Trip to Mountains

We went to the mountains this past summer (Red River, NM) where Jackson caught his first fish. Jody wasn't able to go with us this time...hopefully next year!

It's been a LONG time...

A lot has happened in the Nichols' household since the last post! I started back teaching 5th grade and am loving it! Jackson has adjusted to his new school and is also 2 years old! Hopefully we are back in the swing of things where I can update on a more regular basis.

Visit with Aunt Paige

Here are just some random pictures of Jackson and Aunt Paige the last two days she was here....we went to eat at the Bell Buckle Cafe and then Jackson is watching his favorite Disney shows right before we had to take her to the airport.

Nashville Sounds

HealthSpring hosted a night at the Nashville Sounds game...Jackson enjoyed it of course because he LOVES baseball...that is ALL he ever talks about.

Chuck E. Cheese and the movies

Last Friday Paige, Shelby (a friend we adore from church), and I took Jackson to Chuck E. Cheese and his first-ever movie in a theater. He saw Up in 3D--I won't say that he stayed away the whole time, but he did sit very still and acted like he enjoyed it, although he probably didn't see much of it since he wouldn't keep on his glasses!

Discovery Center

I can't believe how fast this summer has flown by! J'Rae and Paige came to visit...unfortunately I didn't get any pictures while J'Rae was here, but we are going to Texas in July so maybe I can make up for it then. Here we are visiting the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro with Aunt Paige...he loves that place! Lots to do inside and out!

Jackson decorating brownies for Daddy

Jackson and I decorated some brownies for Jody for his birthday...

Jackson at 18 months

Here are a couple of pictures of Jackson playing outside with his sidewalk chalk. He turned 18 months on the 23rd of April. We went to the doctor yesterday for a check-up and shots. He is 35 inches tall, weighs 24 lbs, and is doing great. The best part is we are through with shots until he is 4!

Tornado April 10th in Murfreesboro

Friday April 10th is probably a day I will never forget. Jackson and I had run a couple of errands and then headed home to start cooking for our events in the weekend. I knew we had a chance for severe storms and a line was moving across Middle Tennessee so I had the news on. I heard on the TV that Rutherford County-Murfreesboro was under a tornado warning and so I looked outside. Sure enough, there it was. The "storm chaser" in me began to video it with my camera phone, but then it looked like it was heading right for us, so I quickly shut it off and began making preperations for us to take cover. We were spared. Close to us there was some roof damage, downed trees, and a second story was damaged but then about a mile away is where the devestation began. I think in the paper today they listed that 519 structures were damaged and 59 homes were destroyed. They are calling it an F3 tornado that began by our house and took a 10 mile stretch across town. Two people died-a mother and her 9 week old baby. The father is still in the hospital in critical condition. It has been amazing to see this community work together and especially all of the firefighters, police, search and rescue, ect. We were without power in our neighborhood for only 9 hours! I think that is pretty amazing considering the damage that is here. Others had theirs restored Saturday. Jody was in Louisville, KY at a funeral. He was shaken up because he wasn't here, although there isn't really anything he could have done. Please pray for our community as we deal with this.

Below is a link to a video on YouTube showing pictures from the damage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_vboJmpx6w&feature=player_embedded

More Easter pictures

I might add that the chocolate face is Jackson induldging in Misssissippi Mud for the first time.....

Easter 2009

Jackson ended up hunting Easter eggs twice this year. Some friends of ours had a bunch of us over Saturday and then Sunday after lunch he was able to "hunt" again. Here are some pictures from both places.

More Video of Jackson playing baseball

Jackson playing baseball

We had a beautiful day here in Tennessee today and Jackson enjoyed being outdoors! He loves playing baseball and actually swings the bat pretty good for a 16 month old!

I found the snacks...

Not thinking, I kept the utility room opened and Jackson found the snack drawer. Molly sure is loving Jackson! Here they found one of his favorite snacks...

Part 3

Part 2

Christmas a little late Part 1

We were able to visit both sets of family over the Christmas holidays on our trip back to Tennessee. Here are a few pictures (just a little late).

Practicing Baseball

Everything is a bat....and it seems he is "left" handed right now. He bats and throws with that left hand.