Introducing the Mitchell family! Jake and Lee Mitchell are parents to Reese (10), Asher (7), and their border collie/Aussie mix, Cleo. The Mitchells have lived in Lake Forest for 11 years and Lee is from Louisville. Jake is originally from Borden, Indiana. Their paths first crossed on the way to Las Vegas! Lee was going to visit Sin City with a dear friend to see Garth Brooks in concert. She jokes with us, “Jake was headed to Vegas to get into trouble with his friends!” It was a crazy chance encounter that they met at the airport. They were all on the same flight to Vegas and Jake was sitting behind Lee. Coincidentally, they were all on the same flight home, too.  

 

Lee graduated from the University of Louisville where she studied Justice Administration and was a member of the Ladybirds Dance Team. Jake graduated from Purdue University with an Electrical Engineering degree. Jake works in the defense industry as a plant manager at a local manufacturing facility. Outside of work, he is an avid sports fan. Lee is a dance teacher, choreographer, and coach. She has a studio right here in Middletown, The Vision Dance Center. She also coaches the Sacred Heart Academy dance team. Lee choreographs championship routines for schools and universities across the country, including the University of Louisville, Texas Tech University, WKU, NKU, Xavier University, and many more. 

 

Reese is a fifth grader who loves school and loves to dance even more! She has grown up in the dance studio with her mom and trains five to six days a week. She loves lyrical, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and ballet. She is on a highly competitive dance team, and she loves to travel with her family and friends. She plans to be a schoolteacher and a dance teacher. Asher loves to play outside and exploring at the park is one of his favorite things to do. He loves to swim, play soccer, and also has taken dance classes, but for now, he's taking a break so that he can focus on his favorite shows: Bluey, Young Jedi, and the full Toy Story movie saga. He loves his friends and teachers at school. They both attend Stopher Elementary School. The kids and their parents participate in FEAT (Families for Effective Autism Treatment) activities in the community.

 

Lee pours her time into the dance studio. She and Reese enjoy building friendships with all of the students, ages 3-23, who attend. It is a fun place for kids to build confidence, meet friends, and build physical and emotional strength and skill! “I'm so proud of all of the students we have and the things they grow to accomplish. We'd love to meet more kids from the neighborhood!” Lee says.  

 

The Mitchells prioritize spending time with family and the kids' grandparents are a very important part of their lives. They take summer trips to their favorite spot, the beaches of 30A. The family also travels quite a bit to participate in dance competitions, and they make the most out of those trips together. They travel regionally and what they particularly love are the trips to compete at Disney each year. Well, Lee and the kids love the Disney trips; they will convince Jake to love it eventually!  

They are excited to have the new Jaggers restaurant in the neighborhood. And, Jake and Lee love to take the kids to Graeter's to celebrate good efforts at school and in the kids’ activities. Jeff Ruby's is also a family favorite and they like to stop at Mitchell's in the Paddock shops. They think the community vibe here in Lake Forest is truly amazing. The family has many friends nearby and feel so comfortable here. The proximity to so many great amenities, school, work, and family is so convenient. The parks and festivals are such a bonus!