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!!

See how he grows...

As many of you know, Alex hit his big two-year milestone on August 28, 2009. What a fast and not to mention fun 2 years! Mom wanted to compare his growth from August of 2007 to now...

2 years



2 weeks



Grandma holding Alex at 2 years



Grandma holding Alex as a new arrival on their shared birthday



Jackson sharing his ball with Alex a month before their second birthdays



Alex at 5 days old meeting Jackson in the hospital for the first time



Mama's little man at 2 years old



Mama's little sweetie at one week old



Alex at 2 years learning the ropes from his best buddy "Biddy"



Alex looking up to Billy already at one month old

Daddy is the Man!

Alex has not only become a big daddy's boy, but he tends to be very partial to boys in general...just ask Uncle Mike or Pop or Grandpa or Billy or Uncle Kyle.

Here are some fun photo of Mama's boys!

As Alex said "EYE" Daddy said "OUCH!" Although it doesn't appear that way, daddy (and mommy) have enjoyed Alex's increasing vocabulary. Although the sentences are not always easy to understand, Alex sure has a lot to say!



Manmade swing.



Big Helper! Alex is always cleaning up and helping around the house. Next week he learns to iron his sheets and make pumpkin bread...haha!



Golf Lessons already. He can already play better than his mom!



Noses! He is usually too busy for hugs or kisses, but sometime a nosey will do!

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!