Our Trip to the Lake...

So our neighbors have a sweet little boy named Maddox. Nico and Maddox get along swimmingly. They love riding bikes, racing their gators in the cul-du-sac, and playing in the sprinkler together. Our neighbors also have jet skis. They invited us out on Sunday to grill out, swim and ride the jet skis at a nearby lake. Nervous can't even describe how I felt watching that sweet little boy get on that HUGE jet ski! I knew David wouldn't put our child in danger and I knew Nico wouldn't want his Papa to go very fast. The nervousness I felt was soon washed away when I saw that big smile on Nico's face. He loved it and told us we needed to get a blue jet ski. Um...no.

Soccer Game...

It's been awhile since I brought the camera to one of Nico's soccer game. Just thought I'd share what I captured. Nico likes soccer OK. He'd love it if he could be goalie. Thing is: They don't have goalies at this age. In a few years, bud!

 Cheers-ing their snacks!

 Mmmmm...Cheetos!

Panama and Nico enjoying their juice after the game.

Ladies (and Nico) Beach Trip...

A couple of weeks ago, my mom, my sister, Nico and myself went down to David's parents' condo in Perdido Key. We had a great time relaxing and having nothing much on the agenda. The weather was sunny, but a little chilly. We didn't let that keep us from hanging out on the beach and beside the pool. We may have been covered up with beach towels, but we were out there!

 Giggy and Nico on the beach.

 Nico wasn't a huge fan of the ocean in years past. This year he seemed to get a little more comfortable. The water was pretty calm for the majority of the trip, so that probably had something to do with it.

 Nico and La La cheesin'!

 Nico and I braved the chilly waters to take advantage of the calm and clear ocean.

 Warming up after our water excursion!

 Nico got ahold of the camera again!

 We went to watch the Blue Angels again. This time it was a full practice. What an amazing experience!? After the practice was over, the kids got to go out on the runway as the pilots drove by. Nico is the last kid on the far right (in the black).

 The pool was heated, so being in the water was fine. It was the getting out that was torture!

Here's what Ashley looked like most of the trip ;)  Phone in hand...and covered up with a towel! Ha!

Easter Sunday 2012...

Easter started with pumpkin pancakes, raiding the Easter basket and hunting for eggs. After church we headed to mom's for lunch and another egg hunt. We had a nice, relaxing time and enjoyed great company. Hope your holiday was great, too!

My big boy.

Picking up the candy that came flying out of the egg he found at mom's.

Happy Easter from The Mongers.

Saturday Festivities...

We had a great Easter weekend. It all started on Saturday with a family trip to the gym, running errands and cleaning house. Once all the had-to's were done, we got to play. We dyed eggs, grilled out and went horseback riding (thanks to my mom's friend Stacy!). To be honest, I'm still a little sore from the ride. I guess I wasn't cut out to be a cowgirl!

"Happy Easter Day"

Papa and Nico riding the head mare, Frieda. We took a sunset ride and it was beautiful. As it got dark, Nico almost fell asleep on the horse..ha!

Dino Trek...

The Nashville Zoo has a great exhibit currently. They have set up 12-15 life-sized dinosaurs. I thought this was going to be pretty lame. To my surprise, it was great! The dinosaurs looked so real. Their eyes even moved!

Nico and Papa starting their trek.

Nico's favorite dino in the exhibit.

Family Beach Trip 2012...

A couple of weeks ago we made our first family beach trip in about 3 years!!! We were there almost a whole week and it was amazing! The weather was great all but one day and we just caught a movie once the rain moved in. We watched the Blue Angels practice and then headed over to Mobile to tour the USS Alabama. Nico is definitely a water sign. He would have stayed in that pool until he shriveled into a prune. He started the week off not wanting to part with his floaties and ended by diving under water to fetch pool toys.

I remember David doing this with his niece and nephew years ago!

My boys.

Taking a break. In pj's, of course!

It was a little chilly the morning we headed out to the beach to play. Nico's not a huge fan of the beach, so we spent most of our time at the pool.

Mommy and Boo Boo. Love the thumbs up over the shoulder!

Family shot. Love.

Practicing swimming with Papa. Such a good dad.

Waiting to watch the Blue Angels.

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Mommy and Papa from Nico's point of view.

Dining at Wintzell's in Mobile.

USS Alabama

My little jail bird.

This is a picture from the dinner we had at a Thai restaurant in Montgomery, AL. We like to add a little Montgomery into all of our trips. I kid. My car actually broke down and we had to stay the night until my car could be fixed. We made the most of it and actually had a nice time.

Mommy being silly. Nico has a new-found love for photography...can you tell?!