I'm so excited for Connie and Jacob!

My dear sweet sister Connie and her hubby Jacob have truly had an interesting year. Early November 2007 they welcomed into their home three adorable children. After 14 grueling months and alot of tears, they are finally at the end of the foster care, beginning of the adoption finalization. We were beginning to wonder if it would ever actually be totally final....and maybe I shouldn't get too excited until it is, but I am so excited for them. Yes, they have a long road ahead, but this is an opportunity that many of us wouldn't take, and definately wouldn't be blessed by. Connie and Jacob, you are so amazing. And Eric, Angel and Toby, we love you and are so happy to have join our happy crew!

The Teem Family 2008

I love taking pictures. My family tries to take a picture every year at Christmas time because our growing family changes so much each year. So....this year we went all out. We all dressed up in our Christmas best, and gathered at the church building (cause it's the only place with enough area for all of us). Most of the men were grumbling...but just fifteen minutes and this is what we came out with. I LOVE them!

O Christmas Tree

Oh, I was stressed this year, trying to get the tree up and lights on it. The kids were so excited, and were pretty much jumping off the walls. When I was finally ready, I gave the go ahead, saying "use them all" and they did! Every ornament they could find is now on our overloaded tree, but they are so proud that I don't have the heart to re-do it like I have in years past. I'm going to leave it. Good thing I didn't get out all the ornaments!

You're Not Shy!!!

Dallin loves to sing! He has the little Leapfrog Animal Sounds fridge magnet set, and spends alot of time sitting by the fridge singing with it. He's getting the hang of how it works, and knows how to make it play certain songs. He was singing to his little hearts content this morning, and I decided to snap a quick picture of it...and surprised him. This turned into a cute little game of Peek-a-boo.

School Christmas Concert 2008

This past Thursday evening was our school's PK - 12th grade Christmas Concert. Ryan sang with the preschool class, and did an awesome job. Those PKers are not shy! Sariah sang with the K/1st grade group, and did a beautiful job. And Bailey sang with her 2nd grade class. It was so fun to watch them and hear them sing their little hearts out!

Sorry, we cannot figure out how to get our camera to agree with the flourescent lighting in the gymnasium. We do what we can!

Bundled up for fun!

It started snowing on Thanksgiving, and the next morning, we took advantage! We all bundled up and headed out for some sledding. Sariah is a little daredevil. She loves to test her limits. Bailey and Ryan like to take it easy and, well, stay on the sled. Dallin HATED the sled, and much preferred the four-wheeler. After a while, I took over driving/pulling, and Christopher joined the kids on the sled. Sorry, it's too hard to hold Dallin and drive AND take a picture, so we didn't get any fun shots of Christopher riding. It was a blast, and after a few hours, we had to go in and warm up. The kids pants and coats were soaked!

He is just the sweetest little guy!

Dallin was being a super crank a couple of nights ago when we sat down to eat dinner. He started throwing food and screaming, then in a fit of anger he climbed down off his chair, lay down on the floor, and within seconds was asleep. It was so cute! However, when I picked him up to move him to the couch, he woke up and screamed for the next few hours. This is why Dallin HAS to have an afternoon nap!