Kelsey Prom 2012

Kelsey and Nick

Kelsey's favorite picture cause it's all her!

Kelsey had a great night. They took a carriage ride in St Louis and ate at the Spaghetti Factory. They took pictures down by the arch. I need to get the pictures from Nick's mom since she was the one who went with them.

The New Work Perks!

So ..many of you know I quit my job at Childrens Place back in Sept of 2011. I started working at PNC Bank in October. I like it. But the best part is that I was chosen to be a part of a team that opened a new branch so we have had lot of opportunities to go talk to the community and get to know people. This past Tuesday we had a player appearance. We had James Laurinaitis of the Rams come for autographs. Yes yes I know the Rams suck but he played for Ohio State so we actually had quite a few people in line with Ohio stuff. Some really cute little people  with jerseys and hats. So adorable.

Me and James

This is my new crew. I really love it here!

Americas Got Talent

Soooo..... America's Got Talent came here to St Louis. I was able to get some of the free audition tickets for Friday evening. It was a 14 and up event so I took that seriously even though Alison was very upset. I took a half day and pulled Kelsey and Jon out of school and grabbed Jon's friend Trevor who had been pulled out already. We had some food and headed to St Louis. We got parked and in line by 3. We stood in line for an hour playing the alphabet game and making fun of people that we saw. More PC people would call that "people watching" but let's just call it as it is. 2 girls in the same exact cowboy boots need to be mocked from afar!

   

Around 4 they decided to let us inside because it was so cold. We were standing in a very organized line until they decided to split the line then realized that the previous audition audience need to leave the theater some how and put us back in one line. It became a free-for-all with everyone rushing up the the front. All that time in the line for nothing. So I came up with a plan. I told Jon and Trevor to start scooching up and when the doors open to save a seat. Well they would open the door and let a few people in at a time then close it. Trevor made his way pretty far and ended up with one of the other groups. He was on his side saying "oh I lost my party how will we get back together." I was on our side saying "oh no without cell phones (which are forbidden inside) how will I know where he is seated. He's not even my kid." lol. Pretty soon I hear "who is with the kid in green?" Not surprising a lot of people started saying "me! me!". PLEASE!

   

Anyway.....we got pulled through. Eek! We ended up 13 rows back from the stage and on the end. They came out and announced that the judges would be coming down OUR AISLE!!! Oh my gosh I am such a dork but I was so excited.

Howie Mandel was the first host down the isle. I knew he was a germaphobe so I wasn't expecting him to touch people but he was standing behind a guy with his hands on the guys shoulders while the guy was giving fist pumps for Howie. Weird!

Sharon Osbourne came down second and shook Jon's hand. Jon said she had the softest hands he has ever felt. She is very short. I am tall so most people are short but she is a tiny lady but very pretty!

Howard Stern was the third judge down the isle and Jon got a fist pump. He is so unattractive but still very cool to see him in person.

Nick Cannon is just a fun as he seems on TV. Kelsey kept yelling his name it was cute. There was a moment we thought he might take his shirt off. But no such luck lol

 Because we weren't allowed to have cameras or cell phones I don't have any pictures. The acts we all over the place. Kazoo group, team of chicks on stripper poles, a father daughter act, karate group, a cowboy with whips and a harmonica, a talking dog ventriloquist act, a couple singers, a girl who could cry like a baby, a kid who did voice overs and a belly dancer. I am sure there were more. It was very fun. A couple acts I know will make it on the show for sure.

So super long story made not so short if you watch the show it airs in May and we will be the St Louis auditions. Can not wait to see if one we make TV but two to see how the show is edited for all 3 days of auditions.

Food Storage

This is a picture of all the boxes we just received. Now to do a bunch or rearranging and get them all pulled out and organized. We need to start getting water stored too. We will continue to add to our food storage. If for no other reason than so Kelsey will have food haha. The girl lives off tuna and top ramen....yumm! But there is a giant can of hot chocolate so at least she will have stuff to drink.

Preparedness

Like everything else in my life I wait until Joe helps, prods, leads, takes over etc. I have wanted to get our food storage and 72 hour kits together but I always postpone. This year our tax return went to food storage. I am so excited and I will post pictures when it arrives. Also for Christmas we got everyone backpacks for 72 hour kits and we are slowly filling them. I need to just buckle down and do it. Joe has been reading and watching a lot of prepper books and shows. He's adorable! He has also started a blog to show all the fun stuff he's been doing. He made soap and a really cool stove made out of a pop can. He made enough of the stoves for each backpack. This past weekend Joe made bread and butter the old fashioned way and I forgot how much fun it is to make bread and the kids couldn't get enough of Joe's butter. They were eating it on everything. This weekend I am sure Joe has something else for us to make. We still need to clear out a space for our food supply. But anyway, check out Joe's blog!

Itchin'

I don't know if it's because we have been here in O Fallon for 4 years or if our last vacation was a year ago or if it's because my new job is boring (in a good not stressed out never cry at work kind of way), but I have an itch. I am getting jumpy. I need to get out of here lol. Michelle is due next month I might have to plan a quick trip to TX. Jen and I have been discussing doing something with the family this summer. Plus I am craving a cruise big time. Ahhhhh a beach! I need to plan something quick to give me something to look forward to!

Quick update

I last posted in July after we went to TX to visit the fam. That was fun. Joe redid the basement while we were gone. That's the best way to do a remodel! After we got home a lot of things happened. I realized I hated my job and I missed my kids soooo I quit my job at Children's Place in September and started working for PNC Bank. I love my job! I am home every night and I am off every Sunday and all holidays! The Sunday thing worked out great cause Joe and I got called to co teach the 12-13 yr old Sunday School class which I just love. It's Alison's class!
Here we are one week til Christmas. Tree is up (in fact 2 trees are up) gifts are bought wrapped and under the tree. We are on top of stuff this year! I even got Christmas cards set! We are doing well. The kids are happy and healthy. We are in a lull between sports and Alisons plays. That's fine by me. Less running around after work and school. We are planning on making 2012 our readiness preparedness year. Our goal is to have our year supply of food and our house in order. That's the goal!