Christmas 2010

Christmas fell on a Saturday this year so we were able to spend Christmas with my side of the family on Christmas Eve and Steve's side of the family on Christmas day. Due to my grandpa Bernie's illness, him and grandma were not able to make it on Christmas Eve but at least we were able to visit with them in the hospital. This made for a different Christmas but reminded us to cherish every day we have with our loved ones and take nothing for granted.

Early Christmas Present for Jacob

We decided to give Jacob his train table a few weeks before Christmas. He is getting enough things on Christmas and Christmas Eve so we figured he would enjoy this more if he got it alone. He loves it and has been keeping him busy!!

Santa 2010

We kept our family tradition going this year. We went to visit santa at his house in downtown Chesterton. We missed Haley this year though. She had gymnastic practice :(
The kids did pretty well around santa. Kelsey was first up and sat right on his lap and told him everything she wanted. Logan was next up and did a great job too! Addie and Jacob did pretty well but were a little unsure of santa. All the kids received candy canes and a coloring book. We then headed to nana and papa's house where we broke into some of the Christmas cookies early...YUMMY!

Belly Painting

We have a pregnancy tradition in our family that if you have a pg belly around October, you have to paint it like a pumpkin. Amy and Carrie have both done this and they turned out really cute. We headed over to the Mason's house and Steve painted my belly with finger paints. He did a great job and the kids (and adults) had fun painting and carving their own pumpkins.

Halloween 2010

Halloween fell on a Sunday this year and Chesterton had trick or treat on Saturday night. We headed over the my mom and dad's house where, of course we ate lots of food, and got the kids ready for trick or treating. We didn't think Jacob would get in his tigger costume but he did! All the kids had a great time in their grandparents neighborhood and they got lots of candy.

Jacob's New Bedroom

Since we are having another boy in January, Jacob got the new bedroom and the baby will get Jacob's nursery when he arrives. We went with the safari theme for Jacob's room. Not only does he get a new room, but he also gets a new big boy bed! The transistion wasn't bad at all!Once we took out the heavy blanket and got rid of the pillows, he is a big fan of his new bed!

Two Year old pictures

We got Jacob's 2 year pictures taken. The day was from hell! Whatever could of gone wrong, pretty much did. It stared off with the shorts we bought for his pictures were HUGE so we had to run to Walgreen's and get safety pins because we don't have one in our house. We finally get to the mall and find a parking spot and walk to the picture people, when we realized Jacob threw his shoes off in the car, so Steve had to go back and get them. Jacob cried the whole time during pictures, and we ended up spending way too much money. To top off the day, during Jacob's 5 minute nap, he ripped off his diaper and peed all over his crib! Overall, the pictures came out okay so we are fine with it! Steve already said we are not doing pictures with our second child! I think he was kidding!

Jacob's 2nd Birthday!!

We just celebrated Jacob's 2nd birthday. It is so hard to believe he is two years old! We had two parties for him this year. The first party was at our house with my side of the family. The great grandparents were able to help us celebrate. Elmo was the theme and we had Elmo balloons and cake. He got lots of nice presents from his family. Some of his favorites were his sandbox, bubble lawn mower, alphabet puzzle, animal sound puzzle, lots of cute outfits and much more! Happy birthday Jacob!!!

Bud and Eileen also had a birthday party for Jacob. This parties theme was Thomas the Train. He got more neat presents and ate more cake! He loves his Thomas the Train set and his shopping cart! He will also be the best dressed kid around with all his new outfits! Great grandma Suzy was there along with Aunt Cheryl, Melissa, and Sam.

Family Beach Day

We gathered all the troops and headed to the Dunes. We even got mom to go! All the kids had a blast playing in the sand and the water. The weather was great! The highlight of the day was the kids burying Logan in the sand. What a great day!

Jacob's first beach trip

Jacob loved his first trip to the beach. We went to the Portage beach. It was a small beach but it was nice, not too crowded. He loved playing in the sand but the water was a bit too cold for him...and me!

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

We made our trip to Indy over Memorial Day weekend. We have gone to the Indy 500 Race the last few years but this year we stayed back at Bud and Eileen's house. Thank goodness because it was HOT out! Brain and Penny also made the trip. It was really nice seeing everyone and we had a nice relaxing weekend full of food and good company!

Haley's golden birthday/Mother's Day

Haley's birthday and Mother's day fell on the same day this year so we celebrated both days at mom's house. Once again, we had lots of food and good company. All the grand kids got grandma a book that they recorded their voices on. It turned out really cute! Happy birthday Haley!

Jacob's first boo boo :(

Jacob got his first boo boo of the summer and unfortunately, it won't be his last. He tripped over the hose while playing outside on the driveway. He cried for a while but then he was fine! I think it bothered Steve and I more!

Letter Fun

We took video of Jacob having fun with his letters...

Hoppy Easter 2010

We started off the Easter holiday by participating in a fun easter egg hunt at my mom's school. Due to rain, we held the hunt in the school's library. The kids had a blast and found lots of eggs. Jacob found 3 eggs and put them in his basket and then he was done. We then went to the cafeteria for some burgers and hot dogs. It was a fun day.

To finish off our Easter celebration, the Rivera's hosted family day. We ate a lot as usual. The kids each got a basket from grandma the easter bunny. We ended the day with flying kites outside with papa!

Spring Break trip to Indy 2010

I had my spring break this week and Steve also had the week off so we loaded up the Pilot (dogs and all) and took a trip to Indy for a few days to visit the Mitcheltree's. We did some shopping and lots of eating and then took a day trip to the Indianapolis Zoo. It was nice seeing everyone and Jacob got to show off his walking skills to grandma and grandpa Mitcheltree. Jacob also enjoyed seeing his great grandma Suzy and Aunt Cheryl. He had so much fun playing with Melissa and Sam! Enjoy the pictures below...

Jacob's First Steps!

Merry Christmas 2009

The Early Santa "Bud and Eileen Mitcheltree" Delivery...
The last few years we were able to spend Christmas day in Indy with Steve's side of the family, but due to Steve's work schedule, we were not able to make it this year. A few days before Christmas, Bud and Eileen made a quick stop to our house to deliver their presents for us and to pick up our presents to them. They always do way too much but I do have to say we had lots of fun opening everything. Jacob loved all his new outfits and toys and we had so much fun opening them with him...thanks grandma Eileen and grandpa Bud!

Santa Eileen putting presents in piles...

Jacob enjoying a cookie next to all the presents!!!!

We got Steve's parents a GPS system for Christmas and we wanted them to open it while we were with them...

Christmas Eve

It is family tradition that my mom and dad host Christmas Eve. We have been celebrating at their place since I can remember and we look forward to it every year and couldn't imagine it any different. They always have their house so festive with great christmas decorations and of course great food! Grandma Joyce was able to be with us this year which we were all thankful for. Grandma and grandpa Chapek were also able to make it this year and we were also very thankful to be able to celebrate with them. We visited, ate, and opened lots of presents. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful family. It is so much fun having lots of kids in our family especially this time of year. It gives Christmas a whole new meaning...


Christmas Morning
Since we were in our own house this Christmas morning we wanted to start a new tradition so Steve decided to make biscuits and gravy. When we woke up we enjoyed delicious biscuits and gravy made by Steve. We then went downstairs and opened presents that Santa Claus and grandma and grandpa Mitcheltree delivered. Needless to say, we must of been very good this year :) We had a lot of fun opening presents with Jacob and even the dogs got some presents. Jacob wasn't too much into opening the presents but he loved playing with the toys once they were opened. Even with the rain outside, it still felt like Christmas!Please enjoy the slide show below...

Christmas Day at the Rivera's

We spent the rest of our Christmas day over at the Rivera's house. It has also become a tradition to have Christmas at thier house. They prepared so much wonderful food as alwasys. We had deep fried turkey, ham, prime rib and of course tons of sides and desserts! We also got to meet the newest addition of the Rivera family...Holly! Holly is the cutest little kitten and had quite a scary adventure her first day in her new home. I am sure Holly learned her lesson not to jump from very high places!

Here is a picture of Holly...

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!