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!