Ah- so finally Hadley and I returned from our vacation! Chris is working now, and I am officially staying at home. Now is the time when I would be going to back-to-school meetings, and apparently it is a good thing I am not trying to get a job here, because they have laid off tons of teachers and are currently in a hiring freeze!
So far back at home we are just settling in. Laundry, unpacking, organizing, grocery shopping, cooking, etc. I LOVE being able to make decent dinners. Today I started around 4 to make a delicious Spanish-style pizza that was ready near 7. Chris and I have been eating dinners from a new cookbook- The New Mediterranean Diet Cookbook. I love that I can spend time preparing a meal that take more time and energy. 
Alex, one of my former students made us a wonderful dinner while in Utah. She is going off to college now!
My sister, Alyssa, and Hadley in Sea Port Village in San Diego. Hadley wasn't too thrilled about the bird, but had it been a dog...that would have been different. She loves dogs!
I am old! I went to my 10 year high school reunion and met up with my friend that I went to elementary, middle and high school with! Seeing Tina was a highlight of the night! 
And Jade! I played field hockey and soccer through high school with her! She still looked so very much the same!
This one was taken in Missouri. Hadley's cousins were reading to her at bedtime. So cute!
Hadley stole the piece of chocolate that my grams had given to me on my way out the door and shoved it into her mouth before I knew what to do. Little girl likes chocolate- like her momma!
Yesterday we had such a wonderful day! After finally giving in and going in to the doctor here I found that I did indeed rupture my eardrum on the flight out here. (I screamed on the plane when it happened and was in so much pain. I'm sure people thought I was a nut case). I also am in the beginning stages of a sinus infection among other things. So, that was no good. But after we found that out I once again drugged myself so I could cope for a while and we headed out to San Diego. We met up with my grandparents at Balboa Park. I used to play there as a child- as did my mother when she was growing up. We rode the kiddie train and the carousel. Hadley has so much fun and aside from the sickness, it was pretty blissfull. We went to the grandparent's house afterwards and ate a nice rib dinner and played games. So fun!
Grandma gave me a chocolate as I was leaving and Hadley saw it in my hand as I was buckling her in her seat. She swiped it out of my hand and shoved it in her mouth before I knew what was going on. Do you think she enjoyed it?
I know my little one is not smiling in these photos, but she really did have a ton of fun. She was squealing on the carousel...it is just really hard to capture it on the camera with her. It's like she goes serious.
I have an etsy shop where I sell baby clothes and items (mostly for girls). I was trying to branch out and figure out a more girly top to go with the pants I make. Let me know what you think. I LOVE it! Hopefully I can make some (they are so easy an quick to make) and post them and get some sales here. 
Soon I hope to have a handful of these up in the etsy shop. It's a good thing they are quick to sew, because I don't have as much time to sew as I would have thought I would have staying home with my girl.
My little girl got a special treat. I was making cookies and decided to give her one. All for herself. She has once in a while gotten such a treat, but just a small bit. This time I gave her a whole one and she ate it all up without leaving a crumb and came back for more! Someone loves chocolate chip cookies!
Yes, I am still posting pictures from the time I spent in Arizona. My sister lives there, as do Chris' grandparents. We got to see Great-Grandma Lloyd and Great-Grandparents Lisonbee. Chris' folks happened to be visiting out there at the same time, so we saw them as well. It made me think of last year when I visited them with my new baby. I was so proud and it was so nice to have them share in my excitement.
backyard where we took the pictures and Hadley was more interested in trying to get in. Even Keiya had to help keep her away from the pool. But the pics with cousins Niyah and Keiya turned out great! I LOVE to see how much they love and admire one another. I know they are going to be best friends! Lately Chris and I have been saying how Hadley needs a sibling. I hope Hadley will be that loving toward a sibling when that time comes.
While in San Diego we also went to the zoo! I had just taken Hadley to the zoo in Albuquerque, and it was so tiny in comparision. I had never been to any zoo besides San Diego. We had a lot of 
fun at the San Diego one. I hadn't been since high school! I loved seeing the monkeys and the reptiles. And the aviary was enjoyable, too. It was so nice to not be in 100 degree weather while walking around, and the company was so enjoyable, too!
My older sister was there with her husband and 2 kids. Later on, my parents showed up too for a bit. One thing I liked to do while in San Diego was to pack lunches and eat them at the zoo and Sea World. Do you know how much money this saved us?!! It was a fun day with the whole family, and while we saw some animals doing interesting things (I'll say no more), it was fun to see what the kids enjoyed, too!
I love my two nieces- it is the greatest thing to see how much they adore one another! Keiya is 5 years old and Niyah is 6 months in these pictures.
Is that my Hadley sleeping below? It is, but it only lasted for about 10 minutes. 
