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!

Our Lil' Pumpkin at the Pumpkin Patch

Alex (and his parents...and his nana and pop) thouroughly enjoyed themselves during their visit to the pumpkin patch at Thistleberry Farm in October 2009.

You will see later where all the corn came from to fed the animals. Alex particularly liked the baby goats...but wasn't so sure about the chickens.



This horsey doesn't move like the one at Meijer named Sandy :(



Weeeeeee....right into the corn pit! Note the animal food located in his shoes!



I think Alex was helping dad find their way out of the corn maze.



Alex wasn't cow-ard to ride by himself in his very own cow car.



Finally, Alex got to pick out his very own pumpkin. I know it doesn't look like it, but Alex had ball at the pumpkin patch!

Two peas in a pod!

The Kolzow Family came to South Bend for a visit in September. Mom and Dad weren't the only ones who enjoyed their visit...

Lots of endless energy = apple juice on the rocks



Didn't take long for Alex and Cami to catch up on lost time...



Why doesn't Alex smile like this from Mommy kisses??



Even breakfast time was fun and full of smiles



Kickin' back for some cartoons



Squeaky clean



Not sure how the kiddos fit in the tub with all those bath toys!



A swing built for two!



Cami sure was a good girl during their visit unlike the messy marvin who found the baking soda. Yikes!



Come back soon Kolzows, we had a great time!

MY DAD IS THE MAN!

This video speaks for itself!

Cousin to be

Come December, Alex will have a new cousin to play with. We all can't wait to meet baby Steigner! Aunt Claire and Uncle Mike made a trek to South Bend in September for her baby shower.

Aunt Dare (as Alex says) and Uncle Mike



Mommy to be looking good with 3 months to go (at the shower time).



Nana special!



Big helper (otherwise known as gift thief :)



Aunt Beth holding new cousin Elizabeth Kennedy.



Alex enjoyed his visit with his auntie...



...but really really enjoyed his visit with his uncle mike!

Another trip to Wisconsin!

Our August came to an end in Wisconsin where Andy's college buddy Brendan Conway married Rachel Witmer on August 29, 2009. They tied the knot at a residence overlooking Lake Michigan. The scenery and not to mention bride was gorgeous!

Thanks to the Stasieks for an overnight pitt stop! Andy and I stopped at Matt and Trista Stasiek's condo in Chitown for the night on our way to the wedding.



Andy's fellow duhawks with newlyweds!



The bride and groom got the party started with the very popular karoke machine.



Thanks for the great time Mr. and Mrs. Conway!

tunnel vision

At first, Alex wasn't sure what to do with his big tunnel from nana and pop. Don't worry his "belbow" is okay!

Spoiled rotten

Mom got a kick out of watching Alex's animated expressions during his bday this year. I can't believe he is already 2 and such a big boy! Where has the time gone? Thank you for thinking of our babe on his special day.

Bath Frogs!



Tunnel! Video to follow soon.



Water Table! Thanks Aunt Claire and Uncle Mike! Who knew water was so entertaining.



Pool (per Alex)!



Easel! Thanks Great Aunt Mollie!

Alex and Grandma Arklie's Birthday!

It was a special year, not only because Alex turned 2, but because Gma Arklie turned 60 on the same day. We surprised her with a party at Texas Corral in Elkhart IN. She thought she was meeting up for Alex's bday only to find many friends and family waiting to surprise her. Alex got his fair share of birthday wishes too.

Grandma Arklie and her kiddos



Birthday buds!



Someone had his eye on the frosting all night!



The big boy blew out his own candles.



It was a bit different from last year!! I still get a kick out of the following 1st year birthday cake photo! I guess he has always had his eye on frosting!



Thanks to all those who joined us for the birthday celebration!!