Neeley Family Blog

Christmas Day is traditionally very lazy for us.  We stay in our jams and wake up whenever the kids decide.  We spent a couple hours opening presents this year.  Then Brad cooked a lovely brunch for us while I tried to open and set up several of the kids toys. We then did a video chat with Eric, Jenn and Audrey.  We got to see them open our presents and they could see us opening theirs.  We had an awesome conversation and Christmas tour with them!  We then quickly got showered and dressed and headed to my parents house for our gift exchange with them and my sister and her family.  This was followed by a leftover dinner from the Kraus Family Christmas Eve party the night before :).  After the kids opening and playing with all their gifts, and a little relaxation time, we headed back home to tuck everyone in for the night.  Ahhhhhh! Here are a couple of pictures and video clips from our gift opening.  Enjoy! Here is Christmas Eve as...

Just wanted to share a few Christmas pieces around our house.  The kids have all been very excited for Santa to visit.  They keep asking how many days!  So I thought I would just put together a couple of pictures to show that we are ready for his arrival! The tree and Santa: Christmas card love from our friends and family: The outside of the house with lights up: My wreath (ah-hem that I personally made): And a couple others: Hope you all are ready!  Merry Christmas!!!

Brad and I have not been to Zoo Lights in years.  It was pre-children time since our last visit.  We thought it would be enjoyable for them, especially with the train there.  We ventured off the night before Christmas Eve.  The place was packed! We arrived about 6 pm to find the parking lots full, shuttle buses being used and lines to get in. We were all bundled up though and hunted down some people for their parking spot.  :) My parents and sister and her family joined us for the festivities.  We walked through the beginning enchanted by the lights guiding the pathway and the sounds of the trains passing.  Most of the animals were tucked away for the night.  We did get a glance at some monkeys and the elephants.  We also saw the line for the train which was 1 1/2 - 2 hours long!  We decided to check back after seeing more of the lights.  Here are a few glimpses at the magic we saw: With the train line still h...

The boys worked on their lists for Santa several times.  They scoured through the Toys R Us Big Book and circled, starred and wrote their names near items they wanted.  Since most of our weekends in December were taken with the Christmas Tree Farm, we waited a little later this year to venture off to see the Big guy. We got in line while Santa was on a break.  From the information online it looked like he would be back in 20 minutes.  He was a little late getting back.  And while in line after his return, their camera broke and the line was held up again.  Once they got it going again, we slowly, but surely moved forward.  2 hours later we reached the front of the line!  The kids had been really good waiting the whole time.  They kept themselves occupied with Angry Birds on our cell phones :).  Brad had to stand "Behind the perimeter" in order to use our camera, but here are a couple photos we got.  Brylee was no way no how...

Brayden's class planned a Christmas party for the last day of school before Winter Break.  I got a tray of Santa cookies and brought Brylee and Brock to join in the festivities.  We helped with his Halloween Party and they enjoyed being in class with their big brother. The class parent always organizes the parties and invites parents to help out when possible.  This time they had a cookie decorating station, an ornament making station and two eating stations with healthy and holiday goodies for them to choose from. Father Maxy joined the festivities for the first few minutes of their party.  He brought his dress-up attire and guitar.  They sang "Jingle Bells" together.  It was lots of fun!!! Here are a few photos:  Brayden concentrating on his work ;)  The cookie decorating station:  Enjoying some goodies! All the kids had a great time and were nice and sugared up for their parents! Ha! Well, no school till the new year!  E...

Last year Brayden was in the school Christmas Program.  He sang a couple songs.  It was the first year they decided to include the preschool classes.  This year both Brock and Brayden got to join in the fun.  Brock's Preschool class sang "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer."  Brayden sang "Good St.Nick" and "The Snow is Falling." They both practiced at home the weeks leading up to the big night. Here are the clips of their performances!  They are both too cute for words!!! Hope you enjoy!

My parents have been running their U-cut/We-cut Christmas Tree Farm again this year.  I think this is about the 3rd or 4th year now.  They always recruit help this time of year.  Brad and I and the kids stepped up to help.  We sent out the flyer to the parents at the boys' school as well and offered a donation back to the school for every tree purchased.  John has done this for a couple years with various local schools and it has been a good way to spread the word about the farm.  I once again have made wreaths this year to sell at the farm as well.  I'll give myself a little pat on the back cause I think they look pretty good. :)  Brad helping to load a tree onto of a car. We of course had to pick our tree as well.  We pulled on the rubber boots and trekked out to find a winner.  We spent 2 full weekends helping at the Farm.  Man is it work! The boys had a great time "helping."  They rode the tractor hauling trees out o...