Michael John

Tuesday, the 15th was Mike's birthday.

Mike is an important part of this large family.

And an even more important part of this smaller family.

We first met Mike in the Fall of '96 and we could tell almost right away that we were going to see a lot more of him.

Tonight I conducted a phone interview with him for his birthday post.  Here's how it went.

Hi Mike, how are you?  Oh I'm fine.

Happy Birthday!  Oh thanks!  

I'm sorry it's two days late.  Oh, that's okay.  I mean you turn 40 almost every year right?

How does it feel to be 40?  Uh, not a whole lot different.  It hasn't bother me yet anyway.

Did you have a good day?  Yeah I had a really nice day!

Did you do anything special?  Let's see.  I went to work and my sales reps sang happy birthday to me which was painfully awkward and Sarah brought me lunch which we ate in my office.  Then after work the boys and I got haircuts and we went to Texas Roadhouse with my parents followed by cupcakes and presents at home.

Did you get any special gifts for your birthday?  I got a travel coffee mug from Ethan, a candy cane filled with Hershey's kisses from Trey, a can cozy from Mary; and Sarah got me a heavy bag.  What's that?  It's like a punching bag that we'll hang in the basement.  It's what boxers use.

What would you say have been the highlights of this past year?  Highlights of the past year.  Hmmm.  That is a tough one.  We moved so we've got more room to spread out.

You got Dash.  Oh yeah Sarah got Dash that's true.

What are you looking forward to in the coming year?  I'm about to take 11 days off.

Oh yeah and this year you'll be in Gulf Shores for the whole holiday.  Are you looking forward to that?  Yeah, it'll be relaxing.  And, like I said, it will be 11 days which will be the most time I've ever taken off.  Plus I won't have to fly in midweek.

What did you think was the best aspect of spending our holiday there?  Well, it was certainly warmer.

And it was a much more active experience.

Much better right?  Absolutely!

Thinking back, did you ever envision yourself as part of such a large family?  No!  No one in my family has more than two kids so I never envisioned having 20 plus nieces and nephews.  

It's been fun right?  Oh absolutely.

Where do you see yourself twenty years from now.    I guess basking in the empty nest that will be my home. 

What can you tell us about yourself that we haven't covered in this interview?  Well, there's not much to tell.  You love to golf.  Yeah but we quit the club because I didn't golf that much last year.  It's a littler farther away and I didn't get out there much.  Maybe we'll find a place next year.  

Also I'm finding that it's challenging to stay in shape or I guess it's challenging to not let my body turn 40.

Wow!   I feel like you're in as good a shape as I've ever seen you.  Yeah, when Ethan and Mary were in Cross Country, I picked up running again and started running trails at the parks and lifting weights so I am probably in about as good shape as I've ever been.

And that pretty well concluded our interview.  But of course there's more I'd like to add about Mike.  I don't think he has a shy bone in his body.  He's extremely gregarious and loves a good time more than anybody.  He's smart and perceptive and has the ability to see every issue from both sides.  He's sensitive and understanding but he probably wouldn't admit to all that sensitivity.  Most of all he's a thoughtful, conscientious, and stand-up guy!  We think the world of him and we're wishing him a year that's even better than the 40 he's already had!  Happy Birthday, Mike!  It's late but it's heartfelt!

Katherine Elizabeth (better known as Katie)

November 29th, almost a week ago today, was Katie's 16th birthday.  Katie is an important part of this large family.

And an even more important part of this smaller but still large family.

Last night I was finally able to conduct an interview with Katie since illness prevented my doing it sooner.  Here's how it went.

Happy Birthday, Katie.  I'm sorry it's so late.  It's fine.

Did you have a good birthday?   I did!  It was really fun!

What did you do?  The day before my birthday I had a little birthday dinner with some friends.  We went to the harbor where they have really nice stores and restaurants.

Did you get anything special for your birthday?  Yeah!  I got a new bed!

Wow!  How how fun is that?!  It was fun.  Dad and I went shopping for it at Ikea  - we got a mattress too so we got to go and try out all the matresses.

How do you like it?  It is so comfortable! I love it so much that I never want to get out of bed.  Of course I'm not sure if that's the bed or not wanting to get up.  Probably both!

What would you consider the highlight of the past year?  I got my permit!

 So you're driving all around?  Sometimes!

You're not driving now, are you?  No I don't drive Dad's truck.  I drive the Acadia and I've driven the van a few times.

Which one is easier?  I like the Acadia but that's because I drive it all the time so I'm used to it.

So you're getting lots of practice?  Yes!

And what are you looking forward to in the coming year?  I'm looking forward to club volleyball season because it's a good club and I have a really good coach!  And because we have a lot of exciting tournaments and our team has lots of talent and potential.   

And I'm really excited to get my license.  When will that be?  I can get it February 29th and I'm counting down the days!

What do you like best about school?  I like seeing my friends and being able to be social.

And what don't you like so much about it?    Probably the school part.  I'm taking really challenging classes so I have a big workload that encompasses a lot of homework.  And I don't have a lot of time at home because of volleyball and trying to balance school with a social life.

What career path do you think you might pursue?  I've been thinking about working in the medical field but I'm not sure what doctor yet.

Where are you thinking of going to school or have you thought about it yet?  I was looking at Stanford just because they have a really good premed as well as medical program and their campus is really pretty and on the coast.  But it's really far away and expensive and I haven't been searching many schools - just a few.  I still have to see what's out there and I may find one that's a better fit.

What extra curricular activities are you involved in?  I don't do much besides school, having a life, and volleyball.  I am in Deca which is like a marketing kind of business club for students.

With all those activities your grades must really suffer.  No, I don't let that happen.  My GPA right now is above a 4.0  I just don't know the exact number.  So you have straight As?  Yes.  And you have had straight As since you started high school?   Yeah, I mean my whole life.  I've never had a B  EVER!

So you play club volleyball but do you play for your school too?  Yes, the season just ended in November.  It was my second varsity season.  We actually went to district finals but we lost and it was devastating.  I did make first team all-conference which was comprised of the top 12 players out of six teams.  I'm pretty sure I was the only sophomore.  And I had the second most votes from all the coaches so I was the runner up for MVP.  I also made second team all-region which is very exciting. That sounds like a big honor.  Yeah because it was all the conferences in the region, it was the top 24 players, and I was the only sophomore and the youngest on both teams.

What position do you play?  Outside hitter.   Do you play all the way around then?  For high school I played all the way around but the position itself requires you to play front row but you can be taken out for the back row.  It kind of depends on the team.  Do you like playing all around or are you content with front row only?  Oh no!  I love playing all the way around!   I love both offense and defense.  I don't have much experience with sitting on the bench but I feel like I'd get bored.

Does your mom still help coach?  No.  She helped my first and second year of club ball but since then we're in a more competitive club and they hire coaches.

This picture of Katie with her mom and brother was taken after her team won their district finals.

Are you looking forward to Gulf Shores this year and what did you like best about it last year?  Oh yes!  I'm so excited!   I loved how we got to play Ultimate Frisbie on the beach

and I just liked seeing family when it was warm and we could get out more and do so much more.

What else can you tell us about yourself that we haven't covered in this interview?  I 'm into arts and crafts.  I love making things.  Like?  A lot of my Christmas gifts for my family are handmade.

 I'm a perfectionist!

One of my favorite things to do is play baseball with Zachary because I want him to go into the MLB.

Do you get along well with all your brothers?   Actually we do get along well and it kind of surprises me because all my friends say they don't get along with their siblings.  So especially David and Zachary; and Matthew and I like to have fun with each other which is fine but sometimes it gets a little iffy.

You and Matthew are more competitive with each other?  Yeah.

And that pretty well concluded our interview.  But, as usual, there's more I'd like to add.  This post tells a lot about Katie and what an accomplished young lady she is but it doesn't tell what a sweet, loving, helpful, and genuine girl she is.  It's hard to believe that someone who has so much going for her can be as centered and respectful and courteous as she is.  I've seen her interact with all her younger cousins and they all love her.  And then I've seen her - the only girl - playing Ultimate Frisbie with the most fit guys in the family and she holds her own.  I've had her help me innumerable times with never a complaint and I've watched her grow from a sweet and beautiful little girl into a sweet and beautiful teenager.  And it's been amazing.  So happy birthday, Katie.  We hope it was awesome (as it sounds like it was) and that the coming year is even better!!!