Happy Birthday to....Gaga & Uncle Mark (and a VERY belated to Papa...oops!)

Somehow in the craziness of Halloween, we forgot to wish Papa a proper Happy Birthday on Halloween via the blog, so here's to Papa who loves to get down and play with his grandkids whether it's building block towers or reading books. He's pretty great! Sometimes fights break out over who is going to play with him. Lucky guy?!?!



Papa, Grady, Drew, and Nonna on a fall visit to Alpharetta

(We always look so forward to these visits!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Now on to our  most recent shared birthdays...that's right, my mom (Gaga) and Dave's brother (Uncle Mark) share the same exact birthday, and if we're going even further, Chelsea's mom (TuTu) also has a birthday on January 13th.

We celebrated with my mom on her actual birthday. She and Dad hosted us at their house for our favorite spicy, cheesy potato soup, cornbread, and yummy wine. We are so thankful to have my parents close by because the boys love to hang out with them. We also couldn't accomplish a lot of what we do on a weekly basis without them. Gaga is a true treasure...a master juggler of all 3 grandbabies, folder of laundry--thank you!, giver of advice, supporter of all we do, and favorite playmate. She always has a treat waiting for the boys especially glasses full of chocolate milk. Her birthday was a great success for all!

Drew, Grady, Gaga, & Hudson at the end of Gaga's birthday party...in jammies and headed home to bed.

Fun was had by all...

And then we must talk about this newly crowned 30 year old...Uncle Mark who is beloved by all of nephews and niece. He never hesitates to play with them or put them in their place. He'll throw a ball or chase them all around, and they love it! We were fortunate to celebrate early over Christmas with a traditional Carvel ice cream cake and some fun while in Tampa. Big changes are on the horizon for Mark as he leaves Michigan for the first time (this week, actually) in over a decade for a promotion in St. Louis. We are so excited for him as he embarks on this new journey in his life. Happy 30th Birthday--Uncle Mark!

Drew, Carmen, Mark, Grady, and Caal

Christmas 2011

Well, time for a Dave post. I figured it would be time for one of us to try and keep the blog updated and since I am the one taking the pictures I figured it would be best if I just went a head and posted them. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years.

The Yuhas Clan started the Holidays here in Atlanta, celebrating with Drew and Grady's School, and then enjoying Christmas Eve at Gaga & Pop's house with Kari's family. Christmas Day we woke up to find that Santa was very nice to the boys. It was quick morning of unwrapping presents and then we jumped into the Yuhas Family Truckster for the drive to Tampa. My parents and Mark flew from the cold north so we all could enjoy a warm Christmas in Florida. Thanks for Caci, Tia Jen, Caal and Carmen for hosting.
After a few warm days in Florida we returned to Alpharetta to enjoy the last few days of the school break before reality set in and we all went back to work this week.

Drew on Christmas Eve

How can Drew be so old? I blinked and 5 years has gone by!



Grady the Cookie Maker



Drew and Grady helping Mommy make Christmas Cookies. Red Hot's anyone??



Grady making sure the Fire Place is up to code and current on inspections prior to the big arrival.



A little brotherly fun on Christmas Eve Night



The delivery has been made. Thanks Santa!!

Thanks Papa for the sleds, now lets keep our fingers crossed for some snow!!



Nonna enjoying a litte quite time with Carmen in Tampa



Nonna and Papa with the grandkids!!



Unlce Mark and all the kids.



We had to celebrate Uncle Mark's 30th. How is my baby brother (can't call him little) turning 30 already?



View from the front of Carlos' family beach house in Indian Rocks Beach.



A Little New Years Fun by the fire, maybe too much fun, we almost missed the ball drop.



I think we had the fire hot enough





 

Grady singing "Away In The Manger" at the Open Arms Christmas Performance

Grady after the Big Show

Drew after rocking Silent Night

Little Cousin Hudson after show. We are love that Hudson goes to the same school as the boys.

Happy belated x 2...

First of all...Happy Belated Birthday to Dave's sister, Jen. She celebrated her special day on November 4th. This is a special day in our family as it is my Sissy's birthday too. We were fortunate enough to spend time with Jen and her family on her actual birthday. That never happens, but we were in Tampa to meet our new niece, Carmen...what a special family and special weekend. Thanks to Jen, Carlos, Caal, and now..sweet baby Carmen for hosting us for a fast but fun weekend. We wish they lived closer; we always have so much fun with them.

Next...happy belated 5th birthday to Drewman. Wow---I can't believe that you are five, little man. We brought you home from Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center on a blustery December day in 2006. What a sweet blessing you have been to us?! You are full of energy; although, you love to veg out in front of the TV to watch a good movie or "show." You're a tender-hearted boy who is always looking out for others. You are desperate to learn to read, and we practice all the time. You love chocolate milk, all of your grandparents (who adore you as well), your brother, your cousins...Hud, Caal, and baby Carmen, watching football, playing with Legos, cars, and Transformers. You hate going to bed and taking a nap (well, most days you don't like a nap.) You love watching WordWorld, Power Rangers, and Transformers, but you are always willing to let Grady watch his show first...Elmo's World. You love to play with your friends in the neighborhood, and they love to hang out with you too. You're kind, smart, and funny. I love to see you laugh and smile, and you are the most ticklish person that I have ever met. We love you!

Drew at 2 1/2 years old...

And just now..at 5 with your little bro...holding his hand and protecting him as you do best...

Happy belated and happy early birthdays to...

Our sweet niece arrived on September 27th, 2011...Caal welcomed a baby sister, Carmen Louise. Yay...a girl! We are so excited. They are all doing well.

And Happy early 2nd birthday to GRADY JOSEPH! We're headed to Nashville for a wedding in a few hours, so I won't be able to blog tomorrow. How time flies....

Grady - You are a crazy man. We love to call you Gradymeister, and you love to keep us on our toes. You are not ready to give up your beloved paci yet, and frankly, we're just going to let you keep it for awhile. You are headstrong and stubborn..wonder where you got those qualities from?!?! (Can you say...your Daddy?!) Ha! You love Elmo, The Wiggles, any kind of ball, your potty time book, riding on your tricycle, cereal, MILK, yogurt, ice cream, anything sweet (that might be from your Mommy), and your favorite...your big brother, Drewman. You hate showers/baths, being away from Drewman, not getting your way, and eating dinner.

We are so thankful for the past 2 years of your sweet life...happy birthday, little man!

Happy belated birthday to....Jay-Jay, Nonna, & Pops

So...what have we been up to since June?! Well --- We took a long drive to Rochester, NY via Leesburg, VA to see Dave's family, Marty, Jeannie, and crew; We dropped off Drew and Grady with Dave's parents then took a 5 day trip to NYC (just me and Dave--10 year anniversary); Drew learned how to really swim on his own; Grady learned to exercise his right to be either very happy or very mad (hilarious and painful at the same time); Dave is finishing our sunroom into another family room (since we don't have a basement); I'm training for the Atlanta half-marathon on Oct 2; We're waiting for baby Cisneros who will be born on Sept. 27th...yippee, and we're all back at school...summer is over, and fall is here. We're asking for prayers for my grandmother, Grams, as she is fighting off an infection in the hospital right now that has been taxing both mentally and physically on her and the family.

In the meantime Pops celebrated his birthday yesterday on Sept 16th. We celebrated with pizza and playtime with the three stooges...Drew, Grady, and Hudson. He wouldn't have had it any other way. They all love to play with him too. He's also a very good frozen yogurt date...or so we hear from Drew & Grady.Thanks for always making us laugh and for supporting us in all we do...we love you, Pops.

And to our sweet, Nonna, who celebrated a milestone bday (you do the math) on Sept. 11th. Nonna is a doting grandma who loves to play baseball, golf, and just about anything else with her boys. She's definitely not afraid to get down and dirty with them. They are so lucky to have her and so are we.

And a VERY belated to Uncle Jay-Jay who turned 29 on August 22nd...our boys love to wrestle with their Uncle Jay-Jay, and they really love cheering on his beloved Florida Gators with him too. He's got all three boys doing the Gator-chomp. We love having him so close, so all the kids can be together. Happy belated...little bro!

I'm not sure when I'll update again because we're busy fixing up the ol' homestead and watching college football these days.

Hope this finds you doing well.



Happy belated 4th Birthday to Caal...

Our sweet Caal turned 4 yesterday, and we hate that we live so far away and can't celebrate in person. Caal is full of life and full of fun. He's also about to be a big brother...yippee! We can't wait to add another cousin to the mix. This picture was taken at the beach in April, so I know he's changed even more. He, Drew, and Grady are great pals and loved playing the few days we were with them. We can't wait to see him this fall and meet the baby. Sometimes Drew and Caal even talk on the phone...it's precious. Yes, I said precious, but it is.

This summer has been filled with playdates, pool playdates, lazy days, school days, playing, playing, and more playing. I'm wiped out for sure, and once again, I only have respect for the stay at home moms and dads who do this all year long.

We're headed to Rochester this week then Dave and I will be taking a short trip to NYC for our 10 year wedding anniversary. We can't wait...it's much needed for sure. The boys will stay with his parents while we are enjoying some time just to ourselves. That's a rarity these days.

I'll post some other pictures soon of all of our summer adventures.