This year marks the first time Bella did not fear Santa Claus. We dolled her up and took her to the mall because she wanted to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas. From across the center of the mall, she spotted him, yelled "Santa!" and waved and smiled. Phew! a relief that she wasn't going to be scared. She walked right up to him, sat on his knee, told Santa that she wanted Rapunzel presents, smiled for the photos and then told santa "goodbye, see you later".
Photographers photo
Treasuring this forever. Such an innocent age - melts my heart.
Christmas Tree Traditions
Every year the Banes gang heads north to a tree farm and we choose and cut down our own trees. The past few years we have tried out different farms and this year Kim came across the Kinsey Family Tree Farm in Gainsville GA. Right from the start I loved the feel of the farm, very organized, friendly staff and of course beautiful trees. The only problem we came across was that all the smaller (6-7ft) trees were already taken! What was left were very tall trees that would not fit in our homes..or our budgets. We were a bit disappointed that we couldn't officially cut down our own, but the farm had some very nice precut fraiser firs on display to purchase.
My family tree trimming tradition (Raciti) was that my mom would unwrapped the ornaments while handing them to me and my brother and sister to put on the tree the way we saw fit. I love the fact that this tradition is now starting in our family. This was the first year that bella participated with the decorating of the Christmas tree. She was so cute the way she reacted -in awe- of all the pretty ornaments I unwrapped for her to place (with daddy's help) on the tree branches.
Christmas is 17 days away and there is so much to do! More fun traditional experiences coming soon...part II
Ever see a design and wonder how it was created from start to finish? The following is a glimpse of what goes on during the creative process of my many projects - step by step:
The Inspiration
I was perusing the web and came across this dynamic shot of basketball players. I really liked the perspective of the shot coming from behind the basket and it gave me the idea to base the design of the men's basketball team for KSU.
The Photoshoot & Production
Once I sketched out (very roughly) the basic placement of the players I worked with our marketing specialist/client manager and photographer to figure out if what I was envisioning would work out. We discussed back and forth about the way the players should be posed and what action they should be shot doing. Once a photography shoot was set up our photographer shot the players individually from behind the goal.
I took each player and isolated them from their individual backgrounds and placed them in the poster. The "comp" was then approved by the athletics marketing staff and coaches - I then moved on to the really fun part - effects!
After enhancing the photos and adding effects, sponsor logos and schedule, along with some minor edits back and forth, below is the final product:
Happy Clients = Happy Designer!
Below are additional pieces that I designed for the basketball teams...
Over the years I have developed a crazy fondness for the season of autumn. I love the colors, the seasonal veggies/fruits, soups and pies, sweaters, scarves, the crisp smell in the air... and it is "oh so nice" that my birthday happens be in November.
This month started with a great birthday weekend. My boss and co-workers (friends) and I went on a retreat from the office and we all took a hike up Kennesaw mountain. The weather was wonderful and it was a great experience to reach the top and take in the views of the surrounding cities.
Creative services conquered Kennesaw Mountain David (photographer), Ray (Director of Creative Services), Anthony (Photographer), Lucy (Designer), Me Justin (Designer) and Sekayi (Designer).
Touching the very top of the Mountain
The days follwing my birthday were filled with family time and of course great food is always enjoyed with these get togethers. Louie made me a delicous chocolate cake with caramel buttercream. He also made some sweet potato ravioli (from scratch - pasta dough and all) with drizzled with brown butter and sage. I LOVED IT!
Middle of the month I had the opportunity to catch up with my dear friend and fellow mom, Lindsey. We got together and crafted while sharing stories of motherhood, our families and also reflected on the past when we worked together in college. We followed this tutorial to make our wreaths... they came out pretty!
I also attended Lindsey's husband, Eric's, 80's themed 30th birthday party and had a blast. I enjoyed visiting and catching up with some old college friends. Stepping back in time was fun, as tacky as the fashions and music of the 80's were... I love it.
Turkey Day
Louie and I hosted Thanksgiving this year with his family. I love that the whole day is revolved around the efforts it takes to prepare and clean up with feast... and the food is enjoyed within thirty minutes to an hour! LOL We had a great spread of food when 4:00 rolled around.
Louie even received a huge 20lb turkey from work that we did not expect... we will have turkey for days and days!
As always, November is wrapped up with the excitement and anticipation of Christmas and New Years Day. Let the shopping, decorating and baking BEGIN!
Look at me! Look at me! Look at me NOW! It is fun to have fun, but you have to know how. ― Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat
Bella and her cousins dressed up as characters from the book, The Cat in the Hat, for Halloween this year. They had fun pretending to be the crazy little red characters from the book running around and causing a rukus... wait, they do that all the time anyway! HA HA
Hello friends and family! I feel like its been a while since I blogged and I have missed it dearly! Lots going on in the Banes household this month...
Our brave little girl
Bella needed surgery this month to have tubes inserted in her ears (many, many ear infections) and also to have her adenoids removed (mouth breather, LOUD snorer). Louie and I were very nervous parents taking our daughter in for her first surgery at such a young age, even though we knew she very much needed it. Isabella was awesomely brave - she went back to the O.R. without mommy and daddy and was put to sleep without barley a whimper. She woke up from the anesthesia frightful and erratic, as to be expected, but after it wore off and she got some much needed rest she bounced back surprisingly fast. Now she doesn't snore and can breath with ease - success! Wont' know for a while how the tubes are serving her, but we are hopeful :) Bella received lots of "get well" goodies and sweet gestures from family and friends including frozen yogurt, delivered flowers with a plush teddy bear, and tickets to see Disney Princesses on ICE!
Baking cookies with Nonna
Making cutout sugar cookies is a past time of my family and we introduced the fun to Bella by making some halloween sugar cookies on Saturday evening. Not only did she make a mess–as expected– but she had a great time sprinkling the "sauce" (she kept calling the flour sauce LOL), rolling the dough, cutting the shapes, and adding sprinkles.
Weekend visit with Aunt Tina
My Godmother Tina came for a visit this past weekend to spend some quality time with Nonnie (her mother) while she is still recuperating from her back surgery. We spent as much time with the two of them as we could. Nonnie is making great progress with her back; she even made it out to mom's house for an afternoon tea!
Annual Banes Pumpkin & Apple Farm Day Trip
This year marks the 10th year that I've been going with Louie and his family up to Ellijay to the various apple orchards and Burt's pumpkin farm. We bought lots of delicious apples and of course picked out our big pumpkin to carve. Its fun to see how amazed Bella was at the size and quantity of pumpkins... her eyes get so big when she saw them all.
We are ready for halloween! Hope you have a spook-tacular evening! More posts to follow soon :)
Our little family along with my in-laws, niece and nephew traveled to Gulf Shores for a week vacation. We stayed in a relative's home not far from the beach. Louie's two great aunts and grandmother also joined us. We took turns cooking dinners and took several afternoon trips to various places nearby when we weren't at the beach. It was definitely nice to get away from our everyday routine and schedule and the kids had fun together (when they weren't disagreeing with each other LOL).
Louie and I had never been to Gulf Shores. It was really a nice place to spend a family vacation. Lots of restaurants, shopping, beaches, and family entertainment spots. Our trip was outside of tourist season so I am sure it can get pretty crowded on the beaches during the summer.
The cousins
Father and Sons prepping for their fishing
Our first attempt to hit the beach turned out to be a short visit. The ocean was rough and the shoreline was covered with palm size, purple jellyfishthat washed up. I took the opportunity to snap a few pretty photos and then we headed back.
Beautiful scene
These jellies were scattered all over the shore and prevented us all from getting too close to the water
Nana and her older grandbabies
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
While the ocean was still rough we took the kids to the zoo and had a wonderful time. This zoo is often called "the Little Zoo that could", but it was the perfect size to spend a few afternoon hours and get to see everything.
The zoo offered 2 "encounter" activities; the first was 1-on-1 playtime with baby cub tigers (unfortunately you had to be 4 and older), and the second was playtime with lemurs. I was a bit skeptical at first thinking that Bella would be ok with being in a cage with baby lemurs, but as soon as she saw them she told us she wanted to pet them. Louie and Bella along with Kim and Cameron went inside the cage with a trainer and 4 baby lemurs. It was so much fun to see them engage and react to these baby lemurs; they were gentle but a little jumpy. They fed them treats and played with their toys.
I love Bella's face in this photo!
Bella didn't like it when the lemur came up behind her.
Stopping for a quick rest with Grandma Banes
Feeding the goats
The Beach
When the ocean finally let up and calmed down enough to be able to swim we took the kids to a state park where there was a beach with a fishing pier. Louie, his dad and Wesley fished off the shore while we played in the sand and swam in the ocean with the kids.
Beach Beauty
Making sand castles
Pawpaw in his glory
Deep Sea Fishing
This day was started out good; we got to the dock in time, got what we "thought" were good seats, enjoyed the leisure boat trip out of the inlet.... then it got rough.... really, really rough. Lets just say, the dramamine did NOT work, and now I am taking a long break from eating any bananas. The unfortunate result of the trip and fruit our labor did not bear ANY fish to take home.
Major. bummer.
Dolphin Tour
My second boat trip was MUCH more pleasant! We all hopped on a pontoon boat and took a two hour tour of the inlet and we got to see a few dolphins in their natural habitat.
Enjoying time with her Aunt Kimmie and Uncle Wesley
Such a beautiful day and a relaxing ride
Night out - sans kids
Mom and dad gave us kids a couple of nights where we could slip away and go enjoy some time at a nearby restaurant and bar called The Hangout. We chatted with our server and found out that in the early summer this place has a huge Music Fest that is always packed out. Several big name bands come from all over to play here on the beach. Louie and I have agreed to check this out one year!
The Last Day
It was another fun day at the beach. We spent most of it in the water because it was a warm day and the ocean was so clear that you could see the fish (and in Louie and Wesley's case, way out, a shark and some sting rays!) at your feet. Bella and Cameron enjoyed some bubble wands that Aunt Geraldine gave them.
We look forward to our next beach vacation...hopefully it will be at a beach, far, far away.... Greece maybe? :)
