Happy Father's Day to...

four of my favorite dads. (Let me do a minor disclaimer here: I did not do an official Mother's Day post...we were traveling back from Texas from visiting my grandmother. So...please forgive me - Mom, Cindy, and Chels). My dad is on a golf trip in NC with some buddies, so we had an early Father's day celebration with him on Thursday night then today my aunt, Fran, treated us to a great breakfast.

First of all, thanks to my dad who is soaking up some humidity but having lots of fun on his golf trip. Dad - Thanks for loving the grandbabies and the big kids too! You always make us laugh A LOT, and we appreciate your guidance! We missed you at breakfast today.


To Dave: Thanks for dealing with all the craziness that is our life right now. Whew! It's exhausting, but I'd be clueless and REALLY stressed without you. You're an amazing dad.

To my little brother, Jay, on his first Father's Day: Enjoy and Congrats! You're such a natural with Hudson, and it's awesome to watch. Drew and Grady are lucky to have you as their uncle.

To Steve-o (Papa): Happy Father's Day to you too. We can't wait to see you in a few weeks in NY. Drew and Grady will be ready to play...they love playing with you. Get ready!

Jay, Chelsea, and Hudson on Jay's first Father's Day

Chels and Gaga at breakfast today

Hudson and a quiet & gentle (for once) Drew

Fran and Hudson

Drew helping Pops open his Father's Day presents

A new family photo...

A new camera, more summer fun...

Dave and I got a new camera because our old one took a dip into a cup of coffee. It was TOTALLY my fault. I was on the computer, and Drew was trying to get my attention...I kept telling him to wait. He said, "Look, Mommy" as he dropped it into my VERY FULL coffee cup.

We've mostly been going to playdates, the park, and the pool which has been great. They both love the water, and Drew even started jumping in from the side of the pool to Dave...huge accomplishment for us. He's still wearing water wings much to my dismay...we're working on it.

I'm busy working on some lessons for a new software my county bought (getting paid...yippee!), tutoring a little, and teaching the first 3 weeks of my friend, Todd's, online summer American Literature class while he's in Europe (getting paid again...yippee!), and Dave is driving all around metro Atlanta (his office in Midtown, jobsite in Decatur, jobsite in Marietta) most days to check on his jobs. He's found time to do some stuff around the house though...

And yes, I got strep throat AGAIN! Seriously...what am I, 5 years old?! Apparently, I reinfected myself through my toothpaste...really?!

Anyway, Dave took most of the pictures below. Enjoy!

Dave took this picture of an old oil can from his grandparents' farmhouse which we have sitting next to flowers we planted this spring.

We are lucky enough to have two amazing hydrangea bushes on the side of our house. They are amazing right now. I've had a vase full of them for several weeks. This picture just doesn't do them justice.
Grady in his usual state...happy...seriously, this kid wakes up from every nap looking like this, and whenever he gets any attention thrown his way (which is a lot as you can imagine), he smiles like this. It's the best thing ever!

Drew and Grady hanging out in the kitchen with their drumsticks. They actually play together quite a bit. Grady is always entertained by Drew and his antics, and Drew is always happy to have an audience. I wonder where he got that from?!

Grady crawling around the family room - He started a few weeks ago...at 7 months. I don't think Drew was crawling this early, but Grady has to keep up with Drew who he adores, so he had to get moving to do it. He does more of a Navy Seal drag, but he's pretty fast.

Drew swimming like a fish
Mommy, Grady, and Drew at the pool

Drewman at my parents' house - They had a get together, and this is at about 10:30 pm...VERY LATE for our little man, but this is pretty much how he looks ALL the time...running, happy, and smiling (a 3 year old who is FULL of energy)

Grady - a mess after eating squash, applesauce, and baked beans (yes, baked beans...he loves them! He fed those to himself.)

Drew - Smiling for his daddy (who I think he is starting to look so much like...) As you can see, Drew has a nice little tan from the pool, and we decided tonight on the way home from the pool that he can probably get by without the SPF swimshirt I've had him wearing. He has a nasty farmer's tan.

As always, we hope this post finds you and your family doing well. We're so thankful for all of you in our lives...the ones we see daily and the ones we wish we could see more often. This week, I got to see my friend, Tracy,(1/2 marathon buddy) who moved away to Nashville recently, and it reminded me how it just really sucks not having all the people you love close by. We're looking forward to our trek to upstate NY via northern Virginia this summer and some beach time to see some old friends too.

On another note, we have dear friends from several different walks of our life whose lives have steered down a path of uncertainty, and I want them to know that I continue to pray for them daily.

Keep cool in the summer heat!

A busy Sunday...

We did a lot yesterday, so check it all out below.

This is a picture of Grady just hanging out in the family room...happy as usual.

We started the day at the park. Dave and Drew flew his Spiderman kite, and they did very well.

Grady hung out in the swing

Check out Drew pushing Grady in the swing

Drew got a haircut - BEFORE...

DURING (there were a lot of tears & candy.)...

AFTER...

Drew decided he wanted to have a picnic dinner, so we got out the old (never been used) picnic basket and headed out back. It was a lot of fun! Great idea, Drewman.

Dave built a new shelf for the garage (with some help from Drewman). You can see the BEFORE space right above Dave's head.

Drew hard at work

AFTER - a great place for all of our swim/pool gear (They also built a shelf for the laundry room...those will be posted soon.)