The Brotha's Ball P-town style!
Some of our favorite people came for a weekend visit recently. The Colorado Neeleys. This consists of Brad's brother Eric, his wife Jenn, and our adorable little niece Audrey. The last time we had seen them was in Disney World this last August.
We all have so much fun together and these days the kids are growing and changing so quickly that we want to make sure our visits with one another are more frequent. We made a pact quite some time ago ( I think we were on our way to two children) to never let too long go bye without a trip to see each other. It is important for the cousins to know each other and the brothers to share their connection as friends. So at least two trips a year to see each other, or meet up is what we came up with.
This time around, the Colorado Neeleys arrived on a Thursday night and the festivities began right away! The "big boys" went to see the "Avengers" movie. Jenn and I just sat up playing with miss Audrey who decided she did not want to sleep since there were so many of the Oregon Neeleys toys to check out :).
Friday consisted of the boys heading off to school in the morning, Brad working till about lunch, and the rest of us kids just playing around (a couple of us were snooping around) the house. At lunch time we all reconnected and headed to the Oregon Coast. First stop...Tillamook Cheese Factory!!! Oh yeah baby! I was so excited to see this place. Most people that have lived their whole life in Oregon have made at least one trip to this Heaven on Earth, well not this girl! I know pick your jaws up off the floor, there are several places I have not been yet, but trust me there is a list.
The cheese samples were delightful and as you can see I did not get any pictures of them because I was too busy eating! :)
We did hunt through the store area and came away with some squeeky cheese and Chocolate Peanut Butter fudge!
We could not leave without enjoying some ice cream. And looking at the menu, with several kids all talking in your ear telling you different kinds they would like is not easy. Simple math stated that each of us getting a cone or a dish of ice cream would be $3-$4 a piece versus a scoop of every flavor for much less. Hard choice!?! I think not!!! 38 flavor tour PLEASE!!!
It was so AMAZING! You would search with your spoon and come across all these different flavors you liked. And if you found one you really liked you when pack a few more times before everyone else got to it!
After eating so much ice cream, we decided we better burn some off running on the beach. Ha! Almost. We did head to Cape Meares light house where there were some beautiful views. We then found a bit of beach to play on and let the kids, big and small run around on the beach. This was Audrey's first time at the beach! We spent time finding shells, flying kites, digging in the sand, dipping toes in the water, and taking in the scenery and sounds. I tell you the sound of the waves and ocean is so majestic! It happen to be my dad's birthday that day and there was just an extra peace there that day. The sun was shining and I felt such a calm in the air.
Saturday was another jam-packed day with a mid-morning tball game. The boys did another amazing job showing off their skills and it was great to be able to share that with Uncle Eric, Aunt Jenn and Audrey. (You can see the pictures from tball in my Picasa album- linked in my post)
After an afternoon break at the house we headed off to the Family Fun Center (aka Bullwinkles). Games, Laser Tag, Go Karts, miniature golf... what more could you ask for!?!
When we had stuffed ourselves with enough fun, we finished the evening at my parent's house. They always invite Eric and Jenn over when they make trips to see us. We weren't sure we could make it work this time around, but it worked out to be the perfect ending to our day. Everyone got to get in on some horse action. My mom recently got a new horse. If you remember she lost one a few months back and things have not been the same until she was back to three. So Shadow (who looks just like Zane who passed) was a good sport and let us all take turns making small trips on him.
We ended the evening there with a little guitar playing....
Too good not to share!
Sunday was our last day together. It also happened to be Mother's Day! Brad got up early and made us all breakfast. The guys then headed out for some last minute Mother's goodies. We then were able to spend a little more time together before they headed to the airport.
It definitely went quickly, but was a ton of fun! During our time together, Eric came up with the name Brotha's Ball for our get together's. We all love it so it is sticking! This one is happily named, "The Brotha's Ball P-Town style!" We are working on the next Brotha's Ball as we speak! I am so grateful we are making these connections with one another. I have the privilege of being close in proximity to my family, we get to see each other frequently and plan trips together, so now being able to extend that love with Brad's family is a true joy for us!
P.S. If you want to see more pictures and videos of our time together, check out the Colorado Neeleys blog post here: Portland Brotha's Ball!!!!!!
We all have so much fun together and these days the kids are growing and changing so quickly that we want to make sure our visits with one another are more frequent. We made a pact quite some time ago ( I think we were on our way to two children) to never let too long go bye without a trip to see each other. It is important for the cousins to know each other and the brothers to share their connection as friends. So at least two trips a year to see each other, or meet up is what we came up with.
This time around, the Colorado Neeleys arrived on a Thursday night and the festivities began right away! The "big boys" went to see the "Avengers" movie. Jenn and I just sat up playing with miss Audrey who decided she did not want to sleep since there were so many of the Oregon Neeleys toys to check out :).
The cheese samples were delightful and as you can see I did not get any pictures of them because I was too busy eating! :)
We did hunt through the store area and came away with some squeeky cheese and Chocolate Peanut Butter fudge!
We could not leave without enjoying some ice cream. And looking at the menu, with several kids all talking in your ear telling you different kinds they would like is not easy. Simple math stated that each of us getting a cone or a dish of ice cream would be $3-$4 a piece versus a scoop of every flavor for much less. Hard choice!?! I think not!!! 38 flavor tour PLEASE!!!
It was so AMAZING! You would search with your spoon and come across all these different flavors you liked. And if you found one you really liked you when pack a few more times before everyone else got to it!
After eating so much ice cream, we decided we better burn some off running on the beach. Ha! Almost. We did head to Cape Meares light house where there were some beautiful views. We then found a bit of beach to play on and let the kids, big and small run around on the beach. This was Audrey's first time at the beach! We spent time finding shells, flying kites, digging in the sand, dipping toes in the water, and taking in the scenery and sounds. I tell you the sound of the waves and ocean is so majestic! It happen to be my dad's birthday that day and there was just an extra peace there that day. The sun was shining and I felt such a calm in the air.
"What can you see from here?"
My three men ;)
Such amazing views...
Just exploring...
One of my favorite pictures :)
No one else around :)
Saturday was another jam-packed day with a mid-morning tball game. The boys did another amazing job showing off their skills and it was great to be able to share that with Uncle Eric, Aunt Jenn and Audrey. (You can see the pictures from tball in my Picasa album- linked in my post)
After an afternoon break at the house we headed off to the Family Fun Center (aka Bullwinkles). Games, Laser Tag, Go Karts, miniature golf... what more could you ask for!?!
When we had stuffed ourselves with enough fun, we finished the evening at my parent's house. They always invite Eric and Jenn over when they make trips to see us. We weren't sure we could make it work this time around, but it worked out to be the perfect ending to our day. Everyone got to get in on some horse action. My mom recently got a new horse. If you remember she lost one a few months back and things have not been the same until she was back to three. So Shadow (who looks just like Zane who passed) was a good sport and let us all take turns making small trips on him.
We ended the evening there with a little guitar playing....
Too good not to share!
Sunday was our last day together. It also happened to be Mother's Day! Brad got up early and made us all breakfast. The guys then headed out for some last minute Mother's goodies. We then were able to spend a little more time together before they headed to the airport.
It definitely went quickly, but was a ton of fun! During our time together, Eric came up with the name Brotha's Ball for our get together's. We all love it so it is sticking! This one is happily named, "The Brotha's Ball P-Town style!" We are working on the next Brotha's Ball as we speak! I am so grateful we are making these connections with one another. I have the privilege of being close in proximity to my family, we get to see each other frequently and plan trips together, so now being able to extend that love with Brad's family is a true joy for us!
P.S. If you want to see more pictures and videos of our time together, check out the Colorado Neeleys blog post here: Portland Brotha's Ball!!!!!!
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Grandma Carol and Grandpa Brian