Happy New Year

Here's to blogging more in 2013!  Hey maybe that will be my resolution... I haven't thought of one yet.

Last night Emily & Andy hosted a TOTALLY AWESOME RADICAL 80's party!  Thanks guys.  It was a blast... of course, I'm sore today from dancing my butt off.

Here's the pics:  http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=6316020015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

This was the third costume party we went to in 2012.  Fun!

Here's the pics from the 1920's party back in October:

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5640567016/a=5766466_8199104/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Medicare

I normally do not post about my company, Hoosier Benefit Plans, on our personal blog.  But I wanted to take one opportunity to do so!  I sent the following email to most of our friends and family recently, but in case we missed you....

An open letter to friends & family:

As you know, the insurance industry is rapidly changing and evolving.   One way I have tried to differentiate myself and to evolve with the industry was to obtain my Medicare certification and step into the world of marketing Medicare plans to those 65 and older.

The Medicare insurance industry is heavily regulated by the federal government and it is terribly burdensome and time consuming to obtain the proper certifications to sell these products.  I think it’s important for you to know that any insurance professional that is independently marketing Medicare products is truly dedicated to their profession!  I have personally enjoyed diversifying and learning more about another side of my business.

I'm telling you this because I need to ask a favor!  One of the major rules set forth by the federal government is strict regulation on how agents can market to clients.  Basically, there is no cold calling, no marketing allowed, except for referrals.  I would love it if you would please keep me in mind if you or anyone you know is 65 or older (or turning 65 in the future)!  

I have over 13 years of experience in health insurance and benefits and am confident that I can provide a great customer service experience to anyone you refer to me. I can market and sell plans anywhere throughout Indiana. I started my own agency so I could afford myself the opportunity to spend more time with my girls, but I do rely heavily on referrals to keep Hoosier Benefit Plans growing!

October 15 – December 7^th is Open Enrollment season for Medicare consumers.  This means that it’s their ONE chance per year to shop plans and switch if they are not happy with their current plan, wish to save money or just want a change!  I would greatly appreciate it if you could mention me to any friends or family that you know are eligible to shop their plans.  If you could pass along my contact information, that would be great! (forwarding this email would be a great, simple way to refer me!)

I am also very proficient in speaking about Medicare to groups. I have several presentations I can deliver, from “Medicare 101” to specific plan information. I would be happy to accept any referrals for groups you think might be interested! This could range from a large civic organization down to a group of golf buddies.  Whatever group of people you have in mind that would benefit, I can help!

Again, time is of the essence, as the 65+ crowd only has a small window to do their “shopping”.  Please pass along my info if you know anyone!  I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks so much for your help!

Jennifer

Bacation

My parents took us (the mitchen fam) and my sister's fam to Michigan for a week this year for vacation... or Bacation, as Ellie called it.  We had a blast.  We rented a house on Diamond Lake--about an hour north of South Bend, IN.  We had a pontoon boat for the week (which means we never saw Craig--he was fishing 24/7!) and spent lots of time outside swimming, boating, jet skiing, and RELAXING.

Here were some of the highlights:

• Boat rides
• St Joe's, MI (day trip to the awesome beach there)
• Lunker's (think local bass pro shop--kids LOVED it)
• Visiting w/ Greg & Patti
• Throwing rocks in the lake (seriously the girls could do this ALL DAY EVERY DAY)
• Mostly gorgeous, not too hot weather
• Relaxing around the house & deck
• Swimming in the spring fed lake water 
• Taking Ellie to her first movie

Here's some pics:

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5832467015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

THANKS AGAIN GRANDPA AND GRANDMA!!!! We had a wonderful time!

Ellie's Third Birthday

Ellie had such a fun birthday!  She had a pool party (including pizza, cake, water balloons, piñata, presents, and lots of friends) on Saturday, July 28th, then got to celebrate again on her actual birthday with her family!  Some of her favorite presents this year were here talking Jessie doll (Toy Story), Toy Story figurines, Doc McStuffins Doll, Sleeping Bag, and Backpack from Aunt JuJu filled with activity books, markers, etc!  We all had a blast--she is at an adorable age for opening presents and really enjoying spending time w/ friends and family.

Here's the pics!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5830989015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Evelyn's First Birthday Pics!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5605733015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Happy Birthday Evelyn Belle Mitchen

Evelyn is ONE!!!

Where did this year go?????????

We had her 1st b-day party on Saturday (pics to come). It was a blast and she was absolutely adorable. 

She had her 12 month check-up today. All is well except for her heart murmur & anemia. Nothing we can do about the murmur and just have to start giving her a multi-vitamin w/ iron for the anemia.

She is a loving, sweet, crazy, wild, brave, funny little girl. She loves her mommy, sister, daddy, doggy, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, family, babysitters, etc... She has been a handful for me to take care of, alongside her 2 year old sister, but I have truly tried to enjoy every minute of it.

She LOVES to dance. Ever since she could sit up, as soon as she hears music (any music--from Jane's Addiction to Twinkle Twinkle), she starts bopping around. Her all time favorite song, so far, is Back in Black. (I am not thrilled about this)

She loves to eat Mac N Cheese, fruit, goldfish, cheese, black olives & pizza. She REALLY likes to destroy (sit on or knock down) whatever her sister is currently playing with. This is the cause of many screaming matches, which I do realize is just the beginning of a lifelong battle between the two of them. They do also love on each other, so I'm hoping they are close friends one day.

 Here is a slideshow I created for Evelyn's birthday. We love our Sissy!!!

 

Girls Photo Shoot in Phoenix

The photographer who shot Craig, Ellie & I several times in AZ, Amy Fraughton, took the girls pics while we were there this year! We were SOO happy with the results.

Click here to check them out!!!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5434770015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/