Another June Birthday!

Yep. That's right. Baby #2 is coming sooner than we thought! The due date is around June 15, the week after school gets out here, so pretty good timing. Plus, Caroline and the baby will almost be two years apart, and Baby Flattem will only be 6 months older:) Sounds like God had some good plans in store for us. I have a lot of morning sicknes (usually at night) but its all for a good cause right?

Cole's 1st Varsity FB Game

Cole got to start his 1st varsity FB game last Friday at QB because the senior starter was hurt. He had a good game and I attached the local paper's article about it for all to see. The starter will be back this Friday but I'll let you know if Cole gets any playing time.

Thanks for coming

Hi Neary's
Thanks for coming to Megan and Alex's wedding. I wish I could have seen more of all of you, but I was needed elsewhere. We had a wonderful time and hope you did too.

I'm Pregnant!

Hey everybody! Eric and I wanted to let you know that I am pregnant! The due date is December 30th, so we may be in the running for a New Year's Baby. We're very happy and excited, and can't wait to see all of you in July. Love and hugs to all of you!

New Address

I'm excited to say we have a new address and our first home!!!

6105 Birch Hill Dr
Madison, WI 53711

I promise many pictures to come but I really haven't found the cord to our camera yet, so you'll have to wait. I'm tempted to just check one out of my school's library for a night:)

Graduation Time

I want to thank everyone that was able to make it to Tyler's graduation party last Saturday. We had alot of fun and we were glad that some of you could celebrate with us. For those of you who couldn't be here I have added a pic of Tyler getting his diploma from the Kuemper President. Today, Cole graduated from 8th grade and like his sister last year he received the Spirit of Father Kuemper Award. It is the highest award for Kuemper 8th grade graduates and is awarded to 2 students each year. I attached a copy of the award that lists qualities of award winners. It has been another good school year. We are very proud of are graduates. And Morgan had a great year too.

Ouch x 9

Hey Family,


Tomorrow morning we have our anesthesia practical. We are being tested on the 9 most common dental injections. And the best part is, we are practicing on each other. So in 30 minutes I will be receiving 9 injections from a first timer. Doesn't that make your day seem like a winner? :) Wish me luck and a steady hand!

Following Amy's Instructions

So when Amy put up her favorite kitty potty, I said to myself, no way can I compete with that. Then on Saturday, I was on the National Mall and a video blogger put a camera in my face and started asking me questions. The URL below from Youtube is the result. Now the best part is not when I am talking, but the linkage he made to another piece of video talking about my socialist and communist friends at VA. At the end of the first film, there will open a box that asks if you would like another opinion. Click on it and see the abuse we civil servants take.

You may have to paste the address into your browser.

Hope all are doing well.

Bob

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24PO4o3foTE

Bobby's new address

Joyce asked me to post Bobby's new address as he is too busy to do it. So here it is:
10312 Strathmore Hall Street; Apt. 403; Rockville, Maryland 20852

Megan's White Coat Graduation

Last Thursday Megan went through her White Coat Graduation where she has been given authority by the U of I Dental College to begin seeing patients in the clinic. Afterwards, she showed us some of her work. We especiallly love the glasses. Congratulations Megan.

Alex's graduation

Congratulations to Alex on completing his Masters in Accounting and graduating this week-end. We (Emily, Trent, Megan, Chris, Jim and Alex's mom) were in attendance at the UNI ceremonies on Saturday. Alex's sister, Abby, graduated the same day from Iowa State, so her dad went to hers.
We traveled back to the Des Moines area and had a great dinner at the TCI golf course in Polk City.

Daniella's big day

Daniella was baptised today. We had a little party at our house after the mass. I know, what kind of husband has his wife host a party on Mother's Day? Well Michelle and I had a wedding last weekend and one next, so we picked this weekend for the big day. It was a lot of work, but well worth it. We had a blast. Hope all the mothers out there are having a good day. I can't believe all that you go through! Keep up the good work.

Mike

Is there anybody out there?!

Yes, I am aware I have posted the last 3 blogs, but I can't stand it any longer! Have we become a boring family? I mean, really, no one has anything fun, exciting, new to post?!

Well, I am breaking the boring cycle by challenging each of the Neary News-ers to post something, anything, that will put us back up to cool family status.

I'll start.

While watching TV tonight, I saw the most ridiculous waste of money ever. Its called the Cat Genie and for those of you with a little extra cash to spare, you should look into the "Tuxedo Package" for only $351 your cat can pee in privacy and everything will be pumped into your toilet for easy disposal!

Click here to see more. There are even testimonial videos! Wonder if we need a few for the farm?

Try beating that sweet story! I dare ya!

Winners Update

Please check Neary Madness 5 for the winners update.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Happy Easter everyone. Hope ypu all had a great time with your families and friends today. Mom and Dad came to Madison to celebrate. We had a great weekend and luckily Caroline's ears were not hurting like the last time! Here are a few pictures.

So, here's a good story we heard in church today. I am probably going to murder it, but I'll give it a try. So, there was a man who came to ask his pastor what heaven was like. The pastor answered, "well, I'm really not sure." The man frustratinly thought, if he doesn't even know what am I supposed to believe? The the pastor wondered out of his office. The man got even more frustrated. Then the pastor came back and called his dog into the office. The dog looked a little scared, hesitated and then came in. The pastor said, "He is usually not allowed in the office; this is the first time he has ever come in this room. He didn't know what was on the other side, but he came any ways because he knew I was here. I don't know what heaven is going to be like, but I know who will be there waiting for me." Amen to that.

Super Random

OK. So...it's the night before my big cranial nerve exam and what am I doing? Watching videos on YouTube. Opps. Anyways, I came across this one and it's super random...but it made me laugh! Hope the Hitler part isn't offensive to anyone! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uejv2zz6bU

By the way, last weekend was maybe the best weekend ever! Thanks for making it so special! Love!

St. Pat's Pics

What a fun weekend - showering Megg, celebrating your Irish heritage (Eliza writing) and singing to Bill. Great to see everyone that was able to come and already looking forward to Tyler's graduation!

I love facebook, but the downside is the photos aren't very useful for others so here's a link as requested:

http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=1890544024/a=224283024_224283024/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Michelle and I are so happy to be spending this St. Patrick's Day with Daniella Joyce and Abby. We came home from the hospital on Monday and have been settling in nicely. Michelle is still on light duty, so I'm getting my workouts for the month chasing Abby around and changing Ella's diapers. It is great that I could take some time off to help out around the house as there is so much to do. Everyone is healthy and happy. I wish we could all be there for the parade, it sounds like it will be a blast, and the girls look great in their Neary shirts!

Another Member of the Clan

Mike and Michelle will have more news later, but Daniella Joyce Neary was born late Friday afternoon March 12. Ella weighed in at 8 Lbs and 19 inches. Mother and daughter are doing fine.

Its almost time. Are you ready?

Just wanted to remind you all to sign up for your Neary Madness bracket. I sent out emails but if you need me to resend it, email me at amyneary@yahoo.com

Caroline is also ready for next weekend as you can tell.

Volunteers to carry a flag?

HI
Joe talked to the St. Pat's Association and they are lining up the 24 flags of the 24 counties of Ireland, to be carried at the start of the parade. They were wondering if we had any in our group that would be willing to go back to the start of the parade (we march during the pre-parade, right after the dignitaries) and carry a flag. They're having trouble finding enough people to help do everything...and it would be nice to have some of the descendants of the 'orginal' family members be flag bearers. So if anyone is interested, let me know. I think Joe is planning on doing it. He's going to talk to the parade officials next week...and he'll tell them how many of the Nearys plan on helping out.

St. Pat's update

Hi

Just wanted everyone to know final details of St. Pat's/Bill's birthday/Megan's shower celebration weekend. First of all, your t-shirts will be at our house, so you can pick them up before the parade. (except for the Bob's, and I'm mailing those off to MD).

Megan's bridal shower brunch will be at 10 here at our house. Fun fun fun! Guys, you can hang out at the farm.

Everyone is on their own for food at noon...there is plenty of good food downtown. We are to lineup at 12:30 on North Broadway. We march in the pre-parade which is at 1. We have a Neary banner to carry; we'll be marching as group, the "Joe Neary" descendants, but the "Bill Neary" descendants (Ab, Dick's families) are walking too, so all the Neary's will be walking as 2 groups next to each other (all of us are John Neary descendants). Joe and Therese (Neary) Geelan are coordinating that. Along the parade route we have gold candy coins and green gum coins to hand out to kids (courtesy of Laura). :)

Immediately after the parade, there is to be a group photo next to Robert Emmet. The St. Pat's committee is asking 'the families' to be in the picture. I'm sure we'll want a Neary family picture too. There is a "Meeting of the Clans" at the Fire Hall after the parade. The Irish Minstrels will be playing...and it sounds like this will be OK for the kids to go to... The group is supposed to be really good. Some of us will be coming back to our house after that.... I'm sure the rest of you will be doing the Emmetsburg pub crawl.

At 5, we'll have Bill's birthday celebration. Grandpa Bob will be coming up here for that. After that, you're free to watch March Madness here or go out to the bars or go to the casino.

Sunday, for anyone here at noon time yet, we're eating at Pizza Ranch.

A word to the wise...if you haven't been to a parade in March, it is usually COLD and windy! There was one year when it was warm, but don't count on that---it's never happened since that one time. So unless you want to freeze, wear plenty of layers!!

For anyone getting here on Friday night, you can meet here at our house... let me know if you'll be eating in Eburg that night. We may do Mexican, depending on how many are here....

What It Means To Be An Irish Family

You will never play professional basketball.

You swear very well.

At least one of your cousins is a fireman, cop, bar owner, funeral home owner or holds political office. And you have at least one aunt who is a nun or uncle who's a priest...

You think you sing very well.

You have no idea how to make a long story short!

There isn't a big difference between you losing your temper or killing someone.

Many of your childhood meals were boiled. Instant potatoes were a mortal sin.

You have never hit your head on a ceiling.

You spent a good portion of your childhood kneeling in prayer.

You're strangely poetic after a few beers.

Some punches directed at you are from legacies of past generations.

Many of your sisters and/or cousins are named Mary, Catherine or Eileen and
there is at least one member of your family with the full name of Mary Catherine Eileen

Someone in your family is very generous. It is more than likely you.

You may not know the words, but that doesn't stop you from singing.

You can't wait for the other guy to stop talking before you start talking.

You're not nearly as funny as you think you are ... but what you lack in talent, you make up for in frequency.

There wasn't a huge difference between your last wake and your last keg party.

You are, or know someone, named Murphy. If you don’t know Murphy then you know Mac. If you don't know Murphy or Mac, then you know Sully and you probably know McMurphy.

You are genetically incapable of keeping a secret.

You have Irish Alzheimer's...you forget everything but the grudges!

'Irish Stew' is a euphemism for 'boiled leftovers.'

Your skin's ability to tan.... not so much. (Only in spots!)

Childhood remedies for the common cold often included some form of whiskey.

There's no leaving a family party without saying goodbye for at least 45 minutes.

At this very moment, you have at least two relatives who are not speaking
to each other. Not fighting, mind you, just not speaking to each other.

St. Pat's weekend

Hey everyone

This is a reminder of the big Neary weekend of March 19, 20 & 21 for St. Pat's celebration and Bill's 60th birthday. (Whoohoo Bill!)Also, on Saturday morning, the 'girls' are going to have a bridal shower for Megan. It's going to be a MEGA Neary get together!! For whoever can get here on Friday night, we can hang out here or at the farm (or go out too), then Saturday we'll have the shower at our house from 10-12. Afterwards we can go downtown to eat lunch at one of the vendors (unless it's really cold, then we'll eat here). At 1 pm we'll be ready to march in the parade. I'm assuming most of the Neary's will go out downtown after the parade to help Bill celebrate his 60th birthday (I'm babysitting Caroline back here :))....I'm fixing ham sandwiches and potato salad at our house for supper that night---oh and birthday cake with 60 candles! I think Pizza Ranch will be a good option for Sunday for whoever is still here at noon.

As far as t-shirts, we're finalizing those in the next couple weeks. A t-shirt shop downtown Eburg that does the t-shirts for St. Pats and for families (who have marched in other parades) is making them. The t-shirts will be $10 each...let me know how many you want, and what size. These will be long-sleeved t-shirts unless you tell me otherwise. I "think" the t-shirts will have Neary on one side with the date underneath (the year the Nearys came to Eburg)...and a saying and shamrock on the other side...nothing too crazy, as we want to do one t-shirt style for everyone (including kids)....so we'll keep it appropriate. If you have any good ideas for a saying, let me know....we have to give her our info by Feb. 20.

We're also having a plastic banner made with Neary on it and hopefully the family crest. Does anyone have an idea of what we might throw out or hand out along the parade route? Candy? Beads? (tiny cans of beer? :)) Gold candy coins? That might go along with Tyler's big leprechaun...it could be the Pot of gold.

It should be a great St. Pat's weekend!! I'll let you know more details when we figure them out!

Terry (& Joe)