Clever!!

When we got in the car Avery said, shew, I had a long day, then he promptly passed out.  Yep, well done.

Jack-o-Lantern

We had the best plans for this weekend.  Today it was going to be Carowinds for the kid friendly Halloween party.  Tomorrow was Truck-or-Treat at the Children's Museum, followed by pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating at Old Salem.  I mean, honestly, short of winning the lottery, this is a pretty banner weekend for me.  Really!  Until........Avery got a cough, and a wheeze, and freakin' strep throat.  Blerg!!

I had a hunch his congestion was not run of the mill, so I scheduled an appointment as late as possible, Friday at 5.  We were home by 8 with 2 kinds of medicine, not counting the nebulizer, and a diagnosis of strep throat.  UGH!

Well, we carved a pumpkin anyway.  On our very own front porch, in the oddly warm weather.  So there!!

This is Halloween

We had the BEST weekend.  It was the Annual Linkous Family Pumpkin Party.  I probably shouldn't put words in Greg's mouth, but it is such a fun day for the whole family.  These are some of my favorite shots of the day, but not the complete list by FAR!

Team Newsom Fagan or Fagan Newsom

2 Captain Americas - Holding Hands

Newly Engaged - Michelle and Jerry

Team Wood - so Happy Together

Buddies

Team Nixon - and almost Eleanor

Ginger's big smile

Hulk Spider Girl

New Boos

Besties from Charlotte

And baby 3 makes us complete

Just one America

And a princess vampire?

Daddy's Girl

Girl Crush

Miss Personality

My birthday buddy - Sweet Logan

Happiest Baby Ever!

He melts my heart, she makes me smile!

Sweet Couple

with Logan

Families that smile together, stay together!

Where's my big sister?

New York In November

So, I am going to New York.  In less than two weeks.  I am freaking out.  I hate traveling without Greg and Avery.  My stomach hurts the whole time and I feel like I might die.  I am not kidding.  It is like torture.  Judge me if you need to.  I really don't care.  I really dig my spouse and I love my child.  I work full time, and I resent having to spend even more time away from them than I already do.  Can't relate?  I am not asking you to.

The point is, it makes my darn heart hurt.  I am scared to death something horrible will happen while I am gone.  Please don't tell me to have faith or not to worry, it only pisses me off.  The reality is really bad stuff happens every day.  I cherish our time together.  I don't consider Greg or Avery a nuisance.  I don't "need" time away.  Again, I make NO apologies.

So, this trip is for work.  I do appreciate the opportunity to learn new stuff so that makes this trip more bearable.  I also will not be subjected to mandatory "work" dinners. I won't be surrounded by tons of people drinking, smoking, acting a fool.  It will just be me, and one other co-worker who will have his wife along.

I am very much looking forward to seeing my cousin Ryan (if it works out).  He's kind of a big deal, so I am not counting on it, but most of all, I am looking forward to seeing a couple of my pals complete the NYC Marathon.  I will be keeping one of their wives company and cheering them both on as loudly as this little southern voice of mine can!

I am also kind of hoping I see this guy:

Source: google.co.za via Morgan on Pinterest

I have loved him since 2 Guys, a Girl, a Girl and a Pizza Place!!

And the Winner IS........

Ok, so Martha guilted me in to picking the winner and the winner is.......... entry 16

Congratulations!  Email me so I can get you the details you lucky dog!  I better get a Christmas card!!

Awesome Idea for Photo Cards

Just found the best idea for making the photo card even more awesome:

Source: ashleyannphotography.com via Lynn on Pinterest

Take a picture of the card and use it as your contact's photo on your phone! Awesome!!

Shutterfly Holiday Cards are HERE!

*This is a sponsored post  by my friends at Shutterfly!

Be honest, you love this time of year right?  If you don't my friend Ginger can talk you in to it.  Well, I do, but you probably already knew that.  Halloween is my most favorite holiday, but Christmas is a very close second, and do you know why?  Because I love the cards.  That's right, I said it.  I love Christmas Cards (see the whole Shutterfly collection here).  I do.  

I spend hours pouring over the options late at night, pouring over my pictures, plugging them in to the templates, debating, studying, deciding, and I normally end up with about 3 different designs, and I order the same amount of all 3.  No, I do not send everyone the same card.  I am a rebel like that.  I like to keep people on their toes.  

This year, I am in love with 8 designs.  Eight happens to be my lucky number, so I am sticking with it.  Let me tell you why I love all eight of them.  

I am going to start with a New Year's Card for you procrastinators out there.  Sometimes you get busy and think there is no point in sending cards, Christmas is over anyway.  Wrong!  Cut that out right now, and send a Happy New Year card.  Your friends will still have heard from you, and you will be that friend who shook it up a bit.  Do it!!

I really dig the pretty colors on this one.  No offense red and green.  You are awesome, but sometimes I want to be different ok??

I think this one is so pretty and simple and I love the embellishments that are actually on the picture.  It makes it look less like a template.

I love the simplicity of this one.  2013.  How the heck???

This one really speaks to my heart . I think fun it just so important.  Everyone doesn't have to look perfect, or posed, or matched, or be airbrushed.  I love ones that look fun!!!!

My problem with picking one, is that I love them all.  I can never decide if I want just one picture or a ton.  All black and white or throw in some color?  Ahh, the choices!

And no, not only people with cute kids can send photo cards.  Yes, I do care about your dog and I would love to see a picture of it.  Don't be silly, you don't have to have perfectly dressed children to send a Christmas card.  I can't wait to see Woxy Dog, Fido, or even your guinea pig.  I am serious!!

And last but not least, I give you JOY!  Enough said.

Now to the really good stuff.  My pals over at Shutterfly want you to fall as in love with the photo card as I have, so they are allowing me the opportunity to give away a prize.  Yep, $50 off your total order (not to include shipping, don't get greedy!)  Also, be sure to check out their Special Offers page for some goodness!

All you have to do is LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW ALONG WITH A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS, telling me which card you love the best and why.  Good luck choosing less than 8!!  

GIVEAWAY - Enter to win a Gift Code for $50 off your order from Shutterfly. (does not include shipping)

Open to US Residents 18 yrs of age or older.  The giveaway will end on 10/21/12 at 12:01 AM EST.  The winner will be chosen by the randomly.  The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to contact me back to claim their prize.  The sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment.  OUIDA not responsible for lost or unreceived prizes.

I Will Blog Again

I promise!!  I have a lot to say.  I feel invisible, but I will blog again!!  Stay tuned!!!