Hello, again!

It may looked as though we had abandoned you, our 5 followers, but no, we are still here. However, we are not promising anything, but for now here is a little recap of life lately.

For Aubrey's 1st birthday, Godmother Kassi brought her to get her ears pierced with cousin, Maddie. Aubrey cried a bit, but settled down as soon as she got a sucker...ah, the wonders of suckers! Unfortunately, one of the backings recently fell out and Aubrey is NOT letting me put in new earrings.

 Cabin time is always such a treasured gift and this summer we were spoiled. Over the summer, we were able to get up to the cabin four times and each time were able to spend 4-6 days. Life is good!

Aubrey's hair got a little wild this summer, warranting her first haircut. She sat pretty nicely, of course, due to the sucker!

As baby 3 is on the horizon, I decided Izzy and mom could use some time to ourselves so we went and got pedicures. Isabel was very excited initially, but didn't know quite what to make of the experience when some lady who she didn't understand was touching her toes! :) If I asked her is she wanted to go again, I am sure she would not hesitate, though!

Just some random pics of the girls over the summer...we really had a lot of fun, but mom definitely had to slow down as August rolled around. We are now just playing the waiting game for Baby Mousel 3 to make his/her arrival! 

38 weeks, 2 days...fingers crossed we meet this little one any day now!

Isabel's Summer 2011 in Rewind

Being that it is already the middle of September, here is a photographic look back at the Summer of 2011.

Cabin Fun:


Hanging with ETHAN!!


Random Pictures:


Mama and Dadee:


More Random Pictures:


Shakopee Derby Days Parade- (Isabel especially loved the Firetrucks and danced like crazy to anything with music.)


Summer is Exhausting!

Hope you had a great summer and we are looking forward to a wonderful Fall!

Swimsuits Optional

The joys of summer! (Sorry about the crappy cell phone video quality)

Belated, Statute of Limitations?

You can safely use the term belated for up to 2 and half months when offering somebody a Happy Birthday or a Thank You, right? Good, I am glad you agree because I owe a huge belated thank you to a lot of people that helped me raise over $1,600 for this years MS150.

You remember the MS150 right? That little bike ride that I did back in June from Duluth to White Bear Lake all in the name of raising funds for the MN Chapter of Multiple Sclerosis. This years ride was probably the best yet. We had picture perfect weather with minimal winds and temperatures in the mid 70's. This year I actually had legs to complete the ride with relative comfort. At the end of each day I felt like I could continue rather than collapse into a heap on the ground.

I have said it before and I will say it again. MS bike rides are the best supported organized rides I have ever been a part of. From the volunteers to the on-ride sag support to the mechanical support offered by bike shops at the rest stops. The MS Society goes above and beyond to make sure every rider is taken care of. If they do this much for bike riders you can guess how much they do for people that suffer from MS. The $1,600+ you helped me raise is going to a great organization and those donations are bringing us one day closer to a cure. So, once again a huge thank you to everyone that donated! It means a lot to me.

Until next year, keep the rubber side down! (I am still trying to figure out how to do that on a regular basis...)

Cabin Vacation - July 2011

There is nothing like a Minnesota summer cabin vacation. Isabel and I were fortunate enough to spend over a week and half at the cabin on Lake Miltona while Butter joined us for extended weekends on the front and back ends. We had spectacular weather (not just considering the weather we have had this season)...sunny, mid-70s to mid-80s, only rained twice (both times around 6pm so not one day was a rain-out), and very mild winds. We spent our days playing outside, swimming, boating, fishing, napping, reading, and eating well. It was so relaxing, filled with family, and fun...not much more you could ask for!



Mom ordered some Chinese Lanterns, which would have been super cool, however, we ran into two snags. On attempt one, the wind had picked up a little too much and the second attempt the mosquitoes decided it was time to feast! We got a few to take off and those were pretty awesome to watch, but we might have to try another time and see if we can get all 16 to take off!

Check out the massive mosquitoes on Butter!

Here is a random sampling of other fun and activities that kept us busy and relaxed.

Put Your Hands Up in the Air!

The beautiful summer day called for a little trip out to Valleyfair with Suz, Kortney, Josie, Elias, Maddie, and Ava. Isabel seems to be getting the hang of this amusement park thing...

Here, There, Everywhere

Last week was a crazy week to say the least at the Mousel house. Well, I guess it is hard to say "at the house" since we were hardly home and hardly together. I left for DC on Sunday morning and got back late on Tuesday night. Isabel went to the cabin on Monday morning then I joined her Wednesday through Sunday. All the while, Butter held down the home front until Friday when he left for the MS150 Bike Ride from Duluth to Minneapolis. We all came back together on Sunday afternoon ready for some down time together and relaxing at home.

Last Sunday, I went to Washington DC for three days with our 8th graders as I have done every year for the last 6 years (minus last year as I was quite busy). I absolutely love the trip and this year was no different. We had a fantastic group and no major issues just our crazy sight-seeing schedule. It always amazes me the different dynamics of the groups we bring every year, but they are always complimented for their respectful and mature behavior. Both a flight attendant and our bus driver/tour guide commented that our group was one of the best groups they have seen. When I tell people I teach middle school, I always get the question, "How do you do that? I could never work with that age." My response is always, "We have really great kids."

Back to the trip...the trip is very similar year after year, but we do change things up from year to year. I went to four new places this year that I haven't in the previous six times I have been to DC: Crime and Punishment Museum (lots of reading, but interesting...not for a weak stomach), Air Force Memorial (highly recommend seeing as it overlooks DC from a hill by the Pentagon), Newseum (super cool, we did not have nearly enough time to do that place justice), and Camden Yards (the ball field where the Baltimore Oriels play...6 major league ball fields down, many more to go). Here are a few photos from my camera phone:

Luckily, I missed the heat here and there. Isabel was fortunate to beat the heat at the cabin with Grandma, Papa, Auntie Kassi, and Ethan. Later in the week, I joined in the fun along with Josh, James, Suz, Maddie, and Ava. By the time the rest of us got there the weather was hit or miss, but lots of hanging out outside and fishing was enjoyed as well as a little swimming fun.


Isabel caught her first fish (wanted to touch and play with the fishy), went on her first boat ride (she hates the life jacket), and got her feet wet in the lake. As always, she is quite the busy body; she loved playing in the muddy rock garden or walking on the dock.




In this past week, a light has seemed to go on for Isabel. She has started to use her sign for please, will take your hand to lead you to what she wants, sounds are starting to sound more and more like words, and you can ask her go get something (like a shoe or toy or sippee) and she will go get it. It is pretty cool to actually feel like we are communicating. On the teeth front, she popped her bottom right molar. Teething stinks, by the way! So 11 teeth total with the bottom left molar just under the surface. From what I hear, the worst of 'em have not even started...the dreaded eye teeth!

So that's it for now...Butter will be coming shortly for his recap of another successful MS150.

Let the Fun Begin...Valleyfair!

Whenever I told people I was from Shakopee, I inevitably would get the question,"Do you go to Valleyfair all the time?" And not since 8th grade was I able to say, "Yes!" as it was the last time I had a season pass. But not this summer...I once again have a Valleyfair Season Pass! Holla! For Christmas, my parents gave all of us (children and grandchildren) a season pass. So last night, my mom, Butter, Kerri, Kassi, Josh, Josie, Elias, Tyler (not grandchild, but close family friend) and I used our passes for the first time. Isabel and Ethan are freebies...no season pass required. :) It was a very light crowd and just so nice to be able to go out for a couple hours without the pressure of planning to have to stay for ump-teen hours on end because the price of admission is on the high side.

Valleyfair replaced their Bernsteins' Bear kid section with Planet Snoopy, which I was excited to check out for Isabel. We were not disappointed. Isabel went on her first rides unattended! I can't say she loved them, but she definitely didn't scream and cry. She was what I would call indifferent as the photos below show. There are many more she could ride "accompanied by a responsible person." I rode Lucy's Tugboat with her (see video), but I think that might be my last time...motion sickness stinks, by the way, and as I get older it gets worse.







Now, Butter and Josh on the other hand loved the Peanuts' Playhouse. I guess Planet Snoopy is dubbed a place for the "whole family!"

Photo Credit: Kerri's Camera Phone

It was a nice little preview to the summer...we didn't even get to go to the Soak City Waterpark yet! So for those of you heading to Valleyfair this summer: give a us ring or drop us a text or email and we will stop by for a few hours. Summer is here...let the fun begin!

Welcome Back, Summer!

Ah, Memorial Day...the unofficial start of summer. Even though the weather has not been the most cooperative, I have made the transition to summer so much so that I forgot I have two more days of school.

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we made the first trip to the cabin to put the docks and lifts in and just open everything up for the summer. I do very little to help with the docks and lifts, by the way...and by very little, I mean nothing, but I am there to watch it all and interject my opinion when unsolicited.

We got there on Friday night around 10pm and Isabel slept an entire 1/2 hour the whole way up so I thought she would just fall right asleep when we got there. Um, not so much. She was ready to play and play and play...by 12:30am Butter decided it was time for a car ride. In all of our sleepless nights, we have never done the midnight car ride, but it did the trick. Well, at least until 6:55am...yeah, that is all she slept. Poor girl is still teething...those bottom molars trying to break through are making her gums look like mountains! So even yet today, Isabel is still catching up on her sleep.

It was terribly windy on Saturday, but the sun was shining most of the day so Butter and Isabel took a little cat nap while soaking up the much needed Vitamin D. Later, Ethan and I joined them. We headed out fairly early on Sunday as it was overcast and drizzling on and off. So not too much time spent, but it gave me enough to taste the summer and I am ready!



If you ever check up on my sister, Kassi, on her blog through ours, you will see she is still 37 weeks pregnant. Actually not, she had her precious little boy, Ethan Arlen, over 2 months ago, but refuses to update her blog. No excuses, Kassi, no excuses. Since she was in Chicago for a wedding this past weekend, Ethan made his first trip to the cabin with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle James. Being the awesome aunt and uncle that we are, I have included some photos of Ethan from his first trip to Lake Miltona. Just a side note, at two months he sleeps WAY better than Isabel does now at 14 months!






When you tell Isabel to give a kiss she puts her cheek up to the person thinking she is getting a kiss. You can see her doing this twice with Ethan in the photos above. Too cute!

We are not doing monthly updates anymore, but I wanted to record a couple things. Right now, Isabel loves sitting on everything that is at her level. See the photos in the "so very, very busy" collage for proof. And Isabel now has three words she says with association! Her first word would have to be ball...she loves them! The other two are dada and papa...I am apparently not trying hard enough!

A New Chapter

Monday marked Isabel's first day of daycare. Yes, there were many tears shed - none by Isabel, all from mommy. I shed some tears on Sunday night reflecting on the long, lazy days of Isabel and mommy time; and then again on Monday after leaving her. I was able to hold myself together until I got in the car to drive away. Today I still had a lump or two in my throat, but pushed back the tears. Isabel seems to really like it, but who wouldn't when she comes up and eight kids come running up excitedly yelling "Isabel is here, Isabel is here!" And then all huddle around asking if it is their turn to play with her (Barbie tells them only two kids can talk to her at a time and no touching her face!). Oh, to be cute and popular...I wonder what that is like?!

Isabel all buckled in and ready for her first day at daycare!

In honor of essentially the end of summer, we had a big weekend. On Saturday, we went to the horse races, which was a lot of fun. Isabel loved watching the horses prance around before going out onto the track; however, I don't know if she liked them more than the bushes she would grab for that separated the horses from the spectators.

Isabel and Grandma waiting for the horses (or playing in the bushes)!

Daddy and Isabel deciding on the best bet for next race
(Isabel knows her stuff...we left with our winnings totaling $18!!).

On Sunday, Isabel made her second trip to Valleyfair. A big crew went again: Isabel, daddy, mommy, Grandpa and Grandma, Uncle James and Aunt Suz, Maddie and Ava, Josie and Elias, Aunt Kerri, Uncle Paul, and Aunt Kortney. It was a long, but super fun day. She rode the train again with Grandma and also rode the Carousel with mom and dad. Mom and dad had a blast, too. Mommy's voice has been a little hoarse from all the screaming...the body doesn't handle rides like they used to!

Isabel sitting like a big girl in the stroller (without the car seat)...she loved it!

Isabel, daddy, and mommy on the Carousel (we sat in the black chariot during the ride).

So the magic of summer is coming to a close, and "real life" must start up again. I am going into this school year with many mixed emotions. I feel fortunate that I love what I do otherwise this transition would be much more difficult. I am nervous and excited to see how Isabel continues to change and grow as she is such an animated little girl. But being back at work I worry about missing out on some of those exciting changes as they happen. I am sure many parents struggle with all the same feelings I am having, and it just gets figured out. So I guess I am ready to get it figured out.

PS Isabel has started eating solids and loves it! I will post pictures of her and her carrot dinner soon.

Future Twin?

Elias made his Little League debut this year. This was from a game we went to back in June. Now I just need to talk him into being a catcher!

Elias Baseball 2010 from Jason Mousel on Vimeo.

Rainy Day

It has been quite awhile since I can remember an entire day rained out at the cabin so I cannot complain too much about last Sunday being a complete wash out...and neither can Isabel.

Don't be surprised if the next time Isabel sees you she asks, "What does your Godmother do on rainy days? You don't know? Well, that's too bad. Mine? Well, I am glad you asked. My Godmother Kerri is super awesome and makes me adorable clothes with cool little visors. Check them out!"

Outfit #1: Dress and visor made from the Grandma Brenda vintage fabric collection

Outfit #2: Onesie made similarly to the pillowcase dresses with gathered visor

Thank you, Auntie Kerri! I look fabulous and lovin' it!!

Spontaneous Fun Day!

As I have mentioned earlier, summer often brings unexpected and unplanned fun and yesterday was no exception. Isabel made her first trip to Valleyfair! with Grandma, Papa, Kortney, Josie, Elias, Ross, and me. Unfortunately, daddy had to work so he didn't get to enjoy the beautiful summer day with us. When Grandma called to see if we wanted to go I was not so sure because we had a very rough night, but Isabel was a rockstar all day. She enjoyed taking in a show, people watching, and riding the train. Oh, and not to mention, loved spending the whole day outside!

Part of the Valleyfair crew watches as Josie and Elias ride "Rip Tide." Elias was finally deemed tall enough to ride and both wanted to ride it again. Verdict on Rip Tide: two wet thumbs up!

Isabel, what do you think about this Valleyfair place? The verdict might still be out...

Ross and Isabel waiting patiently for Josie and Elias finish their ride on "Rip Tide."

Grandma, Josie, and Elias on "The Wave".

After a long day at Valleyfair, Mom and Isabel rode the train around the park with Grandma and Ross. She definitely perked up and was very interested in everything around her. Isabel says, "Hmmmm, this Valleyfair place is pretty fun!"

We are lovin' summer!

Summer Vacation

Where have you gone? I can't believe it is the end of July already and I will be going back to work in a month. Yes, I know I have been very fortunate in my time off with Isabel, but it is still quite scary to think about having two full time jobs! Those parents out there know exactly what I am talking about. Anyway, enough about work, here is what we have been up to the month of July.

July brought our first night away from our little girl, and not just one night but four nights! Butter and I made our third trip up to Alaska to celebrate Amy and Andy's wedding. Saying goodbye to Isabel was not easy. Yes, I cried all the way to the airport which made Butter very nervous for the rest of the trip and my mom and dad thought they were going to have to come back and pick us up before we left. To everyone's amazement, we all survived, but were definitely ready to get back to our little girl.

The Bride, Amy, my college roommate, put together a super fun and beautiful wedding weekend, and we couldn't think of better reason to make the first big trip away from Isabel than our dear friend's happily ever after...as Butter took over 450 pictures to prove it!

A hiking excursion at Hatcher's Pass was an awesome way to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful Alaska scenery.
(In this photo: Amy, Graham, Sarah S, Jodi, Zach, Kati, and Nikki)

Yeah, we basically rock!
(Kati, Megan and Zach)

The lake at the top of our hike was breath-taking. The fog was so heavy when we first walked up I did not even realize the lake was there, but it lifted during the time we inhaled this serene beauty.

Hatcher's Pass is home to an old mining operation. Here is a run-down cabin along the trail.

On the bus to the wedding reception...gotta love the school bus!

Mr. and Mrs. Gorn's first dance as husband and wife...such a happy couple!

Sara, Megan, Kati, and Jodi pose for a "rare" photo op!

Cha-cha Slide! Very impressive, Ladies.

11:00pm - Getting ready to call it a night or not?!
(In the photo: Zach, Megan, Sara, Butter, Andy, Graham, Kati, and Jodi)
(Photo credit: Nikki)

Too Cute! One of the many hand-made decorations created by the Bride...she did an absolutely awesome job!

The ride back from the reception. Nothing like a school bus with a few brews and friends to get the crew singing...ah, the Link.

The bride and groom...goodnight.

When we were away, Isabel got to go to the cabin with Grandpa and Grandma. She loved being there and taking naps outside in her chair. I was hoping Grandma would work her magic and Isabel would be in a napping and nighttime sleeping routine, but as I am learning she has her own ideas. Luckily, I do not think she kept Grandma up too much! While with Grandma and Grandpa, she grew and filled out in her face, found more of her voice, discovered her giggle (too darn cute, by the way), and got a tan (Grandma says it was more from the wind, but a little sun kissed is okay with me).

When we returned from Alaska, we changed out our bags and joined them at the cabin for the week. Being at the cabin with a baby changes the meaning of "relaxing at the cabin", but it is such a blessing to be sharing this special place with her. Almost everyday, I think about how grateful I am for this amazing place and how lucky little Isabel is to begin her summertime enjoyment of the cabin. My Grandma and Grandpa sure know how to continue giving of themselves and love even from up above.

Isabel lounging in her chair outside enjoying the lake

Isabel's first dip in the lake with dad...no tears, but not quite ready to splash
and play like in the tub.

Isabel loving her new sun hat...a little big yet!

Isabel in her "Jenny Jump Up" courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa...
not quite jump around, but loves sitting in it!

Ava, Maddie, Elias, and Josie taking a rare time out from swimming for a photo op with Isabel

Isabel and daddy enjoying the raft

Family shot enjoying the summertime sun...pretty brave swimsuit photo!

Currently, we are working on that aforementioned sleeping routine...please pray for us!! And we are looking forward to a weekend visit from Grandpa and Grandma Mousel, another trip to the cabin at the end of the month, a Twin's game or two, daddy's 24-hour mountain bike race at the end of August, and all the other spontaneous events summer brings!