The Sickies are Surrendering!

Here's the latest update on The Battle of the Blahs:

Taigen is back at church today. He slept in and went in around 11. He's feeling much, much better.

Marshall is still finding lots of time to sit and contemplate in the bathroom...on the toilet. Hopefully that will end soon as he is still complaining of his tummy hurting. Poor baby.

Shaylen only got sick once last night. Her appetite was back by lunch time.

They are currently taking a GREAT nap. Hope it helps them get back up to par.

Ah Ha! It has yet to conquer me. I hope I don't speak too quickly, but I feel great.

3 Down 1 To Go...the Battle of the Blahs

Well, as of an hour ago, we have three sickies in this home. Marshall is continually headed upstairs to sit on the toilet, Taigen is still sick and sipping ginger ale, and now Shaylen has decided to make the sick people in the house the majority. Her first hit landed all over the bathroom rug, my socks, half the toilet and on her leg. I'm holding the fort, but my chances of avoiding this garbage are slim. I'm now spending my time watching Marshall, but making frequent trips up to the main floor with him, then up to the top floor to check on Shaylen and Taigen.

My weapons of choice? Lysol Bleach cleaner and Lysol disinfectant spray, Antibacterial hand soap, water and lots of scrubbing. Let's hope for the best. If there are no posts in the near future, you'll know the enemy got me.

Can we start 2007 over?

Happy New Year!!!

While Taigen is upstairs recouperating, we have been busy in the basement. Here's a glimpse of what Marshall & Shaylen have been doing. Of course, I helped a bit too!

Fresh Photos from Sunday

Marshall and Shaylen donned their new attire for church yesterday and looked like a million bucks.

Shaylen's outfit is brought to you by Grandma Sherry, and Marshall's outfit is straight from the fashion center of Grandma Cathy and Grandpa LeDoux. You guys did a great job picking these out!

The Doctor is....sick

Taigen woke up this morning at 4:something feeling sick. It hit him full force this morning at 6:something and he is still in bed. I'm hoping he's up there sleeping, but I doubt that the sickies are allowing him to do much of that. Wasn't it so nice of Marshall to share? I'm wondering who will be next.

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!