Go ahead, card me! (sponsored + giveaway!)

The following post is sponsored by Shutterfly. (Thanks, Shutterfly) Send holiday joy with a custom card from Shutterfly! Hooray!

***

I feel like every year I write a post about family portraits and how excited I am to FINALLY take and send one out a la holiday card. And then I forget or get distracted by something shiny and fail to send so much as an email. Maybe because it's nearly impossible to capture a great shot of the family. True story: our last "family" portrait was taken last Christmas and we all look like we're trying to poop in unison.

In fact, the only photo where our eyes are open and we don't look bathroom-bound is this one and Hal isn't even looking at the camera. My dad took approximateley 78789231 photos to score this winner:

Um?

But whatever. Even if Hal WAS looking at the camera instead of being distracted by my VERY SERIOUS -I'M-NOT-EVEN-JOKING-WANNABE-MODEL pose, the above image would still be moot c/o our family recently exploding with new members. So? Here are some options we're currently considering.

1. The kids: this is the most obvious choice. One of the arguments for having kids in the first place is being able to send out a holiday card where you're not expected to be in the picture. In fact, nobody really cares what you look like once you spawn, too distracted are they by the cherubic faces of your littles.

2. Glamour Shots

Every year we talk about having "glamour shots" taken and every year we get all excited to coordinate our boas with our blush and then, what do you know, it's suddenly January and we're like, DAMN! We missed it. "Next year!" we said last year. And "next year," I will likely say again, although this time I have a really good excuse.

3. Archer's drawing

This is as close to a family portrait as we have right now. Would it be weird to send a photograph of a picture that Archer psychically drew last summer? Or will our friends all think we're hippies?

4. Halloween Style:

The only time I ever went out of my way to blow up a "family portrait" was the year Hal and I went as each other. (See above.) From first glance one would say that I was NOT actually in the photo but because Hal was dressed up as "me" I felt included. (Our friend's daughter is also in the photograph but, hey, the more the merrier, right?) Unfortunately, this Halloween we were unable to get a full-on family photo to use for our holiday card. We were however able to capture four of our six and five of Fable's baby dolls but I don't know if that counts...

... SO, I decided to work some of my photoshop magic. Unfortunately I do not have (nor do I know how to use) photoshop so I had to settle for Comic Life instead:

+

=

I think this might just be the one, you guys. I think THIS might JUST be the one.

***

Shutterfly wants to know how you select a holiday photo and are offering a super fancy giveaway to those of you willing to participate! Yes, that's right! Up for giveaway grabs is a Canon S100 camera ($430 value) AND a Shutterfly prize pack that includes 50 cards, (1) 12x12 photo book, (1) 8x8 photo book, a mug, (3) calendars, a reusable shopping tote, AND an ornament. ($298.42 value) which = total prize value of $728!. Not too shabby, eh? To win? Just go to Shutterfly, select your favorite photo card template and list it in the comments below! Contest will run until Tuesday, December 6th. (For sweepstakes rules and regulations, go here.) One lucky winner will be chosen via random.org and posted here on Wednesday, December 7th. (My favorite template is the "What fun!" stationary card because I love... fun.) Good luck and Happy Holiday card-ing!

GGC