Father's Day 2010

This year, we spent Father's Day with Jon's family. It was very different than any other year (or family get together, for that matter) because people were all on vacation. This year, we celebrated it with Jon's Grandpa Gene and Grandma Wanda, his parents Rich and Carolyn, his other Grandpa John, and his aunt Cheryl, and of course the cat (Ethan wanted me to throw that in). It was really nice sitting around the table all together and chatting. Ethan did a great job being patient (he had some help . . . thanks Nanny for the toy! Ethan loves it!) while we sat at the table and watched the men open presents.

Ethan had fun playing golf with his grandpa. . . anything with a ball and grass and he's a happy boy. He also spent some time chasing the cat, trying to feed the cat, and even hugging the cat. We even got the opportunity to take a 4 generation picture with Ethan, Jon, Rich, Gene, and John.

Happy Father's Day!

baking time

Ethan loves to help me in the kitchen, so when we were making cupcakes at my mom's house (our oven still out of service), he climbed up onto the nearest stool and helped mix the batter. He had so much fun! We even gave him a beater to lick at the end, and got mad when there was non left. He's a pretty good cook. . . they came out delicious!

Yosemite

We recently went to Yosemite with Josh and Steph in celebration of Steph's birthday. This past year, we celebrated each other's birthdays by going on some sort of adventure (November-beach, March-snow, and June-Yosemite). We really enjoy having friends who like to go on adventures like us! We went last year at the beginning of June and had winter-like weather and rain (which was fun!) and this year, the weather was about as perfect as it could get - perfect for hiking! Steph wanted to hike up to Vernal Falls, which is an absolutely beautiful hike. However, with Jon carrying Ethan on his back, me a backpack full of food and water, and Josh and Steph taking turns carrying Abi on their back, we made it as far as Mist Bridge.

The change in altitude, weighed down, and walking up hill wore us all out, that Steph made the call to just walk to the bridge (which was unanimously agreed upon!). There were lots of people also hiking that day (first weekend of summer vacation for most people), but we managed to find a nice, shady spot to have a picnic and let the kids walk around for a bit. The kids even walked hand in hand for a little bit past the bridge. They loved it!
We had a lot of fun on our day trip! The kids were such troopers and incredibly well behaved (No whining here!). We did learn something about our kids, though. When we were getting out the car and unloading, Abi got very upset, resulting in her throwing up all over the place. Ethan did fine, until a few minutes after they left and we were trying to get him into the bath. He started screaming and running to the front door, trying to open it and peering out the window. We think he was calling for Abi. Our theory is that Abi and Ethan got so worked up that they didn't get to say goodbye to each other. We will now be making sure that happens.

Blueberry Pancake Time. . .

Last week, I made this new recipe, Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes (so very good, by the way!) for dinner. I don't really ever make pancakes for breakfast - because it's just more fun to eat it for dinner (plus, I am not a morning person and none of us here are huge breakfast eaters). Costco has the most amazing blueberries (they are the freshest and the cheapest!) and Ethan could probably eat blueberries all day, everyday. He also LOVES maple syrup. In fact, I am sure that he could probably just eat the syrup for breakfast and he'd be content. . . my mom might just agree! So, needless to say, pancakes + fresh blueberries + toddler = a beautiful mess! I will also confess that we just took him straight to the bathtub after this meal!

More summer fun

We are having so much fun this summer . . . and it's just begun! These pictures were all taken last Thursday. We had a fun swim playdate at my Mentor Mom's house with the rest of the ladies at my table. It was so much fun. It was also a tad chilly - but we still managed to get some swimming in and even some time on the trampoline! Ethan loved both! Thanks to Gail for opening up her home to us for a playdate. . . it was a blast!

Afterwards, we went home for a mega nap (we were pooped!). But, we had so much fun in the pool that we decided to join our friend's Josh and Steph for some more pool fun and BBQ'ed pizza at Josh's parent's house. We had fun too! Ethan loved the sand box.

I am looking forward to many more fun days ahead.

A time for celebration. . .

One week ago, our nephew, Cooper, finished his first year of school. . . kindergarten. We got to go and watch the whole celebration at his school. It was so much fun!

Logan (Cooper's brother) and Ethan had so much fun! This picture was taken before it started, but they when the kids were singing, they would both try to do the motions with the kids. So cute! They also had fun playing with grandma's toy dinosaur.

Cooper got his name called and shook the principal's hand (I think it was the principal anyway).

During their performance, Cooper and a friend got up and said a cute little poem that he memorized.
Ethan and Logan took turns sitting on Grandma's lap. This time, it was Ethan's turn. Here he is trying to do the motions to one of the songs. I love it!
Jeff, Kelley, Logan, Doug, and Diane (Kelley's parents) watching Cooper perform.

Minus the lady in front, here they are singing and doing the motions.

And finally, Cooper and his very proud Mom, Kelley!

Good Job, Cooper!

Soccer time!

Not only is it World Cup time, but it is the time of year when Jon goes back to Indoor Soccer. Most of Jon's games are past Ethan's bedtime, but last week we were able to go. Ethan and I had so much fun watching Jon and his team play. Last week, they played a team that was short a few players and won! Yeah, Jon's team! Jon even scored a goal! Ethan enjoyed watching the game. He was pretty excited to see the ball move so quickly across the playing area. He had a hard time figuring out which one was dad unless he was close.

Jon's next game is Thursday night at 6:15 (tomorrow) if anyone wants to come cheer him on. Games run about 45 minutes. Fresno Indoor soccer is located on Cedar and Shaw, across the street from the parking lot at Fresno State.

summer = popsicles

The weather here has been perfect! Since we have had a longer spring than normal, the warm afternoons have been really nice. In fact, the weather this week is quite warm and we have already been swimming several times! Last week, Ethan had a popsicle for dessert while we were playing outside.

He did so well! When he was tired of it, he just set it gently on the ground and then rinsed it off in the water while we were watering the garden.
Yummm!
mmmmm. . . good!
tasty!

Cheeney Family Cookbook

Cheeney Family Cookbook by Jolie Klassen | Make Your Own Book

The best small group ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have been so blessed with our small group! Although, over the years we have welcomed new friends into our group and said goodbye to some, we have continued to meet on a regular basis for about 4 years! Our group is such a blessing and source of encouragement - we laugh a lot, get off topic a lot, study the Bible, and share each others hopes, dreams, and burdens. It truly is a special find to have that kind of small group!

One of our annual traditions is a memorial weekend BBQ. So instead of getting into the Word (right now, we are studying the women of Genesis), we took some time to fire up the grill and cook some delicious kabobs! Man, were they good! Amelia even made us up some yummy Sangria. It was such a relaxing night of fellowship! Can't wait for the next one!

Michelle's Baby Shower

Last weekend, the girls in our small group got together for some tea at the Victoria Rose Cottage in Clovis to honor Michelle's upcoming baby boy. In fact, so upcoming that she had him 2 days later. . . Joshua Allan Hass. We had a lot of honoring our friend!

Dad's BBQ Buddy. . . so he can help his daddy cook up some tri-tip.

Another shirt

Stephanie and Bria

Denise and Amelia

Our whole group. . . and our yummy vanilla lemonades. . . scrumptious!

Beach Trip

The highlight of the month of May, was our long awaited trip to the beach. Ethan and I, along with our friends Stephanie and Abi left a day early for some fun before our husband's could join us (Thanks Jon for working so we can go to the beach). Jon and Josh drove up Thursday night after work. The weekend was incredibly windy, which made for in incredibly relaxing weekend. . . which was much needed.

The first night (Wednesday), Steph and I packed up the kiddos and the sand toys and headed for the beach. We got as far as the sand and dried seaweed when the kids decided they wanted to play. They ran around squealing and laughing as they dug in the sand and played in the wind. I think we were the ONLY ones on the beach. . . it was great! After the wind became too much, we packed everything up (including the kids) and headed back to the beach house.

The rest of the weekend included some fun adventures diving the wind and hanging out around the house. Friday night, we BBQ'd some fine steaks and shrimp. We ate such deliciousness. I even got to bake up some yumminess since I had use of an oven! On Saturday evening, Jon, Ethan and I headed into Morro Bay for the Farmer's Market and ended up hiding between buildings to be safe from the wind. The restaurant we were planning on eating dinner at ended up being the place to be (some sort of jazz concert + surcharge), so we drove into San Luis, escaping the wind, and ate at Mo's. I've never eaten there before. . . but it is good (really good).

Sunday, we packed everything up and headed back to reality. It as a nice trip. . . I can't get enough of the ocean air!