Gatlinburg Trip

The Friday before Christmas the Central Hardin Boys basketball team played in Gatlinburg, TN so we packed up the family and went. We stayed four nights and had a really good trip. The team ended up in the championship game, but came in second. They played a really good team out of Nashville called Beech High School. On our trip we got to do a lot of neat things. Reese and I got to ride go carts, luckily they were inside. Reese enjoyed her first go cart experience. She also got to play arcade games with her friend Sydney Thomas. The hotel that we stayed in was right next door to the Ripley's Aquarium, so we had to do that too! We loved it and in fact we liked it better than the one in Newport. The animals were great!!! Reese also had a great time at the ballgames playing with her friends. They all would bring their purses and play for hours and even the big girls would play with them! Ramsey and I enjoyed going shopping at the outlet malls, they were great, probably the best I have ever been too! Not to mention all the great eating we did. On the way home, we got to stop and see my great aunt Patty and also my friends Gary and Mary. It was a great visit. We had a wonderful trip and the girls were really good, both there and in the car. The boys are playing in another tournament now and they are in the championship game tonight, so we are hoping for a win, but I will post the outcome tomorrow. GO BRUINS!

Christmas

Christmas is my favorite holiday. To me, I don't think of it as a holiday, but more as a big birthday party for Jesus Christ. He is the greatest gift anyone could receive and we all exchange gifts in honor of Him. Speaking of gifts, the two girls received more than they should have, thanks to wonderful grandparents, great grandparents and one super Aunt Annie! Reese got her cash regsiter she had been wanting and an easel and vaccum from Santa and among other things such as a Doll House, a Dora tent, an American Girl Doll, Easy Bake Oven, lots of new movies and great books to just name a few. The little one got lots of rattles, clothes and toys for later. Christmas Eve we spent with Matt's family at his mom's house and then we went to church that night as well. This was the first Christmas since we have been married that we have stayed at our house and it was really nice to wake up and be able to open our gifts. Even better we got to stay home all day! On Christmas day we had both of our families over for lunch and we exchanged gifts with them as well. These are some of my favorite pictures. Check out the matching sweaters that Reese and Aggie had and all the cousin reindeer! Ramsey is also really starting to smile now and I happen to catch her smiling on Christmas morning. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

SNOW DAY!

We all got to stay at home today. Reese loved playing in the snow, we could hardly get her in. Look at the little snowman Matt and Reese tried to build!! I am hoping that everyone is off tomorrow too!

The Weekend

Friday night was a good night because Central beat Etown in basketball and that is always a good night in the Nickell family. On Saturday Louisville won their game and we had a photo shoot with Uncle Ta. Yesterday Ramsey turned 3 weeks old! She is really starting to wake up now and have cute expressions. I decided to try her out in the swing today and she loves it! The swing was always Reese's favorite.

Santa Visit

Reese got a special letter in the mail from Santa a couple of weeks ago and it said to meet him at First Federal Savings Bank today. So, Grandy took her and she got to listen to a story read by Ms. Clause and she also got to open an early Christmas gift. Santa in his letter even told her to wear her pajamas! She got closer this time to Santa, but no luck yet on sitting in his lap. She had a great time!

First Basketball Game!

On Saturday I decided to brave a basketball game with both girls. Let's just say I am glad my mom and dad were with me. Ramsey was perfect, but Reese for some reason decided she wanted to be everywhere so Grampy had to take a few walks with her. As you can see in the picture she wouldn't sit still enough for us to take her picture, she is on the move! She loves going to the games though. By the end of the game she has at least gone to the concession stand a couple of times and comes back with suckers and candy! We also caught Ramsey signaling the touchdown sign on Sunday as we all love to lay around and watch football on Sundays! Check out her long, skinny legs! We call them her chicken legs!

She is looking more and more like Reese!

Decorating the Tree!

Gran, Grampy and Uncle Taylor got the girls pink Christmas trees for their rooms and Reese enjoyed hanging the ornaments on hers. She is really into Christmas this year. When we are in the car at night she calls the lights "Christmas." She will say, "oh look at the Christmas." She was so excited to see the Christmas decorations in our house.