Exhibit A

In my haste Friday night, I grabbed a paint can that I “was sure” was the kitchen wall color.  It wasn’t labeled but looked pretty darn close to the same color.

Guess what- it wasn’t.

OOPS…

Thankfully it was only one wall.  And now both paint cans are properly labeled. {Kitchen Walls and Not Kitchen Walls aka Bathroom}

I’m also happy to report that we fixed our “little tile issue” in the pantry room (more on that later), and got the floor grouted.

We are also training van to drink out of the dog bowls.. it will cut down on washing dishes…

I kid, I kid.  He totally took it upon himself, no training needed.

Happy Monday!

Shesh…Is January really almost over?

I know I’ve been MIA all month.  We’ve been really busy working, playing, traveling, planning DIY projects, and most importantly having FUN.  Next month I’ll be better.  I promise!

So I thought I would recap the month for you in photos.. Enjoy!

{was hoping to talk my mom into making this for vanny}

{Looking more and more like his momma every day!}

{what looks better?- white or red}

{stripe-a-licious!}

Told ya we had fun!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I’ve been lucky enough to have the past 8 days off to enjoy family, food, and hanging with my little dude and his daddy 24/7.

I’ve loved EVERY second, but alas it is coming to an end.  Thought I would try to sneak in a quick recap of the Holidays before things get crazy again.

Let’s start with all the playing we did…

van made out like a bandit with Santa.  Apparently he was a VERY good boy this year!

He got a kitchen, a shopping cart, a rocket, some books, and a cute stool with his name on it.  And that doesn’t include what he generous grandparent’s and aunties/uncles/cousins gave him!

We also said “see you soon” to van’s Day-Care provider.  {Now that he has turned 1, it is time to move on to another day school as Ms. Sutton only watches infants.} Thankfully she still babysits after hours, so Mr. vB and I might have snuck in a date during my week off.

{disclaimer- I love this woman.  She is like van’s 3rd grandmother.  Who knew I would get so attached??}

Somebody also got his first hair cut!

Here he is pre-cut..

He was a trooper during the trim process.  No tears and minimum squirming!

Thanks Jay {at Wyldology}!

Lastly we have fit in a lot of time being outside in this amazing un-December like weather. {for those readers that don’t live in Virginia, we have had several 65 degree days lately!}

“look ma- both hands!”

Now on to some new recipes we made…

For Christmas Breakfast with my family I was in charge of a yummy treat.

This receipe for sticky pecan rolls has been ALL OVER pinterest lately, so I thought I would give it a shot.

Photo courtesy of Nicole at The Jones Way

OMG! They are SOSOSO easy to make and SOSOSO good!

My little sous chef even got in on the fun of making it!

I highly recommend trying it out for yourself!

And then last night I tried my hand at making fried chic peas.

I have had them several times at a local wine bar in town and the waiter told us it was just chic peas, with a little panko crumb and salt.  I thought how hard could that be?

Well, it wasn’t hard and I ate them so fast I didn’t get a photo.  OOPS.

I searched the world wide web for a good receipe and none that I saw mentioned panko crumbs.  I took libertys with this specific recipe and kinda made it my own.  Even van liked them- {but he likes almost everything so that’s not saying a lot!}

I used them as a side for the main course of greek chicken pitas, but they would also make a great appetizer or snack!  Definitely another easy, must try recipe!

Finally, being stuck at home time twice a day for naptime might have lead to some furniture rearrangement.. {blame van, not me}

The Goodwill Gold Velvet chair has moved out of the living room to make room for the mini kitchen

Not my favorite location, but what else you gonna do in a small house?

I have thought about moving it to the back room, but the tile work that we started 4 months ago is still not complete.  So maybe one day that room can become the make shift playroom.  Maybe.

I also moved that big {5 shelf} bookcase out of the the hallway, orginally thinking the mini kitchen would go there.  I’m kinda digging it empty though.

I think it would be cool to do a picture wall on that left side with a variety of black frames and stuff.

Something similar to what the gang over at younghouselove did.

photo courtesy of younghouselove.com

You might have also noticed that I moved some of the rugs around.

{who am I kidding- no one noticed but me!}

Sorry about the bad lighting, but the sisal with black band use to be in the hallway and the oriental that is currently under the sofa was by the front door.

Here it is from the other direction.

Eeh, I’m not sold on the switch-a-roo, but am too lazy right now to put them all back to where they were originally!  So for now they stay put! ha-ha

Perfect Timing.. the wee one is starting to stir from his nap, so time to wrap this up!  I hope everyone had a safe and happy Holiday and here’s to a great 2012!  I’m hoping to debute a new look for b&t.com in the next couple of weeks.  I’m serious this time!  I’m working with a designer friend to get the new look I want and then my web-developing hubby is going to make it work.  I also hope to update you soon on some new projects we are undertaking in the new year.  They include but are not limited to drywalling the ceiling in the basement, tiling the downstairs half bath, and MOVING!!!

It took awhile to recover from the big birthday and turkey day, but now we are in full Christmas Mode!

vannyB was a trooper seeing Santa this year.

You wouldn’t know from his photo though.

It took a mere HOUR and A HALF of waiting in line to see Mr. Claus, but that didn’t phase vanny.  As soon as we got close enough for van to see him, he had the biggest grin on his face!  He squealed and laughed and even walked right up to Santa, BUT sitting on the lap was a different story!

And here are our Holly Jolly Decorations!

We decided on a mini tree this year partly because the ones we normally get {tall and lanky} were not available, but also because we weren’t sure how Mr. Go-Go Gadget Arms would be with the tree and ornaments.

Here’s our beauty! Short and Sweet!

van LOVES turning the lights on and off with the remote.

Every morning we count to three and turn the lights on with a big grin!  It’s my favorite!!

Here’s the Mantle..

I’m LOVING the gold wreath over the artwork.  {Wonder if it could stay up year round?}

I also love our Christmas stockings…

And here is what the outside of the house looks like!

the rope lights are back!!

and so is the painted pumpkin stack!

Maybe next year I’ll actually get ALL the xmas decorations up prior to the week before Xmas.

Who am I kidding?!

Happy Holidays!- the vB’s

On November 18th at 6:32 {am} my boy officially turned 1!  I was so excited that I woke Mr. vB up and we did this…

Good thing we got up early, cause we had a lot of celebrating to do!

We hosted a small get together at a local venue called Cartwheels and Coffee, which is pretty much an indoor playground with a Barista.  {yes-awesome concept!}

The birthday boy was dressed to impress!

{thank you CeCe and Martha!}

We played, we ate and we sang to the Birthday Boy…

What a great party!  The birthday boy was exhausted by the time it was over.

And so was I!!  I’m working on a post now about the DIY’s sprinkled throughout his party and things I did at home.  I didn’t get everything done that I wanted to, but was very pleased with what I did get finished!

I just kept reminding myself that all that really mattered what that this little dude had fun!

Mission Accomplished!

Our boy is officially ONE and what a blast we had helping him celebrate!

I’m working up a full post with photos and details… stay tuned!

and yes daddy is saying, “can we wipe that blood off your face?” A face plant 5 minutes earlier left baby boy with a bloody lip.  Comes with the territory I guess.

Could these 2 guys be ANY CUTER??

Sheriff vannyB and his Deputy Daddy

van seemed a bit concerned at first,

but quickly got into character..

We had a fun time trick or treating with our cousins tonight.  We also spent some time with them this weekend carving our pumpkins.

First we had to pick one out at the patch..

Then we had to get a’carving!

van helped his Daddy with the hard work.

Apparently I forgot to take a picture of the finished product.  Oops!  Oh well- there’s always next year!

Hope everyone had a Safe and Happy Halloween!

People, when I say we are moving and shaking over here, it’s a bit of an understatement.  vannyB is B-U-S-Y from the time he wakes up till the moment he goes to bed.

His current fav’s are 1) WALKING ON HIS OWN!! 2) walking while holding onto my index fingers 3) throwing whatever he may be carrying at the moment 4) pointing at things and 5) reading his books

Just yesterday van was playing on the floor and went from a sitting position to a standing position all on his own.  And then once he was stable, he walked across the room. Mr. vB and I just looked at each other and grinned from ear to ear!

The Lil’ Dude’s Personality is also starting to shine through!  He can be very serious at times {just like his daddy} and then bust out with a grin and a giggle {like his mommy}!  His laugh makes my heart melt…

And in-case you want to know, Current Stats are 25 lbs and 33″ tall.

We {ok, mostly me} is getting quite excited about the upcoming birthday festivities.  I already teased you with photos of the balloon birthday wreath and the high chair.  I’ve got a few more DIY’s up my sleeve, but I’m not ready to reveal them just yet.

I know, I know.. what a tease!  But I WILL share what van is going to be for Halloween!

Giddy Up!

Last weekend we headed out to the pumpkin patch with our good friends the Hansen’s.

{Parker, van }

{and Taylor}

We had so much fun finding our way through the hay maze..

And played in the pumpkins..

There was also a tractor..

And a swing & slide..

Let’s just say we all had a blast.

And vannyB was sound asleep in his car-seat before we even pulled out of the parking lot!

**UPDATE**

Per Request- Please see the below picture of me this time last year at the Pumpkin Patch!

This one’s for you Amy Cox!!