3-Year-Old Soccer

At this age, community soccer leagues are quite entertaining. Not in the "way-to-score-a-goal!" kind of way, but in the "wow-I-can't-believe-we-paid-money-to-have-our-child-completely-ignore-his-soccer-game" kind of way. Regardless, I guess the small fee was worth it because Ethan had fun and I spent the whole game cracking up at my child and almost everyone else's in the league.

For 3-year-olds, there is pretty much a mob-mentality to the game--everyone just runs around in a herd after the one or two kids that actually kick the ball. Ethan was quite different though--not very competitive, he worked hard during the 15 minutes of practice, but then sat out or did his own thing during the half hour game that followed because the other kids wanted the ball. Enjoy the pictures!








Apparently, soccer's pretty exhausting (and it was HOT!)





My favorite time was when all the parents on our team started laughing because one of the kids was way out on the other side of the field working on head-stands, oblivious to anything else. I, of course, couldn't stop laughing but managed to pull out my camera, because, hey, it was Ethan! :)

A House to call Home

For the first time since we've been married, and after living in 13 apartments since I turned 18, (more for Brian), we FINALLY have a house to call our home!

We LOVE LOVE LOVE our new home. We are so grateful to be able to live here and are so happy! Some of our favorite things about having a house:

• A garage! No more de-icing/de-snowing/warming up for 30 minutes everytime we leave the house in the winter.
• A fenced in yard: no more do my children only have a small front yard on a busy (and less-than-desirably-safe) street to play in.
• The neighbors and neighborhood: everyone is SOO nice, we love our neighbors, and don't miss the bus stop in front of our house, the train tracks down the street, or the sketchy neighbors.
• Color! Our walls are painted and we can do whatever we want with our decorating.
  

There are so many more reasons we love our home, but I'll stop there. But check out the beautiful view we have--

Cheney Reunion

In June we made a trek out West with Brian's dad-- he was SOO patient and generous to let us ride in his van with him for the 24 hour drive there and back. After an overnight drive to Salt Lake, we spent the weekend with my sister Carmelle, and got to visit my grandparents, sister Kaitlin, and old roommate Liz. It was great! I wish we lived closer to my family for more late night crafting, snacking, talking, and dancing :)
We then drove up to Boise for a great Cheney family reunion. With Brian's dad and siblings families, we got to stay in this awesome cabin with a great view of Cascade Lake. We had so much fun geocaching, hiking, sledding, sitting around bonfires and having fun together.
Then for a few days we went to Meridian Idaho to spend time with the extended Cheney family. We had a talent show/ "Minute to Win It" contest, swim party, town parade, and day at the lake. It was such a good trip and we loved it, despite a rough ending as our kids had the stomach flu on the trip home :( I love being a Cheney!

Return from the Blogging Blahs

A case of blog binging again...
Scroll down for 3 new posts :)

26.2

Bucket list item #37: Run a marathon.

Check.

!

Fargo marathon was much better than expected. Brian and I both did better than we expected (3:53 for me!). And I haven't run again since. Hopefully all that calorie burning was enough to call it good for the next year or two?

Happy Graduation!

4 years of work has paid off. And the Dr. is in! Congrats Brian!

Viva Costa Rica!

Costa Rica! The end of med school was celebrated with a trip to Costa Rica! Since the beginning of year one, the pains of med school were endured with the thought of "Just wait, at the end of this, we'll go on an exotic vacation with friends, and no kids!" Well, it happened. A few weeks ago, with our friends Jared and Jennifer Jackson, we hopped on a plane and spent 7 days in beautiful Costa Rica. Summary of it's awesomeness in photos:


Roads were absolutely ridiculous. From the narrow windy paths up near vertical mountain roads, to driving for miles the wrong direction on the interstate, the hours of driving I did kept my heart racing and the trip adventurous.



Arenal Volcano--Costa Rica's most active volcano.



The gorgeous hot springs of EcoThermales.



Hanging Bridges-- walking through and over the rain forest was incredible!



La Fortuna Waterfall--brrrr!



Never smile at a crocodile...



Ziplining down the jungle




Manuel Antonio-- the kind of beach you dream about. Secluded, gorgeous, water perfect temperature... Ahh, I want to go back!