Back To The Normal Family Stuff

Monday & Tuesday: It's kinda nice to be back to a semi-normal routine. I pick Lisa and Hayley up from the airport tomorrow morning and they'll stay for two days, but, other than that we're back to the nice, laid-back days of summer. Staying up late, waking up late.

The girls cleaned the house...
While I caulked the stairs to try and get back into the painting groove--ugh!
After cleaning, Elena went for a bike ride...
And Peter mowed the grass. Sterling went to work with Mike...
And, later for Family Night we went to and invitation-only dinner for farmers who purchased seed from MFA. We thought it might be a good missionary experience, but it was in Hamilton, where people don't really know our family. We got a lot of stares, so I think we provided more entertainment for all of them than missionary work.
Of course, Peter doing back-handsprings and back-flips on their golf course probably didn't help us in our quest for being inconspicuous. Today was Tuesday and Krissy and I went to St. Joe for her ortho appointment. She gets her braces off in 1 1/2 months! We weeded in the garden a little this morning before it rained. After blogging I'll put in some laundry and get some more family names off the Family Search. We sure miss Anton! Well, I don't know about his sisters, but me and Peter miss him. Love reading your blogs, family!

Celebrating the Pioneers

Mom, Dad and I arrived home about 3:00PM, after driving through the night. By 6:00 we were at a pioneer celebration with our ward. Even though we were so tired, it was fun and I'm glad we went. The Stirlings got to go with us and see our ward family in full swing.

Krissy and a friend Sheri and Niki invited, Becca.
Some of the boys ate and played football the whole time out by the tee-pees.

Peter and Jonah stopped for two seconds so I could take a quick pic.

Brig held Mischa's hand and took her around to all the games. What a good big brother!
Elena & two of her friends posing for me--I love the pioneer clothes on the line!

The girls had fun, but mostly just talked, like girls always do.
Mac really got into all the games--a sponge and water race...And a water balloon toss...

Mischa wanted to get involved, too, but wasn't quite sure how it all worked. It looks like she has some modesty issues, also. I was pretty tired and wasn't paying attention to her clothing attire--oops!

The kids even got to go on a horse and surry ride if they wanted. Mischa thought this was so much fun. This was a great end to a hard, but happy week. Hard, because of the circumstances, but Happy, because it was filled with people we love. Please post on your blog, family. We love you!

Kanon's Day

Brian and Jenny decided to have a funeral and graveside service for Kanon. As difficult as it was, it really turned out very nice. Jenny & Brian's ward did a lot to make it turn out well and a few of the sisters worked hard on it, also. It was good to meet beforehand with just the family--but very emotional, as well.

Matt & Heather...
Jeff, Wendy, Garrett and Addison...
The ONE joy in the funeral was seeing people I hardly ever get to see. This pic is of me and Suzette--I've known her since birth.
Sue and I are crying, of course, but I needed a picture 'cause I don't know when I'll see her again--maybe at Christmas??
Mike arrived just in time for the start of the funeral and we're so thankful Brad could get him there on time. It was nice to have one of our kids there with us. Especially with emotions being so close to the surface, it's a comfort to have people you love around you. Brian and Jenny asked Anton to be a pallbearer. It meant a lot to us and I know Anton felt very honored.
Mike and I were lucky to be there together--barely, though. We spent less than 1/2 a day together.

Mom & Dad Steele are always present at any major event in our family. I could not ask for more wonderful in-laws--they really are great.

I hope this is appropriate, Jen. I thought it was so precious how Korbie showed so much love for his little brother. He was so concerned about him and I know they'll be great friends someday. It was just heaven-sent that Kanon could be laid to rest right beside his older brother, Kohen.

After the graveside service we had a nice luncheon from Jenny & Brian's ward. Before we left for the drive home we stopped at Gary & Sue's to say bye to their kids. Aren't they fun? Sariah was gone at a swimming party and I sure missed her!

I had to end with this beautiful table that was set up for Kanon. I got to be with him for a short time before he went down to Tucson. What a beautiful boy! I don't know how you do it, Brian and Jenny. You, and your two sweet baby boys, are an inspiration to us all. I hope you know how much I love you. I feel so grateful that I live in a time when I can hop on a plane or in a car and be with the people I love when I need to. I wish we could be closer. This time, leaving my sisters was the hardest time so far. Thank you for blogging, Jen, and helping me to feel part of sweet Kanon's life all the way over here in Missouri.

Back To Arizona...

Thursday: My Sissies picked me up at the airport--I loved it that so many of them could come. We went out for lunch and then on to the funeral home. In the following pictures we seem happy, but it was much harder when we went in to see Kanon--didn't want to take pictures. Jenny and Brian wanted us all to be there to help dress him. What a sweet boy. It was really hard for all of us and especially Jenny. I feel honored that she and Brian let us be part of it.

Danie & Chelle...
A cute pic of Amy...
Jenny and her good friend, Stephanie, who flew in from Utah...
Heather and her beautiful twins, Abby and Annie...
Me and Heidi-ky...
Jen and Brian...

Thursday night we all spent time together at Heidi's house for Sister's Night. It was great to get together--even DJ and Jen came! I'm glad we did it the night before the funeral because Friday was a rough day.

Anton got to drive down with Grandma & Grandpa earlier in the week. He's staying another week with Vova Stirling so he can spend some time before Vova leaves on his mission. Everyone just keeps growing up...

Hard To Say Goodbye

I had to put this pic on of Brig. He was so excited about catching this tadpole. His face is pretty dirty--I wonder if he got in the pond WITH the tadpole.
Mutual was tonight at my house. The Beehives and Mia Maids met here to work on their ancestrial files--trying to get family names to do temple work. We only got a few names printed off, but I think they all still had fun.
Sam and Dorothy had to say good-bye tonight--they're leaving in the morning. Remember, Sam, that when a door closes Heavenly Father always opens up a window for you. We love you and know you'll have a great time in UTAH!!

I had to put this one on of Sam 'cause it's so cute and I knew she'd be bugged that I put the crying one on. I'm leaving for AZ in the morning. I miss Anton when I'm here and when I'm there I'll miss all the other kids. I guess I'd never make it as a working mom now, I'm so much of a sap when it comes to my kids. See you soon, family!

Random Pics

Cleaning Day: My four tornado cleaning girls whizzed thru the house to get it back in order from all the company that just left and to get ready for new company. The Sterling's arrived tonight and we're so glad they're here! They are staying a week and working on their property. Sam hung out most of the day--she leaves early Thursday morning. We'll sure miss her and Dorothy! Anton and I went to St. Joe for an assessment test at Sylvan. I just have to brag on him--he moved up FOUR grades in vocabulary and THREE grades in reading comprehension! He's doing great and excited to graduate, hopefully before the end of the school year.
Jade and Sam upstairs in her bedroom.
Anton took this on his new camera he bought. Cool black & white of Elena.
Pretty, pretty Krissy.
We love our dog, Molly.
Anton took Brig and Mac fishing tonight and wanted me to take a pic of the bass he caught. He threw it back so it can grow bigger. We love you family and I am getting ready to come see all of you in a couple of days. Can't wait for sister's night Friday!

Sunday--Last Day

Brad and Heidi and gang left this morning before we left for church. DJ and Jen left right after church. It was a little crazy with a houseful of people and we miss them already! We wish we all could have somehow been together.
Now we're all so bored that the girls are, once again, getting all dressed up with no place to go. But not for long--this week will end with a lot of goings on with Anton, Mike and me headed for Arizona. Sterling and Peter will spend a few days at the Durfees while Sheri, Niki and the four older girls will hold down the fort here with the three little ones. Tonight the missionaries came over and taught sweet Sam her first lesson. It went well and we're sure going to miss her and Dorothy. We're planning a BBQ for Tuesday night and we'll post pics of it. Love you all! See you soon!

Saturday: Carthage & Tom Sawyer

Saturday morning we shopped a bit then left for Carthage. We always go to Carthage on the way home. It just seems to always be a fitting end for the Nauvoo trip. It was wonderful, as always, and I think Brad/Heidi and Marshall/Donelle enjoyed it too.
They look like mother and daughter, don't they? Jade's a good cross between an Eaton and a Steele--EVERYONE loved holding Emme!
When we got home Kristina hurried and curled Sabrina's hair (it took 1 hour and 15 min.) and ran her over to the Gallatin Theatre. Her Tom Sawyer play started at 7:00PM and most of us got to go. She had a solo part, sang out strong without a microphone, and we loved watching her.
She did a great job and we were so proud of her in her debut into show business! These pics are a little rough 'cause I was far away and it was dark in the theatre. This play was a great end to our family reunion week.

Friday: Last Full Day in Nauvoo

After the hard news of the night before it really fed our spirits to spend much of the next day in the temple. Our six oldest kids got to go with us in the morning--Kristina's first time. When we finally left the temple around 3:00PM I really felt like I was filled up and could now make the trip to Arizona for Kanon's funeral. Someday, I hope, we'll all be together on happier occasions.
I had to stick this one in of Anton because it's so rare that he's not making a face--what a cute boy!
Sterling bin laden--we had fun hanging out at the hotel with eachother in between activities.
We went swimming at least once a day while in Nauvoo. The kids loved it and swam for quite a long time each day.
It took ten tries to get this pic. Don't ask me why he swims with a shirt ON, but walks around all day with his shirt OFF.
While I cooked dinner with Dad and Mom, Mike took all the kids to the park. This was actually a fun, big park and we went here twice. They played until it started to rain--just in time to come back for dinner!

Big Mac hanging from the playground set.The little boys are always wanting to wrestle Peter--and he doesn't argue.Two sweet cousins...

Is he buff, or what?

Elena poses while Kristina practices her photography skills.

I'm not sure if Sheri was really swinging or not. I think she's just hanging out and looking cute.

Moo moo loves the slide and we love her! After the park we ate and took our seven oldest, Sam & Marjorie to see the new Emma movie. I hear it's playing at the theatres in some places. Wow! It's really worth your time to see this one!