Random Pics to Catch Up

You really have to have a lot of time on your hands to check out 3 months of pictures. This may be the longest single blog in history. After Grandma & Grandpa Steele left...
I went arrowhead hunting with Anton on the Grand River.

I was with him when he found his first arrowhead (spearhead, actually), after about 50 hours of him looking over a 2-3 month period. He's found more since this picture.

The week after our sweet visistors left was Homecoming week. Spirit day above. Eighth graders in green, 6th graders in black--check out Jade's clothes!

Homecoming parade! Brig's sits by with his class.

Elena and Jade with the softball girls...

Peter and Sterling on the football float.
Anton, Mischa, Mac & Brig walking to the car--hold hands!

Homecoming game--they're all ready to cheer for the Bulldogs!

Homecoming dance for Niki--you'll have to ask her what she thought of it. Anyway, she looked pretty.

Sisco's ready for other riders and Sterling gets his turn.

Peter is nervous, but takes a chance and has a good time.
Another JV football game for Sterling & Peter. It's raining, but we're dedicated!
Moo-moo loves Grandma and Grandpa's cat. She's hanging out while I train horses.

Pre-trek hike on our farm. Elena is ready to go!

Me with Maryjo, the YW Pres, and 2 of the girls--far right is Josie Durfee.

Oh, no, Peter. Not in trouble again!

We start off in family groups in a train, just like the pioneers.

Faith walk--this was awesome! We did it blindfolded and had to listen to the Holy Ghost (leaders) to find the way.

Sterling's in cammo to celebrate hunting season.

Sheri looks like she's really concentrating.

Anton's in cammo, too.

At the end Mike whispered, "Welcome home." They took off their blinds and saw everyone quietly waiting for them. It was really great--the kids all loved it!
Day of the Stake Trek--ready to head to the promised land.

Jade and Camille on the trail.

Part of my family with our flag--No Fear!

Check out these cute skirts and bonnets Joann made!

Peter and Jonah taking a break after lunch.

Cutest pioneers ever!

Elena and Dayae at lunchtime.

Anton's showing Sister Bonnet a "treasure" he found.

Jeff Durfee takes a nap--with a bonnet on? Even Brigham Young was there!

Brother Bonnet doesn't wait for a free handcart--the grass feels great!

Niki with some friends.

Now that's a pioneer!

Bishop and Sister Hanson in full pioneer style.

"Brother" Brock giving Niki some advice. What a great day! Thanks to all our pre-trek stuff, and Joann's hard work, our ward kids had a wonderful time.

Mike at school--nothing beats doing school from home.

We went to the Gallatin/Hamilton rival game and sat with the Durfees on the Hamilton side--Big mistake! I think that's why Hamilton won-Ha!

The Steele girls had fun with the Durfee girls. I had fun, too.

Arizona time! The big event was Danie & Blair's wedding. The kids waited outside for a long time while Danie and Blair got "pretty."

Look at that cheesy smile on Mac!

Everyone wants to hold a twin.

Oh, Deej! Mischa says, "Who is this again?"

Best buds.


Wish all the cousins (and aunts) could see eachother more!

Finally they came out! Love the dress!!!!

So cute and happy.

Are these really all our kids?!

On to Salt Lake--this was taken from the top of the Conference Center.
This, too--the skyline is great, but this pic doesn't do it justice.

We saw the lights on Temple Square! I loved being here! The kids and I and Sheri and Niki had a lot of fun!

When we got home there was snow on the ground--2 inches! Yeah! It's winter, and almost Christmas! Mac had five layers on--he was NOT going to be cold.

Brig loved it and couldn't wait to get out in it--even in his long johns!

What a great trip and a great 3 months! I'll try to keep up on the blogging. Love you all so much! Watch your mailbox for a note from the Steeles...

3 Months--What?

I did not drop off the grid--I just got busy, as we all do. Today, for some reason, blogging became a priority. Last time I blogged was right before Grandma & Grandpa Steele came for a visit. We had so much fun! They just ran around with us and participated in all the crazy, busy stuff we were doing...

Watching Peter...

and Sterling's football games...

Watching the little ones...

and big ones play Durfee/Steele ball...

hanging out at Chataqua Days with Jadey, Mischa...

Brina, Krissy, Elena...

Mac, Brig, and puppies...

Listening to Russian singers while Brina...
and Anton pretend to be matrioshka dolls...

faux groupies for the band...

cleaning out the barn with Anton (see Margie in the background?)...

watching Sisco and Mike on their first ride...

Anton showing off...

of course, I'm not showing off...

AND, we had to go fishing on their last day!! It looks like Mischa is not so sure about holding a dead fish. All in all it was a great time, even though it was too busy. I've calmed down a lot and gotten more used to the school schedule. If they came now, I wouldn't be such a crazy lady. Can't wait for Jenny & Brian to come! I'll blog more later--promise!

Two Weeks of Random Pics

These are all from Elena's camera and have been taken in the last two weeks. We're busy and having fun, but missing our Daddy. Mike's been in Arizona this last week and will get home tomorrow night--we can't wait for him to be home!
A cute pic of Kristina in her new hat...
I love this pic of Nitro. He will be Mike's horse 'cause he's so huge. Anyone else would be doing the splits when sitting on him.
Jade, Sheri and Kristina just don't get along. I don't know what to do with all their fighting!! :)
This is from one of our mutual nights. Joann is having everyone memorize The Living Christ and hands out a candy bar if they pass off a section of it. Everyone, including the adults, love to pass off to her for their candy bar.

Cold, cold day! This was crazy weather and we're glad it didn't last. The Durfees met us for Cisco's horse training session. Check out my outfit! I was staining the floor and ran over there. Do you remember Punky Brewster--yah, that's the look I'm going for.
Jeff Durfee (or I should say Brother Durfee, since he's in the bishopric now) at his best! :) I think he's telling Elena, "Don't you dare take a picture!"
Oh, no! Kitty in a tree! Where's the fire department?
Isn't this cute of Nik? She's even smiling in a picture, which is rare. See how cute you look when you're smiling, Niki?
Labor Day...BBQ with the Durfees and Rosamund's birthday. It was so fun hanging out with them for such a long time!

Our September sister's night we went out to Susan's and all took in the Greek Festival. Good food and fun dancing. It was great to do something different and be with the Durfees, Susan and Tonya. I love this pic of Rosamund at Susan's house.
A little blurry, but I had to put this one on of Sharlee and Tonya.
Getting ready for church...the girls always help me get Mischa ready and she loves the pampering!
Sabrina and her crazy sense of humor. Kristina is usually the last one to get up and loves her beauty sleep.
We have kittens! Anyone want one?
My favorite pic of Cisco and me. He's so pretty. I can see why people fall in love with their horses. As lame as this sounds, I am officially a horse lover--and proud of it! Update your blogs, family! We want to see what you're doing.

It's Been Two Weeks!!

My life is kids, horses, school and more school. I can't seem to get to the blog--it seems less important somehow since I'm falling in bed around midnight every night after helping with hours of homework. I thought I was finished with school! I've really been fighting the grueling schedule of being back in school, but have decided to throw in the towel and join the other crazy parents who's lives revolve around the public school system for nine months out of the year. My kids, surprisingly, are actually taking this a lot better than I am. Now I have to try to remember what's happened the last two weeks...
This pic was taken at the beginning of last week. It was pouring rain, just like it has been today, and Joann still trained him. This was his first day of being really stinky--bucking and rearing and everything. He didn't like the rain and couldn't understand why he had to do what she said when he's been doing whatever he wanted for the whole first 6 years of his life. Go, Joann Durfee!

Wednesday of that same week we had a trek mutual and learned how to square dance. A lot of kids were there and it turned out great!

The kids were supposed to pair up at the beginning, so of course my kids chose their siblings?? Peter looks thrilled, doesn't he?

Cute one of Jade, Sterling and Sheri.

Another great one of the masked man.

After Cisco realized he was going to work every day, no matter what, he learned to calm down a little. I love this pic of Mike laying on his back. He's so fun to lay on and rub down. Mac was the first one to actually straddle him this week. We can't wait 'til we can ride him!

Earlier this week Cisco got his first lesson out in the open. He did so great that she's been training him out in the pasture all week. I'm learning a lot too, and loving it! Going to train with Joann is the highlight of my day. Today it was raining again and Joann didn't come up. I went over with the kids after school and caught Cisco up, put on his halter, and let him eat out in the pasture for a while. He was such a good boy and did whatever I asked him to do.

Last week we finished staining our flooring and installing the lockers in the mudroom. It's been such a chore and I'm so glad it's over! I think it turned out pretty good.

These are the stairs down to the family room. The paint for the walls and the railing will be done another day--sometime when life slows down a bit, or when it finally drives me crazy and becomes a priority.

A couple of days ago Sabrina and Kristina got Mischy all dressed up and taught her some ballet. I have it on video and will try to put it on here if I can figure it out. Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. Hopefully I'm getting used to the school thing and will be back blogging regularly. Grandpa & Grandma Steele are coming next week and we're so excited! They'll be here for 2 whole weeks! Love you, family!