Happy St Patrick's Day

 doesn't look like many people came to Cottleville Parade but it was packed by the time it started, estimated about 30K people attending!!

 waiting for the parade to start

 lunch on the go

 the life of the party :)

 shortly after this picture Tori had to put all of her beads in the stroller and start over - they were making her walk funny :)

 this wagon is awesome!

 not so sure about the clown

 St Charles cuties

 only in the Lou - they stopped long enough to make a bottle and feed the baby *please note the bottle of wine behind the case of Bud Light*

 not sure about the Grinch either

 there were some great floats!

digging into the candy w/ Miss Olivia

Look at all of my beads!!!!!!

Spring has Sprung

We got to play outside last weekend - FINALLY! It has been a very  mild winter and the past few weeks have been really warm during the week and then comes the weekend when we want to play outside and it is cold, rainy, yuck!  Not last weekend, it was so nice on Sat and we soaked up as much sun as we could.   

 cruisin'

 oopsy, I may need some more practice driving 

not bad form for her first time

keeping her eye on the ball

woohoo look at that ball go!

Dukes of Hazard style

Pretty in Purple

Spring School pictures were today, I chose to wear my purple polk-a-dots and horsey jeans with my cowgirl boots...Ms Sam, my teacher, said I had fun taking pictures...Mama is anxious to see how they turn out :)

Happy Birthday Von

Sunday Feb 26, 2012

Uncle Von (John) had another birthday so we went to their house to help him celebrate.  It was a warm 65 degrees or warmer so we hung out on the deck and played outside.

 Can we have cake now?? Pretty please!

 Happy Birthday Uncle Vonny

cousin love ~ Gabi 3 1/2 ~ Tori 2

Mr Bear in the Chair

This is where I, the Mother in total control of her life, admit that I forgot to do something on a certain day.  I know to you it may not be a big deal but remember back when Tori was a wee tiny thing (4 weeks and 5 months and 1 yr) and I took a special picture of her?? Yes, you remember but if you want to refresh your memory click on my links in the previous sentence...now where was I? oh yeah losing "mother of the year" award...

I FORGOT TO TAKE HER 2 YR PICTURE WITH MR BEAR IN THE CHAIR :(

So, on February 22, 2012, just 42 days late, we took our picture.  This cute little 2 year old isn't much into sitting still and really likes to do whatever she wants so here they are....ENJOY!! 

 working on the "lady like" sitting in a dress

 much nicer sitting but please put your dress down and no, we don't want to see what is down your tights :)

 Ta-Da ~ one picture with Mr Bear ~ cheesy grin and all 

 much more relaxed smile but had to have her new bear with her

and about 2 mins later she was sitting just like this ~ all by herself ~ where did my tiny baby go??? :(

Tug Woah Tug Woah

Meet my cousin ~ Buster

 He loves to play tug and is a very good boy

This video of us playing shows you just how much fun I have with him!! 

Happy Birthday Papa Joe

I know it's your birthday but I will open your present

 oh look!!

just what you always wanted...a shirt!!

Hut Hut Hike

It was an amazingly warm Sunday afternoon in February while we were visiting Papa Joe and Nanny Vikki so we decided to go outside and play a little game of football.

 I am little but I know my football ~ watch out boys!!

 Monkey in the Middle ~ no we are playing football!!

 watch out Uncle Greg ~ I may take your position long snapping! 

 TOUCHDOWN!! 

 In true Gripka fashion ~ playing sports ~ tongue out!!

 Rod Smith Jr :)

 Tackle Bubby

And she is off ~ loves running and is quite fast!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Knight

While we were in Monett we also got to help Grandpa Knight celebrate his 88th birthday!! 

Forever Friends

I finally got to meet Mama's friend Miss Shelby Linahan!! One weekend in February we made a visit to Monett MO.  Miss Shelby and Mama met 14 years ago in Joplin MO while Mama was going to college at MSSU.  They have stayed in contact off and on throughout the years and when they saw each other it was like no time had passed at all! I would have to say that is a friend forever!!!

We love you Shelby!!!