pumpkins and ballgowns

we spent this past halloween weekend a tad differently this year, as the united states marine corps birthday ball for mike's battalion fell on the same weekend (fyi: the birthday of the us marine corps is november 10, 1775...brownie points if you bring that up in conversation with a marine!!). last year our ball was in new bern, nc, but this year it was held in myrtle beach, sc, just a mere 3-hour drive from where we live. neither of us had ever been to myrtle beach so it was fun to explore the area. while we were away, we kenneled shirley for the very first time. she went to the "tail waggin' ranch" where she enjoyed nonstop playtime in the 'corrals and prairies.' lucky for her, her buddy isa, who lives just across the street from us, also bunked there over the weekend. after managing to knock down a whole display of dog collars, shirley was whisked away into the play area...and that's the last time we saw her until we picked her up the next night! it was fun to watch the online webcam the kennel has so we could see just how much her puppy-ness showed in a group setting!

meanwhile, this sign caught our eye in myrtle beach and we decided to try it after remembering that it was featured in the travel channel's show food paradise. new jersey is home to this sandwich sub pioneer dating back to the 50s, and store locations are localized mainly on the east coast so we thought we'd give it a try while we're living out here. yum!

would there really have been anyone who has actually needed to use the directions on this sign? we speculated that there must have been some reason they felt the need this sign must be posted...you know, just in case...

myrtle beach coastline

photo op in front of the atlantic

ball time! bring on the prom-style pics!

we both had a ball at the ball!! so fun!

a few years ago we went as ketchup and mustard for halloween, so we felt inclined to bust those (homemade, mind you) shirts out again for the wee trick-or-treaters

our jack-o'-lanterns!