VACUUM

We got a new vacuum and it really sucks! No really it does - it sucks well. I would not get your face or hair anywhere close to this machine.

I am working on all the dust bunnies that have quickly accumulated. My next vacuum projects include the basement carpet, the stairs, our bedroom, and the ever dirty laundry room (scary). I will let you all know when I fill our first vacuum bag with dirt.

I am officially a happy Hoover owner!

A Dahl House Christmas

We have apparently started a new tradition. Christmas at the Dahl House is now December 23rd. The tradition got off to a good start. Everyone meet in Northfield - Brandon, Trisha, Hunter, Brittany, Alex, Josh, Mom, Dean, and Charlie and I.

It was a big group but we managed to all make it around the kitchen table. I even got demoted to the piano bench seat while Josh was promoted to a regular single seat.

We started the evening with some fantastic guacomole made by Charlie. However Charlie and I consumed most of the guac. It was delicious. We did not follow the guac with a Mexican Christmas meal (I don't know what that would be). We had the usual meal - ham, corn, potatos, etc.

After dinner, we made our way to the tree and presents. Hunter was very excited to start opening gifts. Plus he had the most gifts. He really has this birthday and Christmas thing down now. Naturally we let the littlest go first. Hunter ripped into his first present and didn't stop from there. Eventually he helped almost everyone open their presents too.

Highlight gifts of the evening include: an ipod shuffle for Deano (techno geek), a sander for Mom (she loves tools), tickets to the Cotton Bowl for Josh and Alex, Walmart gift cards for Britt (Walmart is the excitement in Superior), Pete Carroll autograph for Charlie (a die-hard fan), and Chipotle gift cards for Angie (I love to eat!).

It was a great Christmas and a start to a stupendous tradition at the Dahl House.

I Am the Messenger

I just finished reading I Am The Messenger. I chose to read this book because of the author. I have enjoyed other books by Markus Zusak.

I found this book very interesting. The plot of the story was much different than anything I have previously read. The main guy, Ed, is a young taxi driver. He receives playing cards with messages on each card. Each message involves helping someone, a stranger. Ed's card adventures lead him to helping an elderly woman, a shoeless track star, and a single mom with three kids, to name a few. The book surprises you with a great message at the end as well.

It is a teen novel that I would recommend to older teens. It has content that is not appropriate for younger teenagers.