Quick Successions: New Mexico Edition

Well, I am not a teacher anymore.  At least, I am not a public school junior high teacher anymore.  My last day I had a talent show with my students.  There were many kind and charming students who performed.  The day after my last day, we packed the truck and moved to Kansas. 

We used to alternate Christmases between here and California, but we haven't been to Cali since 2008. I really like going to Monterey because it is warmer, but I also like being able to be at our house for Christmas.  This year was especially dear to me because it is the last Christmas we will likely ever spend in Utah since we are moving to Kansas.  We still might get to California, but I doubt it will be next year. I made some little candies and a Christmas cake and we had roast beef  and mashed potatoes and homemade bread on Christmas Day.  On Christmas Eve, we went to our friends' house and ate turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, and Dixie (fruit) salad. Brian always opened his presents on Christmas Eve and my family did so on Christmas Day and so we spent the first few years trading off on that too. Then a stroke of brilliance came.  We would open some on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas Day.  This system really works for us.  Hannah s...

When I had Hannah I was still teaching school so I couldn't exclusively feed her.  So I pumped milk for her.  Actually I am still am. She also drinks formula though and water and whole milk.  I am just trying to decrease production gradually. I am not the only one hanging on to bygone times. Hannah still likes her bottle.  She doesn't like cups.  I have tried every kind of sippy cup on earth. She never took a pacifier, but she wants the bottle, especially at mealtimes, nap times, and before bed.  

On Thursday evening the counselor in the bishopric at church came over and asked if I would give on talk on Sunday.  I said that I would and so today I address my ward. Hannah was a good girl while I talked and after church we went home and took this picture. 

We are under contact for our house and close at the end of the month.  It was on the market for a little more than a week.  When this kind of thing happens, you feel much better about the path you have chosen. 

Our house is on the market right now so we have been trying to keep it clean.  Our decorations for Christmas include a tree and some foam ornaments that we don't care if Hannah eats.  So far we have had a lot of people want to come through and either rent or buy our place.  I decided to post these pictures so I can remember what our house looked like years from now.  On Thanksgiving I made tropical ginger turkey, rolls, mashed potatoes and apple and pumpkin pies.  There were just three of us and Brian doesn't like stuffing or vegetables so we kept it pretty simple. Over the weekend I finished my finished my Christmas shopping, prepared the Christmas cards, watched Christmasy movies and kept the place clean. 

Hannah has taken to hiding places. She has a favorite cupboard that she always puts her stuff in.  Last week, she decided to crawl in.   Once she did though, she didn't like it and wanted to get out.  We are going through our old junk and I found my wedding dress from 2002.  I decided to put it on.  Hannah loved it.  We played for a little while.