Wesley's 6 month photo shoot

Pics o' Bros

Baby it's cold outside!

We are really experiencing a Chicago winter. I've actually enjoyed all the snow. I think it's pretty and it can be fun too. We are getting some pretty good piles from all the shoveling we've had to do. But right now it is 32 degrees BELOW ZERO outside! Wow! You wouldn't believe the weird things that happen when it is that cold. All of the windows in my house are covered in ice--ON THE INSIDE!

And we have double doors to the outside in our bedroom that are totally frosted over--ON THE INSIDE--there is ice in my bedroom!! I leaned some pillows up against the door to try and keep some of the cold air out and now those pillows are frozen to the doors!

Too bad the inside of my bedroom looks like the inside of an ice box!!! Yes, that hinge is covered in frost!

When you're outside you can feel the snot in your nose freeze before it can run out of your nose. When we open the garage door we have to make sure we put it down really quickly because the sensors freeze and so it thinks something is in the way and it won't close again. And today the schools were closed, not because of snow, but because it was so freaking cold!!!

I am happy to report that we are still alive here in the arctic! The temps are supposed to creep back into the positive numbers this weekend so we'll be up for visitors, anyone?

Christmas Morning

I am still trying to catch up from the holidays. So here are some pictures from Christmas morning at the Chandler home.

Santa brought Dillon just what he wanted--a train wash to go with his Thomas train set Wesley on Christmas morning. You can see his little watery eyes. Poor guy was sick on his first Christmas. (You can also see his little "Yoda" ears and chest drenched in drool!) Dillon loves to open the presents. He's very good at finding the opening in the paper. Here you see him opening a cool "Lightning McQueen" from Grandma Lori!

I just thought this picture was funny. You can see the luck I have getting a good picture of them together.

One more failed attempt at a brother picture.

Christmas Eve

In the Chandler home, Christmas Eve is quite the operation. It's an all-night kind of deal. I won't go into details, but it's a lot of fun. Dillon got to open his first gift--new Christmas Eve jammies to match his cousins.

Aaron and I pulled out our famous Christmas jammies. I think we'll still be wearing them when we're 80. This is a little family picture before the pajama parade began.

We had a little program and sung songs to help tell the nativity story. Then Aaron and I sung "Have Yourself..." (And no, I did not gain 100 pounds, although the red pajamas may lead you to think so.)

Cousin Fun

A little over a year ago Dillon was the only grandchild in the Chandler family--now there are 5! It was fun to see them all together, especially with matching jammies.

Wesley and Chandler under the Christmas tree enjoying the lights (and Chandler's arm) Singing with 2nd cousin, Collin, on Christmas Eve Matching jammies on Christmas Eve. Check out Amy and Shane's blog for better pictures.

Wesley and Chandler smiling at Grandma Lori

Once again, playing with poor Chandler's arm.

Christmas Vacation

On December 17th, we flew to Salt Lake to begin our Christmas vacation. We spent that night at my grandma and grandpa Hobbs' house. As always, it was so fun to see them. The next night we ate at Heather's house and stayed at her hotel and on Friday we drove to Twin Falls to spend the remainder of the trip. We were able to visit my Petty grandparents and make a visit to the temple too.

It doesn't take much to get a smile out of Wesley. He is quite the charmer.

Grandma has the special touch--she was able to get keep Dillon on some sort of schedule, making a trip to the bathroom before going down for a great nap. We were able to see Brittany, Jason, Diana and Uncle Randy too while we were in Utah.

One of the first days in Twin we got a lot of snow and were able to take Dillon out to play.

(Dillon, Aaron, Don, Lauren)

The cousins had a 4-wheeler that was a great substitute for a hill. Dillon loved the ride!