Fightin’ the Nashville Blues

For the 2nd year in a row, Kory and I have been able to travel to the Vols bowl game. My parents kept Kaitlin, and we headed off to Nashville. We got to Nashville and took the shuttle downtown to meet up with our group. We got a table at Jimmy Buffett’s new restaurant on Broadway and had my favorite nachos and burger. It was warm in the restaurant and it was a nice few warm hours. Then we walked around Downtown Nashville , stopped in the Cadillac Ranch for some amazing live bluegrass.

There were so many Tennessee fans in Nashville which made it as much fun as a home game. We walked to the stadium and had AWESOME seats! (Thanks Will)

Trace Adkins sang the National Anthem … SOOOOO NASHVILLE!

Obviously, these pictures are BEFORE the game!! I love going to games with Rachel and this was our 1st of the season!

We may be banned from TN bowl games after this loss! I am 0-4 at bowl games and Kory is 1-5. I love bowl games but it would be a lot more fun to actually win one …

Will, Webb, and Kory- these boys have been friends forever and are so fun to be at games with!

Getting colder and adding more clothes!!

The Nashville night got a lot colder as the game DRUG on, and but it was not as cold as we were anticipating. The game was FOREVER long and ended with Tennessee WINNING (bitter maybe?) and then losing after the refs said the game was OVER.  So that was not a memory we will treasure, but we had a fun time at the game … minus the rogue officials and terrible calls!

We walked around the Opryland Hotel that night and enjoyed our big night out! If you have a chance to visit Nashville this is a must see especially at Christmas!

We met Rachel the next day at Fido, the cutest café in Hillsboro Village. It was so yummy and it was a great way to end our wonderful trip! Thanks Rachel for picking such a fun place to visit!

Kory and I are so thankful to have a nice night away and we were excited to see Kaitlin when we got home. We put her to bed that night and went on a wonderful date to Copper Cellar. We had an amazing dinner and watched the ball drop. What an awesome 2010 & we’re really excited to see what God has planned for us in 2011!

Family Circus

We met Kory’s family at the Chop House the day after Christmas in Pigeon Forge. After dinner we went to Shadrack's Light display at the Smokies’ Stadium. They had an amazing light display that was synchronized to Christmas music! Kaitlin was AMAZED and did not move the entire ride thru the park. She had the best time and it was fun being crammed in a car with our family!

Sweet Hannah loves Kaitlin so much! Can’t wait to see you all soon!

Kaitlin came home to play her best buddy Aunt Rachel! She put Aunt Rachel in the tent and was determined to keep her inside!

We laughed and laughed as Kaitlin kept adding toys to the tent with Rachel inside!

I am not sure who is having more fun!

Rachel escaped and Kaitlin wanted her back in the tent!

So back Rachel goes to the tent …

Good times.  Thanks for the laughs Aunt Rachel!

White Christmas

We woke up to beautiful snow on Christmas Day. It was magical and really made it feel like Christmas.

Kaitlin was extra good this year and Santa brought her an overflowing stocking and a Circus tent!

Kaitlin finds what Santa left!

She was quite overwhelmed at first with all new stuff but she soon was very excited about her new special hiding place. Gigi and Rachel made an amazing breakfast and even made Kaitlin’s favorite muffins. We enjoyed some yummy food and opened presents.

Kaitlin even got her own Piggy perfect for Razorback country. She finally got the hang of opening presents but it took her a little while to figure out that you can play with the presents later.

It was an All Vol Christmas for the rest of us! We were thankful for warm Tennessee gear later in week when we all went to the Music City Bowl!

Mom and Dad found our old Christmas sweatshirts and wrapped them up for us. We laughed and laughed as it was an unexpected gift!

Next stop was Kiki and Pop’s for a wonderful lunch and more fun!  She had a great time playing with her silly Pop  before everyone got there!

Pop and Kaitlin playing together on Christmas.

Kaitlin LOVES her cousins!  Kiley and Hannah are so good playing with her when she’s in town. 

Kaitlin loved being chased and had so much fun with all her cousins and Aunt Gina!

Christmas is so exhausting for little ones. Kaitlin opened up a few presents and then was too tired. We took our pack n play over to Gigi’s and she took a world record nap!

Dancing Mickey Mouse was a BIG hit this Christmas!  She LOVES Mickey and LOVES to dance … no brainer, huh???  Thanks Kiki & Pop!!!

Kaitlin got a Mickey Mouse Dance Party for Christmas.

Kaitlin missed out on the group picture but they sure are cute!

A

We made it back to Gigi’s for a wonderful dinner and fellowship with Uncle Judd and The Frey’s. It started snowing so our company made a quick exit to home and we put to bed a very tired little girl. It was a wonderful day filled with many laughs and special memories!

Christmas Eve

We were so blessed to spend 10 days in Tennessee for Christmas. Since Kory and I are both from the same town we are so lucky to see all our family. Christmas Eve we see both extended families on Kory’s side. We started out at the gym where Kaitlin was hanging with the big kids.

Poor thing is the youngest and got nailed with a basketball. She did not even blink and then ran to steal the ball back from a bigger cousin! Pat Summit may begin recruiting her in a few years. She has her Daddy’s Basketball moves.

All of Kaitlin’s cousins were so nice and she loved all the attention! 

Cole & Kiley were especially good with her playing basketball and running after the balls with her.

We were so excited to see Grandmother and everyone at the gym!  Next, we moved to the Bounce House to play with Shinlever’s, Hoffner’s, Ruckart’s, Crockett’s, Merritt’s, & Evans’!  Kaitlin had SO much fun on the slides!

Kaitlin at the Bounce House

Her daddy was a little tired by the time he went down the slide for the 10th time, it was worth it!

This year we even got to stick around to hear John read the Christmas story.

Kaitlin is a little distracted by her new balloon.

Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hold Kaitlin’s attention but it will soon!  We are so fortunate to have such a great family.  We miss you all!

Merry Christmas from the Shinlevers!

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

Luke 2:9-11

Merry Christmas from the Shinlever’s!