Y Regionals in Rochester, MN

Championship meet #2 is under our towels.

The girls and I traveled up to Rochester, MN for the YMCA

Regional Swim Meet and we had a great time!

Claire swam in 5 individual events and 3 relays.

Ella swam in 1 individual event and 2 relays.

Some of the highlights included:

1. Claire swam her best time in the 50 back, 100 free and

very close in the 100 back

2. Ella swam a 50 free for the first time and nailed the flip turn

3. Avery was fabulous and an absolute joy to be around all weekend

Some of our favorite non-swimming highlights included:

1. Swimming at the hotel, of course

2. Hiking at a nature park in the beautiful weather

3. Roaming downtown Rochester with 2 other swim families

laughing and playing way too late

4. Watching the Lorax with friends

5. Lunch and shopping with friends on our way out of town

6. Creating awesome mommy/daughter memories!

Despite the time change in the middle of the weekend,

a 4 year old who seriously CAN NOT sleep at hotels,

and a 7:45 pool time each morning, we all had a great time!

I am so grateful for these experiences and wouldn't trade them 

for anything.  What a blessing!

Ella and her friend, Isabella, getting ready for day 1

Claire, ready to go on day 1

Aves spent much of her time on her itouch, as usual.
I am so grateful for her laid back attitude at meets.
Not sure where that attitude is any other time though!?

Aves, oblivious to the action all around her!

The girls and their friends playing "sugar packet cards" at the hotel

Great shot of Aves in downtown Rochester.  She had so
much fun hanging with the swimmers!

Hiking after the first day of swimming

We started to get so high the path was getting icy.
Aves and I decided to call it a day at that point!

My little fishies at the hotel pool.  

Post season begins...

Swimming championship season has begun.

For the big girls, it means a few more meets.

For Avery, it means a few more chances to 

play with her "big kid friends".

For me, it means hours of driving, packing, unpacking,

sitting, watching, encouraging, cringing, and

loving every minute we spend making memories!

This year Claire, who is at the top of her age group,

qualified in 2 events for State and 6 events for two

different Regional meets.

Ella, who is at the bottom of her age group, 

qualified for 2 events at State and 1 at both Regionals.

First up: YMCA State Championship in Marshalltown.

Thanks to all the "good parents" who brought their camera

to state and shared some pics with me!

Claire swimming the 100 Back.  She knocked 1 1/2 seconds off her time.

Claire ready to leap during her Medley Relay

Ella during starts practice

Claire during starts practice

Ella and her Free Relay team

Walnut Creek Dolphins!

Coach Kim and my girls!

2011-12 Dolphin State Qualifiers ~

One of the cool things about state is the Athlete Parade.

Each team parades through the pool area while we are

cheering them on!  I was waving and cheering so much I 

accidentally stopped recording.  

My girls are just about to get there...... oops!

At least you can get a sense of the excitement in the room!

Those of you that know me well, or probably even a little,

know that I'm pretty passionate about swimming. 

Especially when it comes to my girls.  I love the sport,

and I love the girls' team even more.

I think that the practice, the discipline, the heartache,

the success, the friendships, the coaches, everything

all together make for some pretty great moral character.

Thank you to everyone who helps me help my girls

be the best swimmers they can be.

A special thanks to the WC Dolphins "older swimmers"

who have taken my girls under their wings.

A special, special thanks to all those "older swimmers"

who let Aves hang out with them all day at the meets.

Those are memories that Avery, and I, will never forget!

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.....