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Pumpkin Pie {spice} Doughnut Muffins
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Happy Mouthwatering Monday, y’all!
Mouthwatering Monday: Mini Pumpkin Pie Spice Doughnuts
12:10 AM Filed UnderMouthwatering Monday
It’s Magical
I’m SO excited!
Remember last year, when we got to go on that amazing Carnival cruise?
No, we aren’t getting to go on another one — YET!
But today, my handsome hubby and I are dropping the kids off with some friends for the weekend and heading to Galveston for a weekend of touring the beautiful highlights of Galveston and then we’ll be going to the launch of THIS:
Carnival Magic offers a wide variety of innovations, including the RedFrog Pub, a colorful Caribbean-inspired watering hole featuring its own private label draft beer; Cucina del Capitano, a family-style Italian restaurant that brings the heritage of Carnival’s captains to the table; and SportSquare, an expansive open-air recreation complex with the first ropes course and outdoor fitness area at sea. Other features include an exciting WaterWorks aqua park with a 312-foot-long spiral water slide and other attractions; The Lanai, a wraparound promenade with an outdoor barbeque area and whirlpools that extend out over the ship’s sides; and Ocean Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live entertainment venue.
My kids are going to FLIP when they see that I was on a Cruise Ship with THIS:
Oh, and tomorrow, we get to see these guys in concert
Maroon 5
Are you jealous yet? 
I am SO excited! I’m a huge Maroon 5 fan and I don’t know the last concert that Nathan and I attended.
Monday morning, they’re kicking us off the ship because the spectacular Carnival Magic – the newest and most innovative cruise ship to sail from Texas – will depart on its inaugural U.S. voyage, launching a year-round Caribbean cruise program that will feature two different week-long itineraries, including seven-day western Caribbean voyages to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and week-long eastern Caribbean cruises to Nassau, Freeport, and Key West.
Think they’d notice a couple of extra passengers? Think my kids would miss us?
Can’t wait to share my own pics with y’all! If you want, you can follow along with the hashtag #CarnivalMagicTX
Carnival also can be found on:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/carnivalcruise
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/carnival
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/
Journalists also can visit Carnival’s media site, www.carnivalpressroom.com.
The City of Galveston and Carnival Cruise Lines are taking care of all of our accomodations this weekend. Just so we’re all FTC legal and whatnot 
Family Photos and Holiday Well Wishes
2:48 PM Filed UnderPhotography, Sponsored
It’s Holiday Photo time again.
That time of year where you drag your family in front of a photographer (or your tripod – whatever) in an attempt to catch that ever elusive perfect family photo for your Holiday Cards.
You dress them up
You try to get them in just the right location
With everyone’s eyes looking in the same direction
You cross your fingers and hope for the best.
My tips:
1) Do not take the pictures yourself especially don’t set your tripod up with your camera at the park on a windy day and try to jump in the shot because your tripod and camera will end up on the ground and you will be in tears Ask a friend to help you, hire a professional – there’s enough to worry about if you’re trying to take family photos and it’s difficult to be both behind and in front of the camera
2) Dress everyone in matching clothes. Dress everyone in complementary colors. Dress everyone in colors that are opposites on the color wheel. Dress everyone in clothes that represent who they are. confused yet?
3) Seriously, my best advice – let everyone dress comfortably, be yourselves. You want to look at these pictures 5 years, 10 years, 20 years from now and recognize yourselves and remember yourselves as you really are. Or ignore me completely and do whatever you want.
Are y’all giggling and shaking your heads yet?
I’m laughing at myself and those pictures and I have Nautica to thank for it
They sent some super stylish new tops for my family in exchange for my spreading the word about their Holiday Well Wishes Photo Project , which launched today, and I had fun taking family photos and doing it in all the wrong ways.
I love my family, they’re such good sports.
Here’s a bit more about Nautica’s Holiday Well Wishes Photo Project:
As part of the Nautica Holiday Well Wishes Photo Project, Nautica is donating $5,000 to charity: water to fund a project that will provide clean drinking water for a community. You can join the Photo Project and show your support for the cause simply by uploading a holiday photo of your family wearing Nautica!
I uploaded our family photo (which includes an uncomfortable looking me) crowded on our fireplace because I only had 10 seconds on my camera timer in which to rush across the living room and arrange myself. I think the one I shared is take 47 and the only one where all eyes were actually on the camera! Along with our photo in our Nautica gear, I shared how we give back as a family.
If you want to see our family photo or share your own family photo in your favorite Nautica gear, all you have to do is visit Nautica on Facebook.
As an added bonus – from November 7th – November 14th when you shop on Nautica.com, you can use the coupon code BLOG30 at checkout to receive 30% off your order!
To learn more about Charity: Water – visit CharityWater.Org
