Neeley Family Blog

We took a really fun trip to the Lazy 5 Ranch while in NC. It was a blast! The boys were so intrigued by all the animals and being able to touch them and feed them was so amazing! We rode on a horse drawn carriage. The giraffes were the best part! There were so many animals to see. The ostrich came up and was not that nice, but Mr. Brayden had no fear. He stuck is bucket right out there for him. Jenn on the other hand, was a little scared :) I was too though! Here is a good look at some ostrich eggs. This was the first time she stood up and we were there to see them! We threw her some food because she won't leave her eggs. There are still more pictures, but it is so hard to choose! We had a great time and would recommend it to all who visit the Charlotte area.

One of our days started off with Grandpa Brian cooking us breakfast. Yes, I did say Grandpa Brian! I know it is hard to believe so I had to take picture as proof!!!! Brad says he doesn't think his dad has cooked since he was a boy. He did an excellent job making Mickey Mouse pancakes for Brayden and Brad. Brian made sausage, eggs and bacon too. It was a gourmet meal! He even cleaned the kitchen afterwards. I will give you a moment to pick up your jaws from the floor :) The boys spent some time with Aunt Jenn coloring their pictures. And Brock ate a little bit of the crayons too- what are you going to do. Boys will be boys. Brayden even got to try out his new golf clubs (they are real metal and are the cutest thing to see him really playing). We went out to the hole behind Grandma Carol & Grandpa Brian's house. He was so excited. Daddy even took him to the tee to hit all the way to the hole. Brayden did a great job! He is just a natural athelite like his dad. We ended the d...

Okay, I am finally putting an update on here and I have a lot to cover! After opening presents, it was time for the New Year's Celebration! We all put on our cone hats and grabbed whistles and pots and pans. YES that is correct, pots and pans folks!!!! We were too busy banging them outside and annoying the neighbors that we did not get any pictures :( Oh well, we had a good time. And then, while I was trying to get Brock to sleep... there was a party happening in the living room! I will try to get the video up- it is a good one!

When Uncle Eric and Aunt Jenn arrived on New Year's Eve. We decided to have our Christmas together and open up presents. The boys definitely were spoiled by everyone and got sooooo many toys! By the time we got done with opening all the gifts, it was almost midnight! Everyone put on their New Year's Hats to get ready... pots and pans here we come!

After Christmas we headed out east to visit Brad's family. We went to Charlotte, North Carolina to meet up with his parents, brother and sister-in-law. We arrived to day before New Year's. The boys had a ton of fun, as did we! The boys liked their stockings that were as big or bigger than them. Brayden was so excited to have his room filled with balloons when we got there. One of them was always carrying a balloon around... Brock and his Grandma Carol in our room: Brayden always helped Grandma Carol turn on all her lights, after we all got the full tour of the house: Brian posing with one of his balloons that he blew up with an air tank: We had a nice evening the first night and waited the second day for Uncle Eric and Aunt Jenn to arrive from Colorado. Then the party started!

Christmas was a wonderful time this year. Both the boys were excited to open presents and now have a better idea of what Christmas is about. We opened our presents at our house in the morning (which I did not get pictures of because we recorded it on video- which is too old of a camera that I cannot upload it on here :(). Later in the evening we headed to my parents house to open presents as a family with them and my sister and her family. It is a yearly tradition. Here is my mom and I looking fabulous as usual :) Auntie Brittany and Brock looking at his new laptop computer he just opened: Bradley loving his Lost season 4 DVD set: Brayden is pleased with his gifts, especially the Mickey Mouse Lego set: Brock and I smiling for the camera. Man, we have cute kids! We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas this year!

Well the snow lasted about 2 weeks total. It was CRAZY!!! We have not had that much snow in Oregon since the 1950's. We had about 16 inches in all- which we tried to keep up the shoveling on the driveway. It was a tough job, but we had to get out a few times. We all started to get cabin fever- and I had to go to work a couple days as well. The boys loved playing in the snow and sledding especially! All the small cars in the neighborhood could not move and started to become giant snow balls! This is a view out our front door. This is the back porch which gives some idea how much, but we got more after this... Brad even walked to the closest tire store to buy chains for my car one day so that we could get out of the house. On Christmas night (at my parents house) Brayden went out play with Brad and Grandpa John. Uncle Tony and Dominic came out as well. Grandpa John had built an igloo and they had some fun in there as well as sledding. Man what fun we had, but I think we were al...