Cast of Characters

I was anxious to get my blog started, so I just used initials for my family member's names. I soon realized--BORING!  Especially when I get such a kick out of reading about Military Man and the Resuce Ranger over at From the Frontlines. So I have obsessed over thought about names for my own dear  family members. Ta-da, new monikers all around!

We wouldn't be a family without this guy--Mr. Fix-It. So named because he can, quite literally, fix   anything. This is a very handy skill-set to have, and I appreciate it greatly. Example: We were at a softball tournament in Big Bear, California. The van started making that awful grindy noise that says "you need new brakes." Since I'm not a big fan of mountain driving anyway, let alone with bad brakes, I truly appreciated the fact that between games he could pop into Kragen, buy new brake pads, change them in the parking lot, and still be back at the field in time to warm up the pitcher. Now that is my kind of man! Trivia fact: I met him at an ice skating rink when I was 16 and he was 17. The first thought I had when we were introduced was, "That's the man I'm going to marry." I was so sure of that I didn't mind that he dated my best friend first! Another Trivia Fact: He has hidden gifts of jewelry for me in both the dishwasher and dryer--smart guy, making household chores a little more enticing. It's been 20 years married so far, and I still want to keep him around.

This is the Grown-up Girl. 22 years old, holds a Chemistry degree, lives on her own with her most amazing boyfriend, Music Man. She is actually my niece, but has been a part of our family since the day she was born. She could not be more my daughter if I had actually given birth to her. She is hoping to go to pharmacy school next year. She is very smart, responsible, and creative. She's been involved in dance and theater forever, and is a great artist. She and the Music Man live in a very cute gatehouse in Pasadena. Trivia Fact: Grown-up Girl and Music Man were in the same class in 4th grade and shared a mutual crush. He moved away and they did not cross paths again until fall of their senior years in high school. They have been together since their first date. They are perfect for each other.

Next in line is Big Red. A senior in high school, captain and MVP of the  Water Polo team. 6'2" with red hair of a hue that Clairol only wishes it could match. He's a great leader of the quiet, understated variety. He's an exceptionally hard worker, just like his dad, and always willing to lend a helping hand. He's got a wicked sense of humor and can defuse any tense situation by turning it into a spot-on jingle, sung just under the breath.  His passion is mountain biking, so he'll be heading to Colorado for college  next year. Trivia Fact: When he was four, he was driving Grown-up Girl crazy by calling her "Goofy." She protested vociferously, "Don't call me Goofy again!"  He smiled innocently, "Okay, not Goofy." 

Here we have Danger Boy. He's a freshman in high school, and a helluva Water Polo player. He is fearless in the pool and will happily set guard someone twice his weight. He is a gifted writer whose work has been known to bring tears to my eyes. He is a lover of dogs and babies and Xbox. He has Tourette Syndrome, which he handles with total aplomb. His temperament is mercurial and his heart big. I keep a big stick around to beat the girls off with. Trivia Fact: He crawled at 3 months, sat up by himself at 4 months, walked across the room the day  he turned 8 months. 2 weeks later, he ran into a china cabinet and got his first stitches. From then on it was stitches once a year, every year for 8 years.  We've slowed down to every couple of years; he better not go bald--his scalp looks like a patchwork   quilt.

The baby of the family is the Social Butterfly. She is in 8th grade, and is the most dedicated student this family has ever seen. She possesses the gifts of friendship and sociability. If she joins a team she'll have 3 "play dates" and a party planned before the end of the first practice. She is known for her major sleepover parties--20 girls is my limit and she has to work to keep it down to that. She is a natural athlete and her brothers have made sure she's tough as nails when she needs to be. After years of softball she has crossed over to the dark side and is now a cheerleader. No one, but no one, makes this girl do something she doesn't want to. (Well, sometimes her parents do, but we have to take away lots of electronics first)! Trivia Fact: She went on her first sleepover at 22 months. She'd been watching the older kids go, and she wanted to give it a shot. So she slept over at Nick's house, 2 doors down. She loved it. Of course it was about another 3 years before anyone wanted to sleep over at our house!

Comments

[Maggie-beth]

You have a gorgeous family. Not just physically beautiful either - from what you've said, they also have that ethical "bone structure" that will serve them well all their lives. Good parenting helped, but what they make of themselves will be up to them in the end, and it sounds as if they are all on the fast track to success in life - whatever that might mean to each of them. I myself am lucky to be married to a Mr. Fix-it, and I agree with you - I should stop referring to him as "my husband" or "John" - and give him a real moniker, which I have decided will be "The Wiz". Partly because of his website, but mostly because he really IS "The Wiz" - at everything. Clogged plumbing? No problem. Window won't roll up on the driver's side? No problem. Computer making a funny noise? No problem. I know you get the idea, because you are lucky enough to have one, too!

[Mary Alice]

You have a gorgeous and talented family. Thanks for the introductions. Being able to Fix Things? I think that is a totally HAWT quality, one that I am particularly fond of in my own man. Military Man and Mr Fix It would get along great!

[teresa]

Beautiful family. Thank you for visiting my place as well.

Have a wonderful day. I happen to have a 6'tall 17 year old - female athlete. photos at my place - maybe we could hook up two really great kids. lol

have a wonderful day.

[Lisa]

what a great looking family. And how lucky you are to have a fix-it person -- when my husband left, he took his hammer-wielding skills with him.

Now I just use whatever's handy. Shoe, book, stale baguette.....

[susan]

Nice to "meet" the family. What fun names you have chosen. I don't suppose you lend out Mr. Fix-it? Mine can do anything on the computer, but the other stuff...not so much.

[Reluctant Blogger]

Yes, it is always good to see what people really look like. I have four too. I tend not to talk about mine much on my blog (not because they would mind. They might but not for that reason) but just because they are so "in my face" the whole time that it is nice to have somewhere to get away from them!!!

You are clearly really enjoying blogging. Good for you. I wish I could do it with such a clear head and so much enthusiasm!!

[Alesia]

What a beautiful family! Really, good job.

I thought I had it tough because my daughter walked at 8 months. But crawling at 3 months? I think that's some kind of record.

[debbie]

Jenn, you have a beautiful family!! Thanks for sharing the pictures. I also love the "handles" you have given them...I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not a big fan of using DH or DD or DS1....sometimes, mine are just NOT darling!! You've got me to thinking now....what can I use?!?!?! Have a good one!!
(and I hope my sons grow to be as tall as your sons...my side of the family is tall, but I'm afraid the Japanese genes may be more in their favor....*sigh*)

[Little Miss Sunshine State]

Nice to officially meet the family. They sound like a great bunch!
I've got Cape Cod Kid. When we moved to Florida he stayed behind. And his sister is Sorority Girl, who loves everything about college.
How many girls have crushes on Big Red?
I also met Mr Sunshine State when we were 16 and 17.And he dated my best friend first!

[Mrs. G.]

This was such a treat. I am all about backstory so now I'm ready for whatever you throw my way. You all are a good looking bunch.

[Wenderina]

What a great way to introduce your cast. I'm still struggling with the inital thing, but I loved your inspired list of names. Very creative!

[passing through]

I'm figuring you don't use the actual names of your family members for privacy reasons and such.. so I wanted to point out that this post kind of defeats that purpose. Hovering over the photos allows one to see what title the image was uploaded with. All of which appear to be real names.

[Alexis]

graabbeeee..ang lupeett ang ganda ng rikwonteng nu pangfISHball LANG YAN ..magnetworking narin namn kayo, dun na sa malaki ang kitaan yun bang millionaire, grabeeee naman pano pag di nabenta yung product?..toink .50 peso direct referral? .//oink oink wala yan