Tis The Season....

OKAY... you got me... the holidays are OVER.  But that doesn't mean I can't share our holiday festivities with the blogging world, RIGHT?

As I've done so many times before I've jumped in and out of the blogging wagon.  Does anyone else know what I'm talking about here?  It's so easy to do... in case you don't know what I'm talking about. News Resolution.... is to not say that I won't do it again.  I think I can make that happen...

So last time you read about my life we were painting pumpkins and preparing for Halloween, but since that time we've stored away 12 month clothing (with a few tears) and we've been had a few food battles with the little mister.  We enjoyed a wonderful, delicious dinner with my BIG family for Thanksgiving.  We filled our tummies full and maybe even had to unbutton our pants so we could be a little more comfortable for the rest of the day.  After wonderful family time and amazing food I geared up and made my way out in the cold night for some Black Friday SHOPPING.

My friend, Brittney, and I ran into Santa while we were out.  Naturally we had to stop and get our picture taken with him.  Also, notice our Thing 1 and Thing 2 sweaters, we had about 8 people comment on them.  It was hilarious and fun.

I was able to get just about ALL my christmas shopping done that night.  I was very happy, especially because most years I would wait until the last minute.  I'm sure none of you have done that.  

During the Thanksgiving week my brother, his wife, and 2 kiddos were in town.  They live in Florida so we don't get to see them often.  I got some snuggle time in with my niece, Leona.

She fell asleep right on me, and it was so comforting.  It also gave me baby fever.  I still have it. :)

This year was my first attempt at baking an apple pie.  I don't really like it that much and didn't end up eating any, but I was told it was very good.  

I got all fancy with it as you can see.

As Thanksgiving past Christmas quickly was upon us.  I felt like we blinked and the next day was Christmas.  We had everything ready and wrapped before Christmas Eve, again I was well prepared this year.  No procrastinating at all!

Corbin helped us decorate the tree.  It was so fun since he was older he seemed interested in helping for at least 10 minutes.  When last year he wasn't interested at all.  

At work we had an Ugly Sweater day and I got to wear my Santa sweater.  Funny thing is I had people tell me my sweater was actually cute.  I didn't agree... but it was still fun to see all the seriously UGLY sweaters people wore to work.  

And yes, I am wearing head phones at work.  My job allows me to be able to jam and listen to whatever I want while I work.  It's awesome!

We started a new tradition this year as well.  We will take a trip to Bronners in Frankenmuth to get an ornament.  We went with our friends Tim and Brittney.  We had a blast!  

Corbin picked out a Dinosaur ornament and we picked out a tabletop decorations "ornament".  We had it personalized so we can remember that we got it in 2013, and had our names put on stockings as well.  

I was able to snap a shot of it getting personalized... isn't it cute?
Just as many families do we had to get photos done for our Christmas Card.  Normally we do some silly goofy card but we couldn't really think of something that we really liked.  So, we settled for just normalness.

My friend, Brittney, with Beautiful Bliss Photography took these shots for us.  Follow the link to check out more of her work.  We love them and her!

Another tradition we started this year was letting Corbin open one gift on Christmas eve.  We let him pick the present and boy he was so excited when he opened it.

His very first drum set.  Look how ecstatic he is about this.  We got him just a tabletop drum set, seeing how he is still a little one, but will eventually get him a bigger one.  He loves it.

Whew... we were so busy!!!!! Once I get our Christmas Eve and Christmas day videos together I'll share with you!
For now, I'm off to dream land.  This momma needs her beauty sleep.

Toodles

Camera + Faces = Photoshoot

Family photo shoots can be so much fun, especially when the family has a lot of bubbly and fun personalities.  Oh... Did I mention I'm related to them?


This last shot is my favorite shot of the day! Why you ask?  Well because it REAL LIFE! It's such a candid shot.  The only one's looking at the camera is Baby Oakley and Grandma Sharon.  Hey, at least the baby is staring at the camera.
Great shots of a beautiful family!

What one is your favorite shot?

Toodles

First Pumpkin

After we picked out the perfect pumpkins it was time to carve them.  Although, Corbin is a little too young to carve a pumpkin, so we painted his.  He was so excited and focused on painting it too.  As you can see he got a little bit of paint on his arm but that was accident.  Otherwise this was the cleanest paint job I've ever seen a 17 month old complete.  Most the time they get paint all over their bodies, face, hair, any where they can touch.  But not my little guy.  And after painting for a few minutes he started touching the end of the paint brush but he freaked a little once he realized what happened when he touched it.  As you can see from his BIG cheesy smile, he really enjoyed being creative.  He will now walk up to his finished pumpkin with so much pride in his work.  So adorable!



Check out the video I got of Corbin painting his first pumpkin!
Corbin's First Pumpkin from Crystal Barancik on Vimeo.

What did you do with your pumpkins?

Toodles

A Day At The Orchard

It happened to be one of the most beautiful days we had in October.  The sun was shining and the pumpkins were calling our names.  Okay, they weren't really calling our names, but we had to get Corbin out to the orchard so he can pick his very first pumpkin.  We made our way to Spicers Orchard... enjoyed a free hay ride, picked our favorite pumpkin out of the bunch, and then left with our doughnuts and cider in hand.

Trees changing colors, apple cider, sugary doughnuts, and pumpkins... now this is what I call FALL!

Have you visited the orchard this year?

Toodles

It's an Adventure!

In case you you didn't know, I own a camera AND I like to take my camera and venture out in this big world and just take a photo of whatever my little heart desires.  So, Brittney, at Moving Forward Blog, and I did just that a few weeks back, actually maybe a few months back.  We just set out... with camera's in hand and imaginations ready to go to capture anything that might have caught our eyes.  Here a few of my favorite shots of the day.

I have a lot more but I must first take the time to go through them.  What ones do you like?

Toodles

It's Late, I know... But still...

Homemade gifts, the best gifts you can give and receive.  With Grandparents day coming close I found a few pins on Pinterest that meshed this homemade gift.  You know when you see a few inspirations and then mesh them together to create something even better than the things you saw separately.  I had to stop at Michaels for a few supplies.

2 Canvas'
1 Can of light blue spray paint
1 Can of yellow spray paint
2 Different colors of paint that don't match the spray paint (I chose to purchase a set with a variety of colors)
Letter Stickers (I chose to purchase different font styles)

After placing the letters on the canvas to my liking I took the canvas' outside  and spray painted each one a different color.  After letting the paint dry I carefully took off each letter showing the font in white.  Then the real fun began... the little man's footprints to complete our project.  The finished product came out just as I had hoped it would.  

We made 2 and both are different colors to go to each set of grandparents.  And they loved it!!!!!

Hand made is the way to go!!!!

Toodles

Happy Grandparents Day!

Some of you may or may not know this, but today is actually GRANDPARENTS day!

Our little Corbin has been blessed with some very amazing grandparents.  Above we have my dad, whom we refer to as Papa Dave, and my mom, whom we refer to as Grandma.  And below is Jeremy's dad, who is Papa, and his mother, Nana.

Grandparents should have a day that recognizes how awesome and amazing they are, just like there is a Mother's Day and Father's Day.  We have been so blessed to have these wonderful people in our lives to help whenever possible with our little baby boy.  Thank you so much for EVERYTHING you do and have done for our little family! We love and appreciate you all.
We can't for the GREAT Grandparents either!

My Grandfather, who is shown here holding baby Corbin the day he was born!  All that hair, I know!

And Jeremy's Grandma, holding Corbin when he was 11.5 months old.  So precious!

Corbin also has a Great Grandma and Grandpa Fay, Great Grandma Gearhart, and Grandpa Tim. Unfortunately we don't have pictures with them.  But maybe we will soon.  

We LOVE YOU!

Toodles

My Week....

We started our week off with a day trip to St. Helen, MI to visit my grandparents.  My brother, his girlfriend, Ashley, and Tristan joined us as well.  The boys enjoyed Wreck It Ralph on the drive up.  Apparently my brother hijacked my phone and took a snap shot of himself in the mirror.  I literally just saw it today.  Of course it made me laugh.  Along with our week we had to start wearing long sleeve shirts in the morning.  There has been a nice cold chill when we make our way around in the mornings.  Long sleeve weather already?  I know.  Chilly weather comes about and I whip out my scarves.  Since last year I've really been enjoying adding to my collection of scarves.  I got this one while doing some birthday shopping.  And of course a FRIDAY shot, because Lord knows I was ready for Friday.

My week really wasn't this short, but this is all I captured of it.  Maybe more next time....

Toodles

Work Parties Are The Best

Heading back to work after my birthday weekend I stopped at Starbucks and was on my way to work.  As I was walking in I got a text saying ,"What time are you getting here today?"  After responding with "I'm here now,"  I started to think ugh that's kind of weird.  I brushed it off and turned the corner to reach my cube.  While making my way closer I see lots of different colors, then I see it.  There was no opening to get to my chair or my computer for that matter.  But the crepe paper covering the entrance to my cube was only the half of it.  Peaking over the paper wall I can see that it was filled with BALLOONS! My first thought, "Seriously?"  All I could do was laugh, and laugh some more.  You'll see I actually made it to my chair with all those balloons in there.  I just ripped some of the paper at the top and climbed over and pushed my way to my chair.  Boy was it a fun day of trying to get in and out of my cube.

While popping balloons throughout the day I got to enjoy some lovely notes written by those I work with.  This made it okay that I had to deal with all those balloons through out the day.  My favorite note?  Had to be the one that said, "I love when you burp and hiccup!"  Which I find myself doing ALOT at work and apparently loudly if everyone else knows when my body is making weird noises.
Needless to say, I had a great 26th birthday! Thanks guys for helping make this birthday a memorable one.

Toodles

The Birthday of All Birthdays

Your 1st birthday is not one that you tend to remember as a child, but your parents do, and that's why I made sure Corbin's 1st birthday was one to remember.  Choosing the theme was fairly easy, I know I wanted an elephant involved some how.  That's how I came to the Circus theme... an event where elephants are always involved.  And if I ever encounter a circus without elephants then I wouldn't call it a circus.

Some of the prep for Corbin's party involved small toys and candy sealed with cellophane and twine with a little special thank you from the birthday boy.  Dumbo watched over the treat bags for us.

After making sure we had all the party favors together I had to bake the birthday boys cake.  Instead of paying for someone to bake his cake, I did.  I bought the supplies at Michael's to make his small cake with polka dots.

The cupcake toppers I got off of Etsy at TheBirthdayHouse, which made the homemade cupcakes that much better.  We had a balloon animal expert making all the little kiddos the best balloon animals ever, (Thanks Tim).  And my best friend, Brittney, came to help me set up and take down for this little ones party.  We actually had to sit in the gazebo from 10AM-6PM.  It was a first come first serve kind of gazebo, so we had to make sure that we were able to set up in one.  Corbin's party started at 3, so we were able to take our time decorating and preparing for the guests arrival.
The food was simple: hotdogs, individual bags of chips, water, and lemonade packets to make your water flavored.  We also had animal crackers, cotton candy, suckers, and peanuts on all the tables.  Because what sort of Circus is it without peanuts?

It was a beautiful day joined with wonderful friends and family that came to bless our little baby boy. As I'm writing this I'm looking at Corbin's 15 month old face and hoping and praying that time SLOWS down.  After he was born people would tell me that I should cherish this time because before I know it he will be turning one, or going off to school. BOY, were they right!  I can so wait until he turns 2. :)
A special thank you goes to Brittney with Beautiful Bliss Photography and Christina with Jolie Jade Photography for shooting this special day for me.


Toodles

8

Are you wondering what this means?  Today marks 8 days without pop.  Something that may not be as amazing to you as it is to me, but the way I was drinking it you'd think it was going to be gone forever. Sharing in my victory helps push me to go even longer without drinking any pop.  My goal? 30 days! I know I got this in the bag.

Working towards a better ME! One baby step at a time.  

BOOM!

Toodles

My Birthday Wishlist

Since my 26th birthday is just around the corner I thought I would make a little wish list.  Mostly for my hubby to see, but you know... just in case.


Speaking of birthdays, did I mention Corbin turned 1 this past May.  I did huh... well, this was seriously the bash of the year.  I'll have to do a whole different post on that shindig.  As for right now... I need to go play with my little baby boy before bed time.

Toodles

Jump, Jump, Jump, Jump it UP! **Photo Challenge

It's been a while since I've participated in a iHeartfaces photo challenge and thought, yes, now is the time to JUMP back in it.  HAHA... get it JUMP!

The theme this week is... yup, you guessed it... JUMP.

Get it girl!!! Look at how high she got in those heels. Now THAT'S pure talent.

If you haven't checked out their website yet you should.  They have all sorts of tutorials, photo tips, and much more.  Enough to make any photography check it out.  So go... now... WAIT, don't go yet. Leave a comment, show me some LOVE!

Toodles

Why Hello There....

Oh.... I did it again.... yes, I fell off the face of the blog earth AGAIN.  I don't know why I keep doing this, it just keeps happening.  While I've been away....

Our BABY has become a TODDLER! I've seen it happen with my own two eyes, and it always makes my eyes water.  I don't want my baby to grow up, EVER!

We celebrated Corbin's 1st Easter with an Easter egg hunt and wonderful memories with family.

We did a mini photo shoot with this crochet bow tie and suspenders that was made by Stacie from Designs By Stacie, so adorable

Then we met up with our friends Blake and Betsy to get our two littles together for a shoot with these adorable overalls.  We named them the real Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer.

Corbin turned 11 months old... and I was dreading the day we would be celebrating his 1st year of life. I probably cried 2 times while planning and preparing his party.

He also learned to be.. well.... a boy.  Watching daddy play games on his phone has turned into a past time.  I knew this would happen at some point but I didn't think it would happen when he was so young.  Okay, maybe I did but still.
THEN... it came and it went like a blink of an eye.  His 1st Birthday!

The theme of the party?  Circus! Corbin even had his own costume for the party.

And the cutest, most handsomest circus master in the whole wide world!

Then, it was off to the beach with us.  Corbin and I got to enjoy a week of Florida.  Although we missed daddy so very much we had so much fun meeting new family members.  We first went to spend time with my brother and his wonderful wife where I got to meet my niece Leona and visit my nephew Jude. 

One of our many attempts to get a snapshot of the kids together, and a failed attempt at that. 

After a few days with the Fays we went to visit my sister-in-law and brother-in-law and their new little one, Skylar, and of course Aliyah and Brayden.  Our visit with them started off with a visit to the Zoo.

And finished it off with another visit to the beach.  

Needless to say, our reunion with daddy was a very happy and exciting one.

We ended our weekend this week at a birthday party in the park.  You can tell how fun and exciting this was.  Especially after eating cake pops. 

I'm back and hopefully for longer than 4 posts this time.  Show me the love!!!

Toodles