functions.php

// Conditionally break posts into 2 columns with featured posts on first page
add_filter( 'post_class', 'be_archive_post_class' );
function be_archive_post_class( $classes ) {

    if ( is_home() ) {
        global $wp_query;
        $paged = (get_query_var('paged')) ? get_query_var('paged') : 1;


        // Check if on first page of pagination
        if ( 1 == $paged )  {

            if ( 1 >= $wp_query->current_post ) {
                // Don't add a class to first and second posts
                $classes[] = '';
            } else {
                // Add .one-half to all posts besides first and second
                $classes[] = 'one-half';
            }
            // Skip the first and second posts and add .first to every other
            if ( 0 == $wp_query->current_post % 2 ) {
                $classes[] = 'first';
            }
        } else {
            // On all other pages add .one-half to all posts
            $classes[] = 'one-half';

            // Add .first to every other post
            if ( 0 == $wp_query->current_post % 2 ) {
                $classes[] = 'first';
            }
        }
    }
    return $classes;

}

add_action( 'genesis_before_loop', 'sk_custom_content_display' );
/**
 * Show full content for first 2 posts on first page
 * and exerpts/content per Content Archives settings on paginated pages (second, third and so on..).
 *
 * Scope: Posts page and all archives.
 *
 * @author Sridhar Katakam
 * @link   http://sridharkatakam.com/show-full-content-first-2-posts-first-page-posts-page-archives-genesis/
 */
function sk_custom_content_display() {
    if ( is_home() && ! is_paged() ) {
        add_filter( 'genesis_pre_get_option_content_archive_thumbnail', 'sk_return_zero' );
        add_filter( 'genesis_pre_get_option_content_archive', 'sk_return_full' );
        add_filter( 'genesis_pre_get_option_content_archive_limit', 'sk_return_zero' );
    }
}

function sk_return_zero() {
    global $wp_query;

    if ( ( $wp_query->current_post <= 1 ) ) {
        return '0';
    }
}

function sk_return_full() {
    global $wp_query;

    if ( ( $wp_query->current_post <= 1 ) ) {
        return 'full';
    }
}

add_action( 'pre_get_posts', 'be_change_event_posts_per_page' );
/**
 * Change Posts Per Page for Event Archive
 *
 * @author Bill Erickson
 * @link http://www.billerickson.net/customize-the-wordpress-query/
 * @param object $query data
 *
 */
function be_change_event_posts_per_page( $query ) {

    if( $query->is_main_query() && !is_admin() && is_home() ) {
        $query->set( 'posts_per_page', '8' );
    }

}