Celebrating the Season

This past weekend all the Todd's graciously convened here at our house to celebrate Christmas this year.  We were excited to have Grammy and Grandpa as well as Julee and Parker all here with us.  Grammy came over early in the week to help with the kiddos as Joe headed out of town for work for a few days, then everyone else joined us Thursday and Friday.  We had a busy, fun week making cookies, cooking, playing outside, opening gifts, and just enjoying being with family.  

Grammy & Kate decorating cookies

Grammy & Kate eating cookies :)

Yay!!  Juju & Parker are here!! :)

Just a-swangin' w/ Juju :)

Opening gifts...

Not sure about the big fishy at first...

...but quickly changed her mind!

Pretty new pj's

New book from Juju & Parker

Hot Sauce!

Pink camo & Grandpa

Casey wanted in on the picture-taking

Joe, Grammy, Kate, & Julee

The boys ready for huntin'...want a successful hunting trip? take these little guys...it's a sure thing.

Love that little tummy peeking out from underneath the camo shirt...looks like we picked him up at 

Wal-mart!

John was not feelin' this one...

Kate, Julee, & Parker

Love how the boys just blend into Grandpa's shirt...

Family shot

Julee got brave and decided to try a rice cereal feeding...she did great!

Thanks to Grammy & Grandpa and Julee & Parker for coming to us this year!  We enjoyed the weekend so much!  

What else have we been up to?  The kids have all three been a little under the weather the past few days. It started with Kate running a fever, then went to Matthew, and today ended with John.  We had a long night Friday night with Matthew...he woke up about 1am with a 102F fever and very fussy :(   I'm thinking it's viral, seeing as it has played out the same in all 3 kids.  They've all had fevers and these strange tiny red spots on their faces that appear and last about a day then fade.  We've been keeping fevers down with Tylenol/Motrin, but fending off the 'fussies' has been another story.  And in the middle of all this we are pretty sure the boys are teething.  Each morning I get up and pray that those 2 little teeth will have pushed through!  They just seem like they are hurting so bad :(  The days are long and busy but we are making it!  

Quick side note:  Joe and I got interested in the Duggar Family when we found out we were having twins.  We are fascinated by how smoothly this family seems to function despite there being 19 children.  They just recently announced that she miscarried her 20th baby.  Prayers going up for this sweet family as they cope with their loss.  I would suggest going to their website and listening to the audio recording she posted of a letter she wrote to their precious little girl.  A wonderful perspective for parents of small children.  Last night I was up with a fussy John about 3am.  He had a slight fever and was in need of some TLC and Tylenol.  I must admit, I heard him crying on the monitor and thought to myself, "Ugh...here we go again."  I stumbled out of bed and trudged my way down the hall to the boys' room.  I leaned over John's crib and picked him up and rocked him a moment before laying him on the changing table.  When he looked up at me, he had the biggest, brightest smile, and his legs were just a-kickin' away; like he had never been so happy to see anybody.  Sometimes I can get so mired down in the day.  On a 'bad' day, all I can think about is how tired I am or how many diapers I've changed.  I must confess I can be such a complainer and so self-absorbed.  Even on my hardest, most exhausting days, I pray that I can always step back and see the BIG picture.   I am so grateful for my 3 precious children and for the wonderful opportunity to be their mama.