Halloween in the East Village

So, I thought I was going to take some time off from blogging for bit, but I HAD to share these pics from our trick-or-treat excursion through Des Moines' East Village. This is the way to do it, parents. That is, if you don't want copious amounts of candy stashed around your dwelling. And after trick-or-treating the last three nights in a row, well, I'm going to need to be exercising some serious self-control over the next few weeks.   

Lumberjack Dad & Snow White Ruby. 

Wayde really struggled with taking our girl out in this costume since she didn't have a black wig.

 The most handsome little lion I have ever layed eyes on. 

First stop, Eden. I caught Ruby eating the one piece of candy she had obtained up until then. 

Eden is my FAVORITE place in Des Moines to buy gifts. These The Moon & The Honey dolls are the cutest and a Bill Murray coloring book?! I mean, seriously.

We stopped into Eight Seven Central next to see some of our screenprinter / designer friends at work. 

Also, more candy. 

Someone with a big box of Scratch cupcakes came in and started handing them out. I was about to say, "Get jealous, Dena & Maren!" but they tasted like day-old's, so you girls didn't miss much. 

My friend, Allison, and her minion twins.

Um, can we talk about this shirt for a minute? I saw it through the door of Aimee and had to take a closer look. Anyone that has this movie etched into the fabric of their pre-teen existence is a kindred spirit, 

in my book. SONORA!!!!

Lastly, we got to pretend to be models at Raygun. Finally, a decent(ish) photo of the whole family! 

Hope you all had a happy & responsible Halloween. And now, that break I was itching to take. Unless this daily blogging thing is too much of a habit now;)

We Made It [31/31].

31 days. 31 blog posts. Phewsh. This sort of feels like a huge accomplishment for me. There were lots of times that I felt like giving up or that this challenge wasn't worth doing, but as I look back on my blog posts this month, I'm so glad I stuck with it. The month that I cut the net from beneath me and plunged into this sweet, wild world of being a Stay-at-home-Mama.

If I ever decide to do a blog challenge like this again, I'll definitely go into it with a much better game plan. There were lots of potential topics I would have liked to write about, but maybe this "fly by the seat of my pants" concept was the most honest portrayal of life as a beginner SAHM I could have displayed.

I received a number of encouraging comments throughout this challenge, some from people I have never met, that really helped me keep going these last few days. Sincerely, thank you. I do intend to keep blogging, but not at the pace I've been at this month. Obviously. I would suggest subscribing to my Bloglovin feed if you want to keep following along.

Again, thank you for reading. Now, pardon me while I go catch up on all the housework I've neglected since I started this challenge...

I’m linking up with The Nester every day in October for #31Days. You can find a list of all 31 posts as they are published by clicking here.

Trick-or-Treat!!

Readers beware...cute photos ahead! This past weekend, we took the littles [Ruby & her cousins, Brody (left) & Braxton (middle)] trick-or-treating at the nursing home where some of our family members work.

This is the way to do it, folks. You get to be inside where it is warm whilst attaining crazy amounts of candy. Plus, the sweet residents get such a kick out of seeing these babes in costumes.

Mandatory Ruby & Mama shot. This expression was perpetually glued on baby girl's face during the event.

I really feel like I dropped the ball (smashed the pumpkin?) in the costume department this year. When you're a creative person (or like to think that you are), there's a lot of pressure to out-do yourself.

Last year, Ruby dressed up as Wednesday Addams. I just couldn't top it this time. I can barely get a meal prepared on most nights, let alone crafting up a kick-arse Halloween ensemble. Such can be the life of a full-time working Mama.

Oh, well. At least Ruby didn't seem to mind. Plus, we're actually pretty big Vikings fans in this household. The more you know...

 CUTEST. FACE. EVER. Showing off all six & a half of her pearly whites...

Little did Ruby know that all of her efforts were in vain; that Mama & Papa would be the only ones to enjoy her spoils. Someday, baby girl...xx