Birthday Overnight in July

While I'm well aware of the crazy that is happening with Irma~~~my mother is headed north soon thank goodness~~~ I still had a few blog posts in my draft section that I want to post.  I want to look back and remember Summer '17 and the fun we had.

My birthday was on a Tuesday, so that Saturday before, hubby wanted to surprise me with a little night on the town.  My sister was able to come to our house and watch our sweet babes and dog so that we could have some alone time~thank you sooooo much Bri!  You have no idea how much it means to us when you swoop in and stay with the kiddos.  They love their Aunt Brianna!

I went with a simple black shift dress from Old Navy--yup!  I think I paid under $10.  Gotta love a steal!  I paired it with a pair of Guess shoes I picked up last time we were in Vegas.  I used my LV clutch and our new Amelia Sparkle necklace.  I felt like my uber blonde hair was also an accessory haha!

I think I was wearing Purple Reign lipsense and I am fairly certain Palette 3 from Younique.

This gorgeous neck candy also comes apart and I can wear it like 8 different ways. Love!

We dined at Good Luck and I enjoyed some Rosé, and then they gave us a little champagne for us to toast my birthday.

#bloggerstyle

Hubby did so well! He picked out this fancy hotel over in a nearby town where we could use our Marriott Rewards---the room was like something out of NYC!

We went across the street to a wine bar and had so much fun together.

I also loved my pave orbital ring!

Seriously spoiled and so much fun.  When you're married, have a two year old and a four year old, and your husband works 50+ hours each week it can make for some major stress in life.

Nights like these I thank my lucky stars we found each other and can enjoy all that life has to offer.

I was moving rather slowly the next day, but we did have a yummy brunch, and a nice little drive.  After 9.5 he decided to take me to this little beach tucked away that he used to visit when he was younger.  We've been back several times and ended up taking our family photos here too.

My best friend.

Tip Tuesday {Recipes}

If you're like me, sometimes you don't know what's exactly for dinner until you look in the kitchen around 3pm.  I try to menu plan, but it may be vague like, "chicken thighs."  I had no idea what exactly I was going to make the chicken thighs with, but I knew that I wanted to cook them up.

I found this recipe via Tastefully Simple as I had the ingredients on hand.  If you're a mom, or just a busy person in general, you need to check out their dinner ideas!

The recipe called for chicken breasts so that you could make chicken tenders/fingers and dip them.  I only had thighs on hand, so I just used a previous recipe's baking time:

Chicken thighs:
450 degrees
40 minutes

Follow the rest of this recipe here. 

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
Brown Sugar
Onion Onion

I did some steamed brussels sprouts with garlic cheese. (Wegmans)

The chicken came out so so SO good.  You definitely need to make the dipping sauce too!  For more amazing recipes, follow my friend Cathy on FB here! 

I also highly recommend this combo for a lazy/cozy Sunday by the fire with your lover.

What's cookin in your house this week?

35

It's official. I'm halfway to 40!! Haha I really don't mind, as I've stated before, I'm happier, healthier and really enjoying my 30's.  I never understood why people would say that, but as with most things, now I totally get it.

Monday 7/25 I woke up to a sweet curly haired blond girl shoving a little red envelope in my face whispering, "Open it!"

Inside was a silly little cat card stating to pounce on it, because it was my birthday. I about died because I don't love cats, but that she was so proud of picking out the card herself.

Hubby grilled me some bacon and I made some eggs; we had a quick breakfast & I opened up my gifts from them.

An adorable new heart mug.

He totally gets me.

I'm obsessed with this cute tumbler!

How fun will this be?! I'm always toting my phone around and goodness knows the music could always be louder.  I think this will be perfect for upstairs in the shower, outside on the back deck, up front playing with the kids or even taking it on our land.

These two enjoying their 2nd breakfast and Paw Patrol, while I printed off voting registrations for myself and hubby (super celebratory, I know!0

Then came the random text from my husband, basically stating I needed to take a shower because the sitter would be there at 11 and I had a spa day waiting for me here!

Didn't have to tell me twice!! I was so surprised!  He sent me here last year for my birthday and I had not been back, but I didn't think he'd set it all up on his own again.  Totally fooled!

I stopped at Starbucks for me green tea latte.

And made myself right at home at the spa.

I was able to read some of my book and just relax in quiet.

I had a massage, organic facial and a pedicure. I felt like a new woman!

I knew we were going out to dinner, but I had no clue where and I thought it was just the 4 of us.  Well, my sister's husband shares the birthday with me and they ended up coming back in from boating and met us out for dinner!

I don't think we've ever just hung out the 6 of us, so the impromptu gathering was rather fun!

We went to a gorgeous little Italian place on the river, downtown.  The food was outstanding and the kids were really well behaved!

I love this man.  He told me that since I always put everyone else first daily, he wanted to make my day super special.  Well it was the best birthday ever! Thank you baby.

They even had my favorite wine!

It was so fun to get all 4 of us dressed up and I swear Bradley and Brooke knew they were going some place special.  It was such a treat!

Brooke loved her gold dress.

I went big and ordered Lobster French--to die for!

The gang shared canolis and I ordered the flourless chocolate cake as well.

We took a little drive around after dinner and caught a bit of the sunset overlooking the city.

I know so much more than I did 10 years ago.  It's crazy to think how just 5 years ago I walked away from my teaching job, and within those 5 years, we have had two beautiful children.  We've experienced loss, heartache, frustration and shared many tears.  But above all else, we have continued to work hard on ourselves individually and as a couple.  I cannot believe I'll be 40 in 5 years; I sure don't feel it!

I'm ready for a year full of blessings and waking up each morning with a heart full of gratitude.  I have big dreams for myself and my loved ones and I can only hope that everyone works as hard as I plan to.

Here's to 35; may it be my best year yet. 

Friday Night Meatballs

We did it!  We actually hosted a "Friday Night Meatballs".  I'm a little late to post about it, but as is life! 

Brooke Lynn
Brooke and Joe did some clean up outside on the back deck, as the furniture was still outside.  Really, they just wanted an excuse to play in the leaves! Love this girl.

It was a lot of fun and definitely something we would love to do again, I just don't think I could do it every week.  Maybe it'd be less of an ordeal, but you could tell for everyone, coming over "for dinner" was a big deal.  I may have invited a lot of people, but I didn't really know what to expect.  We had a lot of "no response" which is always annoying, and we had some people who couldn't make it last minute, understandable.



My niece was getting super hungry and couldn't wait to eat!

Father & Son

 Either way, the house was full of food, laughter, and lots of people!

My love!

My dad & step mom!

Chatting with friends!

I would recommend gathering everyone into the dining room.

We had plenty of room, but I was putting the baby to bed and people were already sitting at the kitchen table eating. I didn't want to make them move.

Next time I would not put out this many chairs.  I reeeeeeeally wanted everyone in one room! Being me, I was kind of upset for a bit about that, but what can I do. I learned for next time!

Most of the food was eaten by the time I remembered to snap a pic.

So, while we didn't get the effect of the table being completely filled up, we still had a wonderful time!

Brookie loved running around with the other kids and goofing around with Daddy.

That was my goal. 1) Have a table full of friends/family 2.) Let the kids play.

It gave us an excuse to light these candles that have been up here forever…

Our sauce with meatballs…smelled so good!

I decided to make some chicken cutlets too, just to make sure we had enough to eat.

The biggest hit?  Homemade bread.  The first batch I tried to make didn't work out and I got pretty upset, but Joe insisted I try again, instead of just buying some at the store.  I was so glad that I did! There was NONE left.  {Recipe}

My favorite part?  He was excited to make meatballs and help tidy the house for our friends to come over.  He'd kill me if he knew I posted this, but how can I not?! Seriously it melts my heart when he is in the kitchen. {real life kitchen = mess}

Have you hosted a dinner party? I will definitely do it again, I'm thinking February when holidays and birthdays are out of the way.