The Gripka Family

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

September 2013

Labor Day weekend we spent on the water with Papa Choo Choo and GiGi ~ cousin Bully joined in on the fun and Uncle Jake came down for a couple of days!!

never too young to learn how to eat sunflower seeds ~ spitting them off the boat like Daddy

Papa always takes us to get an ice cream treat at 125 Marina ~ traditions and memories in the making

little swimmer and getting more brave every time we are on the water

pretending to be sleeping so she doesn't have to kiss Uncle Jake ~ look at that smile ~ she loves her Uncle Jake so much!

such a happy girl on the water!!

Daddy participated in the Lake St. Louis Triathlon again this year ... he was doing good until 1/2 way through the bike portion and he wrecked his bike :( So thankful he wasn't seriously hurt ... he got his bike fixed and jumped right back on so we are sure there will be another triathlon in his future!

August 2013 ~ Iowa Family Fun

Tori visited the Iowa State Fair this year for the first time...this will become a family tradition every year just like it was for Mama...we had a ton of fun with Papa Rod, Grandma Karen, Uncle Tristen, Auntie Randi and Uncle Austin even got to join us when he got off work!!

woah ~ weeeee ~ woah ~ weeee

watching Tori's name be printed in the paper

we were right up front when the little piglet was born

the famous Butter Cow

a special visit with "the grandmas" ~ little did we know at the time that this would be our last visit with Great Great Grandma McConnell ~ at the young age of 99 she went to heaven in October 2013