Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We've had a wonder Christmas season!  We started off by taking Nicholas to Zoolight Safari at the Birmingham Zoo.  Nicholas was way more interested in the few animals they left accessible than the lights they had set up everywhere.  It was really cold when we went, but he loved petting the animals.  The zoo membership was definitely a good birthday idea on our part.

 We then celebrated the Davenport family Christmas a few weeks early.  Lots of good food and good times.  I was most proud of the gift I found for Brad.  I felt it was very appropriate and will need to purchase another one for Ryan with his three girls. 

We both took the entire week before Christmas off, so we headed down to Mobile to visit with Gigi and Pawpaw.  The entire time Nicholas was Pawpaw's shadow, but I don't think he minded at all.  A few of his favorite gifts were a Cars mat from Ryan and Nancy and the nap mat that Gigi made for him. 

We also has fun visiting with some of both the Thompson and Allenbach clans.  Nicholas enjoyed playing with second cousins Carter and Emma.  Carter and Emma did a wonderful job singing Away in a Manger for us.  We tried to get Nicholas to chime in, but he wasn't interested.

 
We got back home Christmas Eve in time to make cookies for Santa.  Nicholas helped but then didn't understand why he couldn't eat the cookies that we were TRYING to leave for Santa.

When Nicholas woke up Christmas morning, we got him and asked if he was ready to see what Santa left him.  When we got in the living room he says "Where's Santa?"  We had to explain that Santa visited last night while he was sleeping. 

Some of his favorites from Santa were his tent and play-doh sets. 

Finally the day after Christmas we celebrated with the Martin clan.  One of the highlights of the evening was the gift that we gave Uncle Robert.  He opened his gift from us to discover an empty box.  Apparently I had wrapped not only an empty box, but a box inside an empty box.  I couldn't believe it.  Thankfully Gabe ran home and grabbed his actual gift.  Ahh good times!

Winter Wonderland!

We experienced our first white Christmas this year!  Granted it wasn't much, but it was still a cool experience!  

Nicholas helping me make cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve

Christmas morning, Nicholas was greeted with lots of Mickey, books, puzzles, etc

Testing out his new Mickey rocking chair.

Over at Beth and Brad's for Christmas breakfast, Nicholas is in awe of Meagan's new laptop.

Uncle Mumbles got Nicholas this great riding fire truck with working water tank and sprayer!  Can't wait until it's warm enough for him to test it out on the sidewalk!

Here is our Christmas Winter Wonderland! 

Early Davenport and Thompson Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with the Davenports last Friday.  We had good food and good times!  Nicholas received lots of cute clothes and toys that he has already broken in (including a sports set, a train set, etc).

This is my best consignment find yet!!  So cute!

Are we ready to open presents yet?

Beautiful tree and plenty of gifts to pass around

Uncle Brad found his tickle spot!

Nicholas in the middle of Meagan and Abby.  He enjoyed ripping the paper this year.

His new multi-sports center - fun!

 

The next morning we headed to Mobile to visit Gigi and Pawpaw.  Gabe and I gave each other a mini-vacation over to Biloxi for Christmas.  Well, unfortunately I forgot my license at home and the Imperial Palace (where we were staying) stops everyone that looks under 30.  So even though I'm almost 9 years over the legal limit, I was not allowed in the casino at the IP.  We even spoke with the casino head of security (who had the biggest attitude and was not helpful at all) to see if there was anything we could do to prove my age, but they did not allow us to do anything.  After that and a Barney Fife reference, we were probably on everyone's list.  I didn't have any problems what-so-ever getting in the Hard Rock or Boomtown, but you can imagine that Gabe and I were quite mad at how we were treated at the IP.  In the end I was able to play my favorite game (Penny Slot - Super Jackpot Party) and I have learned my lesson to have my license on me at all times (no matter how old I am).  The good thing was Nicholas did well with Gigi and Pawpaw the night we were away.

We were able to visit with my dad's brother Brian and his family and my mom's sister Catherine and my cousin Jane.  Nicholas had a blast with Jane's kid's Carter and Emma.  Unfortunately Ryan and all his girls were not able to join us as a 7 hour drive from Houston would be a bit much for a three week old little girl.  Gigi and Pawpaw gave Nicholas a great backpack, some PJ's and also contributed to Nicholas' college fund, which we are eternally grateful for!

Everyone loved Pawpaw's tennis balls

Carter and Nicholas enjoyed wrestling me - I think they won

Playing with the t-ball set Ryan and his girls gave him

Helping Gigi open her gifts

 Nicholas enjoyed riding around in a box top

We are looking forward to Santa visiting tonight.  Soon we will be making Santa cookies!

Jolly Ole Saint Nick!

With all of our Christmas festivities, it's been awhile since I've updated the blog. We all had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed spending time with our families!

Christmas eve was spent with the Davenport clan. There Nicholas received lots of cute clothes, toys and a very cool time capsule box that contains magazines and papers from the week he was born. Nicholas wasn't quite sure what to do with the wrapping paper, but of course everything he could get his hands on went straight for his mouth.

Santa brought Nicholas a swing, Leap Frog learning table, a lion riding toy, blocks and more! His favorite is the swing, which we put up in the sun room right now until the weather gets warmer. Daddy's gift is a trip to Pasadena to see his Crimson Tide play in the Rose Bowl. I'm also working on a scrapbook for this years football season for him (this was supposed to be done by Christmas, but I'm not even close). I received some gorgeous diamond earrings and a great pedicure/massage tub for my feet! Can't wait to test it out! Gigi and Pawpaw drove up Christmas day to join us. Unfortunately Gigi didn't feel very well, but she couldn't let a cold keep her away from her only grandson!

The day after Christmas was spent with the Martin family. We had some delicious BBQ along with plenty of tasty snacks and desserts. Next Christmas will be interesting... All of those girl cousins better watch out!

Here are a few pics of our wonderful first Christmas with Nicholas!