Hi All

This is my first attempt at blogging... so bear with me!!!

All is well in the Patel/Mitchell household. Christmas was great!!!

Aidan was very excited about all the presents Santa brought him.

He is in Kindergarten... He is doing a great job!!! He seems to love school and his teacher. Luckily, he is involved in a revolving program at school. He will go to the first grade teacher that is connected to his classroom; and then he will be on to the second grade teacher that is down the hall... All of these teachers do everthing together, so he will know his next teachers well before he goes to their classroom.

At Christmas, Emily loved the paper and boxes... go figure!!! I could have saved a lot of money; but one day she will appreciate it. Then she would not play with her toys... only her brothers!!!

That caused a lot of tension that day!!!

Emily is starting to potty train. YEAH!!! Maybe I can get it done by her Birthday on March 1st.

We just got back from Birmingham visiting family. Mom seems to be doing well, but she works way too much!!!

Apparently I broke one of the little bones (second metatarsal) in my foot last March. I wore a boot cast for about two weeks after the injury... but the pain just wouldn't go away. I went to see an orthopaedic specialist in Birmingham... He told me it was a stress fracture that had not healed properly. Now I am in a walking boot for TWO MONTHS!!! That sucks... but if my foot gets better I guess it's worth it.

Lisa, Brandon, Austin 13, Jacob 7, and Caitlyn 4, are all doing well.

Austin is in middle school at Bragg Junior High. He likes it pretty well, but I think he likes the socilization more than anything!!!

Jacob, well Jacob is such a great kid!!! He hardly ever gets into trouble... he is pretty much always good. He will be in the 2nd grade next year (man I'm getting old!!!). He is learing new things all the time. He is doing a great job of reading... I don't think I had to help him with reading a single thing the whole time I was up there.

Caitlyn is getting ready to go to kindergarten... she is so obsessed with Barbie The Diamond Castle and My Little Pony... Ponyville. She is so beautiful and has the most gorgeous hair in the world!!! She is growing up so fast... it's hard to believe she will be in kindergarten!!!

Michelle, JR, Connor 13, Michael 11, and Alexis 7, are great.

You should visit Michelle's blog at eickblog.blogspot.com

JR just retired from the Army Reserves. The ceremony was at the Naval Air Muesem in Pensacola, Florida. It was a beautiful ceremony!!! I know he is glad to not have to go to reserves all the time.

All the family came over for Christmas dinner. We have a new tradition of steak and potatoes for dinner. It was so good, and so much eaiser than the huge spread!!! We really enjoyed having Michelle, JR, and the kids over!!! We hope to do it again soon.

Connor and Michael are all into the Wii... especilally Rock Band!!!

They both are doing well in school.

Alexis is being Alexis... She is very active. She loves to visit her family in New Port Richey, Florida. She wants to start a band, so Mom got her a guitar for christmas. I'm sure that will drive her parents crazy... as the electric guitar and amp Ketan decided to get Aidan will drive me crazy!!! I hate noise!!!