Monday, January 25, 2010

Seasons Greetings!


Yes, I know we are running about a month late with everything , but in frugal fashion and an attempt to go green (just like last year ), enjoy our holiday greetings and year's review!


Dear Friends & Family,

Since this is a little late to be a "Christmas card", we're going to claim a true review of the year couldn't happen until it was completely over…(just humor us J). Looking back at 2009 brings nothing but smiles to our faces. We have been so blessed and hope that 2010 will be as good as the last year—for us and for you!

2009 In Our Own Words

Brian: In the third year of medical school, I'm now doing my clinical rotations which are definitely more enjoyable than all-day lecture. I've liked so many of my rotations that deciding on a specialty to go into will be very difficult. What brings me the most joy is seeing my two boys grow so fast. I love coming home to see Ethan's face light up and then being able to spend some precious time playing together. Gavin's little smile always makes me laugh—he is changing so much in such little time. I'm excited to someday be less busy with school, so I can have more family time. Chelsea's been patient and supportive of my busy schedule; I would NOT be able to get through school without her. But, despite busy days, long hours, and longer weeks, I feel this past year has been the best yet! New Year's resolutions include: Run another marathon, survive another year of med school, and get a decent night's sleep at least once.


Chelsea: My boys are my life. I am pretty much joined at the hip with the kids—Ethan socially ("Mommy, help build blocks, read books, play in my room, play cars?"…etc.) and Gavin physically (Brian constantly gets a kick out of the sight of Gavin held on my hip just enjoying the free ride around the house while I attempt to function in my responsibilities one handed). I love my daily "siesta" with the kids—naptime is apparently a hard habit to break J. Any free time is typically spent doing crafts, projects, trying out new recipes and reading. New Year's resolutions include: getting Gavin to have an earlier bedtime than me, run a race, and survive another Iowa winter—current temperature reads -6 F!

Ethan: My world turned upside down when my mom brought home a baby in September. For a while, I tried to get rid of him, but it didn't work. After that I decided to become the best big brother ever. I love Gavin so much and each time I see him, I jump up and down with joy. I make sure to show-off to him my every move so he knows what a big boy I am. I'm always busy jumping, running in circles, playing toys, reading books, and learning new things like the alphabet and numbers. I'm best friends with Mom, although nothing beats when Daddy comes home and we can WRESTLE! New Year's resolutions include: eat better (I'm VERY picky) and get potty trained (Yikes!).

Gavin: Most my year was spent in embryo, but the final 3 months of 2009 really threw me through a loop. I'm an angel—I sleep pretty good and am typically content to sit and be entertained by my silly big brother and his shenanigans. My favorite pastimes include blowing spit bubbles, babbling, and trying to make early-bird Mom into a night owl. New Year's resolutions include: self-defense against overly adoring brother, and avoid getting another cold (current stat is 5 colds in less than 4 months of life!).

We hope all our friends and family are doing well; we love you and especially miss those we haven't seen since our move to Iowa City. Please keep in touch; we'd love to hear from you!

Love,

The Cheneys

Monday, January 11, 2010

Ward Christmas Party

In traditional fashion, Ethan screamed bloody murder when we tried to put him on Santa's lap at the ward Christmas party. Of course, last year we were able to pry him off of us to actually sit on Santa's lap. This year, Ethan's grip was tearing into my skin deep enough that we just all jumped in for a family picture instead. Hopefully this just means he will always value and remember the true meaning of Christmas with the nativity story, more than he focuses on the pagan traditions?


2008/ 2009

Mini Me

Ethan loves to imitate his parents.
One Saturday morning, Ethan insisted he and Brian get ready to go to school by putting on their shoes and backpacks (pj's are apparently an okay dress code). Brian sweetly complied. Off they went pretending to get on the bus.


Ethan experiments feeding his baby like mommy.

This may be needed for blackmail some day...

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Bundle of Blessings

Gavin received his baby blessing at church a few weeks ago by his father. It was so sweet, my favorite was that Brian blessed Gavin to be a leader through quiet example throughout his life. So far, Gavin has been just that in our family. He is a sweet angel who doesn't mind hanging out by himself when mom is busy and sweetly cooes to himself or at us as we bustle about our busy little activities at home. We are so very blessed to have him in our family, we all love him so much. And he got his daddy's big blue eyes, I just giggle with joy to have a blue-eyed baby!

Ethan is such a good big brother and completely adores "me bebe."




This photo wasn't even posed. Ethan was insisting on helping Gavin to read a book, so Brian stepped in to help. What cute boys!


Who's who?

Left: Ethan Right: Gavin

Friday, November 6, 2009

TWO!

As of October 5, Ethan is now officially a two-year-old! It was a pretty low-key birthday since his mom was too exhausted to plan or do much since it was just about two weeks after having a baby. Since Ethan (Mr. Picky) doesn't like cake or ice cream, we settled for chocolate chip cookies. He got to have some friends come over to play that day, watch a few Elmo movies, play at the library, and shoot balls into his new basketball hoop for his big day. Terrible twos here they come! Yikes! Good thing he's so darn adorable, his laugh and little personality just make me melt!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

It's the Great Pumkpin, Charlie Brown

Happy Halloween from the Peanuts Gang!
Love,
Schroader, Lucy, Charlie Brown, and Snoopy


Monday, October 26, 2009

Sister Sister



The weekend after Gavin was born, Alyssa and Kaitlin, two of my three sisters (we missed you Carmelle!) came to visit for two days to meet little Gavin and see Wicked while it was on tour in Des Moines since it was Kaitlin's big 18th birthday! It was so fun to see them-- I can't wait to see my whole family at the same time for Christmas!