Cora Mae in action

Cora started walking last month, we assume in an attempt to keep up with big sis.

Help us win free milk

Stephi was recently selected as the St. Louis "Mom-ination" to be America's got milk? Chief Health Officer. If you want to help us win free milk for a year, please go vote here:
http://www.whymilk.com/cho_vote_enter.php?region=MW (you'll probably need to scroll down)
You can vote once per day from now through October 31, 2008.
I apologize for the cheesiness of the video. Thanks for your help!

Temporary glitch

Our computer died last week, so we are unable to post pictures until we receive our new computer and get it all set up. Sorry for the delay.
The good news is that the hard drive was fine and we didn't lose any pictures or information! If we are slow in replying to emails, you'll know why.

Cora crawling

This video was taken August 4th.

Oh... HI!

If you're checking out our blog and have just a second, please leave us a comment. It doesn't have to be anything other than, "Hi." There's more motivation to post more when I know people are still stopping by to check up on us. :) Otherwise, I'll stay caught up with my soap opera watching and eating bon-bons.

Summer outfits from Grandma Steele

Child labor

I think this is still legal in Missouri.

Playtime with Aunt Ali

Many expressions of Cora Mae

Evidently Mommy and Daddy know how to pick out a comfortable booster seat (see also http://joelsteele.blogspot.com/2008/06/lunchtime-snooze.html )

Family fun

During Aunt Ali's visit, Uncle Keith and Aunt Lindsay (and cousin Natalie) stopped by for dinner on their way back from their vacation in Colorado.

Science Center with Aunt Ali

Miriam at the St Louis Science Center

August 24, 2007 (Joel's interview with Ralcorp)

July 28, 2008

Evidently, Mim thinks the Science Center is pretty exciting... either that or Mommy always takes her to the zoo first and wears her out.

StL Zoo with Aunt Ali

Big helper

In mommy's mind: no shirts = easier cleanup and less laundry

Not available for comments

Practice, practice, practice

Big news

Cora took her first few steps yesterday! And her bottom two teeth FINALLY poked through early last week. She turned 9 months old last Thurday, the 18th.

God's gracious Goodness

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of Joel's interview at Ralcorp. What a year it has been! Joel and I have been reflecting on all of God's goodness to us. He has blessed us beyond measure with this job opportunity, wonderful co-workers, a solid Gospel-centered missional church, awesome friends, our house, this neighborhood, these neighbors, a second precious, beautiful little girl, the list goes on and on... We've had our struggles here and there, too, but God has just been so faithful and we want to praise Him for it. We don't deserve His goodness!

Cora climbed all the way up the stairs by herself this morning! Mommy was right behind her of course! She sure is trying hard to keep up with her big sister.

Miriam: the diaper changer

Our beautiful city

Do your ears hang low?

If you are familiar with the song or book, you'll understand what Mim's trying to do in the picture. A few weeks ago, I caught Mim sitting on the floor with Cora sitting between her legs reaching around to try to hold this book in front of Cora so she could "read" it to her. It was SO cute!
The last few days, Miriam has been pulling up her shirt and putting her dolly's face to her belly (attempting to nurse her baby) and also holding both of her dolly's hands so that her feet just barely touch the floor and "walking" her around. What a good little mommy she is!

My old buddy Jamie

The fourth of July weekend, our friends Jamie and Kim, their adorable daughter Emma and their dog Maddy came down to visit us on the way to see family. Jamie was one of Mim's first "crushes" (I think the affection was very mutual) so she really enjoyed seeing him again... even though you can't tell from the picture. :)

5 wonderful years!

Our anniversary weekend - WAY back on June 28th - Joel and I enjoyed a very fun 2 days alone which included a couple wonderful dinners out and the opportunity to visit a few local sights we'd wanted to check out and some shopping without children in tow. It was very refreshing for us but we missed our precious little girls! The pictures below are from our walk to Tower Grove Park [Farmer's Market] and the New Cathedral, which contains the world's largest mosaiac collection. All of those pictures were made by putting tiny pieces of colored glass together! It is incredible to see and if you come to Saint Louis, we would recommend visiting the Cathedral.