Thursday, May 19, 2016

Sweet Roasted Brussel Sprouts {Recipe}

Sweet Roasted Brussel Sprouts {Recipe}
Thursday, May 19, 2016
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Happy Thursday!!

So I found a recipe in one of my Taste of Home magazines and knew I had to try it. Now, let me just preface this recipe by saying, I am not a fan of brussel sprouts, AT ALL, but these are just too hard to resist.



What you need:

2 bags of brussel sprouts
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup sugar

1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 400*. Cut brussel sprouts in half and put in a bowl. Toss with the oil and garlic powder. Transfer to a greased baking dish. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile in a small saucepan combine vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil , stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until syrupy, stirring occasionally.

After about 30 minutes of brussel sprouts in oven, sprinkle with 1/2 cup sliced almonds and pour drizzle into dish. Stir. Put back in oven for 5-10 minutes.

Once brussel sprouts are finished baking, transfer to serving dish. Drizzle with other half of almonds and cranberries to finish.

I did change the recipe up a little bit from the magazine as far as process goes, but to each their own.

I hope you enjoy!!!

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Tuesday Tunes {Five Seventeen Sixteen}

Tuesday Tunes {Five Seventeen Sixteen}
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
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Welcome to Tuesday Tunes! I have done Music Monday in the past, but I hope to make this a regular thing each week.

I am LOVING this new(er) song by Blake Shelton. We pre-ordered his album and all the songs so far are just so great!! I also just love him as a person.


What songs/music or artist should I check out?
Friday, May 13, 2016

Friday Favorites {Five Thirteen Sixteen}

Friday Favorites {Five Thirteen Sixteen}
Friday, May 13, 2016
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I am so ready for the weekend and have LOTS to get caught up on after coming back from Jamaica. We've been home for a week and I'm still behind on life. Well, mostly laundry, but still.

Here are a few favorite things this week:



This lotion saved my body from the sun. I still had some pain and peeled (a lot), but it was a life saver. And smells SO good! #ismelltropicalallthetime






I've been loving this show, but I heard it's cancelled. Bummer. Oh well. I thought it was great. And who doesn't LOVE Sarasin (Friday Night Lights anyone?) and the chick from Newsroom. #creepydrama






I got this shirt from Target before Jamaica and finally wore it. Casual Friday...holla!! Also, I am wearing my 2nd pair of skinny jeans that I got from Walmart. Yes. Walmart. Every once in awhile I will find a gem of a clothing product and well, that's these. They are the Jordache brand that Sarah Jessica Parker endorses. And hey, if they are good enough for her, then they are good enough for me.


They are about $16.00 and I loved them (and wore the crap outta the first pair) that I bought a second pair!! I originally bought the first pair last fall when trying to find a pair of skinny/stretchy jeans post pregnancy. I immediately fell in love and you cannot beat that price. Woohoo!! #noshameonmywalmartgame





I love everything about THIS post that my friend Mandy wrote. As I stated above, I'm behind on life...my house needs cleaning, my calendar needs updating, and we have a ton of clothes that need putting away...not to mention we are moving in a month and need to start packing/purging, etc. But this article says it all!!

I also Love Love Love THIS one!! She says it so good!!



Loving this song and so much more...Drake, Cole Swindell, the list goes on! #dancedancedance

A photo posted by BigDradio (@bigdradio) on



So my Hubby completely surprised me with photos of our kiddos for Mother's Day. This one is my fave! Of course, I cried. Look how cute and big and old they look. Hailey is going to be 5 next month. Wahhh!!! #tears I just love how much they love each other!! #allthelove




Another one of our children. I love when she makes him laugh. He is OBSESSED with her!!

A photo posted by BigDradio (@bigdradio) on




And of course I am loving this guy. I bought this Eric Church shirt for him almost 2 years ago and he is just now able to fit into it! He has come such a long way in the last 7 months. I am so proud of him and to call him mine!!



That's all for now folks. I hope you have a great weekend!!

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Bubble Run 2016

Bubble Run 2016
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
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So on Saturday, March 26, 2016, we completed the Bubble Run. We woke up at about 6:30 am and got moving. The race was set to start at 8am. We were supposed to meet some friends, but they were way ahead of us and we just told them to start without us.

1. Love the shirt, but none of the paint stayed on the shirts after we washed them which was a bummer.
2. Before the race started they had one of the cannon's spouting off blue bubble's.
3. There were so many people there. We started in waves. There was such a fun energy to this race.
4. It was SUPER windy, which made it cold at first, but Hailey was a trooper and was so excited to get going.




5. Pink bubbles!
6. Griffin pretty much slept the entire time.
7. Power walking with the stroller.
8. Our beautiful Hailey in the midst of bubbles.



9. Hailey covered in blue bubbles and having a blast!
10. Family photo. Griffin didn't know WHAT was going on.
11. Mama and Hails in some green bubbles.
12. Daddy and Hails with yellow bubbles on her face. Haha.


 Overall it was a fun race and we all had fun and most importantly we did it as a family!

Monday, April 11, 2016

March 2016 Wrap-Up

March 2016 Wrap-Up
Monday, April 11, 2016
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I meant to post this awhile back, but alas, time got away from me and here we are in April already.


On Saturday the 19th, we met up with some friends for a night out to Pitbull AGAIN! I love my little man getting ready with me. He's just the cutest!

A photo posted by Leah // Las Vegas (@mrsmamad) on

It was such a fun night and like I said on Insta, I will NEVER get sick of his music or seeing him live!


He seriously puts on SUCH a good show!



On Sunday, the 20th, we went to our local mall and had the typical Easter bunny picture with the kids. Griffin's first of course. Hailey's smile is SO cheesy, but there were NO tears!! Yay!



21st: This is my Hubby's progress thus far regarding his weight loss surgery. I plan on doing a more detailed post since he had the gastric sleeve surgery back in October. I haven't really blogged about it too much thus far, but I wanted to share this picture. Crazy, right?



22nd: I am so behind on pictures and getting pictures off my phone and organized. It's really bad. But what can I do other than try to catch up!



23rd: It was National Puppy Day! Yay!

A photo posted by Leah // Las Vegas (@mrsmamad) on



26th: We did the Bubble Run. We did it as a family and were supposed to meet up with some friends, but we didn't leave the house on time and wouldn't you know it, with two kids, it's just not as easy these days. We had a lot of fun and Hailey especially was SO excited.



After we got home and got cleaned up, I went to the DMV to renew my license. It was about to expire on my birthday (4/9), so I HAD to get it done before then. So, I sucked it up and went and did it. Only 2.5 hours later was I done and I am also registered to vote. Ugh. I then went and promptly spent 1.5 hours at Target. #myhappyplace


27th: Easter!!! It was pretty low key. We were all so tired (exhausted Mama right here) from the day before. We originally wanted to go and check out an Easter buffet at one of the hotels. And while the hotel we picked didn't seem crazy busy, the buffet was. So, we opted to have more of a sit down meal. Which was fine, since my hubby can't really eat a whole lot at a buffet anyways. Also, sidenote: I didn't realize he has this business card from the Dr that says he has had stomach surgery and they are legally obligated to give him a kids meal or charge him for a kids meal. 

We ended up at Hearthstone in the Red Rock Casino which is in Summerlin (a suburb of Las Vegas). It was also super low key (just our thing, especially with kids) and the food was absolutely delicious!


The best part was I didn't have to cook OR clean up. Hailey got to MAKE her own pizza and the chicken and waffles that I got were SO GOOD!!!! Later that afternoon I took a nice, much needed, nap with my baby boy. Later that night after both kids were sleeping, my Hubby and I watched The Walking Dead.



30th: Well the day started with a trip to the Vet. One of our pups, Moo Moo, has had a few seizures in the past few months and had a bad one the day before. So we decided it was time to take her in and get her looked at. We had a full blood work up done on her and she is perfect in every way. The Dr thinks it is a neurological thing as she is almost 10 years old and just starting them now with no major life changes. So, for now we will monitor her and see if we have to put her on meds at some point in the future.

A photo posted by BigDradio (@bigdradio) on

And there's March 2016 for ya! I can't believe we're well into mid-April already! Uffda!

Thursday, April 7, 2016

#Ipsy [#MarchGlamBag]

#Ipsy [#MarchGlamBag]
Thursday, April 7, 2016
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I am still loving my March Glambag from Ipsy. I'm STILL loving the dry shampoo and the liquid eyeliner. I've discovered so many fun products and brands and have defenitely gotten my money's worth out of this monthly Glambag.


Thursday, March 24, 2016

Three Things Thursday [Three Twenty-Four Sixteen]

Three Things Thursday [Three Twenty-Four Sixteen]
Thursday, March 24, 2016
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Happy Thursday Friends. We are almost to Friday, but not quite.



My Hubby is emceeing the closing ceremony for the PurpleStride 5K walk next Saturday, April 2nd. We are super excited for this. One of my besties, Katie, is coming into town for the weekend, so she is walking with me and the kids, along with our friend Jen. Katie lost her Grandpa to Pancreatic Cancer and our friend Adam lost his Dad to it last June. Not even a year ago.





I watched the Season Finale of How to Get Away with Murder last night. I was totally like this as the episode/season was wrapping up...



Anyone else watch it and surprised at all that happened in that last episode? WTF?!


We have lots of things up in the air about life right now. I have mentioned them before on this blog...our lease ending, new house, moving, school for Hailey, daycare for Griffin, financials and making it all work...the list goes on.

I am not sure if any of you are UFC fans and are familiar with Connor McGregor, but this is basically how I feel about everything. Every. Single. Day.


We watched The Ultimate Fighter show where he was competing with another UFC fighter, Urijah Faber, on the UFC Fight Pass. It's a great show if you are interested in UFC. Anyways, McGregor said this so many times on the show it's now ingrained in my brain and has become sort of a thing or an inside joke in our house. My Husband says it to me all the time just like him in an Irish accent.

That's all for today! I hope everyone is having a great week!

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

The 5 W's of the D Family

The 5 W's of the D Family
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
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I originally saw this post on Wife Mommy Me. Thanks Stephanie for the idea.

WHO ||  Wayne, Leah, Hailey and Griffin. Wayne and I met in a trashy nightclub, were friends for about 6 months and then started dating (7/12/03). I knew just after a month of dating that he was the man I wanted to spend my life with. We were married 11/11/06, had our daughter 6/26/11 and our son 7/14/15. We are up in the air right now whether we want to stop at two kids (one of each) or go for a third. We are not in a rush at this point. Only time will tell.



WHAT ||  I originally started this blog to document and "scrapbook" our life about starting a family, etc. Since starting this blog, it has become so much more than that. I've met some really great people through blogging and I've had some of the best times/friendships with those people. Sometimes I get carried away with other stuff and what I think blogging should be and I have to remind myself of the original reason why I blog... for myself and my family. I'm trying to get back to that place.

WHEN ||  I started blogging back in April 2010, when we decided to start a family. The blog has been called a few different things since then. I have shared a miscarriage, two pregnancies that equaled two children, a few job changes, a few moves (one across country to Las Vegas), countless linkups and favorites and fun.

WHERE ||  We call Las Vegas, Nevada home as of right now, but Minnesota will always be where our true home and family is. We moved to Las Vegas May of 2015. We love the city, everything it has to offer, the weather and have made a few friends in the process.


WHY ||  Sometimes I ask myself why I blog, but I think I touched on this question above. I think when so much time has gone by with no posts or updates that I should just quit, but then I always find myself coming back to my little space on the internet. I have a list of literally a million things I need to update and share, but no matter how long that list gets, I don't think I will ever quit blogging. I call myself a "part-time blogger." It suits me. Like I said above, this space has introduced me to so many friends (online and IRL) and like Stephanie said, it's a hobby that allows me to be creative, expressive and network with other women and mommies. Can't beat that reason.

Until next time.
Friday, March 18, 2016

Weekly Check In {Three Eighteen Sixteen}

Weekly Check In {Three Eighteen Sixteen}
Friday, March 18, 2016
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Happy Friday Friends! This is my week in pictures:


We ran some errands and because it was in the mid 70's here in Vegas, we got shakes from McDonalds. I always forget how delicious strawberry shakes can be. They really hit the spot.


[Do not worry. We were parked in our garage when this was taken. I do not just let my child roam around the car unbuckled.]


We celebrated a birthday at work and enjoyed this chocolate cake. It's called the Chocolate Motherlode Cake and it was DELICIOUS! That's my small piece on the bottom.



I am loving how snuggly Griffin is. Nothing more peacful than naps and snuggle time. This picture and his face melt my heart.


With that said, this is currently how I am feeling:


I finally got the paperwork for the kids to go to the Kids Club at the gym. Hopefully now I can get it filled out and get my booty moving. I want to go a couple nights during the week, too, but I just don't know if it's feasible at this time.



  

Our passports came! It only took 2 1/2 weeks. Yay! Now I have my certified birth certificate back, which I will need in order to get my Nevada drivers license. Now I am just waiting on the certified copy of our marriage certificate. So many hoops to jump through just to get a new license.

We went to see Pitbull again. His residency started here again on the 12th. We got to meet him again, too. He kissed me twice on the cheek. He puts on SUCH a great show and is one class act.



Before the show we met up with my cousin, Nate and his wife, Kayla. They were in town vacationing in Las Vegas for a few days. We ate at PBR Rock Bar, which is in the Miracle Mile Shops attached to Planet Hollywood. It was so good to see them and catch up.


I wore this for St. Patrick's Day.
It is significant for the following:

1) Green shirt for the holiday;
2) Capris (because the high was 81); and
3) they are a size 12; which is exciting for because I have been in 14's since after Griffin was born and have been struggling with the whole baby weight loss thing since he was born. Hence all the gym talk. 

Yay for the small things in life, right?!


And today. Can't go fast enough. I am very much looking forward to the weekend!



Have a great weekend y'all!

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Currently (March 2016)

Currently (March 2016)
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
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I haven't done one of these since mid last year, so here goes.

CURRENTLY...

EXCITED for dinner with my cousins that are in town this week visiting Las Vegas. 

I'm also excited for Pitbull to come back. The opening show for this residency is Wednesday night! Woohoo!

I'm also excited that the new Bachellorette is JoJo!!! She was my season favorite and even though I know Ben and Lauren are ultimately better together, I LOVED JoJo and how she carried herself all the way up until the very end.




WORRIED that I won't get the documents I need in order to get a Las Vegas drivers license. I have 24 days to get what I need and get my booty to the DMV.

READING blogs. Trying to keep up on my Bloglovin feed. Also, reading blogs give me some creative juice.

WRITING/CREATING not much other than a few blog posts. 

LOVING my little family. Seriously nothing better than us.

HATING that our rent is going up as of June 1st. Lots of decisions to be made soon. Moving? What area of the city are we moving to? Can we stay in our area? Finding a new place? Finding a new daycare? Getting Griffin into daycare? Hailey starting Kindergarten in the fall? Which school will she end up at?

WONDERING whether we should re-sign our lease at our current house or try and look for something more affordable. We got notice that our rent is going up, so that's not very fun. And while we LOVE the house, we are just not sure if the new price is really worth it.

EATING PF Changs. We went out to dinner over the weekend for the first time in awhile. Love me some good chinese food. 

DRINKING coffee in the AM, water the rest of the day, with a coke thrown in every once in awhile.

CRAVING coke. Sometimes I crave that fountain coke taste and I try and curb it with a regular coke. I end up not even finishing it half the time.

HOPING answers to our rental situation work itself out in the coming weeks.

WATCHING Fuller House with the family. Walking Dead. There were a couple weeks where it was like, what's next and then last weeks episode with Neegan's group was exciting. Now I think we are back to what's next? Bachelor Finale. Read above. So happy that Ben and Lauren are happy and I squeeled with excitement when they announced JoJo as the new Bachelorette. I'm also getting caught up on lots of other shows that I got behind on. Trust me there is a lot and with two kids and working full time, I just don't have the time to really keep up.

LISTENING TO lots of Rascal Flatts lately. Also, 93.1 The Party of course.

WEATHER is in the mid to high 70's this week. It's perfect Spring weather.

WEARING sandals and loving it. There was about a month or two where I wore closed toe shoes, because it was "winter" in Vegas, but other than that, I have been wearing sandals exclusively. I just got these at DSW for super cheap. They are not the MOST comfortable and by the end of the day I need to take them off, but they are super cute and have been my go to sandal since I got them about a month ago now.


LOOKING FORWARD TO our vacation at the end of April. It's the first time Wayne and I have been out of the country and on a vacation just the two of us. No family. No kids. Just us. We even had to get passports, which is crazy.

FEELING very tired. Griffin has been getting up multiple times per night. It sucks for work the next day. #coffeeplease

WANTING some new summer clothes, but I gotta get my booty into the gym first. 

NEEDING a new bed. We have had our current king size bed for almost 10 years and just within the last few months it just hasn't been as comfortable as it used to be.

Also, I am NEEDING to get my booty to the gym. I have been procrastinating because while our gym opened March 1st, the Kids Club hasn't opened yet. so I have been kind of waiting on that.

THINKING ABOUT lots of different things lately. See above HATING with so much on my mind. 

ENJOYING this stage that Griffin's in. He's so smiley and happy and growing too fast. It makes my heart hurt sometimes that both him and Hailey are growing so fast. He's going to be 1 and she is going to be 5 before I even know it. Gah!!



THANKFUL FOR my Husband who works every day for our family. He is my rock and I seriously don't know what I would do without him. 

DREAMING about our vacation in 45 days.

CLICKING ON this BLOG. She does a weekly menu planning blog post, that I have been getting some inspiration from. I haven't tried the meatballs and tortellini bake, but it's on my list. Also, THIS blog is also a good go to if you are looking for uber healthy options.

OBSESSING over the future. So many things on my mind. See previous THINKING ABOUT.

WISHING I had more time in the day for things. I feel like all I do Monday-Friday is work and then by the time I get home, get dinner done, eat and spend a little time being Mom/Wife, there is no time for anything else. Like this little blog for instance. I'm trying to get a better balance of things, but by the time both kids are sleeping, all I want to do is go to sleep.

TRYING to get better at meal planning. It's such a pain, but it's so helpful. Any tips for me?

Until next time.

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