What I do

Sometimes Brandon asks me what Eden and I do at home all day. Not because he thinks we don't do anything productive, but (I think) because he wants to make sure I keep him up to date on what she's doing all day. 

So occasionally I take pictures of the goings on in our house just to make sure he's double informed.

None of these are spectacular photos. But trying to capture a moment and still maintain order with a nearing 16 month old is difficult. That's my excuse. So this was today:

In the bathtub with her toys? Her socks. Not sure why. But after I saw her bare feet earlier in the day, I searched the place high and low to try to find them. Not until bath time did we discover their hiding place. 

And a moment not captured on camera...breakfast. Usually she beats me to the kitchen because I'm slow at pulling my pajamas on while she's racing in there to await her chocolate milk. Well apparently yesterday evening we didn't shut the pantry door hard enough, because when I walk into the kitchen I find Eden munching down on cheesy goldfish crackers for her start of a nutritional breakfast. I'm just thankful it wasn't a fist full of the alternative on the bottom shelf in the pantry: bisquick. 

There's never a dull moment with Eden around. 

Musings from Chris...well sort of

Last weekend we enjoyed a little apartment get-together with many of our neighbors. With it being bitter cold lately, we don't go outside as much as we'd like. Which means that we don't see Chris as much as we'd like.

But he and his brothers came out of hiding for our apt party. And it was truly good to see him because he just brightens my soul.

Our sweet host, J, asked him if he'd like some hot chocolate with the one stipulation that he sit on the kitchen floor and not move from his post until he was finished.

So he sits on the floor, patiently (not so much) awaiting his hot chocolate.

J hands him his hot chocolate...

Now, keep in mind Chris is 5. Apparently at 5 years old a human being has yet to acquire "sipping knowledge" because he took one gander at that cup of steaming goodness with mini white marshmallows on top and began to gulp.

Every drop he took into his mouth immediately began pouring back out of his mouth onto his shirt, pants, and previously mentioned kitchen floor.

J and I both saw the tragedy and moved in to offer help. 

J: "Oh...Chris! I'm so sorry sweetie. Can I get you some water?"

Chris, grasping at his flaming hot shirt and with a sheepish down cast look on his face replies, " um. no thanks. I think I'll just chew on some ice."

I know it's not that hilarious. But the poor kid just had his little heart broken by that hot chocolate and the only thing he wanted was ice. ahhh...I just wanted to hug him. :)

Shortly after we arrived Chris' older brother, Eric, gave us a little dose of laughter for the evening. Eric is your typical eleven year old boy. He leaves wood shavings all over our apartment building lawn from whittling branches and sticks into spears and swords. And then he leaves those lying around for my curious toddler to discover. BUT that's a whole different blog.

We were asked to bring a dessert with us for the evening so Eric took it upon himself to make their dessert. His explanation:

"Well, it's a cake. But we didn't have cake mix. So I had to use a muffin mix. It tasted weird after I mixed it together so I added some vanilla. I think it came out ok."

We're all wide-eyed I'm sure, seeking further explanation of this dessert we knew we had to try out of adult responsibility.

His dad: "It was a blueberry muffin mix. He left out the blueberries."

Eric: "Well, who needs fruit anyway?"

Call me a terrible role model. I didn't try a piece. Though I heard through the millings of several others that it was pretty good "cake." 

I'm so ready for it to get warm outside. We get to see Chris and Eric more when it gets warm outside. :)

SNOW!

We woke up to that on Tuesday morning! And not only did we wake up to that, but we woke up to our neighbors throwing snowballs at each other at 7 am! It was awesome. Keep in mind that many of our neighbors are from Florida and Georgia...so this is a very rare treat for them! Of course, it seemed like a treat for us too since we've missed out on snowfall for the past three years! (just this past week it snowed three times in our Big Chicken city!! we're soooo sad we missed it!!)

Eden still wasn't too sure about all of it. Her pathetic and sorry excuse-for-gloves didn't insulate her hands well enough because she kept looking at her hands saying, "cold!" Plus, she's had a nasty hacking cough for the past week and probably knew she didn't need to be out there for very long. But our neighbor brought out a cool sled and her daring side came out. She enjoyed it!

In all we got about 6 inches of snow. We would have been happy with another foot or so, but we can't complain! NC seriously shuts down when this happens. Before even one snowflake fell, school cancellations were being broadcast on the news the night before. Brandon didn't have to go in to work as well as most of our neighbors. And perfect timing too. We're such suckers for current events type stuff that we enjoyed the time at home together to watch all the inauguration coverage. It was a perfect day to gaze outside at the peaceful snowfall, listen to our daughter* hack up a lung, and sip on hot chocolate. mmmmmm

*she's feeling much better now! after two weeks of inconsistent sleeping, 30 minute naps, nose drips, a nagging cough, and general fussiness, I think she's back to her usual happy self!  

First Ice Cream Cone

On saturday we made the long drive over to the nearest REI and, lo and behold, it's nestled in this really awesome outdoorsy-feeling mall. We shopped to our heart's content...well until our wallet's limit really and then found surprise #1. Five Guys Burgers and Fries was right next door. mmmmmm It's awesome. and just in time for lunch.

Given the choice of Five Guys and Chic-Fil-A, Eden chose the latter...er rather, her mama did for her. So she had some chicken pieces while Brandon and I enjoyed greasy cheeseburgers. And because we're now at the point in our lives where we're interested in prices of kid's meals, we pay attention to details. Did you know you can exchange that little book insert in the kid's meal (that a 15 month old couldn't care less about) for a free ice cream cone?! Awesome surprise #2 of the day! because really that means we get to share an ice cream cone while Eden gets a lick or two. And she really enjoyed that!

Isn't she so cool in her first REI purchase? Pink sunglasses. She's stylin now. Especially with her oh so awesome matching pink Nalgene sippy cup. (quick insert for fellow parents: Nalgene sippy cups are by far the best sippy cups we've found. no leakage whatsoever. and the price is completely comparable to anything you'd find at Target) *end blog commercial*

In other news...

Thanks for sticking with us through the blue blogging days. Since Eden got the pepto-bismol pink background for her "It's a Girl!" announcement, we thought it only appropriate that baby boy get some blue background. He remains nameless at this point as we're still deliberating. But once we've decided, we'll be sure to let you know so you can monogram some burp cloths and what not. :)  He's being spoiled already though by sweet neighbors and eager grand parents and has accumulated a few trucks and frogs and bears onesies. We're so blessed!

Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails

That's what little boys are made of!

Time to start accumulating blue!!

:)

Looking at 2008

I should start off the post by saying, "Wow! It's 2009 already?!" But I won't because that seems so cliche. 

2009 will be another exciting and full year with hopefully lots of surprises and changes that will grow and stretch us as a family even more! We'll celebrate 4 years of marriage, welcome a new baby into our home, Eden will turn 2, April 26, and Brandon 25. We're looking into a possible move back to Texas (SWBTS) and will hopefully move into our first and very own home. 

Something we've turned into a tradition for our family is making a book (shutterfly) of our "Top 10 of (enter year)." It's a fun way to look back and capture the important stuff we want to remember and we're hoping it will be a fun thing for our kids to do as they grow up. 2007 held lots of exciting events with a our first born's birth and tropical vacations. It was easy to create. And not that we have anything less exciting for 2008, it's just been harder coming up with our very favorite Top 10. But finally, we have it! 

blddldldldlldldlldldldldldldldlldbldbldbdldbdbdldlldld  (that's my drumroll)

Top 10 of 2008

1. Preparation for leaving China. Our last days there were full of bitter-sweet moments as we were excited to be returning to America yet sad to be leaving our home for the last 2 years.

2. Bek & Kev's wedding! What could be more fun that my sister marrying Brandon's best friend?!

3. Seeing family after 2 years away from them. My neice that was 2 when I left ran to me in the airport as soon as she saw me. I of course cried...and that will always be a moment I remember...hugging that precious little neck again and seeing my nephew for the first time ever. And having Christmas with them again this year was awesome!

4. Eden's first birthday! What an amazing gift she's been so far!

5. Making the decision to go back to East Asia long term. again...bitter sweet. :)

6. Brandon got to work with a new sister, AJ, before we left Chiner. She is amazing.

7. Thailand! Always an awesome time!! Plus our Thai massage is very much worth mentioning!

8. The Beijing Olympics. Do you recall how nuts we are about the Olympics? Add to it that they were in China and they were that much cooler!

9. DC vacay

10. moving to SEBTS. we've loved it here so far!

Christmas in a Hurry

I've got a serious case of blog neglect. Whenever I go a few weeks without posting anything new it's hard for me to get motivated again to update the world on the happenings in the Chancler household. Well that, and we've just been too busy to take the time to do it. I shouldn't even be doing this now... we've got three suitcases waiting to be unpacked, laundry covering the hallway, a christmas tree that needs to be put away, groceries that need to be bought, and a little girl that needs to catch up on about 8 hours of sleep. but alas...I'm blogging.

so here is our Christmas holiday update...

Flights to texas are few and far between apparently, causing us to leave our apartment at four a.m. Early mornings, lack of sleep, and airplanes only do one thing for me...make me sick. So I started off the Christmas holiday with a sinus infection. However, that wasn't the worst of what was to come in the next few weeks. A few days after we arrived, Eden showed sure signs of having the stomach flu. After a few nights of throwing up, general whiny-ness, and a very bland diet, she got over it and is no worse for the wear. BUT, the blasted stomach flu then passed itself on to each and every one of our family members...including me and Brandon. So for every day that we were back there was at least someone that we were related to at home puking. awesome. 

It snowed! Not much. But it was enough to throw some warm clothes on the munchkin and step outside for some pictures. She wasn't too convinced that snow is fun to eat.

I felt the first flutters of baby movement. Either that or I ate one too many Taco Villa bean burritos.

Eden's Christmas day outfit made her slightly resemble an elf.

and oooohhhhh the gifts. wonderful awesome amazing and neat stuff....of which we got way too much and had trouble bringing it all home. Here's Brandon's reaction to one of his gifts from my brother...

yes. that's a clip for his Glock. and it holds 33 rounds and is probably only legal in Texas. 

Eden got hoards of toys but her best reactions came when she opened up the clothing. She's such a girl. 

We had a great time with family and friends and were fortunate to have been able to see just about everyone in our families. I think we had six separate Christmas meals spread out over the 2 weeks...which is exhausting and overwhelming, but still fun.

We got back at 2 a.m. last night after barely surviving the roughest flight and landing we've ever been on. It was indeed a miserable trip because EVERY single seat was taken, meaning Eden had to sit on our lap the whole way, and well, she just isn't used to sleeping on us. But that was her 18th flight so she's more or less a pro at it and did pretty well for being 15 months old, sleepy, cranky, and restless. 

Brandon doesn't start classes for another couple weeks, so we're looking forward to some time at home relaxing and recovering with one another!

Hope your Christmas was very Merry!

And Happy 2009!