Family, Fun, Food, Front teeth!

What a way to end the year!!

As is our tradition, the girls and I headed up to Minneapolis to

spend time with Dean/Rachel and kids after Christmas.

Grammy and Boppa came along too, and we had a great time.

We love staying at Dean and Rachel's.  They are wonderful

hosts and great family. They always make us feel comfortable

and loved.  We love eating with them, and playing with them,

and relaxing with them.

This year was really neat because all the cousins are getting old

enough to really enjoy each other.  It is so special to watch

them grow up together and love spending time with each other.

I am so very grateful to my wonderful brother for these memories!

One of our favorite places is the Mall of America, and our visit

to the American Girl Doll store.  This year was extra special

with Avery's new doll, Clarice.

She was very excited to pick out a "mismatched" outfit.

(it took us a bit of time, and the help of the catalog, for 

Avery to explain what she actually wanted was 'matching'

outfits.  So, she and Clarice now have beautiful matching

dresses and headbands, or 'mismatched' outfits!)

Our favorite spot at the MoA is the amusement park.

We love all the rides, especially the roller coasters and

log ride.  We spent several hours enjoying them all.

And then, as evening was upon us, and we were almost

ready to head home, the Rousehouse tooth curse struck again!

The girls and I were on a roller coaster, and it was a fast,

jerky one.  As we neared the end, it took a sharp turn/stop and 

Avery slammed her mouth on the bar.  Blood was everywhere!

As you may know, mouth wounds are bleeders!

Not only that, but the one front tooth she still has

(she had the other pulled a few months ago after chipping it)

was knocked loose.  

So, here I am, carrying a screaming, bleeding child while

Ella is crying because Avery is crying.  And what do the

teenage ride attendants say to me as I'm screaming for help?

"Maam, you need to exit the ride area."

Are you kidding me!?!

Now, I won't relive the horrible experience we had getting any help or first aid, 

but I will say, it was awful!

My mom and I finally managed to get the most basic of 

first aid, and after listening to the pathetic request of the manager to assure him 

he had "done due diligence", we got Aves calmed down.  

We were heading out of the amusement area (I certainly had enough)

and we pass one of the girls favorite rides.

Avery looks up, swollen and bloody, and says 

"Can we ride that one more time?"

Yes, my brave baby, yes we can!

We spent another 30 minutes riding rides, and even rode 

a different roller coaster!  Oh my wonderful baby!

A few weeks later and the tooth is still there! It has tightened

back up and appears to be okay.

Now, I'm not holding my breath, as I'm 0/2 with teeth.

Both Claire and Avery have knocked teeth that later became

infected and had to be pulled.  But, for now, I'm counting my lucky

stars and hoping this time will be different!

Clarice and her new ear piercings ~

Cousins Sophie and Arwyn at the AG store

Uncle Dean took the girls sledding in their neighborhood.
The girls thought the cardboard box was the best sled!

Until they fell off~

Uncle Dean and Arwyn

Aunt Rachel knitted the cutest hats for the girls!  They all love wearing them.

Claire and I had so much fun together.  She is getting so big and is really
a great person to hang out with.  I am so grateful for her old soul and
loving personality!

Aves and Claire rode rides with me a little extra while Ella enjoyed
some shopping time with Grammy.  That girl loves to shop!

The girls and I enjoying the rides!

Finally, all 3 girls ready to ride!

We all love the roller coasters! We rode this one over and over and over...

Buggie was quite swollen the next day.  She really hit her mouth hard!

We have so much for which to be grateful.  

Our family, our great opportunities, our teeth.

Thank you God for all the gifts in our life.

Merry Christmas!

We had such a great Christmas this year! I'm beginning to understand

why my parents loved Christmas so much when I was growing up.

There is nothing better than watching your children run downstairs,

laugh and scream at the cool stuff they find, and then beg to be the

first to hand out their gifts! What a blessing!

As usual, I probably went a bit overboard, but I can't help it!

I love buying gifts for people. I love finding that just right gift for

each member of my family. 

This year had several special moments, beside the general joy of gift-giving.

Here are a few of my favorite memories of Christmas 2012:

1. My girls didn't whine, pout or forget the true meaning of Christmas.

They were thankful for their gifts, but remembered why we celebrate.

They embraced Jesus' birthday, they thanked God and their family for 

everything they have, and they took time to enjoy each other between

shreds of paper and bows!

2. Each girl either made, or went out specifically to buy, a gift for

everyone in their family. They all put a lot of thought, and time,

into each gift.  They were each so excited to give their gifts

and were beaming with pride and love as we opened them.

3. We had the most wonderful Christmas Eve! We went to church,

enjoyed a beautiful service, then went to dinner with some good 

family friends.  We talked and laughed the night away.

It was so much fun and such a great way to kickoff the holiday!

4. We hosted Christmas dinner at our house with Grammy and Boppa.

For the first time in my life, I did not go to my mom's house for 

Christmas dinner.  For the first time in my life, my mom did not have

to make a big Christmas feast.  I did!

5. I made a real, holiday meal.  I'm talking ham, potatoes,

creamed corn, sweet potatoes, the works!  And, I can honestly say,

it was delicious!! Well, almost everything was delicious.  I tried baking

real bread for the first time, and it was a bit thick to say the least.

But, besides that, we had  wonderful feast and I was so happy

to bless my mom with the gift of relaxation!

6. We spent the evening with Grandpa and Grandma Johnson and 

Jamie and Kyle.  I can't remember the last time I got to see so 

much of my family all on Christmas day.  Very special!

7. Avery got her first American Girl doll and the older girls

were as happy for her as she was!  I was so proud of my big girls.

They were so happy for Aves as she opened her doll, and neither
one of them asked, "where's my big present".  They were

grateful for what they received and happy for Buggie.

8. I forgot what I had bought and wrapped for Dave and he ended

up opening 2 flexible light thingys.  You had to be there, but it

was funny!

9. I was reminded several times that I have the best life and the

best family and the most loving, caring God!

Our Christmas Eve tradition is to let the girls each open 1 present.
Of course, they've learned it's always pajamas!

Several years ago, we asked Santa to only fill our stockings and to
give our gifts to kids who need them.  The girls love getting all the
trinkets and fun stuff in their stockings!

They had so much fun together, giving each other homemade gifts.

Ella gave Aves one of her treasured hamsters.  So special!

Claire made one of her famous duct-tape purses for Aves!

It took quite a while to get through the piles of presents, especially
when we stopped to play!

Pure joy!

She was so excited! The exact Just Like Me doll she wanted!
She named her Clarice.  Dave and I are still getting used to the name!

Ella gave me a frog. How cool is that?!

They got another doll bunkbed.  It's almost as much fun
putting it together as it is playing with it!

Merry Christmas and many blessings to all of our

family and friends!

Blizzard of 2012

Finally, snow.

Enough said.

The girls brushed the extremely heavy snow off our  tree.
They saved that baby for sure!

Avery's Christmas Program - Baaaa!

I am so in love with Avery's new preschool.

Originally, we had planned on sending her to the same preschool

the older girls attended.  It's a great preschool, but for some

reason, I was really being pulled to find something different.

So, 2 days before school starts, I sent a desperate late-night email

to my neighbor, who also is the director of a local church-run preschool.

Now, if you know anything about preschools around here you know

that you can not call days, weeks, or even months before school 

and have a prayer of getting a spot.  Well, by the grace of God, they

happen to have a spot that just became open, and it had

Avery's name all over it!

I have not regretted that late night decision for one second.

Avery is doing so well there. She is making friends, learning some cool

stuff and gaining confidence and independence everyday!

One of the coolest things about her new school: the Christmas program!

I don't know how they did it, but they had all the kids, in costume and

singing for all the teary-eyed parents.  What a blessing (and miracle workers)

these teachers are!

Aves was a sheep, and about the cutest sheep I've ever seen.

Best quote: Teacher, "Avery be sure to smile."  

Avery, "I can't smile. I'm a sheep. Sheep don't smile."

Luckily, she couldn't resist a couple grins for her adoring

audience!

Avery, we love you to the moon and baaaaack!

Enjoy a few video clips!

The Christmas Letter - 2012

Merry Christmas friends and family,

The tree is decorated, the stockings are hung.  George the Elf is hanging around and the cookies are made.  Now, I am anxiously awaiting our first snow, scheduled to arrive tomorrow, and then it will really feel like Christmas around here.  The only thing left: our annual Christmas Letter.

Life is good.  We are all in a very good place right now, which is such a blessing. We are healthy, active, enjoying life.  But, this wouldn't be the Christmas Letter without details, so here you go:

Claire is amazing! Seriously, such a great kid.  She is doing great in 5th grade, mostly because she is so busy (she is so her mother's daughter!).  She is in pre-algebra, plays percussion in the band, sings in the choir, participates in the talented and gifted program, serves on the student council, and is a great friend to many. When she's not at school, you'll either find her on the computer doing homework, on the piano practicing, at the gym doing gymnastics, or at the pool swimming for the Walnut Creek swim team.  Despite the long list of stuff, she actually does find time to hang with friends, read, and even play with her sisters quite a bit.  Claire is a great kid.  She is smart and kind and faithful and so wise beyond her years.  We've taken to calling her our "old soul".  I am so grateful to God, my family and the great group of friends we have around us that have helped guide and support her, and will continue to do so.

Ella is awesome!  She still loves attending school at Sayre, and is relishing her year as the 'oldest kid'.  She is a great role model and leader in class and takes her school work and responsibilities very seriously.  She is advancing through her academic work very quickly, and is so proud of her accomplishments, as are we! Ella  is our early bird.  She gets up well before anyone in the house and loves to make her sisters breakfast before spending time playing the piano.  I have grown quite spoiled waking to the music of her practice every day!  She is enjoying swim team this year, and is quite the fish in the water.  Ella is still our sweet, gentle spirit. She loves to lay in bed, or just about anywhere, reading.  She is always doing something kind for someone, without ever looking for reward or recognition.  She is such a loving sister and great friend.  I am so grateful for her continued health this year, and for the blessing she is to us and to so many around her!

Avery is a one-of-a-kind! She has really grown up this year and has started to become such an amazing little person.  She is fiercely independent and scary smart. It is so neat to watch her maneuver through this life, with such maturity, and wit, and creativity, and pure genius!  Avery started a Pre-K program at Westview Church preschool and she loves it.  It is the perfect fit for her.  She is making friends her age, she is learning so much, and she is experiencing all the joys and fun of preschool. She is also enjoying several preschool classes this year, including; tumbling, Spanish and story-time.   She still swims and can't wait to join the swim team with her sisters. Aves is still my baby!  She and I are extremely close and I can't imagine my days without her next year, when she heads off to Kindergarten. Until then, I am enjoy every hilarious moment and cherishing her big heart and even bigger mouth!

Dave and I are still going strong!  We are really enjoying the bit of freedom we are beginning to experience now that the girls are getting older.  Dave is still very happy at Hummel's Nissan. I spent last year working more than I ever have and am very grateful that I know that is not for me, or this family!  Surprisingly, as the girls get older, I seem to be even busier! I need my daytime just to prep for our crazy afternoons and evenings!  Plus, I've earned this time!  I've been home for 11 years with kids non-stop.  I'm ready for some quiet days at home!  I'm still doing a bit of adjunct teaching at DMACC and a whole lot of volunteering at school and church, so I get my 'grown up' fix too!

Every year, as I write this letter, I get to reflect on our year.  What we've done, how we've grown, where we've struggled.  Most years, I can smile and see that, while we aren't perfect, we are so very blessed.  Our greatest blessings remain the same this year: the grace of God, our loving family and our incredible friends.  We are so grateful to all of you for being a part of our lives, however big or small it might be.

Many blessing to you and your family, and much love from us all!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Janelle, David, Claire, Ella, Avery, and that annoying little dog, Jack

Just a few random tidbits of awesome!

I've been spending the last few days getting caught up on my blog.

As you know, this is my journal, my photo album and my

scrapbook all rolled up in one.

I cherish this blog.  I cherish the memories and the pictures

and the time I get to spend looking back at all the fun

we've had.  

I had a few pictures that I wanted to make sure to include, so:

Here are my few random tidbits of awesome!

Avery loves her new preschool. I mean, she really loves it!

She enjoys her friends and teachers.  She is so excited to go everyday

to sing, and do art, and play.  She always wants to tell me about her

day and what she learned and how much fun she had.

It's quite a story, how we ended up here, but bottom line: I could 

not be happier with her school and I thank God for tugging on my

heart and pushing me this direction!

Avery, in her Halloween costume for mommy day, sharing
some of her artwork

Ella has been having some major dental work done lately, 

in hopes of getting her jaw lined up better (poor kiddo!)

She had an expander put on the top of her mouth about 6

months ago.  For many weeks, I used a barbaric tool to crank her

upper mouth open.  Ahh!

Now, she still has the expander on top and she also has

New Braces!!  She is dealing with them like a trooper and

loves picking out new colors each time she goes in for an adjustment.

I am very proud of her and very grateful for her hard working

Daddy, paying for this mouth full of silver! 

Ella's new braces!

Claire: Just Plain Awesome!

Claire looking cool, as always!

First snow of 12/13!

It wasn't much, but it'll do.

We have our first snow of 12/13!!

If only it would last long enough to give us a white Christmas.

As soon as we saw the snow, we bundled the girls up 

and headed outside.  These days, snowfall if too rare around

here and we wanted to enjoy it before it all melted away.

A couple snowmen later, and we were ready for

some hot cocoa.

Enjoy this beautiful winter wonderland ~

~ Beautiful Ella ~

Avery throwing her first snowball of the year at me!

Aves making her snowman

Claire made snowcones for everyone!

Lord, thank you for opening my eyes to the wonders

of fresh fallen snow and the giggles of girls and their snowmen!

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be

present with my babies today and everyday.

Amen!

Trees, Tinsel and George

Where will you find the Rousehouse on the Sunday

after Thanksgiving?  In our 'piano room' putting up the 

Christmas Tree, of course!

As is tradition, we put up our tree while taking lots of pictures.

 I use these pictures for our annual Christmas card.

Well, this year I grabbed my camera to start snapping away,

and low and behold, no battery!

Yikes! Now, I have been known for my occasional meltdowns,

especially when they involve my kids, cameras, and special

moments/traditions.  But, I held it together like a trooper, 

grabbed my iphone, and started snapping away.

Sadly, the pics didn't turn out as well as I would have liked,

but I'm okay.  We still had fun, I stayed happy, and the tree is

still there, all lit up and bedazzled like no other!

As for our Christmas card, I used some beautiful pictures 

from our trip to Yellowstone instead, and if I say so myself,

it turned out quite nicely!

Avery and her homemade ornament that she made 2 years ago,
then dropped and superglued back together

My 3 beautiful angels~

~being muzzled by my precious first-born

Ahh, the joy of sisters!

Love, love, love!

Our silly pic!  That is Ella, stroking her santa beard! 

I had to let Jack get in on the fun too!  He is very good and never
bothers the tree.  

A fairly new tradition at our house is Elf on the Shelf.

This little Elf arrives at your house, from the North Pole, 

on Dec. 1st and watches over you and then reports back to 

Santa.  He moves around every night, and in some homes

he even makes quite a mess.

Our Elf, named George by the girls, is a slight variation

of all this.  He does come to our house, to celebrate the Christmas

season.  We aren't too big into the naught/nice/Santa thing.

We try to keep the focus on God and that everyone is naughty

but we are forgiven through Christ Jesus.

But, we're all in for a little Christmas fun now and then too!

George has been a nice guest this year, wandering from one

place to another most nights (he did forget once, silly elf!).

One morning I went downstairs and found that Claire and

Ella had left notes for George.  This was done completely on their

own.  I was so touched by their kind letters and especially

by Ella's sweet request.  I am so grateful for their kind

and giving hearts.  

George, our elf

Their notes to George.  Ella's is the white paper, Claire's is the sticky note.
Notice Ella's wishlist: fish tank, glass doll, for 100 more kids to love God.
Claire gave a shout out to George for "doing a good job".
Such sweet, sweet kiddos!