Adventures in August!

The Dampeers continued their busy summer visiting The Combs' cottage in Wisconsin.



Although Alex was excited to see Uncle Ted and Aunt Jane...



...he was thrilled to spend time with his pals Mary Ellen and Billy.



With Nana, Pop, Mary Ellen and Billy, Alex was nowhere to be found with his parents.



Nana getting a snuggle before dinner.



Billy even shared his fireworks with us again! Like July 4th, Alex really enjoyed the BOOMS!



Alex had lots of fun on the lake (when it wasn't too chilly) but he had the most fun with...



BIDDY (as Alex calls him)



Of course he likes to play with Mary Ellen but he can't get enough of Billy.



Good thing Billy thinks the same of Alex!



We really had a great time in WI thanks to the gracious Combs Family!

Isn't Love Grand!

I know I know, I am way behind on my blogging. We have been very busy celebrating very special moments in our friends and family lives. Lots of weddings, babies, and birthdays...lots of photos to come in the near future.

The GOCC girls (Chris Weaver, Kay Cook, Angie Reiter and of course myself) got together in June 2009 for a mini bachelorette party for blushing bride Kay.



We met up in Kalamazoo where she and her hubby resided after their July 25th nuptials.



As you can see, Kay was soon to be Mrs. Kevin Grand. Isn't love grand!...That was the theme of our night (thanks to Ang).



The beautiful bride and her groom married in Centreville, MI at a gorgeous outdoor venue.



Chris with hubby Kyle.



Ang with hubby Chris and boys Drew and Jackson



Kayleen with hubby Kevin



The girls sans their green shirts



Thanks to Kay, the girls had the honor of cutting the cake. That's all I'm going to say :)



The Reiter kids, the Dampeer kid, the Weaver kid:



Alex is 5 days older then Jack but Jack will always be at least 5 inches (or more) taller than Alex.



The grounds of the wedding venue were beautiful with a river running through it. Don't let this fool you, this was the only second our little babe of energy sat still.



Uncle Kyle had a little admirer during his visit to the midwest. Hope he and Aunt Chris come back to visit soon!



Thanks to the Grands for a letting us be a part of their special day!

Lake Michigan

Our summer has been a whirlwind with traveling, friends, parties, and not to mention fun. One of our first trips of the summer was a day trip to Lake Michigan to see Daddy's college bud Brian Davis (BD), wife Katie, and daughter Ellie. The Davis' graciously invited us to visit them on the lake during their week long vacation.

Although the weather was a bit chilly on the lake (crazy weather this summer) the Davis' and Dampeer's enjoyed the lake. Obviously, Alex was mesmerized by the water. That or he is sick of mom's camera.



Adorable Ellie was born a few month before Alex in 2007, May 3rd (also Daddy's birthday).



Alex, Ellie, and Ellie's cousin Sarah, enjoyed each other's company. I have to add that Sarah did a wonderful job keeping her eyes on Alex and Ellie. This is no easy task, I can speak from experience :)



Brrr, I think Daddy, BD and Alex are debating going into the water??...and yes, Alex is in his jammies since his mom thought no trunks were needed due to the crazy weather forecast.



Nothing better then sand and water according to Alex. Thanks to the Davis' for a fun trip to the lake.

HaPpY bIrThDaY to Alex and Grandma Arklie!

It's a very special day! Alex and Grandma Arklie are sharing their birthday for the 2nd time!! Photos to come soon!

Happy 2nd Birthday Alex!
Happy 6oth Birthday Mom!

Biker Dude!

A big Thank You to Aunt Aimee for Alex's early birthday gift! As all of you know, mom is behind on her blogging. However, in July, Aunt Aimee surprised Alex with his very own bike seat and helmet. What a neat idea as mom and dad have been able to use the gift for most of the summer. Alex turns 2 this Friday, August 28. Holy cow, our baby is almost 2!! Where has the time gone?? Needless to say, Alex loves his new ride and so do his parents.

All decked out for his first bike ride! And yes, he tried to take his golf ball and club with him :)



Babe locked in.



Successful mission. Alex was a happy biker!



Thanks again Aunt Aimee!



Mom, I mean Alex has really enjoyed the gracious gift!

Happy 4th of July!

The fourth of July was so long ago...I barely remember how we celebrated! Let's see if these photos help me out...

First and foremost, Aunt Claire, Uncle Mike and baby Steigner (due in December 2009) came to visit for the Holiday. Alex was sad to see them go after the long weekend.



On to Sturgis to see Gma A, Gpa A and A Aimee where Alex tried his first very own sparkler for the occasion. By the look on his face, he didn't know what to think but he did keep repeating "hot." He was right!



Next stop, Great Grammy's on the lake. Unfortunately the weather wasn't too warm but Alex still braved the water...



...but not for too long.



I love this photo! Alex is being chauffeured down the dock by daddy and daddy's cousin Billy Combs (whom Alex adores I must add.) Billy and his sister Mary Ellen spoiled Alex all day at the lake, he was thrilled!



Is daddy showing Alex how to drive the boat...or is Alex showing daddy? Either way, Alex is still talking about the big boat he got to on on at Great Grammy's! As every boy, he is very partial to trucks, planes and boats.



Before the big Klinger Lake firework display, Alex got to do a couple of his own. He learned the word "boom" that day and like the boat he is STILL talking about the "boom" at the lake.



The Holiday weekend ended at Gull Lake in Kalamazoo at the Martin's Cottage. As always, it was great seeing everyone!



According to Alex, the food was good too!



Ice cream treats were a hit too, especially with the youngsters!



Thanks to all the lovely hosts for a wonderful weekend!

HaPpY fAtHeR's DaY!

This photo explains itself! (Alex had some help with his spelling :)



Alex wished a Happy Father's Day to the three most important dads is his life:
Daddy, Grandpa Arklie and...

Pop (Grandpa Dampeer)



Alex sure enjoyed his granddads on Father's Day....so much that he decided to show them that he executed his big boy drinking habits and is now using big boy cups!



Mamie (as Alex calls her) and Alex swinging away on his swing. Even though it was Father's Day, Alex wanted some quality time with his mamie!

Just Horsing around

Alex is loving grocery shopping these days, must be the pony ride...



(usually he is grinning ear to ear...that is until I pulled the camera out of course!)

Bridgett's Baby Shower

Congrats to the mama to be Bridgett Frost! The SHS girls got together on 6.14.09 to celebrate baby Frost.

What a treat to have Bridgett in town all the way from Texas!



Adorable!! Bridge looking and feeling good with a little over 2 months to go (in this photo).



It was great seeing the girls: Jamie Webster, Mel Miller, Bridge, me, Jenny Rupp



All the moms and Alex! (Mama Arklie, Mama Dampeer, Mama Frost, Mama Bontrager).



Alex enjoyed seeing everyone but decided the balloons were a bit more entertaining.




Thanks everyone for making the trek, as always, it was good seeing you all!