Christmas was particularly special for Apollo Nida this year. Not only was it the first holiday The Real Housewives of Atlanta ex got to celebrate since his release from prison last spring, but he also got to share it with sons Ayden, 9, and Dylan, 6. 

Apollo shared a couple of photos of his Christmas celebration with Ayden and Dylan on Instagram on January 12. The adorable pics show the boys opening their gifts out at a restaurant while their dad lovingly looks on. "I love these two amazingly smart young men. Life is only going to get better for US," Apollo gushed in one of the posts. "THANKS FOR REMAINING STRONG WHILE DADDY WAS AWAY. LOVE YOU SO MUCH."

He wrote in another, "The positive energy you two have is so awesome. Love you."

Apollo's ex-wife and the mother of his children, Phaedra Parks, confirmed to DailyMail.com prior to the holiday that Ayden and Dylan spent time with their dad over Thanksgiving and were hoping to see him for Christmas as well. "The one thing that will be different about this year is that my sons' father is home from being incarcerated, so hopefully he will be able to join us for some of the festivities," she said.

Apollo completed his time in federal custody last year after beginning his prison sentence for fraud and identity theft in 2014. In addition to spending time with his sons following his release from prison, Apollo has also snapped several steamy selfies with his fiancée, Sherien Almufti, and reunited with old friends Todd Tucker and Peter Thomas.