MeRrY ChRisTmAs!!!

Alex got a head start on Christmas this year. From the looks of it, he is really going to enjoy Santa's visit tonight! Have a wonderful and safe Holiday everyone!

Trimming the tree

It was been fun this year getting ready for the holidays. Alex was so excited for the Christmas tree and has really enjoyed Christmas lights throughout the neighborhood. He has also enjoyed baking cookies with Nana and can't wait for SANTA! He has been a very good boy by picking up his toys on a daily basis, brushing his teeth, helping mommy and daddy with the tree, and keeping Sophee in line. He is determined to get a train from Santa this year as he has been talking about it for weeks!

Joe and Jenne Cary

Congrats to the newlyweds who wed in October! Joe and Jenne got married in California at a beautiful vineyard. We helped celebrate their nuptials at their wedding recption in Sturgis on November 28, 2009

The adorable couple dancing.




As always, it was great seeing the Sturgis gang!
(Renee Kolzow, me, Wendy Hudson, and Kristy Carver)



Thanks for a great party Carys!

Alex's new friend

Over Thanksgiving, Alex got to meet his new friend, Hayden Frost.

Mama Bridgett and baby Hayden were in town from Texas for Turkey Day



Although it was a short visit, it was so nice to meet adorable Hayden.

Flashback to Football Finale!

I got ahead of myself with all the fun videos of Alex these days. Football season ended in November on a very fun note. Mommy's friend's from GOCC joined the Dampeers for a festive weekend of football, friends, and lots of fun!

Chris and Kyle Weaver from Connecticut came a couple days early to spoil Alex.



Alex took them around to the new developments on ND campus.


Pit stop at the ND bookstore.




Alex even showed Uncle Kyle how to get some ups!



Wasn't long until the rest of the gang joined in for the ND vs. UCONN game.



Couples left to right:
Kevin and Kay Grand, Weavers, Chris and Ang Reiter, Dampeers, and Joe and Beth Knapp



Not the real leprechaun but a fun photo op for the girls.



Much to Daddy's disappointment, the Irish lost to Uconn...but Kyle was a happy husky!



"Thanks Uncle Kyle for playing with me...



...please come back again soon!"

Watch out Wayne Gretzky!

The pond next to our house has frozen over allowing the winter sports to begin at the Dampeer home. Alex didn't do too bad for his first time on skates!

Bye bye football, Hello Basketball

Alex is excited to go his first Irish basketball game his weekend with Pop and Daddy...

One, Two, Buckle Your Shoe...

Woohoo, Alex is counting to ten! The more he counts, the higher pitch he gets! If he counts any higher, we may have to start replacing windows :)

Cousin Alex!!

Aunt Claire and Uncle Mike had a baby boy this morning!!!


Liam Lally Steigner




Alex and his parents can't wait to meet him!!
Thanks to Aunt Claire for sending us a photo so soon!

Bubble wrap boy

Who knew Sparty liked bubble wrap so much?

Mommy's Little Helper!

Alex enjoys making pumpkin bread and pumpkin cookies (they are yummy, better then they sound) with mommy, but not as much as he enjoys eating them!

Tiny Tailgaters!

Alex had a blast at the ND vs. Navy pre-game festivities! Not only did Marin (Tom and Tracey Cronley's daughter) come visit for the weekend, but Clare and Kate (John and Suzanne Cronley's daughters) also joined the kiddie party. Anna, Cece and Dominic (Patty and Luke Woods' kids) also made an appearance to see their cousins while they were in town.

The world's hardest photo! Almost all the kids (minus Dominic).

Left to right: Clare, Anna, Cece, Kate, Alex, Marin



Alex and Kate had their own little stadium date. After all, Kate was Alex's first crush.



Post game, the boys who are just a few months apart in age, bonded over puzzles.

Alex the Athlete...

...is always on the go...

Soccer



Horseback riding



Trapeze



Biking



Luge



Football



Swimming



Wrestling

Happy Retirement Grandpa Arklie!

More great news in our neck of the woods! Grandpa Arklie has hit another milestone...retirement! My dad has worked at Howe Military for 38 years as the Business Manager.



Not only did he have a wonderful farewell party but he was gifted with a personal brick that will line a sidewalk on campus. It will be located on the walk leading up to the chapel where both Grandpa and Grandma Arklie as well as Mom and Dad were married.



Congrats Grandpa Arklie! Enjoy your time off, you deserve it!

Very scary Halloween!!

Alex had his own idea how to carve the pumpkin. Please do not try this at home!

Turtle-ific Halloween!

I know that most turtles are slow and take their time getting from one place to another...well not this turtle!!! This turtle had a ball on Halloween running around in his super cute turtle costume (thanks to JD Rupp for lending the turtle-form).

Alex the turtle at school:



Alex the turtle getting ready to trick or treat:



The turtle couldn't wait to escape!



Mommy helped the turtle accumulate his turtle treats around the neighborhood.



Not bad for one street. The turtle couldn't decide on just one pray for his special evening.



Prior to the holiday, Alex really got into the pumpkin carving...literally.



Alex and Daddy made a jack-o-lantern together.



Good job boys!

Baby to be Webster

More celebrations were had in October 2009. Mom's friend Jamie Webster and her hubby Russ are expecting their first baby bundle in December! Not only did the Sturgis girls get together for their annual girls weekend, but we also celebrated the baby to be!

Mommy to be Fieb...



...and mommies to be Fieb and Heather Baran. Congrats Heather!



We also celebrated Liz Seurynck and Heather's birthdays that were also in October.



Once again, the girls made their appearance at the Chubby Trout for dinner.



Thanks to Jen for hosting the festivities again this year.




During Alex's quick visit, he sure enjoyed his time with JD and Ella Rupp!