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.

Toddler Semantics

Last night on the way home from church, Taigen and I were talking. From the back of the van we hear Shaylen say, "Daddy, excuse me, Daddy."

Taigen said, "Yes, Shaylen."

She said, "Daddy, excuse me, but I want to tell you a question."

It was so hard to not laugh at her. She's got the right concept though.

Marshall was singing "Feed the Birds" today from Mary Poppins. Here's how he was singing it:


"All awound the cathedwal,
The saints and apostles,
Look down as she shells her way.
Although you can't see it,
You know she is smiling,
The time someone shows theeeeyyy caaaare!
Though her words are simples and few,
Listen, listen, she's cowling to youuuuuu."

It's really a hoot to listen to.

Let the Games Begin

Tonight officially starts the volleyball season for those on the city leagues here in Saco. Break out the knee pads, the sweat pants & the white t-shirt. Oh yeah...and the Advil and ice packs.

I (Crystal) look forward to this season. I get to play with Wendy Maskell. She's a friend from church as well as a neighbor. She graciously invited me to play last year. Janelle was convinced to join us this year too. I'm looking forward to seeing how competitive she really is.

Update: Hey...we had a good first night. We are in the "B" league, (read that "Below Average") and we ended up practicing against two "A" league teams last night. Needless to say, we rot. There is no doubt in my mind that we BELONG in the B league.

One of the teams we practiced against last night had some tall players so it made for an interesting few games for me when I was up on the net. We were up against two teams that have a good spirit and are friendly. I love that. We have two new players on our team and I am looking forward to getting to know them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are excited for Thanksgiving this year. We will be having the Bowmans, Trena Penney and Scott Lowicki over to our home. Trena and Scott both don't have family in town so we adopted them as family for the day. The Bowman children are all down in South Carolina at Bob Jones University. We were glad that they were available! We are having a delightful menu! Here's a peek at what we are having:

Appetizer
Cream Cheese & Pomegranate Pepper Jelly Dip
with Wheat Crackers
Cranberry Spinach Salad

Main Course
Turkey & Stuffing with Homemade Gravy
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Sweet Potato Crunch
Maple Glazed Turnips
Sweet Corn
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Foccaccia Bread & Rosemary-Olive Oil Demi Loaf
with Cracked Pepper Olive Oil

Dessert
Double Layer Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream
Bowman Apple Pie a la Mode
Krupnek Peanut Butter Pie
Penney Homemade Oatmeal Pecan Pie

Beverages
Sparkling Cider
Chilled Water
Skim Milk
Egg Nog
Decaffeinated Coffee

Matt and Jessica Krupnek will be bringing the Peanut Butter Pie later on in the day and will be delightful to have around come evening. Jessica is a helper in Marshall and Shaylen's Sunday school when Trena is away on business. They LOVE her! We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for, don't we?

A Trip Down Memory Lane

The kids birthday is right around the corner. I thought I would let you see the progression of our lives. Watching this brings tears to my eyes and gratefulness to my heart. Taigen and I have much to be thankful for: The happiest marriage in the world and two very precious lives: Marshall and Shaylen

New Beds in a New Room

Here are some pictures of Marshall and Shaylen on their new beds. Sherry bought them their comforters and sheets. They love them and they look perfect in their new rooms.

This also gives you a peek at their rooms. Marshall's we changed from a light blue to a dark blue and Shaylen's we changed from light pink to a cream. Marshall's accent colors are primary: red, yellow and light blue (with a hint of that sage green from the afghan and in the comforter) and Shaylen's are a bright pink and green polka dot that are in her comforter and curtains.

Hello!

Greetings from cool and crisp Maine!

We have mowed the lawn for the last time this year and the majority of the leaves and dead branches are off the lawn. It looks so good and I know that Taigen is glad to have accomplished that task. Looking at our calendar I realize that it is filling quickly. I can hardly believe the kids will be three in less than a month. 2007 is just around the corner.The holidays are always a time of mixed emotions for us since we cannot be near our biological families. However, we are spending Thanksgiving with our adopted family from the church and it should prove to be a grand time.

A Bit of Humor

November 7th: This morning the kids came downstairs after they were all dressed. We have the computer on and a continual stream of pictures scroll on our computer as our screen saver. Recently I sent pictures of Taigen and me in our wedding garb to someone and so they were on the thread of pictures to display. As I came down the stairs this morning, Shaylen greeted me at the bottom and said that they "saw the prince and the princess and it was Mommy and Dadding and they were marriage!!!" I said, "Did you see Mommy and Daddy in the picture of their wedding? Were we getting married?" "Yes" she said, "and Daddy was a prince and Mommy was the princess!" Nothing like an almost 3 year old to boost your self esteem early in the morning!Shaylen is watching me type this and I've already posted the pictures. She just said, "When I am a mommy and a big girl, I will get married and I will be a princess!"

New Dictionary Entry

tireplace: Formally known as "fire.place"; n. (frpls) n. An open recess for holding a fire at the base of a chimney; a hearth. New entry is from Shaylen Joos in N. America.

Tonight we were headed out to church and I stepped outside and said, "Oh it smells so good! Someone has their fireplace burning!" Shaylen was coming out with me and I told her, "Do you smell the wood? It smells good!" She came out, sniffed and quickly opened the screen door and told Taigen, "Daddy, quick! Do you smell the wood? It's the tire-place and it smells good!"

Master Bedroom

I thought I would start posting a series of views of our house. This post will be of our bedroom. We decided to go bold and go with a purple hue. When we tell most people "purple" they think of Barney. I would rather say "eggplant." We love how it turned out. We have two different shades in the room and we think it looks cozy and warm.

 

Guest Room

Here are a couple of pictures of our guest room...where you would most likely stay if you came for a visit.

Umputer

um.pu.ter: formally known as "computer"; n. A device that computes, especially a programmable electronic machine that performs high-speed mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or otherwise processes information.

I love the fact that the kids are talking about everyone and everything. Marshall carries around a purse that I was going to sell in the yard sale and he USED to call it his purse. I told him, "Marshall, boys don't have purses, they have briefcases." So now, he is walking around with his "briessecase." Marshall and Shaylen both get excited when we go out to eat...which isn't often, because it means they get french fries! They know that they can only get those french fries at the "Estraunt!" Since we got DSL I can stay connected to the internet all the time. Frequently I will be playing with them and I will hear the "beep" letting me know that I got a new email. I will go and sit down to read it, and most likely, respond. They will come over and ask, "Mommy, are you done with the "umputer?"

Fee Fo Fum

October 19th: Marshall loves playing wtih the numerous balls from their ball bin. He grabs one of my old purses that I've thrown in their toy bin and stuffs it completely full with balls. He then walks around the house and says to me, "Mommy, I need to bring my briessecase!" This evening we were playing in the basement and Marshall said, "Fee Fo Fum, I smell a gingerbread man!"

Tour of Homes, Maine style

Here is more from our collection of pictures of our home. This is the second installment which includes the kitchen.

Hemlock House Second Installment

Here is the second installment of pictures from our house. These are from the living room. The color is Adobe Beige.

Photo Session

October 9th: We got our pictures taken today by Irma Mospan, a photographer that attends our church. She had given us the photo shoot as a Christmas gift last year and we are just now getting around to redeeming it. She seemed excited about how they were looking. We will get to see them on Sunday! Let's just hope that some will be good enough for our walls and possibly our Christmas card this year!

Nursery Rhymes

October 5th: Shaylen has been quoting this recently:

Boys and girls come out to play,

The moon doth shine as bright as day.

Leave you supper and leave your sleep,

And come with your playfellows into the street.

Come with a whoop and come with a call,

Come with a goodwill or come not at all.

You find milk and I'll find flour,

And we'll have pudding in half and hour.

Truly amazing, don't you think? She quotes the whole thing...seriously! She's also been quoting the Curious George books we purchased for them at the local library book sale. Anyone looking at her would think that she was really reading.