Happy Birthday, Keira!

 Our fourth kid just turned 18! 

Keira is a special one, and we are so proud of her personal growth and accomplishments from this past year. She has set herself up for a lot of success moving forward, but I never doubted that anyway.

 22 Questions

What is a strangely specific thing that always makes you happy?

When Kim makes a funny face when she is sleeping on the floor

If you could instantly become amazing at one skill, what would you choose?

Lateral work

What is your most unpopular opinion about food?

Peanut butter sucks

Which fictional character do you relate to at the most?

Spider-Man

What is something you believed as a child that seems hilarious now?

That when people died you would see them floating up in the sky to heaven

If you could live in any fictional world for a week, which would you choose?

MCU

What song would play during the opening scene of a movie about your life?

Wait for me (reprise) (from Hades Town)

What is the weirdest compliment you have ever received?

Someone in the hospital said she had a "powerful walk"

If you could repeat a day in your life what would it be?

When she tried running away and Lukas chased after her

What is a small thing you are secretly very proud of?

Her E.L.O.

What is your most useless—but impressive—talent?

Trapeze

If you opened a restaurant, what would you call it, and what would you serve?

"Sebs", chicken on a stick

Which lyric from Hades Town has stayed with you the most?

"To the world we dream about, and the one we live in now"

Which three people—living, historical, or fictional—would you invite to dinner?

Jack Wolfe, Sebastian Stan, Ryan Gosling

What fashion trend, phrase, or habit do you hope never comes back?

The visco girl phase

What is one thing people often misunderstand about you?

That she is not always a extrovert 

If you unexpectedly received $10,000, what is the first thing you would do with it?

Give Kim’s tack room a makeover

What is a random topic you could give a ten-minute presentation about with no preparation?

The deep meaning of 'Next to Normal'

What is one adventure you would like the family to have together?

A trip to Canada/Quebec

At age 18, what do you hope your life will look like five years from now?

A steady job in the equine world and that she is happy with herself

If you could give your 13 year old self some advice, what would you say?

Leave Cool Aid (Dusty Dog)

Favorite family memory (when we have all been together)

Last year when we were all making fun of Elf Land

 

Happy Birthday, Lennon!

Lennon just turned 19, but before he feels too old he is also back to being a freshman (in college).

Confident, talented, intelligent, and mature, I will absolutely trust him with all of my physical therapy needs when he graduates in 7 years. 

Most expensive PT session ever :)

 

 Temp picture (but he does look pretty cool) and I'm still waiting on his questionnaire. 

Forgot about this one. 

Sorry dude!

 

Happy Birthday, Kassidy!

 Kassidy turned 16 today! 

She is growing up so fast, and we really love the person that she is becoming. 

But then again, we really loved the old version as well!

 

Kassidy Q&A

 What's your favorite way to spend a weekend?

Doing chores around the barn

What's a skill you'd like to learn?

Crocheting

What's the last good movie you saw?

Beauty and the Beast

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Night owl

What's something that always makes you smile?

Your friends

What is one of your hobbies?

Write poems and stories

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

New Jersey (medieval times)

What are you deeply passionate about?

My family

What's the most fun thing you've done recently?

Performing in the Shrek musical

What is your favorite song right now?

"Here comes the Sun"

What's something most people don’t know about you?

I have a pony and a sheep

If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?

Be less quiet

What's your biggest fear?

Thunder storms

What's your go-to feel good meal?

Cereal

What's something you're really good at that might surprise people?

Singing

If you could have any fictional character as a friend, who would you choose?

Belle

What ancient artifact/item from history would you like to won

Starry Night painting

Do you have a favorite TV show or movie you could watch over and over?

The Princess Bride

Happy Birthday, Katharine!

 Katharine turned 23 (!) today. 

She is well on her way into adulthood, but at the same time we love having her home and pretending that she is still one of the kids for a while longer.

 

 Q&A (the adults have to do it as well)

What's your favorite way to spend a weekend?

Watch a movie, draw, and relax

What's a skill you'd like to learn?

Cooking

What's the last good movie you saw?

Sword and the Stranger

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Night owl

What's something that always makes you smile?

Her friends

What is one of your hobbies?

Choir

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

Newport mansions

What are you deeply passionate about?

Drawing

What's the most fun thing you've done recently?

Family Christmas movies

What's something you've always wanted to try but haven't found the time for yet?

Learning Blender (3D program)

What's something most people don’t know about you?

That she has siblings

If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?

Trying out public school

What's your biggest fear?

Grown up finances (taxes, loans, etc)

What's your go-to feel good meal?

Tofu

What's something you're really good at that might surprise people?

Making good latte milk

If you could have any fictional character as a friend, who would you choose?

Aragorn

What's your favorite song right now?

Nettles by Ethel Cain

Do you have a favorite TV show or movie you could watch over and over?

Arcane 

 

Happy Birthday, Lukas!

 Our Number 1 son has left his teen years behind and turned 20. I think that the twenties suit him- he is a mature and level headed guy who knows what he wants to do and has the talent to achieve it. Can't wait to watch (and listen).

 Q&A

What's your favorite way to spend a weekend?

Playing video games and my guitar

What's a skill you'd like to learn?

Piano

What's the last good movie you saw?

Tokyo Godfather

Are you a morning person or a night owl? 

Somewhere in the middle

What's something that always makes you smile?

TikTok

What is one of your hobbies?

Crafting in Minecraft

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

Germany

What are you deeply passionate about?

Music

What's the most fun thing you've done recently?

Roblox with Luke

What's something you've always wanted to try but haven't found the time for yet?

Serious cooking

What's something most people don’t know about you?

How old he was today

If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?

Try more things in high school

What's your biggest fear?

Finances / heights / his future / homelessness

What's your go-to feel good meal?

Instant ramen

What's something you're really good at that might surprise people?

Cooking

If you could have any fictional character as a friend, who would you choose?

Superman

What's your favorite song right now?

"Motion Picture Soundtrack" by Radio Head

Do you have a favorite TV show or movie you could watch over and over?

Avatar the Last Airbender 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Iria!

 Iria finished another trip around the sun today. 

Sometimes I just want it all to slow down a little bit, so I get more time with the love of my life.

But anyone who knows Iria knows that "slow down" is not in her vocabulary :)

Happy Birthday! 

 

Q&A

What's your favorite way to spend a weekend?

Going to riding lessons with Keira.

 

What's a skill you'd like to learn?

Making more complex baking

 

What's the last good movie you saw?

Downton Abbey The Grand Finale

 

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Morning person

 

What's something that always makes you smile?

Dusty

 

What is one of your favorite things to do?

Going to museums

 

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

NYC

 

What are you deeply passionate about?

Horses and my children and education

 

What's the most fun thing you've done recently?

Girls NYC trip with Hayley and Katharine

 

What's a hobby you've always wanted to try but haven't found the time for yet?

Painting

 

What's something most people dint know about you?

I’m really insecure

 

If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?

Would have gotten my masters degree

 

What's your biggest fear?

Losing my children

 

What's your go-to feel good meal?

Oatmeal

 

What's something you're really good at that might surprise people?

Puzzles and crosswords

 

If you could have any fictional character as a friend, who would you choose?

Violet Crawley from Downton Abbey

 

What's your favorite song right now?

"Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell

 

Do you have a favorite TV show or movie you could watch over and over?

Gilmore Girls

 

Happy Birthday, Keira!

 Keira turned 17 today, going on 27. 

She is so driven, talented, and hard working that we can't wait to see what she is actually accomplishing at that age.

But for now, we love having our 17 year old around :)

 18 Questions:

What's your favorite way to spend a weekend?

Riding horses in the morning, and then hanging out with Keeghan 

 

 

What's a skill you'd like to learn? 

 

Oragami

 

 

What's the last good movie you saw?

 

No Way Home

 

 

Are you a morning person or a night owl? 

 

Night Owl

 

 

What's something that always makes you smile? 

 

Being with my friend Riley

 

 

What is one of your hobbies?

 

Horseback riding

 

 

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

 

The blue bonnet fields in Texas

 

 

 What are you deeply passionate about?

 

Always having a goal

 

 

What's the most fun thing you've done recently?

 

Quebec trip

 

 

What's a hobby you've always wanted to try but haven't found the time for yet?

 

Play volleyball with the school team

 

 

What's something most people don't know about you?

 

That I have no depth perception in one of my eyes

 

 

If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?

 

Leaving Dusty Dog earlier

 

 

What's your biggest fear? 

Losing someone you care about

 

 

What's your go-to feel good meal?

 

Grilled Cheese

 

 

What's something you're really good at that might surprise people?

  

Poetry

 

 

If you could have any fictional character as a friend, who would you choose?

 

Thing

 

 

What's your favorite song right now?

 

"Strawberry Wine" by Noah Kahn

 

 

Do you have a favorite TV show or movie you could watch over and over? 

 

Gravity Falls

 

 

Happy Birthday, Lennon!

Lennon turned 18 today! 

Lennon is athletic, intelligent, driven, kind, and a great friend. 

He is going to be an amazing adult, but we will hold onto him for as long as we can.

For his birthday I took him to an Oasis concert, and Iria baked him 72 banana muffins.

You can't get much better than that! 

 18 Questions

What's your favorite way to spend a weekend?

Relaxing in my room with Bella

 

 

What's a skill you'd like to learn? 

 

Haircutting

 

 

What's the last good movie you saw?

 

Superman

 

 

Are you a morning person or a night owl? 

 

Morning person

 

 

What's something that always makes you smile? 

 

A specific hilltop tree on my way home from work

 

 

What is one of your hobbies?

 

Soccer

 

 

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

 

The Perot museum 

 

 

 What are you deeply passionate about?

 

Being honest

 

 

What's the most fun thing you've done recently?

 

Oasis concert 

 

 

What's a hobby you've always wanted to try but haven't found the time for yet?

 

Surfing

 

 

What's something most people dint know about you?

 

There are three patches on my body with vitiligo

 

 

If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?

 

That I had started playing basketball earlier

 

 

What's your biggest fear? 

Bugs

 

 

What's your go-to feel good meal?

 

Tomato soup and bread

 

 

What's something you're really good at that might surprise people?

  

Art

 

 

If you could have any fictional character as a friend, who would you choose?

 

Percy Jackson

 

 

What's your favorite song right now?

 

"Live Forever" by Oasis

 

 

Do you have a favorite TV show or movie you could watch over and over? 

 

Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse

 

Happy Birthday, Kassidy!

 Out free spirited daughter turned 15 today, growing up faster every year. 

We don't know what she will move onto next, but it is guaranteed to surprise us and make us proud.

Q&A

 

 What's your favorite childhood memory? 

 

Playing with her siblings 

 

What's your favorite movie?

 

Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes 

 

What's your biggest fear?

 

The dark

 

What's your ideal food? 

 

Spaetzle 

 

What's your favorite color? 

 

Blue 

 

What's your favorite family holiday tradition?

 

Christmas cookies

 

 If you could travel to any time period in a time machine, when would you choose and why?

 

2016 

 

If you could have dinner with a famous person (living or dead), who would you choose?

 

Molly Tuttle 

 

What's your favorite season?

 

Spring 

 

You just won $100,000 to open your own business. What kind of business is it?

 

Book publisher 

 

Where do you drive along your dream road trip?

 

Colorado 

 

What was your favorite food when you were a kid?

 

Mac and Cheese

 

 

Happy Birthday, Katharine!

 Katharine turned 22 today, and is just a few months away from graduating college. 

I think we have officially run out of kid achievements and milestones to celebrate. 

 Onto adulthood- and we can't wait to watch!

 

10 Questions

What's your favorite childhood memory? 

 

Playing dolls with River and Charlotte

 

What's your favorite movie? 

 

The Fellowship of the Ring

 

What's your favorite way to celebrate something? 

 

Getting a treat

 

What's your favorite soda?

 

Fanta

 

What's your biggest pet peeve? 

 

When people talk during movies

What’s your favorite way to kick off the day?

 

Reading with a cup of coffee

What’s your ideal meal?

 

Some good fried tofu

What’s your favorite color?

 

Blue

What’s your favorite family holiday tradition?

 

Making German Christmas cookies with Mom

 

What's your favorite family recipe? 

 

The German Christmas cookies!

Happy Birthday, Lukas!

 Lukas turned 19 today! 

We are about to lose another teenager, but are so excited to see his journey into adulthood.

20 Questions:

What is the best gift that you have ever received?

John Wick action figure

What movie has made you laugh the hardest?

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

 If you could instantly be an expert in one subject, what would it be?

Money and finance

If you could have any fictitious character as a friend, who would it be?

Tony Stark

If you could have any artist, dead or alive, perform at your next birthday, who would it be?

Beethoven

If you could live in any house from a TV show or movie, which one would you choose?

Bag End

If you could swap lives with any historical figure, who would it be?

Elvis

Do you have any phobias?

Heights

If you could have any job for a day, what would it be?

President of the United States

Favorite movie snack?

Popcorn

What is the last new thing you learned?

Anglophobia

What racer do you play in Mario Cart?

Gold Mario

What is your biggest social media pet peeve?

"glazing"

What is an activity that you do not find fun at all?

Attending my Financial Fitness class

Favorite movie?

Return of the King

If you had 100,00 dollars to open up a business, what would it be?

An air fried chicken restaurant

What is your favorite color to wear?

Blue

What was your "most listened to" track on Apple Music last year?

Thunderstorms and rain (background noise)

What store do you want to visit first in a shopping mall?

The Lego store and a shoe store

What is your most used iphone app?

YouTube

Happy Birthday, Keira!

 Keira finished her 16th trip around the sun today. 

Holy cow, "Sweet Sixteen"! 

Or how about, "Sweet Sixteen and also a total Bad-Ass"!

That works for me!

20 Questions

1. What's a weird dream that you have recently had?

Arrived at school and found out that she was suspended.

2. If you could travel to any time period in a time machine, what time period would you choose and why?

Emily Dickinson's time, so that she could meet her

3. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Be more compassionate to herself

4. When asked what your most-fun memory from childhood is, what’s the very first memory you think of??

Playing the mousy game with Jane in the back of the car

5. If you could have any fictional character's wardrobe, whose would it be?

Rory Gilmore's

6. What was the first job you ever wanted to have as a kid?

A Zookeeper for cheetahs

7. If you could have dinner with a famous person (living or dead), who would you choose?

 Louise May Alcott

8. What's your TV show to watch over and over again?

Gravity Falls

9. You’re the lead character in a video game. What game is it? (You’re allowed to make one up.)

Legend of Zelda

10. What's your favorite season of the year?

Fall

10. You were just handed $100,000 to open your own business. What kind of business is it?

A catch Riding Business

11. What's a bad habit you had that you've been able to overcome?

Pinching herself

12. What's your dream road trip destination?

The Dressage Olympics

13. What's your favorite food of all time?

Spicy Chips

14. What's your TV show to watch over and over again?

Gravity Falls

15. What are three things that you want?

Grand Prix level horse / apple watch / to be a top 8 rider in the region

16. What is something that you work on to can improve yourself?

Being too scare to ask for help

17. What is your favorite thing about yourself?

My independence

18. What's the weirdest thing in your closet?

An old broom from her 'Little House on the Prairie' phase that she has had since she was 10

19. What's your dream job?

Professional Dressage rider and a published author

20. Who's your favorite character from literature?

Winnie the Pooh

 

Happy Birthday to Lennon!

 Lennon completed his 17th trip around the sun.

Sometimes he can sound twice that age, but 34 can wait :)

20 Questions

1. What's the weirdest dream you've ever had?

The only dream Lennon remembers is from when he was five years old. A tornado blew through our old home in McKinney. Katharine got stabbed by blowing glass and Iria was stacking chairs.

2. If you could travel to any time period in a time machine, what time period would you choose and why?

The Song Dynasty in China. The times were prosperous, and the Mongols ruled.

3. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Gain some weight.

4. When asked what your most-fun memory from childhood is, what’s the very first memory you think of??

When Aiden pissed in his pants in the driveway.

5. If you could have any fictional character's wardrobe, whose would it be?

John Snow

6. What was the first job you ever wanted to have as a kid?

A Zookeeper and Youtuber

7. If you could have dinner with a famous person (living or dead), who would you choose?

 Christopher Lee (the actor)

8. What's your favorite movie to watch over and over again?

Batman

9. You’re the lead character in a video game. What game is it? (You’re allowed to make one up.)

Legend of Zelda

10. What's your favorite season of the year?

Fall

11. If you could create your own holiday, what would it be called and how would it be celebrated?

May the 4th (stay home and watch Star Wars)

12. What’s the most random thing you’ve ever bought online?

Skyrim Pillow (for Nolan)

13. If you could invent any gadget, what would it do?

Slice loaves of bread

14. What’s the worst thing you’ve done to get out of trouble?

Bit himself and blamed Keira (when they were younger)

15. Do you have a favorite museum? Which one?

Museum of Natural History

16. What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

Go on a trip with just his friends.

17. You were just handed $100,000 to open your own business. What kind of business is it?

A tutoring company

18. What's a bad habit you had that you've been able to overcome?

Swearing

19. What's your dream road trip destination?

Road trip to Alaska

20. What's your favorite food of all time?

Chicken Tikka Masala

Happy Birthday to Me

 I just turned 56 this year, but who’s counting? Not me- I always forget my age and then somebody goes and reminds me..

20 Questions:

1. Introvert or Extrovert? 

Introvert

2. Go-to sing out loud song?

Tough one… because I never really sing out loud. How about “The Hobo Song” by Old and in the Way?

3. What is your perfect day?

Building Legos, forest walks, a good movie, and working

4. Words of Wisdom?

Work harder than everybody else

5. If you could travel to any place, where would you go?

Ireland

6. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Baseball player, astronaught, artist

7. What do you want to do when you retire?

Everything I’m doing now, but less of it

8. What new skill do you want to learn this year?

Snowblowing

9. What is an activity that calms you?

 Cartooning

10. What is something that most of your friends don’t know about you?

I once voted for Rudy Giuliani and was a fan of The Apprentice when it first came out

11. Most prized possession?

Arts and Crafts snowman that my Grandma made for me

12. What could you talk about for 30 minutes with no prep?

My comics

13. What is on your bucket list for this year?

Come up with a graphic novel submission 

14. Qualities that you most value in a friend?

Lots of good stories to listen to

15. What makes someone a good person?

Empathy

16. How have you matured this year?

I’m getting better at saying “I’m sorry”

17. What event are you looking forward to this year?

My brother moving to Maine

18. If you could relive one moment from the last year, what would it be?

Bernard Cup OT win

19. Best thing about living in NH?

The landscape 

20. What have you been putting off?

Painting the front porch railings and barn