January 2022

Steele Family News

January 2022

Hello, Steele Fam! 👋 Happy New Year! 🎊 This is our first family monthly letter. We’ve had quite a few new additions to the family in the last few years—which is exciting! We hope this monthly letter will help all of us to be updated on family news, and aware of the comings and goings and traditions of our Steele Family. This might also cut down on the confusion that group texting can bring.

SO….speaking of traditions, let’s talk about birthdays!!!

STEELE FAMILY TRADITIONS 

Birthdays—We have always traditionally had parties and presents for our birthdays, but with people growing older and moving away, this isn’t always possible now.

Also, some people like presents, some like calls or texts, some like parties, and some don’t. Find out what the person REALLY wants—and then do that—whatever it is! It really IS the thought that counts. If they like presents, money isn’t important. You can find their favorite treat at the Dollar Store for a buck! Everyone likes to be remembered on their birthday. And if it’s YOUR birthday month, and someone remembers YOU—say thank you. Kindness matters 😊

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 

Sabrina Vaoifi—January 5

Sabrina is back in Provo now. If you don’t live near her, find a way to help her feel important on her birthday!

FAMILY EVENTS 

We would normally be having a family celebration for Sabrina, but with her back in Provo, we can’t, and are just shipping gifts her way. SO…we have no family events planned for January, but are up for suggestions!

FUN FAMILY NEWS 

Each month we’ll highlight at least one member of our family regarding a happy event in their life. January’s highlight is Elena & Jose Sagal 😁

They are having a baby this month—Yayyy!!! Their little girl—Zendaya Ximena Sagal—(I hope I spelled that right) is due January 4th. We are hoping she comes right on her due date! However, babies come when they’re ready. So, whenever she’s ready to join the family, we’re ready for her! And, so excited for Elena and Jose! If you get a chance, check up with the soon-to-be mama & daddy to see how they’re doing 😊

That’s it for this month—short, but sweet. When you have time, look thru the old posts at the cute stories and pics! If you have fun news of your own (or even if you just want to talk), give Mom/Dad (Colette/Mike) a call! We’d love to hear from you!

Hugs 🤗 and kisses 😘

Garden, garden, garden

Krissy took this cute picture of Brig--he's got the spaced teeth just like his mom.

A lot of the summer focus is on our garden. This is a picture of it when we first started about 2 months ago. Our plants are doing great and are almost in full bloom. I'll put more pictures on soon. Love ya!

Summer Fun

Yeah! It's summer! Finally our days have slowed down, softball is almost over, and family is coming into town. Below are some more recent pics. All four big girls had a blast at girls' camp. Can you pick out the Steele & Eaton girls?
Kristina took this picture of some flowers on our front porch--everything seems to grow here!

Not a great picture, but you had to see baldy. This is with it grown out. He actually shaved it with a razor--totally bald--3 weeks ago--Scary!

Who knows? Maybe she'll be a basketball star someday.

The kids have all loved playing in the pond. Mike put some stuff in it so it's really clear this summer. Mischa's sitting on the side with Jade, waiting for her turn in the canoe.

Jonah Durfee in the front, Peter down in the water teaching Mac how to hold onto the boat and kick, Alex Durfee making sure no one drowns, Mac in the water trying to do everything Peter says, and Sterling in the back giving it some power. What a great day!

Still Bloggin'

I just got new batteries for my camera, so I'll be taking more pictures soon. We've had tons of rain lately--we feel like we're in Hawaii! So...our garden's doing great. If it will stop raining I'll take pics of it.

Above is a pic of Sheri & Niki on the last day of school. They're so pretty. In two months they'll be juniors, along with Sterling. What will Mom and Dad do with Niki and Sheri all grown up? Talk to all of you soon!

Elena, the Photographer

This first picture was actually taken by Kristina. The kids love to take pics, especially the girls. And some of them are getting really good at it!

Mac is hoping to be in scouts soon. Can he wait three years?

This one is blurry, but I had to put it in here anyway. We had so much fun with Jeff and Wendy here. It's rare that our big boys have cousins they love to hang out with. We're so glad they came! And soon, two more sets of cousins will come--Yeah!

Molly, Rocky and our home in the winter...

Peter is so excited about something. What's with the Hawaiian lei?

Anton's senior picture, adjusted by Elena.

Elena's senior picture taken by herself. Wait, she's not a senior. Okay--8th grade picture.

Jade--washed out, but cute.

I love this one! Miss you all!

Last Couple Weeks of School

May is always crazy with all the birthdays and the overwhelming year-end school activities, but it's fun, too. We were all so excited for school to be out!
The three triplets. All four of my girls help baby sit these kids--now that it's summer, it's a daily occurance.

Brig in his end of the year play--The three billy goats Gruff. He made his own mask!

Kristina won overall out of the entire school for the DARE essay. The crazy thing is that Elena also won during her 6th grade year. It was a pretty big deal--the Police Chief ran it and chose the winners. She read it in front of parents and students--alot of of people were teary-eyed and came up afterward to talk to Kristina and me. I was proud of her for being so brave and reading to everyone.

In May we went to Becky Rogers baptism and Troy and Chauncey's Eagle Court of Honor. It was a beautiful, perfect day and we had a great time being with old friends. Look how handsome they are--they're growing up and will all three be on missions soon. Where does the time go?

Anton graduated from seminary this year, also. He did his last two years in just one year, thanks to the help of Brother Brickey. He was asked with two others to share some of his thoughts and his testimony at graduation. I sat shocked when he spoke as I caught a glimse of the good man that he'll be someday. Of course, by the next day he was back to the same old Anton--but I still have hope.

Krissy and Brina did the Wizard of Oz for their 6th grade play. Sabrina was Dorothy and Kristina was a narrator. They did a great job and were adorable! Of course, I'm not biased, or anything.

Afterwards they had an awards ceremony and reception. Finished with elementary and on to a new chapter. In 2 1/2 months they'll be over at the high school. No, REALLY, where does the time go?

This is a terrible picture, but I had to put Mac on here as Wee Willy Winkie. He ran upstairs and downstairs for his pre-school play. Thanks to Grandma Eaton he had a Wee Willy Winkie hat.

Mac graduated from pre-school and will be a big kindergardner next year! He'll be in all day school, which means it will be just Mish and me at home. I'm getting old--40 this year!

Last day of school. Aren't they beautiful? Anton will graduate soon--just one more test--and then we hope he'll start on his mission papers. It's finally summer, and except for the crazy softball and camp schedule, we're loving it. Mike got a new calling as a high councilor but they can't keep him away from the kids--he's over the scouting for the stake. I think he's a little overwhelmed, but I know Heavenly Father will qualify him--and me, too. Life is so good, we love our kids, and miss our family. Can't wait to see some of you this summer! Love you all so much!

March/April--Is This Spring?

We had a really cool spring and everyone couldn't wait 'til summer. Below are just a few of the activities:
I grabbed this picture of Krissy & Mischa hanging out on the kind-of green grass, hoping for warmer weather. Isn't it so cute? Even Molly, our dog, is enjoying the hope of spring.

Sabrina saw the girls from the house and decided to join them. Although, I think she was a little cold in her short sleeved shirt.As soon as the snows melt everyone is outside. Some days were warmer than others and it's warm enough to play if you're active. Elena loves basketball and had a great season this year at school.

Mac loves basketball, too, but is a little sad here because the big kids don't always want to play when he does. Come on, Elena!!

Easter time! DJ and Laura were visiting and we had fun getting to know her a little bit. The little ones had so much fun, of course, looking for eggs.

Yeah! I found one!!

Did he find an egg, is he laying an egg, or is he doing the chicken dance? Go Brig!!

The big kids still looked for eggs this year, but I think we'll change it next year--they really wanted to be the hiders.

Brig is 8 years old!! He was so excited to be baptized. When the bishop asked him what he was most excited about he said, "I get to fast!"

Brig with Bishop Hanson. Amazingly enough, Brig has fasted twice now and done great--24 hours! He's growing up. He's finally in cub scouts and just got finished with Cub Scout Day Camp. He made the coolest stuff and had so much fun!

Mac looking for turkeys--or Cheetahs. I'm not sure which.

Everywhere we drive here is a trip. Some of the kids couldn't take it anymore and gave up to the sandman.

February and Still Winter

It's been forever since I posted, but I'm still here. The following are some of the February events:

Peter went to State for wrestling! It was quite a big deal, especially as a freshman. He did a good job, won one of his matches and we had a great time watching him.

He wasn't too sad when he was eliminated, because that meant he got to eat. It was a win/win situation for him--food or wrestling--hard to choose.

Both big brothers got to come and support him. The girls stayed home with the little ones. We had a really fun time down in Columbia.
During this month Anton shot two turkey in the same week. The first one we ate right away--yum!--and the second is in the freezer. Maybe we'll save it for Thanksgiving. He's such an outdoorsman--arrowhead hunting and exploring whenever he's not working.

February is also basketball season for the elementary school. Sabrina and Kristina did great taking home the second place title. The first place title went to Gallatin also--they had two teams!

Brig did basketball, too, and he really lucked out--Dad was his coach! Believe me, their games were entertaining, to say the least.
By close to month-end we celebrated Mac's birthday--5 years old!

He even blew all his candles out at once. I wonder what his wish was?