Merry Christmas from the Thorson Family! We had a wonderful time celebrating our Savior's birthday. Happy Birthday seems to be the kids favorite song to sing and we lost count on how many times it was song over the holiday break. The kids even created their own rendition just for Jesus! The only thing that was missing were those family members that we couldn't be with this year. Their absence was a definite whole in our hearts.

 All decked out for Christmas Eve service followed by chocolate fondue all over those nice clothes!

 But it was better for the chocolate to go on those nice clothes rather than our new Christmas jammies-the one present the kids get to open on Christmas Eve. 

At some point Joel and I will get to sleep on Christmas Eve night, right?! It wasn't the wrapping that kept us up…we actually planned ahead and had it pretty much done. It was the kids…poor things.  Anna was up till midnight at first determined to see Santa and prove his existence and then just crying because she was too excited to sleep and "how long is this night going to be!?". Then Asher was up at 5:15. We forbade them to come out of their rooms until 6:00am and of course at 6:01 we hear the feet running down the steps with squeals while they looked for their stockings (yes Santa hides them). It was Josie exclaiming "My PINK NAPKINS!" that finally rallied me out of bed to be opening presents by 6:45.  

 Have you ever seen a kid so excited to get socks? Apparently this is another "cool boy" thing. 

 Jesse got his Skylander's swap which he wants to play every minute of every day. We have to pry the controller's out of his hands to take breaks.

Anna got a karaoke machine-her most favorite gift. Now the dancing bouncing girl comes with a microphone too! The shows have been endless.

In addition to her pink napkins, Josie got beloved Cinderella glass slippers. Once they are on her feet she magically turns into a princess! 

Needless to say, everyone was extremely happy with their gifts. I got a bunch of new cold gear running stuff in my stocking. The kids said "Is that it?". They think Santa wasn't very nice to me-I guess they don't me that well. (but my husband does!).  While everyone was playing with their new toys,  I enjoyed a beautiful 6 mile run enjoying my new toys!

Let it Snow!

About a week ago we had 3 glorious snow days. The kind where everyone (even Daddy!) was snowed in and the whole neighborhood was out celebrating together. It feels like an ancient memory now because just yesterday it was 70 degrees and my kids were running around in t-shirts. Not sure what is going on but our dreams of a White Christmas seem to be disappearing. So we find ourselves looking at these pictures and hoping that it happens again soon!

 Snow days also mean baking cookie days! In this process we have learned that Jesse really does not like crafts. He says it is just "work work work". Bring on the games! So we literally had to tie him down just to decorate one cookie!

 While Anna has to decorate the most perfect cookies, Asher is all about fitting as much decoration on one cookie as you can get! He was having a blast. All he wants for Christmas is under armor clothes. When did I get a kid old enough to just want clothes for Christmas? Apparantly under armor clothes are the cool thing for boys now?

 Anna trying to build a snowman all by herself! There were snowman's everywhere in the neighborhood. This Christmas season might be our last "magical" one with Anna. She is determined to prove to all the older kids at the bus stop that Santa is real. We found her talking to Sonny, our elf on the shelf, one afternoon…just chit chatting away telling him her Christmas list.

 Ask Josie what she did in the snow and she says "eating it!" which is exactly what she did the whole time she was out. Her Christmas wish list is hilarious…"all the mermaids, a heart, one lip (meaning lipgloss or chapstick), and pink napkins (my favorite and not sure where that wish came from! but check, I think Santa has that one covered)."

Jesse sledding-oh boy! Can someone please put this boy in bubble wrap? It has only been 3 weeks since his last surgery and the cast coming off and my heart skips a beat every time he falls. All the kids were out riding bikes yesterday and I made him stick to the scooter. I am a nervous nilly!

Nutcracker Thorsons

Every year, the ballet company that Anna dances with does a semi-profressional production of The Nutcracker to ring in the holiday season. It is something that Anna and her dance buddies dream about all year and she cries buckets after the last performance agonizing over waiting another whole year till it comes around again. Since seeing the show last year, Asher started begging and pleading to be in the show as well (which means Jesse follows). So this year we had 3 Thorson's in the production. They have been practicing since September and spent the last 2 weekends on stage. What a treat for these parents to see!! Anna was a mouse, Asher was a party guest and soldier, and Jesse was a crown bearer which carried Clara's crown on stage with the Nutcracker (his good buddy now!).

Thankfulness

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Yes, I am a little late in my post but I want to take a moment to remember all we are thankful for before heading into all the Christmas posts. We spent Thanksgiving with my parents in West Virginia which was a special time. We made a "thankful" turkey to remind us what we were celebrating-each feather is something we are thankful for. The following pictures will be some of those things. (I heard the Sounds of Music song in my head…these are a few of my fav-or-rite things!)

 Train rides with Grammie at the mall where she works.

 Playing in the leaves (this is how a walk with Finn went. Needless to say we didn't get very far).

 Anna expressing herself.

 Pizza! Jesse's favorite food.

 Josie LOVES hats and mittens.

 Family outings

 Especially ones that include exploring!

Our dog Finn

We pray that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and remembered all the gifts He has given us!

Happy Halloween

So we have officially entered the candy, cookie and junk food season. I seem to find the evidence in every corner of the house! Not to mention in own hands once the kids are safely tucked in bed. We have enjoyed the start of the season with costumes and carving pumpkins, a block party and trick or treating, all while reminding our kids that we are being a light in a dark world by imitating Jesus every single day. We are super proud of the character we see developing in them. We here wonderful reports from their teachers and other parents, and I reminded by the one thing we desire most in them is that they love the Lord above all else. As a parent, we should desire this more than a blue ribbon or the winning goal, straight A's, or even a stellar athlete. We are happy to turn our porch lights on and open our doors to neighbors, delight in their children, and be a part of our community while showing them the light in our hearts and letting our kids have a little fun. Our kids often point to Jesus before Joel and I even do and as we chase a kitty cat, Darth Vader, a minion, and a fairy around the block I remain more proud of them each passing year.

Another month goes by and Another Birthday

Wow, where did the time go?! Forgive my lack of blogging. I got a chuckle looking at my last blog, admiring my T-ball super star because in the month that has gone by since I was last here, Jesse broke his arm again and had two manipulations in the ER and then arm surgery just under 2 weeks ago, ending his T-ball season. He has been a trooper despite being in a cast for almost 3 months now! We had a few rough days and some temper tantrums over not being allowed in the neighbors jump house but now that he has a red and purple striped hard cast on, he has perked up! (We have been through 4 different colored casts now).

Finally asleep in the after many hours ad many drugs. 

I will spare you a picture of his arm (it wasn't pretty!)

And even though October brings the fall season, apple and pumpkin picking, jumping in leaves, and Halloween, we usually spend October counting down the days till Anna's birthday because she seems to think we will forget it! It was her year for a big party and she chose to have it at a local cupcake shop, Amphora Bakery. She got to help decorate her own cake, and all the guests decorated their own cupcakes and cookies to take home. 

 The party was on the mezzanine level of the bakery which allowed for everyone to watch all the bakers and decorators at work. 

 This was Jesse first outing post surgery, and even though he was high on drugs, had a great time. He wore his chef's hat for days afterward.

The cupcake decorating was crazy! How often do kids get free rein with icing? Each cupcake ended up with its own name such as "Rainbow Mountain" and "Icing Waterfall".

Even Josie got in on the action

I believe Anna felt super special this day and days afterward. I feel like we have been eating cake for a month! I hope it was as wonderful for her as it was for us. Happy 8th Birthday Anna!

Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

Baseball season is in full swing. No, I don't mean the Red Sox (well I do, but those are not the games we attend 2 times a week even though Joel would like!). I mean the Bats T-ball team, Jesse's new adventure. and I must say that he has been taking to it much better than soccer!

 The "pitcher" has to wear a helmet. Jesse did amazing at stopping the ground balls, and he almost caught one fly ball!  He had trouble throwing to first base though, his instinct was to chase down the player running to first. Gave us quite a chuckle. Then he actually got one runner and jumped for joy and yelled "You're out!". We had a tough time explaining that their are no outs in "Funball" as his age level is called.

 A serious runner. 

 Even though you can't see, the smile on his face was amazing. He had so much fun and is super excited about his next game.  He keeps asking me if I have washed his uniform.

Yes, his face is under there somewhere!

First Day of School

 Asher - 4th grade, Anna - 2nd grade.

Yes, these are fake smiles.

 These kind of pictures seem to work better :).

 Jesse's 1st day of kindergarten! Kindergarten is only half day here and Jesse is in the afternoon session, so he was miserable for the 4 hours after Anna and Asher got on the bus. It was a LONG morning!

 But his time finally came, but his excitement did result in us being at the bus stop about 30 minutes early.

I don't know why this just about broke my heart. Watching him get on the school bus alone with a handful of scared kindergarteners peering out the window.  Each one was sitting alone and the bus was eerily quiet. Then off to school to fend for himself! He couldn't remember anything he did except have milk at snack time, but he brought home a stick figure he drew himself which had a smiley face, and the words, Jesse (backwards J) is "HAB" today.