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!