Vaillant Family Blog: Christmas 2014

The best part about Christmas this year was that Eric miraculously was post call Christmas Eve and off Christmas Day. He hardly had any weekends off for the 3 months he was at shock trauma so it was all worth it when we found out he would be on call the day before Christmas Eve and New Years Eve and get a nice holiday break. When Eric got off Christmas Eve morning he drove straight home to pick up the boys and take them to Bass Pro to see Santa. Eric had promised Hayden they would get a picture with that Santa and the lines had always been so long so they got there a little before it opened. They only had to wait about 20 minutes and Lincoln even sat on Santa's lap! Once the boys got home and we had lunch we took a family nap. We went to Christmas Eve service at our church which was awesome and then came home to do an easy dinner and open one present each. Of course we all got pajamas! Once we got the boys in bed we waited a little to make sure Hayden was sleeping and then started our Santa prep. I had most things wrapped but daddy had to put together a Thomas Train Tower for Lincoln and wrap my gifts. I had a couple last minute things to wrap and prepared the boys stockings and then we headed to bed.

We told Hayden he could not get out of bed until 7:00 and he actually slept until a little after that. He came into our room and then we all headed downstairs together. He was so excited to see everything under the tree. We encouraged him to wait for Lincoln to do most of his gifts but we let him start with his stocking and then let him open a few small gifts while we waited. My parents drove from my sisters house to ours early and arrived at 8:45. We woke Lincoln at 9:00 (yes, he usually sleeps this late) and brought him down for some gift opening!

It was so much fun to see the smiles on their faces with every gift. Hayden got books, clothes, shoes, and a ninja turtle lego set. His big Santa gift was a 3DS which he had not asked for but we knew he would love it as an upgrade from his Leappad. Lincoln's big gift was the Thomas Train Tower but he also got lots of books and cars which are his favorite things.

We spent the day playing with new toys and relaxing. My mom made Chicken Pot Pie for dinner per Eric's request. It was a great day and I of course took lots of photos and videos to remember it. :) Here are my favorites.....