Singing blog-e-gram

Alex has a favorite song that he would like to share with you.

Happy Halloween, 2010!

The fall was filled with many fun festivities especially Halloween. It was fun seeing Alex, I mean Spiderman, get into the Halloween holiday spirit.

To begin the scary holiday, the 3 Dampeer cousins (including Liam Steigner) posed in their Halloween jammies. Thanks Nana and Pop for the great kodak moment!



Alex enjoyed making his very own jack-o-lantern this year. Daddy carved the shapes that Alex requested.



Hopefully Tess can join in on the fun a little more next year!



Thanks to Alex's friend, Dominick Brown, he was able to dress up as Spidey this year.



I have a feeling he enjoyed playing the part :)



Thanks to Tess' friend, Calleigh Webster, she was able to dress up as Santa. Rudolph the red-nosed Sophee Dog didn't play the part as well as Santa...and Spidey!



Either Spidey is admiring Santa or Santa is entranced by Spidey's amazing web spinning powers.



Alex enjoyed trick or treating...



...he was a sucker for the suckers.



Another special treat on Halloween was a visit from Alex's buddies, Drew (Darth Vadar) and Jackson (Yoda) Reiter. Together, the three boys showed off their mighty costumes at a trunk and treat party Saturday evening before Halloween.



Not sure what was more fun, the candy rush or the trundle bed sleepover...and they actually slept through the night!

Alex's three year photos

Not only did Jen take amazing photos of Tess, but she was able to get a few of the little man as well. Let me tell you, it's no easy feat these days to 1) get a good photo and 2) get Alex to sit down and be still. Somehow, Jen managed both!







Thanks again Jen!!

Tess at one month

I am a bit behind as Tess is 6 weeks old already (can you believe it?) but I wanted to share the gorgeous one month photos that my very generous, patient and not too mention talented girlfriend, Jenny Rupp took.



















A BIG THANK TO JEN for capturing beautiful memories of our sweet baby girl!

Football Fun

Go Irish! Our lucky little man was able to see the Irish up close and personal this fall. He attended his first ND (against Pittsburgh) game on 10-9-10 with his dad and pop. Mom and Tess stayed at home to watch Michigan State BEAT University of Michigan's tail! It was a good day for the whole fam.



Alex grew fond of touchdown push ups at the game. So much that the next game he did them at home.



Football wasn't the only excitement for Alex, he is still talking about the fast and loud planes that flew over the stadium!



(sorry, mom cut the video a bit short)

Baby Baptism

At 3 weeks old, Tess was baptized on 10-17-10 at Christ the King Church in South Bend.

We were pleased that God parents Aunt Claire and Uncle Mike were in town for the special occassion



Father Kevin performed the ceremony



Big brother Alex was on good behavior...mostly...when he wasn't attempting to run around the church :)



Tess however, was a very good girl who didn't make even one peep throughout the ceremony.



A special thanks to the Arklies, Dampeers and Steigners for making Tess' day extra special!

ND vs. WMU

More fun was had over the weekend of 10-16-10. We were lucky to have friends visit for the game, kids included.

Jamie Webster, Me, 9 months pregnant Wendy Hudson, Jenny Rupp, Mel Miller and Heather Baran



Alex had a ball with all the kiddies and took a special liking to Calleigh Webster.



Poor Tess at only 3 weeks old was a bit under the weather with her first cold :(. Luckily Grandma Arklie didn't mind babysitting while mom and dad were away.

Bounce, Bounce, Ouch!

As I mentioned previously, Alex had a lot of fun at the pumpkin farm. Here's more proof:



I know what you are thinking...and yes, he is okay!

Dampeer's Down on the Farm

Our fall pumpkin patch outing was extra special this year. Not only was Tess able to join in on the festivities, but Aunt Claire and Cousin Liam were in town and able to join in on the fun.

Cozy cousins on the hayride



Baby Lamb (Alex's nickname for Liam) and Alex



Corn Maze (No, daddy is not pregnant, that is Tess keeping warm in there :)



I think it is safe to say that Alex had the best time of all of us...

Riding...



Sliding...



...and not to mention driving around the farm.



We will have to go back again next year...hopefully Aunt Claire and Baby Lamb will join us again!

Good boy Alex!

On 10.11.10, Alex had his first trip to the dentist. He was a very brave boy! They said his teeth looked great and he even let them clean his teeth (I guess that doesn't always happen on the 1st visit). Mom and dad were very proud of him!