Owatonna Basketball

On Thursday, Josh and the Northfield basketball team traveled to Owatonna to take on the Huskies. Fortunately for both teams they hired the best Owatonna official to keep the game fair, Tanner Grimmius. We got to watch Josh play basketball and Tanner officiate - at the same time!


Well, both did an excellent job. Josh played pretty well. He had a couple of turnovers and some scary passes. But he also managed to grab some boards and score a few points. Tanner did an excellent job of calling fouls, travels and timeouts.

Before the game we enjoyed a delicious feast at the famous, two-story Pizza Ranch in Owatonna. It was amazing and I was ready for a nap after stuffing myself with pizza. Annie and Miles met us at the Pizza Ranch and went to Josh's game as well. Miles got to see his daddy officiate for the first time. I think Miles was very impressed. All of the action seemed to make him tired so he took a rest during much of the evening.

Josh and the rest of the 9th grade team lost to Owatonna but the Northfield varsity team pulled off a buzzer-beater win. Charlie and I went to watch the varsity after Josh's game. Dean is an assistant coach with the varsity. Northfield was down by 3 points with 11.7 seconds left in the game. Northfield had no time outs left but Owatonna called one to set up their defense - STUPID! Northfield brought the ball down and hit a contested 3 pointer with 2.4 seconds left. Owatonna calls another timeout. When they inbound the ball, the guy catches the ball while he is going out of bounds - turnover. Northfield gets the ball back at half court - shoots a half court shot that goes in and WINS! It was sweet!

The Uglies Series

I recently finished the last book of this series. I really enjoyed this set of 4 books. It is a great series for adolescents as it reflects several issues adolescents experience in their lives. It is a science-fiction series that even girls will enjoy!

It is a futuristic story about Tally Youngblood as she goes through transformations of ugly to pretty to special. Each transformation brings on new adventures, friends, and secrets. The last book takes a new twist as we meet a new character, Aya, an Extra in the new post mind-rain era.
Scott Westerfeld does an excellent job keeping the story interesting and tying events together from each book. I would recommend that you read all the books and go in the suggested order. In my opinion, the books get better as the series continues. My favorite two books are the last two - The Specials and The Extras. Happy Reading!

The Potts's Christmasssss

The Dahl House Christmas started the celebrations and the couple Potts's Christmassss followed. After some partying in Northfield, we went to St. Peter to celebrate with Jill, Larry, and the Dellon and Grimmius clans. We had a great time exchanging HGE gifts and determining each gifter. Thank you Evan for the sweet running mask and The Stick.

Christmas in St. Peter was great this year with two new additions! It is pretty fun holding and playing with the our niece and nephew! Miles livened it up with strange smells and his big curious eyes. Hannah made everyone giggle with her sweet smiles, quiet conversations, and head shaking (a skill she learned from Uncle Charlie).

Miles got a gingerbread ornament from Grandma Jill and Grandpa Larry.

Hannah digging into her gift.

Hannah got a cool ball for Christmas.
Aunt Aunchie thinks it looks a lot like a basketball.
It is never too early to start.

We had one other celebration together in Spring Valley on Christmas day. We all ventured in two packed cars to Grandpa Charlie's house. Together we enjoyed eating, chatting, and as Kathy put it "good and bad" gifts.

Charlie and I had a lot of time in the car traveling to different family locations.
This is our serious driving shot.

Is Charlie sleeping or awake on this trip?

A Dahl House Christmas

Christmas at the Dahl House was loud, crazy, and wonderful! We started the afternoon with some "Darn Good Chili." Mom made some wonderfully warm cinnamon rolls to go with the chili and lets not forget lefsa for dessert.

After an entertaining meal - Josh reciting lines from the latest Jim Gaffigan stand-up act or Super Bad movie, and Hunter unsure of where to eat and what to eat - we moved to the living room to open presents. The living room area is getting smaller as our family grows but we all snuggly fit.

Hunter began opening presents and thankfully had enough presents to open the entire time. He even opened other people's presents. Everyone got great gifts - cameras seemed to be a hot item as Mom, Dean, and Britt all got one this year.

Josh got an Army hooded sweatshirt from Alex.

Alex got sweet running shoes from Josh!

Deano got an Applebees gift card from Charlie and I.
Applebees is Dean's home-away -from-home.

Hunter is helping Grandma Dar put a candy necklace around her head.

Maddison just hung out in her gorgeous Christmas dress that Grandma Dar bought.
Hunter was more than willing to open his baby sister's gifts.

After gifts most of us went to the afternoon matinée of National Treasure starring Nicholas Cage. If you liked the first movie, you will enjoy this second one as well. It was quite entertaining. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing and chatting with one another.

Hunter Turns Three!

Charlie and I were invited to Hunter's birthday party on December 16. We went to Brandon and Trisha's house in Medford to celebrate. It was a packed house with my parents, Josh, grandparents, great-grandparents, cousins, and perhaps some random people that just wanted some Scooby Doo cake.

Hunter was pretty overwhelmed and overstimulated (as was I)! He had several cousins over playing with his toys (learning to share is a work-in-progress).

Hunter enjoyed ripping open several wonderful gifts. He is a pretty lucky guy to have so many cool toys. Charlie and I gave the boring aunt and uncle gift of pants. Hey, we thought they were cool little C9 comfy pants. They just aren't as cool as his new spiderman wrist watch or Dora the Explorer giant coloring and sticker book.


Blowing out the candles was easy this year - just one big number 3 candle! Hunter even let somebody eat Scooby's butt.


Maddison was bored by the entire event. She slept through the celebration. She needs her rest for her big birthday in November '08.


She managed to wake up to Grandma Dar chatting with after her diaper change. Grandma Dar is a favorite of Hunter and Maddison. They love Grandma Dar time!