A Very Merry Christmas...

The Monger family had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS this year! We have been celebrating for over a week! It all started the weekend before Christmas when we celebrated my mom's birthday and exchanged Christmas gifts while we were at it. Then it was off to Alabama to celebrate with David's family and my Granny. I love this time of year! It's so nice spending time with the ones you love, which to me, is the best part. The spirit of the season is just amazing! We hope you all had just as Merry a Christmas! And we wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR, too!

Putting together Santa's gifts: a "dirty jeep", Stinky the Garbage Truck, a puzzle, a shuttle with "spacemens"(astronauts), letter magnets and much more!

Taking inventory of what Santa left. When Nico first woke up he didn't want to go see what Santa left because he thought Santa was still in the house waiting for him!

Granny, Patrick, Ashley, Lindsey and Nico

Goof ball posing in front of Granny's tree...a family tradition!

Sweet hugs!

Patrick got a car care kit for Christmas and Nico just had to wash his monster truck!

Nico, I mean Chris Johnson, driving while at the Galaxy of Lights at Huntsville's Botanical Gardens.

Who's ready to see the lights???

David the Mighty Multi-tasker!

WOW! Look at all of those presents!!! Merry Christmas from Gabby and Paw, Aunt Julie, the Fishers and the Roaps!!!

I feel like we may be looking into handheld games for next year!

No peeking!

Thanks, Giggy! A racetrack!

The Mongers in their Christmas PJ's...

A bag to keep all of his cars in: It's made from ARMY tents...cool!

School Christmas Party 2010...

Nico has just loved going to school. He actually asked about going today. On the 15th, he had his school party. We were in charge of bringing a craft and a game. We brought Santa and reindeer masks to color and a fun game of pin-the-nose-on-Rudolph. FYI, this game does not work so well with 2 year olds. They did have fun strategically placing the red noses all over the reindeer's face, though. Sadly, it was also Mrs. Jackie's last day with the class. She was taking a full time position at her other job. We will welcome Mrs. Lee Ann when school starts again in January.

Handsome man!

Nico, Sarah Beth and Hunter coloring their masks. Nico LOVES Sarah Beth!

A BIG bear hug from Mrs. Jackie.

East Tennessee Christmas...

Thursday morning we, along with Gabby, drove to Sevierville to see my dad (Babbo) and Tammy. Dad works at the local paper and was able to get us LOTS of discounts (by this I mean mostly free admission) to local attractions thru the many contacts he's made there over the past 2 years. It was great to be able to see Dad and Tammy for more than one day (which is usually the case), but hate that we won't see them on Christmas. We all had a blast and it was a nice, relaxing trip!

Nico's first trolley ride. On our way to Dollywood!

Mommy and Nico on the trolley.

Another mother and son you might recognize...

Dad and Tammy, the happy couple. They recently celebrated their 1 year anniversary!

Some of the Mongers at Dollywood.

It was CHILLY, but Nico (and Babbo) was up for riding the antique cars despite the freezing temps!

The boys at Flapjacks. We had a grand plan going into our trip: The area is known for their abundance of pancake places. We were going to try to eat at a different pancake place every morning. That didn't happen. We actually only ate pancakes one morning. That's OK, my waistline appreciates it :)

The place we stayed had a nice playground and putt-putt course for the little ones to use. Nico is waiting at the top of the slide for Gabby to send one of his monster trucks up into his reach.

The playground was also for the kids at heart!

Nico has been fascinated with taking pictures lately. "Say cheese, Mommy!"

"Driving" the Dukes of Hazzard go-cart.

We made a trip to the aquarium in Gatlinburg. Here, Nico is inside the tube at the clown fish exhibit.

I love these two pictures (above and below). I love the wonder and amazement I captured while he was looking at these amazing animals.

I recently got a new computer and have been playing around with the photo software. I've had fun so far and it may become an addiction...

Nico spent a lot of time in tubes when we were at the aquarium. He's making his way to the penguin exhibit.

Leo.

Mommy and Nico inside the penguin exhibit.

Munchin' on some popcorn at the Dixie Stampede pre-show. They had a bluegrass band playing Christmas songs and such. Nico really got into it. There's a video at the end of this post. Too cute!

Waiting for the show to start at Dixie Stampede.

After the show we went down to pet the horses and visit with a special cowgirl Nico had his eye on.

Babbo, Tammy and Nico at Olive Garden. Happy birthday, Tammy!

The resort also arranged to have Santa stop by for a visit. He even brought along promotional photos of himself to autograph and give to the children.

Mesmerized by the mandolin!

It's the Holiday Season...

We have been doing many a festive things this holiday season...

Story time with Mrs. Claus...complete with cookies and milk.

Thomas, Nico and Keenan: These boys are trouble!!! They will play and play, squabble and play some more! It's so fun seeing these guys grow up together!

Mommy and Nico riding the train. The Opryland Hotel is open again (after months of recovering from the May flooding) and has put on a special Christmas themed play land for kids. It was a great way to spend a blistery afternoon!

The Festivities Continue...

This time of year is full of so many fun things to do. Nico is getting to the age where he really gets excited about things so it has been EXTRA fun this year. Thursday, Giggy and I took Nico to see Santa at Bass Pro Shop. They had a really cool set-up, complete with toys, crafts and tents. He has sat on Santa's lap every year with no issues. Not this year. He chose to give his wish list from afar (I don't blame him. This Santa was pretty creepy.). All this child has talked about for the past week is a "dirty Jeep". He saw this lego-ish Jeep at Hobby Lobby. The box has a picture of a real Jeep driving in mud. He is going to be so disappointed when he opens the box and there is no dirt to be found. I'm thinking about getting a little brown paint and doctoring up the toy :)

At the North Pole.

Giggy helping Nico drive the remote control monster truck.

This tent is just his size!

Friday after breakfast we built our gingerbread house. Friday after dinner Nico ate all of the decorations. He just didn't understand that people usually don't eat these houses made of COOKIES!!!

Christmas Picture Follies...

Trying to get a good picture these days has been comical. Enjoy!

Monkey!

Eli was not happy about this!

This one is so good. Nico and David both smiling...but, oops, why is my face hidden behind Nico's head???

I really liked this one, but David was dead set against having the dog in our Christmas photo.