Welcome Joe!

So definitely the most exciting news lately around here has been that Karl's brother Kendall and his wife Carinne were able to get the adoption of their son Joe finalized on Fri, Feb 25. They got him as a foster child when he was born and have now been able to make everything legal. We are so happy for them and excited to have another nephew and can't wait to meet him. They were able to have him sealed to them on Saturday and the 26th and yesterday the 27th he was blessed! Karl would have loved to go but financially it just wasn't possible. We have had some unexpected expenses this year and Karl really can't be that far from work right now, with an employee on maternity leave he literally has to be able to go in at a moment's notice if someone calls in sick or something. He is on call pretty much 24/7 these days.

Other happenings from the weekend-- Friday night we went to a movie night at Matthew's school. We saw Toy Story 3 and ate pizza and popcorn. The kids loved it! Saturday morning we took our kids to a Dr Suess party at Target. They had a read-a-long and got goodie bags and balloons. That afternoon it was our turn to clean the church so we went and got that done. Then we went to Golden corral for dinner. Matthew had a coupon for a free meal that was going to expire.
Yesterday at church we got the news that there will be major changes in the ward boundaries that will affect every ward in the stake. We have a meeting next Sunday evening where all will be revealed. Each ward has been instructed to attend in their respective buildings and bring all keys, manuals, etc so if you are in a new ward you can turn them all in that night. Karl is very excited about it, me not so much. we live on the very edge of our ward boundaries so there is a good chance we will be in a new ward. We are just getting used to and getting know everyone in this ward. However, we know that whatever happens will be for the best. But I would be lying if I said I didn't feel apprehensive about it.

Chuck E. Cheese and other b-day celebrations

This year for his birthday Matthew really wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese. However, it was way too pricey for us to pay for all of his friends. So we gave him a choice. He could have a regular party at home with friends or we could go to Chuck E. Cheese with just family. He chose to go to Chuck E. Cheese. This actually surprised me quite a bit. So we went to Chuck E. Cheese on Sat, Feb 12 and invited the local cousins and grandparents and that was it. The cousins are Karl's side were unable to come because they were all sick. The two nieces on my side that live close were able to come though. The kids had a lot of fun with the games and rides. We decided to fore go the Chuck E. Cheese pizza since it is very mediocre and very expensive. Instead, after we had our fill of Chuck E. Cheese we were went back to my parents' house and had Papa Murphy's pizza and ice cream and cake. Much better food and cheaper too.

Matthew chose a lemon cake

After we ate Matthew opened his present from my parents and two from us. The others we saved for the next day which was his actual birthday. On Feb 13, we opened the rest of his presents from us and the ones from Karl's parents. He made quite a haul. That evening we went back to my parents' house for dinner and to celebrate my dad's birthday which is the same day as Matt's.

It was a pretty fun weekend. The next day was Valentine's day but Karl and I just celebrated at home. We went out to eat on Wed, the 15th instead. We went to Red Lobster which is one of my favorite places to eat.

playing catch up-again!

Here are some quick updates!

On Wed. Jan 26, we were able to go to a Utah Jazz game. One of our friends won some tickets but they aren't basketball fans so they were very nice and gave us the tickets! They were playing the Spurs and we had pretty good seats in the last row of the lower bowl. This is only second game I have been too and last time I was in the nose bleeds! The Jazz lost of course but it was still a lot of fun! I am not a fair weather fan!

This is the Jazz bear on his motorcycle

Tim Duncan

Another of the Spurs stars and I am drawing a blank on his name, grrrr!

Our view of the court-not bad!

handsome Karl

Me outside with the John Stockton statue

Some random cute pics of the kids!

The next four days after the Jazz game Karl had off for his annual post-holiday long weekend. They give each of the managers 4 day weekend to make up for the crazy holiday schedule. Thursday we mostly just spent cleaning the house. Friday Summer had an appointment with the pediatric gastroenterology specialist. We debated about whether to take her or not but decided we would go for a consultation but would not commit to any more testing. When we got there it went great. After looking at her the doctor pronounced her perfect. She said and I quote "she is engaging, and happy, and nice and rosy and sparkly, totally beautiful. Quite petite but no evidence of disease or malnutrition. She's small and healthy and fine!" (-Dr. Harnsberger). So basically everything that we have known all along. We have never thought that there is anything wrong with her and we will not be going to any more specialists. We are done.

Saturday the kids were invited to the birthday party of one of their friends from our old neighborhood. It was held at the Build-a-Bear factory. Our kids have never been there and they had a lot of fun. It was so nice of Cleo's parents to pay for all of those bears. We came home with a Darth Vader bear, Luke Skywalker bear, and a ballerina bear. I don't have any pictures of the finished products. I will have to take some! we forgot our camera so we just borrowed some of the pictures taken by others.

having cupcakes at the food court afterward. No the pictures are not in order

taking the build-a-bear pledge

Silly face picture! Yes Summer is picking her nose, lovely!