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!

Superior - Brrrrr its cold!

I spent this last weekend with my lil' sis in Superior, Wisconsin. I finally got to see campus. Superior is a small college in the frigid cold Northern Wisconsin area. It is home, according to Britt, 2800 students. While visiting, I got the quick tour campus. I saw Old Main, the Art Center, Student Center, and the new Health and Wellness center.

After a quick tour, Britt and I played some racquetball. I still was able to beat my little sister (I can't let her win yet). After racquetball and ping pong, we went back to her dorm to pack up some items for her house. Britt is slowly moving into her off-campus house. Her and two of her friends are renting a house 2 blocks from campus.

This is their little house mascot - a fake rat!

I got the official house tour and then off to the hockey game. Superior's hockey team is quite successful but had a bit of bad luck this weekend. They got beat both Friday and Saturday night. It was fun to watch and we enjoyed watching the mascot wag his stinger!

The score says 0 - 3 in favor of UW-Eau Claire. Boo!!

Nice footy pajamas! Have to stay warm and save on heating bills!

It was a fun weekend and I am excited to see her house as she gets more items moved in during January. I may have to make another trip when the wind chill is above 0.