Year in Review!

I have Mimosa running through my veins and the kids are running around like wild Indians, so we will see how this turns out. Infact, Mary and Pressley are arguing behind me right now over a game they made up..... drama queens! lol.

So here's what I'm going to do: Post pictures from 2012 in no particular order and re-live the fab moments of 2012!!!

 

 

I loved having these pictures made for Mothers Day 2012 :) Don't we look beautiful?!

 

 

Mary started taking ballet at The Tempo dance studio! This was taken after the first recital (she is as far left). "Here comes Suzie Snowflake! Tap tap tapping on the window pane!"

 

 

 

Also, we had a great b-day partay for the kids in March :) Since all the b-days fall in the month of March we decided to go with one big party for them all. Infact, they each had their own birthday cake made by my MIL and it was delish! My saving grace Tessa Shields took the b-day photos THANK GOD!!!

 

 

 

My bestie, Rachel, found out she was with child! The Little Hadlett was soon to come!(She will KILL me for posting this)

 

And, another woman who was first a respected teacher and then later a dear BELOVED friend passed away. I don't know where my beliefs lay but I like to think she is in heaven, whatever her heaven is :) I know that I think about her often, almost everyday. That smile. It gets me every time :) If I am ever half the woman she was I'll be happy with that.

 

 

Mary grew her bangs out and then decided she didn't want them long. Typical woman. lol.

 





We spent a summer by the pool and for some reason a pic of Joey at the Fall Festival uploaded too.... Eh well!

 

Gabe and the kids loved going to the Creative Discovery Museum :) We bought a membership and it was well worth it!

 

 

Ethan just called me a barf sack....

 

 

 

Mary checking out Ethans Christmas gift of The Magic Set :) Abra Cadabra!!!!

 

Joey doing chores! oh yea!!!

 

My first ever leech bite that I sustained in Florida on vacay!!! It was really creepy and it bled forever. gross. sick.

 

My amazingly attractive husband ;) lake deep in Florida!

 

The kids first ever trip to Rock City :)

 

Back to a vacay pic! ( I said I wasn't going in order!) Have I mentioned that I love these kids? :)

 

Eating @ RJ Gators in Florida :) I think this is definitely becoming a tradition :) Ok, now I'm craving the coconut shrimp... guess I'll have to wait another 6  months :(

 

Grandpa Pack and Gabe @ pizza hut after a few games of bowling :) I love that the kids love my dad. As my dads health gets worse I love (even more) the times we get to spend together and how much the kids brighten his day!

 

My moms butt during the Christmas get together! bahahahahaha!!!

 

My sweet Batman getting older every day. This ball of fur has been with me since I graduated high school. Love him!

 

 

Another pic of the gang. In a way it seems like yesterday and in other ways it seems like such a long time ago. I love these girls!

 

To end the blog. This is where Chris and I stayed for our 1 year anniversary :) It was in the middle of no where, but relaxation was exactly what we needed. Our year was full of ups and downs. Chris had 2 heart surgeries in less than 2 months. Gabe went from a 10 to a 16 during the summer and now has body odor. Joey adopted the term "Tomorrow?" and "Later?" which sometimes drives me nuts. lol. Ethan received an award for creativity, which suits him to a tee. Boys joined boy scouts. Mary started ballet. I went from working at logans to packing boxes at Amazon and have decided to tackle college head on and finish my degree :) I'm sure that 2013 will contain ups and downs also, but I know with Chris and the kids, EVERY second will be worth it! Well, I've lost my buzz. Time for another drink!!!!

























 

 

 







A very merry Gilbert Christmas :)

So, another Christmas has come and gone! This was my 3rd Christmas being part of the family scene, and it was fabulous.

I didn't really get into the Christmas spirit until Christmas Eve. lol. I have just been so exhausted from working so many hours and 3rd shift, holiday cheer was the last thing I was feeling.

This is me and my new cookware which was much needed!

Last Saturday we all loaded up and went to my parents to celebrate Christmas a little early. We had all kinds of good stuff to eat. My fave being the cheese ball. yummmm. I had to work which I was super bummed about :( but we went early and Chris and the kiddos stayed a little while longer after I left. The kids all got toys and clothes from Nana and Poppy, Aunt Crystal and Uncle Justin, and Aunt Ashley.

Christmas Eve the ball really got rolling. All the gifts were wrapped and it was time for some fun with the kids! I have really missed them lately, not being at home as much has been hard on everyone, so I had some fun things planned for us. The night before I made lumps of coal :)

Pictured here is a plate of popcorn, Christmas tree sugar cone, and lump of coal :) yum!

 

 

Before I go into our night of festivities I must tell you that I had to make a quick trip to the Dollar General to get batteries for Christmas morning. When I came home I was washing up some dishes and Ethan says, "Christy, do you know you have a hole in your pants?" No, I did not.... Turns out I have a GAPING hole in the back side of my pants. You can see my underwear.... I went to the store like this.... HOW EMBARRASSING!!!!!

 

Anyways, later in the evening we had a smoked turkey for dinner on our new Christmas china (love it!) and then we decorated the sugar cones as trees :) We all sat together and ate our snacks and watched How The Grinch Stole Christmas and drank Grinch Punch :) AAAhhh Memories! While Gabe was eating his "tree" Ethan said, "Eh! It looks like he's smoking a cone!" I don't know where they get the things they say! Then I took this pic :)

 

 

Joey had an excellent day but was really just impatient for my fireplace pic I HAD to have lol. "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch!"

 

Then I read the kids the book "The Night Before Christmas" before they went to bed. I had to stop several times during the book to explain what things meant like "tarnished with ashes and soot". Also, Mary wanted to write Santa a note to go with his plate of goodies. The letter requested MORE presents. She only counted 6 under the tree and needed more :/

 

I explained to her that it was ok to ask for more presents but that some little boys and girls would not even get 6 presents for Christmas and she should be thankful for anything that she received. She just kinda brushed me off and wrote her letter without adding anything about Santa maybe taking toys to boys and girls who wouldn't get any. She's a good kid and has a sweet heart, but very soon I plan on the 2 of us spending some extra time doing something nice for someone in need. I want her to KNOW how good they realllly do have it.

 

Then off to bed they went and Chris and I stayed up to see if we could get a glimpse at Santa :) Old Man, must have come after we fell asleep. We never did hear him. I woke up at 5:30  and tried to go back to sleep but it was useless so I got up and made some coffee and waited a little while longer. We finally woke the kids up b/c they weren't getting up on their own. lol. Santa brought the kids a new trampoline!!!! and Chris and I got them an Air Hockey table among other things. One thing I did very well this year was buy things and put them up in the closet during the year. I recommend doing this, especially if you have kids :) It was a life saver for us. Also, used toys. Some people may be against this but I swear you can find new or like new toys and clothes at consignment sales, thrift stores, and yard sales. The best part is KIDS DONT CARE!!!!

 

Of all the toys Gabe got this by far was his fave. Black slime in what he calls a "poison" can. At one point in the morning he emerged from his bedroom with his torso covered in the goo. even in his armpits!



 

Later that morning we went to my in-laws for Christmas Breakfast :) YUM. Then we opened gifts there. Every year somebody gets the wrapped wrapped wrapped wrapped gift, meaning the gift is wrapped God knows how many times. It starts in a huge box and ends up being able to fit in your hand. lol. As you get to each layer everyone laughs, it really is funny though, even if you are on the receiving end. This year was my turn! It started out in a huge box and then I uncovered layer after layer until I got to a few small wrapped gifts. They were sewing accessories to go with my new sewing machine!!!! yay!!!!

 

The kids mom came a little after noon to pick them up. We share holidays. It sucks.

 

This is a cheesy classic made even sweeter by my mothers tacky Christmas sweater :)

Chris and I took a little nap and then woke up and got ready to go to my uncles for Christmas dinner. It was delish. My uncle Pat makes these baked beans in a crock pot covered with strips of bacon. OMG. I have been eating them since yesterday ;) hehehe...

 

Overall this Christmas gets a 10! I got new plates, cook ware, sewing machine, 50 shades of grey, and Gone with the Wind :) However, even if all I had received was a hug and Merry Christmas it still would have been great. The older I get the more I just LOVE being with family. Later in the month my dad will be coming to stay for a late Christmas. I'm keeping all my decor up til he comes so it will be just like Christmas :) The kids can't wait for funny Grandpa Pack to come! Well Feliz Navidad suckers, I'm going to go eat some left overs!!!

AMAZON

I'm exhausted. Who knew packing boxes would be so hard on the body? I honestly didn't think it would be. I was wrong. lol.

Today is my 2nd day off after working 40 hours in 4 days. When I left Logans I was working about 30 hours a week. It goes without saying that this has been an adjustment. Actually, I have to say that working at Amazon isn't a dream :/

.... maybe a bad dream.

It's not a difficult job as far as brain power goes, and that's obvious when you look at some of the people that work there. Infact, people haven't been that welcoming. By the 2nd night I was expected to pretty much be able to stand on my own two feet (which for the most part I was able to) but when I did have a question a smile wasn't that forth coming. Maybe I'm just being a pansy, but I like being social and running my mouth. At Amazon I have my little work space, it's loud, and people are tired, and nobody talks to me. The new hires don't really talk to anyone, myself included, the few times I've tried to make jokes they don't laugh. I'm telling myself they just don't have a fab sense of humor like I do :) The only thing people seem to think is funny is that my last name is Pack (still haven't changed it through ss *long story*) and I'm in PACKing. After hearing that joke a few times I'm over it.

Working 3rd shift has also been an adjust for the entire house hold. I feel guilty for not being at home, even though I am working for them. This past weekend I slept all day only to have a couple of groggy hours with the kids before I had to leave and do it all over again :( Plus, Chris is having to do pretty much all the house work, home work, baths, laundry, etc.... Also, not sleeping with Chris has been hard :( Besides the sunlight streaming through the bedroom window not hearing his snore (lol) makes it difficult to sleep peacefully.

The upside: I'm already meeting the required rate that I'm not expected to reach until the 4th week. The last night I worked I was at 144% (they didn't know they hired a bada**). So, they aren't breathing down my neck atleast. Plus, I'll be glad for payday. I took the job for the money and b/c I knew that OT was going to be worth it :) I'm not quiting.

1) I'm not a quitter.
2) I have responsibilities.

So, I'm toughing it out. Hopefully, my body will start adjusting to the night shift and the soreness will go away. We are on 50 hours this coming week and possibly 60. I've never worked so much in my life. I used to think that to be a well-rounded person you should have atleast one job in the service industry (like serving). I still hold true to that belief, but now I'm adding working in a warehouse. lol. Also, even though I just started working in a warehouse I can already say 100% that I love and appreciate my husband even more than I did before. I had no idea how hard he worked and how exhausted he must be until I started at Amazon. He comes home from working OT and still manages to help ME out. I feel like I'm good for nothing b/c when I get home it's hard to feed myself. lol. much less do housework.

Lastly, people are crazy. By this I mean people who order from Amazon. lol. To each their own , but I would never have thought I would pack so many dildos and male enhancement pills... WITH childrens books and toys.... I even packed an inflatable beer belly (hot ticket item this Christmas!). Powdered peanut butter *just add water and stir*. Shaved fish, freeze dried, from Japan. You name it. I think I've seen it.

Well, that's it for now. I'm going to soak up my last day off before heading back in. I'm already dreading it.