Worlds of Fun/AOA/Jamesport

The little boys had so much fun in this huge area shooting balls at everyone. While we were in here I laid on the floor and took about a 30 min. nap!
Fury of the Nile ride.
They're all screaming because a big, huge wave is about to hit them.
Sabrina standing at the top of Spring Hill at Adam-ondi-Ahman.
This cute man at the fruit auction in Jamesport told Jacob and Nephi he'd pay them $1 if they'd help him load up his truck.

Pics From Trenton Waterpark

The following pics were taken a week ago while the big boys were at wrestling camp.
Mischa had so much fun in the water this time--she used to be so scared! Now she has her sissies to help her feel safe.
The two oldest Steele cousin brothers--Ben and Jacob.
The water was a little cold, but they still had a lot of fun.
These are the five crazy boys that had so much fun together for two straight weeks. Yesterday Brig said, "Mom, I really miss Nephi and Ammon." We sure loved having Gary and Sue out here! Remember, family, there's always a place here for you! :)

Friday: Last Day With The Steele Cousins

Today I spent most of the day out in the garden and got fried. I didn't come in until 4:00 and didn't eat anything until 4:30. It was just one of those things where you don't want to stop!
The three above pics are of things the kids had fun with today. Everyone pretty much just stayed outside because it was so nice--around 80-84 degrees. Of course, the little boys caught frogs and bugs most of the day. Peter wanted me to put his card pyramid on the blog 'cause it's the first time he's gotten it on camera. Jade took the picture of the butterfly which I think is pretty good.
At 5:00 we had Mom & Dad and Sheri & Niki and John Emerson, his mom and new girlgriend, Christy, over for 4th of July BBQ and fireworks show. The kids had a lot of fun watching the cool fireworks.
Last night together...the girls all spent the night at Sheri and Niki's house because the Steele cousins leave in the morning.
The Dads and Anton and Peter let off some amazing simultaneous fireworks!
Anton made a big bomb putting a bunch of sparklers together. He was pretty excited about it because it was so loud and big. Here he is telling us how next week he's going to make even bigger ones--I'm a little nervous. That's John and Christy off to the left.

These pictures really don't do the firework show justice. It was really great!! These were semi-pro fireworks. Gary & Sue & gang leave early tomorrow morning. We've really loved having them here and hate to see them leave. I'll be calling all the sisters on Monday--we can't wait for the next batch of family! Love you all!

Last Two Days

Gary and Sue were in Nauvoo and Carthage Wednesday and Thursday so we were on our own. I think they had a great time even though they were re-directed many times from the flooding. You'll have to go to their website for their happenings--it's linked to mine on my family site. The news at the homefront:

Wednesday: Tried to clean and organize the house today. The girls helped me and did a pretty good job. By the end of the day, though, it was trashed again, of course. It rained, so I couldn't work in the garden. Everyone stayed home except for Anton who went to Sylvan in St. Joe. Nighttime was Mutual--it was combined and we had a lot of fun--flour ball and ultimate frisbee at the Eaton Annex. Jade invited a friend and she stayed the night afterwards. A new girl was there who is a non-member and is 16. Anton says she's the hottest girl in town. I invited her to go with us to the fireworks Thursday night. Her name is Sam Thompson.

Thursday: Worked in the garden all day--it is terrible! Tons of weeds and grass because of all this rain. It felt great to be out there, though! Took Anton and Sterling to dentist earlier in the day--no cavities! We left for the Roger's house around 3:30 and Sam came with us. Jade's friend, Molly, came too (her sister is the one who was baptized the other day). We ate at the Roger's and many of the kids went swimming in their above ground pool. Tina and Kyrie were there but the rest of the Binghams are in Eureka, CA. Jackson Beazer was also there visiting Chauncey. I got some good pics of the kids that I'll put on later. After a couple of hours we left for the Jesse James park. The fireworks were great, the weather was awesome and the kids had so much fun--I love this new July 4th tradition. I've never seen Anton flirt or show-off so much--and, of course, Peter followed suit. It was good to see him acting like a normal 17-year-old. I'll put pics on when I get them! Love you all--Talk to you SOON!

Tuesday: More Church Sites

We went to visit Independence Visitor's Center and the Temple lot. Course the Temple lot isn't owned by the church right now--that's why the sign looks different. Sue loved the programs in the visitor's center. They loved the Liberty Jail tour. The highlight for me was when we went to the baptism at our ward building that night. I watched Samuel so Gary & Sue and kids could enjoy their tours. I think they had a nice time. Today (Wednesday) they are in Nauvoo and will be back tomorrow night. I'll call all of you Eaton family next week to see who might be able to make it to the reunion. I love you family!

Monday: Worlds of Fun!

What a day! All of us went but Anton, Mac, Mischa and Mike.
I'm such a comedian--laughing at my own jokes. Okay, Sterling is laughing, too--it must have been funny.
Jacob getting a shower on Fury of the Nile.
We played...
And ate....

And then played...

And, of course, Peter ate some more. Ammon and I going for a ride in a French taxi.
Cheesy grin from Brig.
Wet from the Monsoon ride.
My favorite ride--The Detonator.

A little blurry--taken by some unknown teenager at night. We had so much fun and fell right asleep when we got home. Tuesday was a little more relaxing...

Sunday: Hanging at Home

The little ones love Peter because he'll play with them. He's gotten quite a following.

Moo-moo's got her backpack ready with no place to go. Check out the brownies on her face.

Looking at books or taking a nap? The babies love Kristina!

It's rare to get pictures of smiling Peter. He's usually off running around. Sunday is a nice day of relaxing--my favorite day of the week.

3 Days Late

I don't have any pictures--Mischa's sleeping where the computer is right now and it's hard to get them on. I'll try tomorrow. Last three days:

Sunday: Went to our new church--amazing! We were handed the keys to our building on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and Hyrum. Amazing if you think of the fact that no substantial Mormon building has been built in Daviess county since that time. Our ward just keeps growing. Sunday church was so great for me that it's hard to put into words. After church we all had dinner together and it was just FUN. We love having Gary & Sue here! It was nice to take a nap on Sunday again.

Monday: WORLDS OF FUN DAY!! We left early and didn't get home until midnight. We had a blast, of course, and took some great pictures that I'll put on soon. Jonah Durfee went with us and had a lot of fun with Peter. We were all tired this morning and the kids slept in 'til 11:00.

Tuesday: All my kids stayed home and helped a ton with babies and getting the house clean. I took Gary and Sue and gang to Independence and Liberty Jail. We got back just in time to go to a baptism at our new ward building. The baptism was great and I feel like it will open some doors in the community. Her family is really well-known and have lived here all their lives. Her whole family was there and was really supportive. It was very exciting! Had pizza for dinner, John Emerson came over, then watched Spiderwick video with Anton, Elena, Brina and Peter 'til 12:30 this morning. Fun day.

I love you guys! We're praying that all of you can come for the reunion if it works out good for your families. We know it will happen only if it's right. Don't push it and do it on credit. We'll all love eachother just as much if it doesn't happen--do the right thing! I'll put pictures on soon!

Fun In The Water

Before I tell you about today I have to show you a few pics Sue took...

First, of the tomatos that Mac and Mischa pulled off one of my tomato plants and...Second, of the huge thunderstorm that rolled in last Tuesday night. Okay, now for today...

Saturday began with the girls sleeping in a little. We did stay up pretty late the night before, so I don't blame them. After they woke up they helped with the little kids and the house and lunch. Finally we decided it was time to go swimming. It was only 85 degrees with a slight breeze and felt great--almost too cold to swim--but the kids were excited anyway. At night, after we got home, Cody Hanson invited Ben and Jacob over to their fun house. They had a blast and didn't get home 'til 11 PM.

Let us out!! Do you think we should take them somewhere--maybe?

Today we went to Trenton to play at their small waterpark pool. It was great fun and well worth the 25 min. drive and $1 more instead of going to the Gallatin pool. It was nice for the kids to get out of the house for a while. This morning the little boys were a little stinky to eachother. They just live in the moment. They don't know how sad they're going to be in a week when their cousins leave.

Is Elena lifting weights or jumping off the board?

Sabrina went down the big, scary slide!

Jade and Sariah are having one of their deep conversations, I'm sure.

Taking a break and watching their sisters and brothers jump off the diving boards--aren't they cute?

What an action shot of Kristina off the high dive!

Saturday ended with a big splash! Then we came home, got some groceries, made dinner and played 'til bedtime. Tomorrow we get to go to our new church building for the first time--I'm so excited! Mike, Gary, and the older boys got home at 11:30 pm. They're tired and ready to be home. I'll tell you how their trip went later...Love ya!