Visitors from IA

Date: August 19-21, 2011

Papa Rod, Grandma Karen, Auntie Randi, Austin, and Tristen came to visit one last time before we moved. While they were here we went to Parkville's Riverfest Parade, the boys did some work around the house so we could finalize our contract to sell it, and for most of the weekend the rest of us just played. At first I was afraid of the little tiny puppy Coco (Auntie's new addition) but then I decided I liked her :)

my new cousin Coco

planking

soooo excited to have my family in town!

flirting with Uncle Austin aka BF Austin, wearing his hat and glasses

playing with Uncle Tristen

Me and Grandma Karen

Papa Rod giving the toilet new guts

Austin putting his college skills to work

Watching the parade

waiting for the marching band with Auntie

Cute Cowgirl

Thanks Auntie Randi and Uncle Austin for my new boots...I HEART THEM!

Bull Shoals Lake - Family Reunion

Date: August 11-14, 2011

This year was a year to celebrate in the Smith family. Gup and Rosie (T's great grandparents) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. John and Shelly Lamczyk celebrated 25 years of marriage. Bryan and Brandi Gripka celebrated 5 years of marriage and Jacob the baby of the his generation graduated from High School. A wonderful reason to get everyone together and spend some quality time together!

We missed some of our family (Keisha and family, Kendra and family, and Matt who is active duty in the US Navy serving his 2nd tour over seas) and wish they could have been with us but we did have a GREAT time with everyone who could make it!!!

Here are some of the pictures that were taken over the weekend (in no particular order). We hope to do this again soon!

Lil' Helper

Date: August 7, 2011

We are preparing for a Smith Family Reunion (Brandi's Moms side) and the Gripka Family was in charge of the Minute to Win it games. Austin picked the games we would play, Brandi purchased the items needed, and Tori tested them for accuracy and approval.

Oh boy..

we are going to have our hands full...as if we don't already :)

Fireworks

I know this is really late or out of date order but I got some of these pictures from a neighbor from the 4th of July fireworks show they had and I had to share...

The child of many expressions while watching fireworks!

Proud to be an American

Date: July 31, 2011

With the 10th Anniversary of September 11th right around the corner and the return of our dear friend Anna Pohl Amrine from AIT at Ft Sam Houston TX we have been talking a lot about what it means to be an American, what our flag stands for and how much we love and support the Armed Forces.

Tori loves her flag and we visit it outside almost daily!

Country Music

We are a family with a love for all types of music. The end of July Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker were on tour and stopped in Kansas City. Mama and Daddy decided to have "date night" and headed out to the concert while I stayed home with my babysitter Kyla Best. Before they left we took a couple of pictures and then mama took some at the concert too!