Neeley Family Blog

Brad and I joked that each of the last few pumpkin patch outings we have done, we seem to be taking a new child with us!  This was Brylee's first pumpkin patch experience.  It was a GORGEOUS fall day here in Oregon.  It was a bit crisp and cool in the morning, but started warming up as we picked our pumpkins.  We once again returned to Fir Point Farms this year.  We wanted to go out to The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island, but had a time limit that day and needed to get to the new house for some work.  First task at the Farm...pick out our Pumpkins! Brayden insisted on using a wheel barrow to haul his pumpkin.  While Brock and I opted for the wagon.  I was shocked at how many good looking pumpkins were still left.  I thought for sure that it being the third weekend in October, the choices would be slim.  We actually found our pumpkins rather quickly. Everyone chose their own pumpkin (except I did grab Brylee's :) ). Here is the gang wi...

My grandma Mary Lou (my mom's mother) came for a quick visit.  I was so glad to see her and be able to spend time with her.  It had been since Brayden was born since I had seen her- way too long!  She lives half the year in Arizona and the other half in Eastern Oregon (about 4 hours from Portland).  She had never met Brock or Brylee.  We were definitely long overdue for a visit! We all met over at my mom's house.  My sister came with Dominic and Isabella too.  John cooked his famous "german" enchiladas and lemon bars.  The kids ran around like usual.  We got to sit and just chat about all sorts of things. It was so nice to have that time to catch up and it definitely made me realize how much I miss having her closer to us.  It brought back some good childhood memories of times spent with her and my grandpa.  I hope in some way we can work out more visits in the coming years.  Before the day was all said and done we...

My last post spoke of before pictures and our eager goals with the new house.  Well, a few days after the last pictures were taken we went gung-ho! The demolition began and we ripped out all the carpet in the house, pulled wallpaper off the walls, took down the hallway shelving, cleaned out old items left behind and just got everything down to bare bones.  The house has original hardwood floors.  We did discover that in the living room and dining room that they had been painted at one point.  In Brylee's room what I thought was just one layer of wall paper, was really 2 and not as easy to remove as one would think.  John also decided to have a friend come in and repair some of the ceilings upstairs by sheet rocking over the existing plaster ceilings.  They are also going to patch and texture the walls upstairs.  We have someone coming in to refinish the hardwood floors too.  The before, during and after pictures of the floors will come ...

Well, I have truly been slacking on the blog posts recently.  It is not without a great excuse, of course! We are in the process of renovating John's family home (my step-dad).  We will be moving soon, but the house needed "a little" work before the Neeley's make a move over there. It is in Milwaukie and only about 15 minutes away from our current house.  We went and took a walk through the house after the previous renter moved out and made a "To Do" list.  Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what we are dealing with here. Yep! Green shag carpet in what will be the boy's room.  Lovely teddy bear wallpaper that is probably about 40-some years old. No joke! This will be Brylee's room.  It is the smallest room, but what more does a baby need really :). The carpet going from the hallway upstairs is orange and gold shag of some sort. The Pink carpet and floral wallpaper is going to be our bedroom. The living room is currently painted l...

Brad's best friend Tommy recently got married.  Brad flew to Ohio (where the ceremony was held) to be his best man.  Brad and Tommy have known each since college and have remained close and in contact even with 2,000 miles seperation! Brad took an overnight flight to Cleveland the day after Brock's birthday.  He then had to drive an hour and a half to reach this lovely destination on Lake Erie called Lakeside.  It is a small area that Jessica, Tommy's fiance, grew up visiting with her family.  Brad spent Thursday and Friday prepping for the wedding.  He helped the happy couple get things ready and took care of last minute arrangements.  Here is a look at the entrance: Rehearsal dinner. And a pic of the happy couple on the docks! Here are a few other pictures from the ceremony and festivities: A little rain and thunderstorm on their wedding day made for a candle light ceremony! The wedding was on Saturday and Brad had to fly back early the next mornin...

Brayden turned 5 on the 12th! That is also my mom's birthday (she is 23 as Brayden says :) ).  We planned out a birthday get together for the family to celebrate their special day.  It turned into a crazy week.  Brock's birthday was 5 days prior, Brad flew out a day later to his best friend's wedding and flew back in on Brayden's birthday just hours before the party! We invited a couple friends and then immediate family.  Brad and I set up to surprise the boys by renting a bounce house for them! I could just picture their little faces as I made the plans for the party.  There were balloons set up along my parent's driveway, the bounce house was there and set up, and pizza in the oven for later- PERFECT! The kids all had a blast in the Monster Truck Bounce House! Us adults even took a couple turns (don't tell because the weight limit was 125lbs ;) ).  Brockster saying "cheeeeeese!" Brylee starring at her daddy! So sweet! All of them bouncing arou...