So yeah, school got in the way of my blogging...

Maybe life is a more accurate reason as to why I haven't blogged in a loooong time. I missed posting about birthdays and other special events, but here's a quick recap through pictures of what we've been up to these past few months.

Mostly we play, play, and play...the boys are so happy to be out of school for summer. Yes, that's correct. I'm going to try my hand at this stay at home mom business for the summer. I quickly realized yesterday that when you try not to spend money (even at Chick fil A or on frozen yogurt) that you can quickly run out of things to do...sad but true. Drew finished his long run at Open Arms ---the best school ever! I was the blubbering mom on the last day. I've just loved this school. Even though Grady will still be there, it was the end of an era with Drewman graduating from their pre-K program. He will be starting at Manning Oaks - the elementary school up the street in August. Grady returns to Open Arms and starts with Ms. Faye & Ms. Jackie - two teachers who just loved Drew, and we love them. We're excited for both of them as they start new chapters. Drew discovered his LOVE for all things math...double digit addition and word problems thanks to his awesome teacher, Ms. Bethany. And Grady discovered his voice...he NEVER stops talking, so Dave and I are working on our patience.

So here's what we're up to this summer:

We manage to go to the local YMCA, so I can run on the Greenway trail while the boys play. We spend a lot of time at the pool with friends and have playdates at the park too. Drew has been taking swim lessons at the Y and is doing very well. I see summer swim league in our future, and I can't wait! Grady and I are going to do a mommy & me swim lesson class with Hudson and Chels starting next week while Drew goes to Vacation Bible School with his neighborhood friends.So yeah, school got in the way of my blogging... We leave for a week long trip to Destin on June 16th with my parents and Jay's family. We're spending the week with my dad's college roommates and their families. It should be fun and crazy! Then we're home for a week and off on our 20 hour road trip to RochVegas to see Dave's parents and a few friends along the way.



Drew showing off his muscles this weekend at the lake

 Grady checking out the pool

Grady attacking your friendly neighborhood inflatable killer whale

Drew playing soccer (this is a lot of action for him on this last day of soccer--he was NOT into it at this point in the season.)

Just hanging out in the middle of the soccer game...like all highly competitive athletes like to do

Drew dressed up for "dress like your dad or mom" day at school

Grady had to get in on the action too....surprise, surprise

Grady and his beloved paci (he calls it a faci...that way when he says paci, he can keep it in his mouth) harrassing his buddy, Braden at the pool

Brotherly love (check out the mohawk on Drewman compliments of his daddy)

Playing in the rain

Hey Guys, It is Dave. I am starting my own blog where I hope to highlight a few of the photos I have taken. Please check it out sometime.

www.dsyuhas.blogspot.com


Hopefully now that Kari and the boys are on Summer Vacation she might update this once or twice.

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.

Happy 91st Birthday to Grams....

I wish I had a picture of my sweet Grams to post on her 91st birthday, but we are in Clearwater with Dave's family celebrating Easter weekend. As many of you know, Grams recently left the home she spent many decades nurturing her family in to be closer to us. She moved to an assisted living home in Roswell about 15 minutes from where we live. I am so thankful to have her this close to me at this point in her life; although, we talked on a weekly basis for most of my life, I have really enjoyed seeing her over the last few months and watching her enjoy this time with my children. She is an amazing woman who has endured tragedies beyond the comprehension of most humans. Her faith in God has never wavered through all that she has endured and continues to inspire those around her.

On another note, my hubby is becoming quite the photographer these days...love this shot below of Drew at sunset tonight.

 Drew and his cousin, Caal -- They are about 6 months apart in age, and it's like they never miss a beat when they see each other every few months. We're in trouble when they are teenagers.

And sweet Grady....just trying to hang with the big boys....as always!

I hope this post finds you ready to enjoy Good Friday and Easter weekend with your friends and family. We'll head back to Atlanta on Easter Sunday and hit the ground running on our last few weeks of school. Enjoy!

Easter egg hunt...

Our neighborhood had an early Easter egg hunt on Sunday. The boys had a blast as usual with their friends. We hung out most of the afternoon with our neighbors...it's a great place to live. We head to the beach later this week to see Dave's family (minus Uncle Mark...we'll see him in May though). We're fully invested in this neighborhood for sure-I helped plan the egg hunt, and Dave is an HOA board member. Wow! --how things have changed?!

Drew with the Easter bunny

Grady and Drew - surveying the scene and not pausing for long to take this picture

Grady after his encounter with a mini cupcake. I think he liked it?!?!

Grady checking out the sights from the playground

Drewman - always on the move

Spring Break Picnics & Birthdays

Summer is in the air...ok, it's really just Spring Break around here, but boy did it get us ready for the real thing. We have about 6 more weeks until SCHOOL's OUT FOR SUMMER! So, in the meantime, we'll have picnics in the front yard, playdates in our culdesac and at Cogburn Park, and lots of late nights up with friends and family. Luckily, we have a trip planned to Tampa (the beach condo...) with Dave's family for Easter weekend to get us through the next couple of months.

We also have some birthdays to celebrate! Check it out!

Grady & Drew enjoying our front yard picnic on Thursday--the weather was perfect - sunny and NOT humid! We ate leftover stromboli, watermelon, and our new favorite treat, applesauce from a squeeze packet.

Our sweet nephew, Hudson, turned ONE yesterday, and his party is today. Chelsea and Jay were sweet enough to let us celebrate Dave's birthday last night on Hud's actual birthday..they rock! What a sweet little boy he is?! It's hard to believe that he is just ONE because it seems like he has been here forever. He, Drew, & Grady love to hang out and play. He's very independent though and can entertain himself with just about any toy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HUDSON!

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAVE!!--Our favorite daddy and husband! Below you'll see Dave with his biggest helpers and biggest fans. They love to play with their daddy and to "help" him with his chores like mowing, clearing the yard, cleaning up the kitchen, remoldeling our sunroom into an additional family room (his latest project...he really is amazing!--more to post on that in the coming months) and opening his birthday presents (probably their favorite thing to help him do). You can tell how much they love their daddy because Grady will literally stop whatever he is going (including chucking a toy across the room) when he hears his daddy is home from work, and Drew loves to hide, so Dave has to find him. Drew's new favorite game is hide and seek these days...just what Dave wants to do right when he walks in the door, but he finds a way to put on a smile and play with them even when he is VERY tired.

Personally, I am so appreciative of this amazing man that I call my husband and best friend. He continues to support me no matter what, and I can be a royal pain in the ass...ALL THE TIME!

Thanks to everyone who sent him gifts/cards and for my parents treating us to a great "healthy" dinner last night.

So...Dave - We hope you enjoy your birthday and more importantly, your Masters weekend. WE LOVE YOU! Drew, Grady, Kari, Tex, & Scout

Dave getting a little help with his new zero gravity chair from his parents....Grady really likes it!



We're back...

At least for now...It's been a VERY long time since I posted anything, and we've been busy with school, work, and just playing. Here are a few pictures from our last few months. The boys have been playing in the culdesac on most afternoons with our neighbors. (even if it's freezing cold)


Drew & Grady riding around in their Jeep


I took a group of seniors from my school to the Capitol for Senior Day; we met the new governor.

Grady at the playground

Drew & Grady

We'll be enjoying spring break around here this week, and at the end of the week, we'll celebrate Hudson's 1st birthday and Dave's birthday. More pics to come soon...I hope!