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!

Bloggin' Once A Week

At the beginning of this week we gave the greatest surprise ever to our kids--4 horses! We got a smokin' deal on them and they are beautiful!

This one's name is Nitro and he's a beautiful gilding paint. He's about 6-7 years old and needs some training before we can ride him--they all need some training.
This is a pic of the mama, Hopi, in the background and Sisco, the bay, in the foreground. Sisco is the first to be trained and is doing great!

The one with the fly mask on is Scarlet. She is the sweetest thing ever and will probably be the kids favorite to ride--after she's trained.

This is Susan, of course, and her new foreign exchange student, Tonya (that's not how you spell it). She is from Norway and Susan loves having her here. We can't wait to get to know her better. Susan and Tonya came with us to pick up the horses Monday night. We picked them up for FHE with the Durfees (really couldn't have done it without them).
Joann has been training Sisco over at Dad's all week. He's responding really well and may have a rider on him in the next few days. Tomorrow is saddle-day for him. Joann is amazing and I'm so lucky she wants to help us!
Mac and Mischa have loved coming over to Grpa and Grmas every day watching Sisco's training lessons. Actually, all the kids except Peter and Sterling have to see the horses every day. I'm sure they'll get on board soon, though. They are so beautiful and fun to be around. We can't wait to ride!
Wednesday night was mutual night. I'm over the MiaMaids now and we had a tea party and learned "5 Inexpensive Beauty Tips." The girls got to dress up if they wanted and we all had a great time.

Course we had to have a crazy pic, too. What is Sheri doing?

Today finished off the week with our first pre-trek hike. It was kind of last minute, so only three of our kids showed up. It was a beautiful morning, though, and a great hike. I love our ward! This week I also was overwhelmed with finishing the stain on our mudroom floor and stairs down to the basement. It's finally finished and we're moved back in. Now I just have to get the parlor and front entry-way/stairs done. I'll save that for next week. The kids and I are trying to get back into the swing of school. It's been hard, though, when we're on the tailend of a great summer. Anton's doing great at his online classes--I'll try and take more pics next week. Today was a crazy, busy day, but ended really nice and calm--at home for a few hours spending time with our kids. Nothing beats being a Mom! These 10 kids have no idea how much my life is wrapped up in theirs. I love you all--I'll try to get on again before next weekend.