Neeley Family Blog

Brayden decided he wanted to play soccer again this Fall.  He really enjoyed it last year and wanted to pursue his soccer skills! Brock is still a little too young (though I might have been able to get him on the team) and he said he did not want to play soccer right now.  This seemed totally off for Brad and myself, considering how much Brock LOVES to kick a soccer ball in the back yard.  Anyhow, we decided to let him decide when and what sports he would like to play. Brayden's team consists of a couple kids from school and his class even.  Three of the boys have been on our T-ball teams in the past two years.  So this made Brayden feel comfortable right away. Brayden's team also voted and chose their name.  The kids all brought ideas for their team name and then they narrowed them down with a vote.  Brayden was super excited to have his name suggestion chosen for the team name- "Quack Attack!" I thought I would share a few "action s...

In asking the boys what they would like to do for their birthdays, they both wanted a party. Great! I thought.  Well, turns out Brayden wanted his party at one of our favorite places, JJ JUMP and Brock wanted his party at the Bowling Alley.  OK, I took some time to think about 2 birthday parties 5 days apart with similar friends, family and the costs associated with doing 2 location-oriented parties.  And my conclusion...not very economical or practical at this point. So, I went for game plan number 2 and started putting plans and ideas in their heads. ;) I asked if they would like a bounce house? The reply was yes!!!  I asked if they would like certain people to be there? They gave me similar lists of friends and family.  I gave them the option of being able to go to the places they chose above on their actual birthdays and they were intrigued.  So our new plan came into form: joint party with the all the family and friends they had chosen, at G...

Okay so it is time for Brayden and Brock's birthdays.  Remember that post here , where I made a cake for the DiFrancisco's birthday party.  Yeah, well that was a trial cake to see if I would be able to put a cake together for the boys' birthdays. On Brylee's last birthday I had an epic fail with paying faaaaarrrrr toooooo much for a cake! Don't ask cause Brad still reminds me of it till this day and probably will for many years to come.  I thought to redeem myself I would attempt to bake and decorate the cakes myself for the next few years. :) So, I started by asking the boys what they would like on their cake.  The response from Brock was very casual and he simply stated he would like a Cars 2 cake, more specifically Finn McMissile ( he is a new main character that is a Spy).  He didn't give anymore details than that.  Okay, I could run with this as I immediately took to Pinterest and started scouring for cakes and ideas (LOVE Pinterest!). When ...

So we have hinted a couple times that we would be taking a trip at the end of summer and we finally got it all mapped out! Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu, Hawaii!!!!!!  We were brainstorming ideas of locations for the next Brotha's ball (aka. a family trip with Brad's brother Eric, his wife Jenn and our niece Audrey) and I believe Eric mentioned Hawaii, we all jumped on board of course- who wouldn't want the hard decision of pool or beach!?!  This is the largest post I have ever done and the videos are also posted to our YouTube Channel.  Jenn also did an amazing post on our trip for their blog and you can see it here .  So grab a beverage, snack and make sure you are ready for loads of pictures as we explore the Oahu Brotha's Ball. :) Jenn and I did most of the planning.  The Brotha's had their input in things that were a must for them as well.  After careful research, modifications, mapping, re-mapping, review reading and Groupon/Liv...