Anton And Peter In Nauvoo

This is back from when we were in Nauvoo and Anton taped it on his own camera. I thought you might like to see a little bit of his humor. Make sure you mute the music at the bottom first.

Lots of Pics!

Mutual Night! We're preparing for the trek in October and we have 4 trek mutuals and three pre-hikes leading up to it. Joann Durfee is our trek master and she always goes all out. This night was no exception. We worked on memorizing The Living Christ, our trek song (which is awesome), then worked on our trek journals. The kids all had fun putting them together--even the older ones. Josie Durfee and Elena planning their pictures together...

Cute girls--Rebecca, Sharlee Durfee and Niki. Doesn't Niki's hair look cute like that?

Handsome boy--always with a good attitude at mutual.

It was hard to get a pic of Peter--he thought it was funny that I was trying so hard. Jax and Max Bingham spent the night and went with us to mutual. Check out that hair on Jax!

Who is that? Amazing we caught him on camera! This took about twenty tries to get this!

This is Sara, Sheri, and Krissy, with Max Bingham in the background.

Jadey and her dad--they all really had fun decorating their journals.

Of course, the boys couldn't leave without playing some basketball. We're so excited to have a real live basketball court at our church, even though it's a really small one. There is a group of boys who play together 3 times a week at 5:30 AM. That's Peter making a shot with Jonah Durfee in the background and Sterling in the bright blue shirt in the foreground.
We're suprised that Sterling is having a lot of fun at the early morning practices. He and Peter get themselves up and go without any help from Mom and Dad.
We had a little time this week to spend in the garden. Our corn is growing, but not as big as we'd like--too much rain. Doesn't Brig look like a cute farmboy?

Moo-moo loves the new toy the Hansons gave us. She can't ride it by herself and is constantly asking Peter to push her around. Something is wrong with my blog. I can't upload any more pics so I'll post this and try to send a separate post. See you soon, Danie!!!

Trying To Hold On To Summer

Saturday was a marathon school-shopping day. We started out at Gallatin thrift stores and worked our way to Liberty retail stores. We had to get clothes, shoes, socks, underclothes, and all the school supplies for nine kids--plus Sheri and Niki. We finally made it home by 11:00 pm. I'm so glad it's over!

One of our cute, little Gallatin second-hand stores--I spent the most money all day at this place.
Mom can always find something for a good buy wherever she goes.
Kyrie and Augie spent the night on Monday. Kyrie went with us to register Elena and Jade for school.
I can't even remember where we were going in this pic, but doesn't August look cute?
Yeah--school registration! Can you tell how excited Sterling and Niki are?

Anton is home! I really missed him. A hole was in our family while he was gone and we teased him telling him that it felt like 5 kids were gone while he was away because he requires so much attention--and he makes all the kids louder. Last night the girls left for the Binghams and I got to spend time with my three big boys. Mike stayed home with the three little ones so they could have daddy-time. We saw the new Batman movie (wouldn't recommend it) and Peter used his savings to buy a Ripstick. He loves it and we can't get him off it.

Sterling is pretty good at it too, but will have to get his own--Peter pretty much is glued to his. Anton is, of course, camera shy--so no pics of him. It was great to spend time with just the big boys.

I had to put this one on just because it's typical of our days here when we aren't busy. Summer has been great and we don't want it to end. I never could understand why Sis. Hinckley cried when her kids all went back to school every September--now I do.

Sunday Afternoon

Fast Sunday--just hanging out with Grandma, Grandpa, Niki, Sheri and, of course, John Emerson and gang. Sterling bought himself a camera off the internet, so the following pics are to his credit.
Smily Briggy...
Kristina was looking everywhere for her bag of butterscotch candy. Guess we found out who took it!
Pretty Krissy on Mom and Dad's bed.
I love this pic of Niki and Peter. Once again, I love Sundays! I can't wait to hear how Dani is doing! Call me, Dani!!! We're hoping for a November trip to AZ!

Fun With Lisa & Hayley

The last few days we've had Lisa and Hayley Kohl visiting us. It was a really short visit, but it was really nice and we were glad they could stay right here in our house with us. They're up at Tina and Jeff's house now and will be leaving for Pittsburgh on Sunday. We had fun seeing Jamesport, riding quads over some of the property, going to Mutual and just hanging out. The little boys and Hayley really had fun catching frogs and playing with the kittens!
In the playhouse with the frogs and kittens
Brig and Hayley had a good, long ride with Lisa and I over to Grandma and Grandpa's house and back. Except for the cow manure that flew up on us and getting stuck once, we had a great time.
Hayley loved the kittys and REALLY wanted to take the black one home. We didn't think that would go over well in baggage claim on the airplane.
Krissy showing off her braces--off in 1 1/2 months!
Sterling spent all day today building a nice comfortable house for the kittens. It's nice in the summer to have time to just hang out and do what you want for a few hours each day. I love you family! I wonder how its going at the airport right now???? I'll be calling you tomorrow, Danie!

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.