Dr. Mom & Dad on Call

Poor Marshall was sick on Friday night. He was up all night (along with the two of us). Fortunately, each time he was sick, he made it to the bathroom. Good boy. I eventually slept with him in his bed (don't ask us how...but we managed it) and crawled out at 6:50 and dragged myself into ours. He had a pretty good day on Saturday. Didn't eat much, but kept it all down, for which we are very thankful.

3 year Check-up

We had a GREAT doctor's visit today. Marshall and Shaylen are doing very well and are right on track. Here are their new stats!

Marshall:

Height: 3'4" (in the 96th percentile)

Weight: 36.5 lbs. (in the 85th percentile)

Slated to be 6'3" and about 180 pounds (based from his growth chart)

Shaylen:

Height: 3'2" (in the 75th percentile)

Weight: 34 lbs. (in the 75th percentile)

Slated to be 5'6" and 140 lbs. (based from her growth chart)

Dr. Faucette has no concerns and is very pleased with how they are doing. So are we!

New Dictionary Entry

motorvator-formally known as "lawnmower"; n; A machine with a rotating blade for cutting grass. Origins of this word are from Shaylen Joos of N. America.

Our Christmas Festivities

We had a great Christmas! I have attached the pictures from the day so you can enjoy seeing our family fun. Just relaxed in our pj pants for the day and enjoyed spending the time as a family.

Greetings!

From Our Precious Soles to yours!

Merry Christmas!

If you have received our Christmas letter and are viewing our website for the first time...

Welcome!

This isn't anything fancy, just a way for you to stay updated on the latest photos of our family, the funny things from Marshall and Shaylen's mouths as well as their antics. We will also try to keep you informed of our new news and of our schedule.

Be sure to jot us an email with your news: jooses@maine.rr.com

New Art Table

This is the new art table that we were able to get from Grandad Joos and Gramina for their birthday.

The CBC Christmas Program

We had a great Christmas program last night at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Most of the program went off without a hitch. We were excited to see over 250 in attendance (a record for Christmas programs) and, I don't think, any empty chairs!

Marshall and Shaylen did a great job with their part and we were thankful to have it videotaped for us, since we weren't able to personally watch it.

A big "thank-you" to Irma Mospan (the photographer who did our Christmas pictures) who sent me these digital shots this morning. Because of her, I am able to share them with you.

A Mess!

Marshall and Shaylen were playing in Shaylen's room this morning while I cleaned the bathroom. They were happy and content and so I didn't interrupt...it allowed me to give the bathroom tub a good scrubbing.

The next time I looked, they had all of Shaylen's blankets, comforter, and sheets off the bed! They were putting Snoopy, Brownie, Cameron and Auntie Janellee Giraffe (their stuffed animals) "to bed".

I laughed inwardly and called to Taigen to come upstairs. When he reached the top of the steps, I told him, "Look at what your kids did while I was cleaning."

He looked and laughed. He then asked Marshall, "What did you make?"

Without a pause to think, Marshall replied, "A Mess!"

Yuck!

Well, Marshall and Shaylen have had colds this past week and along with them, they have had gunk in their eyes in the mornings. I kept a close watch on it. However, today when I got Shaylen up from her nap, there was an increase in the eye "junk." I called the pediatrician and they got them both in this evening.

They both have the beginnings of pink eye and Marshall also had the beginnings of an ear infection in his right ear. (I've never known when they got those...they display NO symptoms!!!) They are both on meds and I'm figuring that I'll get the pink eye before long.

Dr. Faucette did mention that they would probably be able to still participate in the Christmas program on Sunday night (what a relief...!). They've worked so hard and are excited to sing their songs and "read" their book.

On her way to Bethlehem

Shaylen has a backpack from Dad and Cathy. It attaches a baby on the front of the backpack so you can walk around with the baby and backpack combined. This morning, Shaylen brought the backpack to me and asked that I attach the baby to the pack and zip up the zipper.

"The baby needs to be in his car seat. We're going to Bethlehem!"

New Dictionary Entry

ramonica- formally known as "harmonica"; n; A small rectangular instrument consisting of a row of free reeds set back in air holes, played by exhaling or inhaling. New origins are from Shaylen Joos of N. America

Marshall got a harmonica for his birthday from Auntie Janelle. Shaylen frequently asks if she can play "Marshall's ramonica".

Away In A Manger

Last night I went and got my hair cut by Chris Wheeler. She has taught the 2 & 3 year olds Sunday School for a million years and has fabulous ideas. She sent me home with hay, whole peanuts, a split toilet paper roll, and a cut up piece of a napkin...all of which were to be used to make a cute little "baby Jesus" lying in a manger. As I was making these with the kids this morning, we were singing "Away in a Manger." They had a ton of fun!

Later as they were off and doing their own thing I hear Shaylen singing it...her way.

"Away in a manger,

No crib for a bed.

The little old Jesus

Lay down his sweet head..."

Not for Consumption

Shaylen has just learned the meaning of "Not for Consumption". She has also learned that Play-Doh doesn't taste good-- despite how great it may look.

New Dictionary Entry

effalant-formally known as "elephant"; n; a five-toed pachyderm. New origins are from Marshall Joos of N. America

First Major Snowstorm of the Season!!!

I don't think we were supposed to get this much, but hey, I'll take it all!

It looks beautiful. The Saco schools even had a delayed start to the school day so our neighbors' kids were out shoveling and playing in the snow early this morning. Marshall and Shaylen are enjoying watching it...while listening to their new soundtrack of Mary Poppins!

New Dictionary Entry

Lemontime-formally known as "clementine"-clem·en·tine (klmn-tn); n. A deep red-orange, often seedless mandarin orange. New origins of this word are from Shaylen Joos of N. America

Grammie Endean gave them some for their birthday and Shaylen was asking for a "lemontime" for lunch.

Happy 3rd Birthday Marshall and Shaylen!!!

We had a great party on Saturday with friends and Marshall and Shaylen made out like bandits. They LOVED their chocolate cupcakes (Shaylen) and strawberry cupcakes (Marshall) and have continued to enjoy some of the leftover ones as well.

We are so fortunate to have friends who will take the time to help us celebrate. The kids enjoyed having Auntie Janelle(babysitter and adopted auntie), Mr. and Mrs. Bowman, Uncle Jason, Auntie Joni and Enzo (adopted relatives from Mass.), Matt and Jessica Krupnek (she helps in Sunday School every once in a while)and Grandma and Grandpa Mac(Adopted grandparents here in Maine). It meant a lot to the kids to have everyone there.

Today is their official birthday and we are going to celebrate with a dinner they like (which really could be anything...they aren't picky eaters), leftover cupcakes and ice cream, and they are going to open gifts from the grandparents and us. They can hardly wait. I have a bit of a cold & it's in my throat, and so my attempts at singing "Happy Birthday" were met with "Mommy, don't sing" or "Mommy, your singing sounds bad" (it wasn't meant as a rude comment, only factual). So...we'll settle for Taigen singing and the phone calls from relatives. They haven't complained about those today. I'll take the hint and keep quiet.

It is so hard to believe they are three. So big, so fast. God is good.

It's Snowing in Maine

We got up this morning and opened the curtains to see a light coating of snow and little flakes falling. It is so beautiful. Finally, it is looking like Christmas could really be just around the corner!

Only 21 days!

New Dictionary Entry

colorages- formally known as "college"; (klj) n. An institution of higher learning that grants the bachelor's degree in liberal arts or science or both. Origins of this new word are from Shaylen Joos of N. America.