GAME ON! STEELE 27*

NEVER GIVE UP!

2008-10-19T22:13:00.000-07:00

OK, so Macy helped me get some 10107 pictures on my blog. When all was said and done, we posted them to Miss Macy's blog instead....about to give up.

Now this will be unbelievable if I deliver the goods. Logan put our family on YouTube for his woman Crystal to meet us fast. Will try to get it to this page. I know some have seen the video, but I want to learn to do this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf1XrCYaiUw

thequiltthequiltthequiltthequilt!

2008-05-07T22:16:00.000-07:00

Alrighty then...Tiffani Lyn (retired leader of the kids) came out of retirement to make this "more precious than rubies" quilt. You may recall that everyone gave me a quilt block for my bday. Tiffani, with all her talent, made this for me and I couldn't be happier. (I thought I had these pictures in some sort of order but not so much....onward). Tara and Darren have the green block. There name, etc. has been stitched as have all their kids. I think pretty much every medium was used by these creative kids/gkids...see following...
Bill Steele painted a stylized paint brush w white tip. Tiffani sewed this in another direction but it looks fine w all the guesses made by people trying to figure out what he painted...i.e. red chile pepper, rocket; Christmas light, thing that could blow up the world. It's vintage Bill.
The whole presh thing (should be at the top of this post).
I took shots at different angles. Some got a little coverage and some got a lot. Below "The Beatles" which was the theme was created by Tiffani from a shirt Kami wore...more detailed than it looks...just love it. Lexi executed the pink one which has a paint dot in each flower and her name is embroidered on. Cooper is the cute hand print and spiderman details. Rylie is the corner right. It's red hearts and her name in puff paint...she writes well for a 2 something. Sydney wrote happy birthday to me and decorated w lots of dots....kewl.

This is a pocket off a shirt Sherrie bought at a Paul McCartney concert we went too. It has Paul's name and the concert name.......yes, I still love Paul. (just soooos you know).
Madi's name is in glitzy letters ironed on. She remembered I love purple. Jack is the money block and you many notice Jacko gets a lot of camera time in different shots. Tiffani made the 40th anniversary block out of purple (our wedding color) and a ring from one of Lexi's princesses...very sweet. Lucy June had her parents make hers. Kami is currently into pink and green.
Logan, never to be outdone, has turned out the block of all quilt blocks for his ma. Puts a smile on my face every single time...really! Kami and Erik have made their block like cross stitch only w pen. Megan and Justin are the hearts and puff paint duo. Parker was kind enough to put his name on camo while Brookie stitched her name and mine and used paint to finish. Saigey girl did a cute layout w flowers and squiggles. Cade did lots of designs and great colors.

This is a rerun which I would delete but I don't know how. This is the 3rd time Jack's square has shown up in the shoot. Truman's is a background of soccer balls, a sport he excels in. Lincoln wanted his name just that size and in that spot (says his mom) and Reagan is a Dora girl all the way.
Macy's block says alot about love. She wrote it all those times across the fabric and then signed and glitzed her name...we joke about who loves who more. She's trying to win! Ty guy is the bottom left and told me I'm awesome w a heart.
It took 60 years to build this quilt--well maybe 40. It's one of the most meaningful treasures I own. Thank you precious kids and fabulous gkids! oxox

Cowboys and Indians!

2008-04-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

This is a painting entitled ' the lone rider' by my boy Bill. He gave it to one of his clients to sell @ a charity auction Saturday. It sold for just under $3,000 smackeroos. He has gotten back into painting and is currently doing cowboys and Indians..........not even kidding! (he needs a rep to sell his paintings---any ideas)? I probably should post a few more-huh?

#17......................

2008-04-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of the masses with an addition, literally an addition. Rylie, Megan's youngest so doesn't like her picture taken...ya think? So Meg got in the picture to hold her and by so doing, I now have a picture of all 16 1/9 of my gkids. Yeah for Megan and Justin who are having #6 by the end of the year. (I hope it's a boy because the numbers are uneven currently and she has a GREAT name for a boy). Congrats to the Pima contingency.

Ty, Saige, Cade, Sydney and Rylie made the announcement Sunday at a bday party for Cade. (I hope I can do a decent job of being 'gg' to all my peeps at my tender age)!

SURPRISE-SURPRISE-SURPRISE (gomer pile)

2008-04-14T19:27:00.000-07:00

This is the 30 days our kids just can't get enough of...our anniversary, my bday, Bill's bday and Mother's day! HOLA! This year it's two biggies--our 40th anniversary and my 60th bday. Sat. April 12 was the huge 40th. Bill and I were going to leave for several hours in the day and end w a nice romantic meal. Around 5ish we stopped by our house to get something and viola I walked in to a fabulous surprise 60th bday party! (1st picture of me inside the door after I had a split second look). MAJOR WOW BEATLES FACTOR HERE. If you've got an hour read the next 3 blogs for the weekend of my life. (these silly blogs took me 9 hours to put together-------so much happened)! Yeah for team Peterson-Steele! Thanks kids oxoxox (que the music)....

HUH? WHAT? YOU DID WHAT?

Tiffani and her 5" heels and hair.
WHAT? They flew Logan down for the weekend. Big beach ball or exercise ball.
Here are my Darrens/Darens...............love Darren Burke's do.

Can you guess the theme? 'MEMORY LANE' with a major emphasis on THE BEATLES! Are you checkin out the beehive dos, the long false eyelashes, the light pink lips, the beatle T-shirts the girls are wearing, the head bands and scarves and bows.

Here's my guys w a different Beatle song on their shirt fronts (standing in the Logan pose).
Here you have the basic 6 Beatles....Ernesto, Paul (my boy Bill cause I love them both), John, Ringo, Roy and George****smokin!
The hot mammas showing off their huge eyelashes!
The Wall and the beauties

Personal favorite: "Lucy in the sky with diamonds". Darren (center)/Squiggy and Erik (w Lucy) wearing Kami's maternity jeans. LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS!

Let's begin with (drum roll) THE FAB FOUR, THE BEATLES, THE PAUL AND THE OTHER GUYS GROUP, and a whole lot of screamin going on!!!!!

Tiffani erecting THE BEATLES WALL.

you've got the megan and kami team who are working and the darren and logan team who are taking pictures. where's tiff? oh, she's up above.
megan, logan, tara group
logan went to massive amounts of trouble to put party hats on my much loved carousel.
The walllllllllllllll, i.e. gayle w friends and fam pictures, the trivia section, the BEATLES their very selves and a nice loud version of "HELP"! Right---we're all set up now......................GO!!!!!!!!!!

LET THE EATING BEGIN! I'm not a hard person to cook for, but I don't like beef and only the best cuts of chicken breasts and ham. Kami made shrimp scampi, baken ziti, margarita pizza and Logan made a spinach, mozarella, almond and something salad. These people are great cooks and everything was superb. Also Kami got some Italian sodas.

(cont. next blog)

SURPRISES AND CELEBRATIONS....(middle)

2008-04-14T16:56:00.000-07:00

We played 'GG JEPORDY". A game devised by Darren, Tara and Logan (w thanks to Mads for creating the board). This game first became a huge hit when played at Bill's 60th, albeit w different categories. (the player must understand that any relationship between the cards and the category is purely coincidental). These were the categories: WAYS OPRAH HAS AFFECTED MOM'S LIFE; THINGS WE'RE PRETTY SURE WE SHOULDN'T SAY (but will anyway); WAYS WE'VE LOOKED RICH; ANNIVERSARIES ONLY MOM REMEMBERS; FAVORITE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES................any relationship between these categories and myself are non-existent but absolutely lol funny! (Tara is our own personal Vanna).

* a side note to the public.......kudos to Darren for best use of a cord on an ancient mic---plugging it into his pants!

The dessert bru-haha began right after dinner. A fondue pot of chocolate w strawberries, pound cake, potato chips, etc. to dip; See's chocolates; artichoke/spinach dip w chips; cheesecake, brownie bites, and nuts---------------OH MY! We had a sweets break every half hour! Brilliant!

GIFTS ARE HAPPENIN'! TA DAA! This is a gift from Logan. It is Tommy Lee Jones Oscar program and nestled inside is a piece of the red carpet that Logan cut, yes cut for me right where it was alllll going down. This March Logan stood just off stage at the Academy Awards. When the winners left the stage they walked to Logan and he offered them mints and water. It was a lot of one on one time w the celebs. (I'm amassing my own museum).

I opened this cute gumball machine. It stands on a post. It is etched w the first initial of all 27 employees of Steele Graphics. (an heirloom)

DRUMROLL PLEASE! The Big Gift.........after trying to figure out how I could possibly want a pressure cooker as my 40th anniversary gift, it was revealed that a fabulous ruby ring was hidden inside. Bill and Tiffani picked it out and had a high degree of success!!! I finally figured out how to post my fav picture of my boy Bill and me loving this great ring he surprised me with.

I LOVE PRESENTS.....I forgot. (ok, I have things to learn about pictures and posting)...a less than great picture with my new ruby ring which matches my eyes while you take a peek up my nose. Bill is back in the game with some great surprises. YES!

The kids then told me about the last two gifts. One that they had all made a quilt patch and Tiff (the gifted quilt maker) was going to make me a (much desired) quilt for my very own. It took my breath away! WOW!

Lastly, they were all going to church w us the next morning @ 9 am. The kids had gotten people to take over their jobs and we went early Sunday morning so we could sit together. I was blown away. What some precious kids we have. The whole weekend was customized for me and they didn't miss a step.

*cont.next post

SURPRISE AND CELEBRATE---WAAHOO! (last)

2008-04-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

JUST DON'T ASK QUESTIONS POR FAVOR! Here's two pictures of Lucy since I deleted her from her space in the line-up below.

(please don't start reading here since you're at the end---I'm making mucho mistakes and so I'm dividing this JOB up. It's days like this when Robin makes a lot of sense not having a blog)!

These are most of the precious quilt blocks my kids and gkids created. They got in a long line and then ran over to the couch where I was and gave them to me. They came fast and lovingly. Each with buckets of personality.

These are my peeps.............they all went to church w Bill and me on Sunday, April 13, 2008. It's one of the two best days of my life so far. I dumped the marriage date and the days the five cutie pies were born. The two list toppers are 1) the day we were in the Temple w all of our kids and 2) when all 27 of us were in church together today. These are pictures of every last cuter than cute one.

Darren and Tara's group.............

madison-14 (my very oldest).....
jackson-12 1/2 (my first deacon)............
truman-11
lincoln-6 3/4
reagan-3 1/2

Tiffani and Daren's kids in reverse birth order...

cooper-3 1/2
lexi-5 1/2
brookie mae-9 (birthday girl today)
parker-11
macy-13 (brand new teen)

This is lucy-7 months.... Kami and Erik's kido (hair is usually spiked)...

*****GREAT! I JUST LOST LUCY! I'M POSTING THIS NOW OR I'LL PROBABLY LOSE THE OTHERS......AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Here are Megan and Justin's kids...........

ty-11 (we are tired of picture taking)
saige-9 1/2
cade-7
sydney-5
rylie-2 3/4

my little 'doo rag' girl......

2008-03-25T22:52:00.000-07:00

Here's the little darlin--Lucy-- on her half bday!

We're getting the head from all angles..........
TIME OUT! "I found the color red so I think I'll take a minute."
Her shirt is proclaiming that 'the future is Green'.
I love all 16 gkids a ton, but Lucy has a lot of photo shoots at my house.
priceless!!!!!!

all better.......and happy bday to my little sister

2008-03-09T15:38:00.000-07:00

What a difference a week makes! In 2 1/2 weeks the 84 year old is almost back to normal. His 'get rid of the bruise' gene is working overtime. Yeah for our team. Hey you UT people, we are sending him back brand new... (cute little mom in background washing anything).

Marcia's funeral (for my sisters)

2008-03-04T16:01:00.000-08:00

Pictures of the funeral, etc. Dad's eye has a lot of white to it now.

Nice shot of John and Bill.

One of their peeps.
Our son Darren and our other son Daren.

This is the flower card which makes no sense to me.

Loved the flowers.
After the funeral at Scott and Abby's home and backyard.
Mom eating the usual ginormous piece of cheese cake.

Their several hundred thousand back yard makeover. Fabulous................
Flowers at home on the piano. shade of roses.

Kami-genius; mother-not so much!

2008-02-27T20:27:00.000-08:00

In conjunction w Marcia's death, Kami went to Gram's condo and put make-up on Grnadpa. It went from under the eye and down to the neck. They want him to look a little more normal. His two black eyes will still prevail. Her mother got the pictures in sideways.......oops!

chewing ice
finished product......he looks pretty good.
Kami's fingers and sponge are in the shot.

BFF's

2008-02-23T18:59:00.000-08:00

Two little precious girls just hanging out in their jammies...sucking on each other, a little kicking and some hair pulling. (about 4 months w Lucy 2-3 weeks older than Lily). They seem to be different lengths.

Except for the caps, Lily's mom uses bows and Lucy's mom spikes their Dos! Here they are w their cute Gram.
TA DAA!

here's the happy little couple now...

2008-02-23T18:54:00.000-08:00

Just what you want for Valentine Day, his and her canes! (so prec)...

the photo shoot...day 4 (grandpa)

2008-02-22T19:44:00.001-08:00

So anyway Grandpa thinks he looks kinda cute half black.

The swelling is going down. The eye has a lot less blood in it and he is seeing things. Albeit he sees things double. He said, "Look there are two lamps". I replied, "Shall I turn one of them off?" He's thinking he can save big bucks.

This just screams normal.

Work with me on this one. In the outside world he wears his dark glasses so as not to scare the masses. However to be able to see in the grocery store or what he's eating, etc. he needs 2 pair. (Yes Burke, that really is a coconut chocolate chip cookie from Paradise).

A male Grammy.

The face still sleeps well.

A Day in the Life of Dad........

2008-02-19T20:44:00.000-08:00

If you start from the bottom up, it makes a little sense.

These are just some of the things you can do in Mesa.

so I have no idea how to put this in any order....

So Burke was having his 'normal' cataract surgery but it was taking twice as long as 2 weeks ago...oops! (Brynn, I need help please) They hit a blood vessel and you can see what happened. It doesn't hurt him, but he will scare little children.

and another thing......

2008-02-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

Here's the problem...I finally have a good camera, the ability to get pictures onto my computer but alassssss, no can figure out how to get them to my blog. I've seriously worn out my brain trying though.

You may have heard my parents are here and I'm loving it. I'm just a little more busy than normal life. Gpa has had multiple problems while he has been in AZ. I hope he gets a good week or two to enjoy himself. They do keep saying that they are so happy not to fight the snow. Heck, we had a freaking 82 last week for their outside enjoyment.

Bill is having a nap in the hammock now. He does this on a real regular basis. Most of my friends are totally ticked w the 70's we are in. It means the dreaded S*U*M*M*E*R is about here. I always have my AC on by March each year. The fans are already back in full time use. Do you think 2 months of fall, winter and spring is enough??????????????? NOT EVEN!

There, I feel better now and thanks for the rant! Oh btw, Happy Valentines Day.

A tall table (or tale)

2008-02-01T11:33:00.000-08:00

WooHoo! We finally got a new kitchen table and chairs. It is counter height and I love the height so much I want to marry it. What we had was an antique table that was used by Bill when he was a very little guy. I'm thinking it's 60/70 years old. We had 6 different chairs around it that were collected from times in our lives.

We are still using the old stuff in different areas. Who knew I would finally be able to see messes on the table---all the better to wash it w my dear. It's closer to my face and I'm not flying blind.

There is just a whole lot of bending no one on my team has to do . Of course some of my little gkids are falling off the chairs but it seems to be taking an average of one drop and they're good.

It's the configuration of 2 chairs to a side. A dumpload of space in the middle lets us lay Lucy there, sit around her and be entertained. (yeah, she is fulfilling her purpose in life).

President Hinckley

2008-01-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

I was thinking about Pres. Hinckley's death. I wondered if you guys knew or remembered that about 1966ish, the Phx North Stake was to be divided. It was a Saturday and my sisters and I had cleaned the house all morning...(only good enough to eat off the floor though). Right after lunch (I was 18 and Keri 1) I had gone to take a shower and as I was getting into the shower my mom called to me. She told me not to take one and to get dressed because Elder Hinckley and Elder Longdon were coming over to talk to our family.

Do you remember the teenage years? It's all about yourself. I was ticked because the only thing I could do w my dirty hair was to put big rollers into it and a huge cap to cover the whole thing. I knew I looked stupid and besides this would mess up my plan to spend the ENTIRE afternoon on myself, getting ready for the Sat. Nite dance. (Mom said I had to act nice to the G. A.'s too).

They rang the bell and then came into our home. We met them in the foyer and I remember that Pres. Hinckley had a hat and I was pretty impressed w that moment. They talked to our family and explained that our dad was going to be the new S.P. and would we support him, etc. We couldn't use the phone the rest of the day. I can't remember what my restrictions were for the dance but I WAS obedient.

The next day was Sunday and the conference meeting. I remember a discussion that ensued before the mtg. In my mind I had thought, 'cool we get to sit in the reserved section of the pews and wouldn't have to go so early'. This is what the then Stake Presidency did. (How wrong can a teenager be). The parents told the stake people NOT to reserve any seats for us. If we wanted to sit in front we would go early like the rest of the people. Great! We either got there 2 hours early or 1 1/2 hours early because everybody comes when the stake is reorganized.

I instantly liked Pres. Hinckley and met him multiple times (8-10) over the years. The older I got the more I liked him. I'm so happy that he is reunited w his wife and others. I loved him and he made quite an impact on me. I'll miss him.

24 hour yakfest...

2008-01-27T15:04:00.000-08:00

34 years ago a group of women started a monthly meeting called "mom's meetings". We helped, guided and sustained each other to the present. About 29 years ago we started having slumber parties/sleepovers/PJ nights/whatever and we still love it. Our shortest overniter just took place this past weekend. We got together @ 6 pm on Friday, 1-25-08 and except for a short night of sleeping, we talked until 1-26 @ 6pm.

We ordered in (1st time), kept drinking water and tried to eat as much chocolate and junk food as we did in our 20's....good try by all!

Men will die because what on earth could you talk about for that long and women will go..."cool". We didn't go anywhere. We stayed @ a members home and walked and talked and ate in the kitchen and family room for the entire time. No TV, no outdoors, no reading, no crafts, no men, no kids, just great conversation.

Mom always wanted us to maybe get some other groups going in the U.S. It wasn't too doable. We would come home tired in body but strong in mind and spirit. I highly recommend it.

---this just in: as of 4:38 pm Sunday nite, "the parents" are still breathing. Man, being in charge of people is a big time operation! They are pretty cute...and short.

'Sthecker' party time

2008-01-23T10:50:00.000-08:00

After a mere 16 years of marriage for some of Sherrie and Gayle's kids, we came up w a schedule for party central. Deckers, Steele and G and Gpa got together on 1-11-08 (known as 2nd weekend in January) and ate and hung out for several hours. All Steele people wanted to know why we don't do that more often since all of us are certainly a good time!

Everyone brought delicious snacks (that ate like a meal) and we visited non stop. We gathered in a circle since mom and dad wanted a quick update on the fam. We know that Summer got her nursery ready for the 6th ggdaughter in 1 year (final link in the sextuplet plan); Megan is not so big on very small towns--'Pima' by name; Jaimee and fam are now living in the heart of us all ---Yes; it seems Roger and Carol are still happily married; Mom and Carol both got a new Lexus for the heck of it; Shanon and Kami had the 2 newest members of the team---lil Lil and lil Lu-----totally bff's; Darren and Adam kept disappearing and playing w their blackberry *nerd alert* stuff; Logan showed off his Sunday shoes (retro red, white and blue tennis shoes--it brought a tear to his parents and gparents eye); Tiffani's excitement level was high w the prospect of a new and close Target; Jono, where were you anyway? You were missed. Everyone else just looked pretty!

It was enough fun that we are having a redo on Feb. 8. I took pictures for this blog and someday I hope to figure that process out.

We have a match!

2008-01-21T11:38:00.000-08:00

My blog still isn't up but that's not because Brynn hasn't given it her all. What happened? 'THE PARENTS' came to town is what happened. Mom and Dad got here on Wed. 9-16 (same day Tanner went into the MTC).

Luckily, Carol came into the HBP side of the fam. She is the worker daughter/son mom never had...she is the energizer bunny. Carol thought of things to clean that made mother SMILE! I helped several hours on Wed. but come Thurs. Carol (the big guns) came over and started her 'clean every corner on the premises' mode. After several hours, we had to slap her up the side of the head to make her stop.

Mom will take Carol on as an apprentice and teach her how to wash the outside of bananas w soap. Carol seems excited to learn. (Just try to tell me that union isn't heaven sent).

Let's just say the projected move-in time went from 10 days down to 3. uh-huh*

HELP! I need somebody (beatles)

2008-01-13T12:21:00.000-08:00

NO Kidding, my blog has not officially started yet. I am out and out begging for some help from my niece people for the set up. My kids know NOTHING! I just want it cuter than Robin's. (is that too much to ask?)