Maybe I stand corrected.. .

Today we were out to lunch with my mom, and Avery

was, well, being Avery.  She was calling us "little missy"

and arguing about everything.

In between the eye rolling and exasperated sighs,

she would tell us to "just be quiet".

While trying not to laugh, because as we know I find this hilarious,

I told my mom, "You can tell Aves goes to school more than the

girls did.  She is definitely more defiant than she used to be".

To which my mom starts laughing.  "What?" I ask.

"Avery has always been like this.  You're just too busy enjoying

it to notice.  Everyone else has always noticed the defiant nature

in Avery."

Well, I'll show her. I went back through some old video of Aves.

Turns out, I stand corrected.  She really has been a pistol

all her life.  And I really have been enjoying the s*%t out of it!

Here are just a couple of the many great examples....

Here is Avery discussing Santa in Dec. 2010

Avery's 2 1/2 bday.  March 2010

One more reason I love him so much...

There are so many reasons I love my husband.

He's handsome.  He's kind.  He's good. 

He loves me, entertains me, forgives me.

He tolerates me, encourages me, adores me.

He is a great husband, friend and most important, father.

Dave does many things well.  But, the thing he does best

is love his family.

My girls have no idea, yet, just how lucky they are.

Their dad is 100% present in their lives.

Not only does he make their breakfasts and lunches

every single day, which is impressive enough!

He prays for them, encourages them, challenges them.

He knows what's going on in their lives and takes a

genuine interest in parenting them.

I know lots of great dads (I have 2 of them!),

we are very lucky to have many great examples in our lives,

but I think my girls have the Best Dad Ever!

Every year we get to celebrate this great relationship

at Hope's Daddy Daughter Dance.

This year was extra special for all of us!

Avery was finally old enough to join them.

So, Dave had his hands full and I enjoyed a

lovely french dinner with my friend, Wendy.

I'd say it was the perfect night for everyone!!

Daddy Daughter Dance 2012

Resting during mommy's photo shoot!

Oh my!  She is growing up so beautifully!

My sweet, beautiful Ella

Avery was so excited to buy a new dress and go out with the big girls!

It just doesn't get any better than this!

My loves.  I am beyond blessed with this crew!

Claire's 4th grade Fine Arts Night - "Go West" starring Yellow Rose

Okay, perhaps "starring Yellow Rose" was a stretch.

Claire was lucky enough to get a speaking part in their class

music performance this year.  As you can imagine, I was a

bit excited about this!  I love the theatre and couldn't wait to

see my prodigy shine, or something like that.

She brought her lines home and practiced them religiously.

She had the part of "Yellow Rose of Texas".

I loved listening to her practice.  She always spoke so clearly,

and with the best western drawl I'd ever heard.

Now, I'm going to be honest with you.  I didn't think in a million

years that she would actually present her lines at the performance the

way she did at home. I mean, come on, I've seen Claire on stage before.

Not exactly on fire.  Well, let me tell you, I WAS WRONG!

That girls killed it!  She spoke clearly, loudly, at a steady pace

and with an awesome old west drawl.  I haven't been that proud

of her since, well, the last time she overcame a fear and shined

like the lovely girl I know she is!

I posted the video below.  Listen closely, 'cause it goes by quickly! : )

Oh, yes, the whole class did perform too, and they did great!

As always, well done Shuler class of 2020!

The whole class. Claire refused to wear the bandana on her head, lovely.



Getting ready for her speaking part.  She looks a bit nervous!



This year they added some art pieces to the night.  This is Claire's drawing of our house.









Kicking off 2012: Johnson-style

It's the Johnson Family Birthday Celebration!!

This year marked our 3rd annual Johnson Family Celebration

at Adventureland Inn.

It is probably the highlight of my winter.

It is so much fun!!

Grandpa and Grandma, Jamie and Kyle, and

the Rousehouse all gather for some food, fun,

swimming, football and cake to celebrate our birthdays.

Oh, and ipads.  Yes, that's right. This year the

adults spent a good amount of time playing scrabble,

electronically against each other, from our phones!

Now that is 2012 family time!

Beach themed cake is a must!

The crew (minus Grandpa behind the camera)



Ella was very brave this year and enjoyed the big slides!

Avery's favorite part: getting thrown around by Uncle Kyle

The adults, hanging out ~

Avery loves her Aunt and Uncle!!

My girls.  They have so much fun together. I love it!

Avery enjoyed the little slide this year, Maybe the big one next year?

Quick dip in the hot tub ~

Too cute!

Family time is so special! Making memories and traditions that

will last a lifetime.

I am so grateful for the many, many wonderful family

moments that I am able to enjoy today.

We are very blessed!

Caught on video: swim fun!

Here is a glimpse into the fun that we had at Adventureland!

Avery showing her mad swimming skills ~

My girls, walking backwards upside down ~

Ella flipping and flipping and flipping.....

And it all ends in Minnesota....

I like to think that once I have done something, deliberate, twice

I can call it a tradition.  So, with that in mind,

we celebrated the end of 2011 with our annual trip

to visit Uncle Dean, Aunt Rachel, Cousin Sophie,

and the American Girl Doll store!

Traditiiooonnnn, Tradition!

(Again, you really need to be a fan of

Fiddler on the Roof to appreciate my blog)

I think this trip ranks right up there with Bear Country

for my girls.  They love their cousin, they love

their Uncle/Aunt, they love their house/basement,

and they really love Mall of America.

We started the trip with a visit to Nickelodeon Hell,

oh my, I'm sorry, I meant Funland.

After a teary, sweaty, stressful afternoon we learned that it is

much better to enjoy all the rides at night.  After dinner, we went back

in and had a great time! I can't tell you how many times we rode the log ride,

 but I can tell you that Claire, Ella, Avery and I all rode the big coaster,

that goes all over the whole place, 5 times in a row!!!

In between rides, lines and snacks, we did manage to hit

the AG store and the Lego store.  The big girls easily managed to spend

their allotted money (and a little more) and have some great stuff

to show for it.  Ella welcomed Molly to our family, and

Claire is now the proud mayor of an incredibly large Lego

village, police station and NASA moon mission/station.

After the chaos, I mean fun, of the mall we headed to Dean and Rachel's

house.  As always, they were wonderful hosts and we had a

wonderful, fun, relaxing and delicious time.  It's hard to pick our

favorite part, but I'd say the overall favorite was the RockBand.

As it turns out, Wangerins/Rouses Rock!!

Most importantly, we didn't get snowed in! Wait, that's not it!

The most important part is that I get to live my dream.

I love my family! I really do!  I love opportunities to watch my

children grow confident in their relationships with their extended

family.  I think those bonds are incredibly important.  I trust my brother

completely with my children and I'm so grateful that they are growing up

knowing their family and feeling comfortable in their home. 

Just think, it won't be long and they can go visit, for

long periods of time, when their teenagers!!

Avery was very unsure about the first ride.  I was the mean mom
that forced her, teary eyed, into the seat ~

This is Avery after the ride, so grateful I forced her to try it!

And here she is, "ride-crazy", so excited to do more!

Roller coaster!!

My sweet girls!

Ella and Molly

Dean and Rachel joined us at the Minneapolis Children's Museum.
It was a great time, but poor prego Rachel needed to rest a bit.

My strong Claire ~

Sadly, I didn't get any good pictures, but Claire was a great
cousin to Sophie and loved taking care of her. 
She is a natural caregiver!

The Wangerin Rockers!

Claire really took to the guitar.  She is a musical genius!

Ella, Avery and I took some time to go back to the mall
and do a bit more shopping.  Avery all dolled up in her
beautiful new dress and jewelry.

Ella loves to shop and she found lots of beautiful
things at the mall.  My little fashion plate!

Ok, no,Claire did not turn to drinking!  Just a shot of
sparkling grape juice!

Eventually, even Ella succumbed to the call of the rockstar life!

2011 was a great year!  I think I can honestly say that

we are all in a good place right now.  We are settled in school,

we are settled in work, we are settled in home.

Our kids are happy, healthy, busy, and well-loved.

Dave and I are rested, happy and busy.

Jack is still a pain, but a good dog none the less.

2011 reminded us over and over again what is important in life:

Love, hope and faith.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

As I work on catching up on my blog I realize,

"this is a good thing".  I am so busy living life,

enjoying life, that I don't have time to blog about life!

It really is true.  I can say that I have stuck to my goal,

for the most part, this year.  I have slowed down,

enjoyed my family more, counted my blessings often,

and sat in grateful moments of silence.

I do not take my family, friends, or opportunities

for granted.  I am grateful for everyday I have to play,

work, sleep, eat, swim, drive, dance, and snuggle.

Christmas was a wonderful time at the Rousehouse.

The girls honored the 7:00 AM rule and we all enjoyed

giving presents, opening presents, playing,

eating muffins, giggling and napping.

My highlights included:

Ella crying tears of joy upon receiving Claire's gift,

Avery loving her stuffed dog but refusing the baby dolls

I gave her claiming, "dolls are fake.  I don't like them".

Claire trying so hard to be grateful for the clothes

I picked out, even though she liked the games/toys

so much more, and Jack working so hard not to

chew up everything quicker than we could open them.

I am very grateful for the Grace of a loving God,

that has allowed me another year with this amazing

family.  I love you all so much!

Toe socks!



The handmade 'duct-tape' wallet from Claire. I got one too, and love it!



Avery and her loot.  She really enjoyed opening everything,
and then commenting about it at length!



One of Ave's favorite gifts was the hamster from Claire. 
She sleeps and plays with "Sunshine" everyday.

Claire and her loot.  A great collection of books, games
and legos!



Ella's new french easel.  She has been wanting a real
artist easel and supplies for a long time.
I can't wait to see the masterpieces she creates!

Three Christmas Angels ~

All 3 girls received Boogie Boards from Grammy/Boppa.
They're great little writing boards that keep them entertained
for hours!

Avery, looking way too grown up in her
new clothes.  I'll have to stop calling her
'the baby' soon.

We had a great time celebrating with the Johnsons too.
Avery especially loved her time with Uncle Kyle,
and giving him the necklace she made special for him!

I am again reminded of how precious family is.

How lucky we are to have 2 sets of loving grandparents

living right by us and always there for our girls.

How lucky we are to have so many loving aunts and

uncles and cousins, that no matter how long between visits,

are always near and dear in our hearts.

How lucky I am to have a loving, faithful husband

who walks side-by-side with me as we do the best

we can with these three beautiful, strong girls.

Thank you God for the many blessings this year and always!