July & August 2033 Birthdays & Anniversaries

July 2033 - Del Sol Valley, California

It's the last night that his girls will be so little, George thinks as he reads Elliana to sleep. Tomorrow is their fifth birthday and he knows already that they're changing and growing out of the babies they've always been to him.

June 2033 Graduations

Pine Hollow, North Carolina

It’s graduation day! Emma and Seth Lloyd throw a party to celebrate their older set of twins graduating from high school.

New Life

June 2033 - Oasis Springs, Nevada
Craig/Morris family: Tucker is 43, Cynthia is 42, Raven is 4

It's a hot, steamy summer in Oasis Springs and so Raven spends as much time as she can in her little blow up pool.

Mood Swings

May 2033 - Del Sol Valley, California

Lloyd family: Jason is 45, Lilly is 45, Jacob is 12, Mia is 12

Lilly doesn't remember being in a constant mood swing when she became a preteen, but here they are, now stuck in this constant change of moods since Mia turned twelve just a couple months ago.

May & June 2033 Birthdays & Anniversaries

May 2033 - Henford-on-Bagley, England

It's the trip of her dreams, Carol says as they explore the small countryside town across the ocean from them. She's read about little towns like this in books and always wanted to explore one some day.

Romance in the Air

April 2033 - San Myshuno, New York

Lloyd household - Ian is 43, Kayla is 34, Sasha is 15

Sasha still isn't fully used to having a stepmom. It's been four and a half years since Ian suddenly surprised his kids with the fact that he was married to someone they didn't even know.

Counting Down the Days

Spring 2033 - Windenburg University, Windenburg, Germany 
Lily Gates-Watson is 22

The last four years have gone by in a blur. Sometimes Lily isn't sure that it really is her last semester of college, her last semester on the other side of the ocean away from her family.

Springing into Confusion

Spring 2033 - Foxbury Institute, Britechester, Illinois
Matthew Lloyd is 19

 

One thing Matthew loves is when he runs into Hailee Beltran around campus. Not that it's always a surprise run in. He won't admit it, but he has taken note of Hailee's class schedule and when she might visit the student union to do some studying.

Getting By

Spring 2023 - Britechester, Illinois
University students: Caleb Gates is 21, Olivia Gates is 19, Emily Smith is 18

Caleb takes breaks when he can between classes to practice his kicks with the soccer ball he likes to carry around. He claims it's just so that he can have some time for perfecting his skill between all his other duties.

Spring Forward

Spring 2023 - Britechester, Illinois
University students: Charlotte Craig is 22, Adam Smith is 22, Ethan Smith is 22

"She only has a couple months left," Ethan tells his brother one afternoon at Diggity Dog House. It's the start of the spring semester and they found time after classes and between club meetings to get together for a quick bite of hot dogs.

"Don't remind me," Adam says as he looks sadly across the table.

March/April 2033 Birthdays & Anniversaries

March 2033 - Del Sol Valley, California

March means that Jacob and Mia will no longer be kids. Or at least, that's what they think. They'll always be kids to their parents, no matter how old they are, but they are moving officially into their last year of preteenhood and turning twelve this rainy day.

But the rain doesn't bother the celebration inside the Lloyd house. Their family has flown across the country to celebrate this day with them. Grandpa William loves to play Don't Wake the Llama with Mia and Jacob. They're the youngest of his grandchildren and he hopes maybe they'll still play this game whenever they're visiting each other.

Friends Old and New

February 2033 - Oasis Springs, Nevada
Richard household - Dewey is 37, Anna is 37, Piper is 7, Landon is 5, Dylan is 2

Anna and Dewey Richard love going out bowling with Madison and Bryant Smith any chance they get. Stepsisters, best friends, neighbors. They're perfect for spending time together on a child-free night out.

The Start of Something New

January 2033 - Arcadia, North Carolina

Gates-Watson household - Logan is 43, Shelley is 43, James is 18

James is still home from college for that winter break between semesters. It’s nice to be home, but he isn't really looking forward to working on New Year's Eve. It's not that he hates making money, it's that working means he doesn't get to celebrate the New Year, he only gets to wait on others who are celebrating.

January/February 2033 Birthdays & Anniversaries

January 2033 - Pine Hollow, North Carolina

Aaron has never been the sweetest little brother. Vanessa finds him quite a bit annoying most times. 

A Desert Christmas

December 2032 - Paradise City, Nevada
Craig household - Lucas is 25, Andrea is 25, Elliott is 7, Jamison is 2

 

It's Christmas time at the Craig house in Paradise City. Andrea loves this time of year when they pull the tree from storage and decorate it together.

Life Changes

November 2032 - Del Sol Valley, California
Gates/Smith household - Phoebe is 21, Dee is 20

 

 

Phoebe Gates keeps checking the local help wanted ads to see if there's anything she might be interested in. It's been a year since she and Dee moved across the country to Del Sol Valley, California. Phoebe has been taking online college courses to get her associates degree in music production.

Craig/Austin Wedding

November 2032 - Del Sol Valley, California

“Is everything taken care of?" Violet Craig asks. "We've got all the catering arranged, the seating and decor will be set up at the park in the morning, your tux is steamed and ready?"

"It's all done," Baine says, not looking up from the game he's playing.

November/December 2032 Birthdays & Anniversaries

November 2032 - Evergreen Harbor, Mississippi

Life is quiet in Evergreen Harbor. Kat has taken a job in a biology lab here, studying some of the life around the Mississippi River and what needs to be done to keep the water clean and healthy. She likes her work, but she misses everyone--her family, her friends, Yori. It was hard leaving him back at PSU while she moved off to the job opportunity she'd had.

That Complicated Connection, Part 4

Fall 2032 - Arcadia, North Carolina

Pine State University - Yori Hayashi is 23

This semester is the hardest he's ever had in his university life. Kat, Violet, and Baine are all gone now, graduated and moved on to the next part of their lives. And yet, Yori is still here on his own because he failed one class needed.

That Complicated Connection, Part 3

Fall 2032 - Britechester, Illinois
Foxbury Institute - Olivia Gates is 19, Matthew Lloyd is 19, Emily Smith is 18

If you had asked Olivia Gates a year ago who her boyfriend would be, she never would have said Atticus Kibo. 

 

Round 3: September 2032 - August 2034

September - October 2032
Birthdays & Anniversaries
That Complicated Connection, Part 1 (Ethan, Adam, & Charlotte)
Secrets in the Hall (Olivia)
That Complicated Connection, Part 2 (Caleb, James, & Isabella)
That Complicated Connection, Part 3 (Matthew, Emily, & Olivia)
That Complicated Connection, Part 4 (Yori / Lily)

That Complicated Connection, Part 2

Fall 2032 - Britechester, Illinois
University of Britechester: Caleb Gates is 20, Isabella Smith is 19, James Gates-Watson is 18

Isabella Smith has never been one to spend a lot of time around other people. She's always kept to herself and would go out with her cousin Emily sometimes, but many times she likes to be alone.

Secrets in the Hall

Before we go any further, a step back a bit in the storyline...

April 2032 - Pine Hollow, North Carolina

"Happy birthday!" James Gates-Watson says to his cousin Olivia Gates when he arrives at her eighteenth birthday party. 

"Thanks," Olivia says as he pulls her into a crushing hug. Olivia and James will both be leaving for their college years in just a few months and have gotten their acceptance letters--Olivia to Foxbury Institute and James to University of Britechester. 

That Complicated Connection, Part 1

Fall 2032 - Britechester, Illinois
University students: Charlotte Craig is 22, Adam Smith is 22, Ethan Smith is 22

Ethan is working hard at the project he has to present for one of his classes this semester. It's his third year at Foxbury Institute and though he thought he'd feel more relaxed as the days went by, he's feeling himself getting more and more stressed. He can't have another bad semester. He can't fail again.

September/October 2032 Birthdays & Anniversaries

September 2032 - Granite Falls, Washington

 

 

It's Julie Lloyd's 68th birthday and so her son Blake surprises her with a trip to Granite Falls, Washington. Julie has been to California to visit her oldest son Jason and his family, but never to Granite Falls, which she had read about and dreamed of visiting.

New Dreams Ahead

January 2031 - Arcadia, North Carolina
Smith household - Zared is 48, Carol is 45, Isabella is 17

“You know, you could go to college closer to home,” Carol tells her daughter. Isabella is halfway through her senior year of high school and Carol doesn’t like to think about what might happen later in the year.

Isabella rubs at her forehead impatiently as she takes in her mom's question once again. "I already told you my decision.”

January - February Birthdays & Anniversaries

 January 2031 - Arcadia, North Carolina

His mom gives him a gift card for his birthday, the gift that James requested from her. He doesn't trust his mom to pick out clothes he would actually wear. So the afternoon of his birthday, he heads out to the mall to try to find the gifts he's looking for.

"These shirts are all kind of meant for old men like our dads," a girl nearby says. 

Happy New Beginnings

November 2030 - Arcadia, North Carolina
Gates household - Nathan is 41, Terri is 41, Phoebe is 19

"So you think that's really what you want to do?" Dee asks one afternoon.

Phoebe nods. "Do you think it will be the wrong path to take? Will it all actually work out?"

November - December 2030 Birthdays & Anniversaries

“This is not a fun birthday surprise,” Violet says as she scowls at Baine. 

“It’s a day out on the town,” Baine says. “I thought you might enjoy it.”

Planning Secrets

October 2030 - Pine State University - Arcadia, North Carolina
University students: Baine Austin is 22, Yori Hayashi is 21, Violet Craig is 20, Kat Gates is 20

“Can I ask for some advice?” Baine sits at the table across from Kat one morning.

Kat is working one of her assignments from her Genetics and Generations class, but she looks at him with hesitation. Things had been okay between them since last semester, when Baine seemingly became friends with Yori. She still couldn’t believe that had actually happened.

University Distractions

September 2030 - Britechester, Illinois
University students: Ethan Smith is 20, Adam Smith is 20, Charlotte Craig is 20

The second year at college starts for Ethan, Adam, and Charlotte. Adam’s classes this semester are focused on plant growth and biology.

September - October 2030 Birthdays & Anniversaries

The bathroom sink desperately needs cleaning and Andrea can't ignore it anymore. She's near the end of her pregnancy so she needs to get the house spotless before the baby comes and takes up her time.

A Mom's Good Advice

Carrie goes to visit Nathan whenever she has a chance. Her boys may be completely different, but she loves both of them just the same. She misses Nathan since he lives in Arcadia, but at least it isn’t a long trip from Pine Hollow.

Unexpected Guests

July 2030 - Pine Hollow, North Carolina
Gates family - Carrie is 66, Todd is 42, Rachel is 42, Vanessa is 14, Aaron is 9

After long days of working on the farm and at their grocery store, Carrie loves playing cards with Vanessa.

Most of the time Carrie wins. But sometimes she has to give in to the loving grandma side of her and let Vanessa win.

A Dad's Opinion

July 2030 - Pine Hollow, North Carolina
Craig household: Marcus is 48, Jill is 48, Charlotte is 19

Charlotte is home from Britechester for the summer. She loves being back in the neighborhood she knows best and spending time with her parents again.

One morning her dad says, “Hey, you should invite Adam over for supper tonight. I’ll cookout on the grill. Do you think he’ll eat veggie burgers?”

July - August 2030 Birthdays & Anniversaries

In July, Andrea Craig is now entering into her seventh month of this pregnancy, so the day they get to meet this baby is getting closer.

Summer Day

June 2030 - Pine Hollow, North Carolina

Gates house - Xander is 40, Chelsea is 40, Caleb is 18, Olivia is 17, Bianca is 11

The art gallery is doing really well these days. Chelsea was nervous about how she would handle it after her in-laws passed it on to her, but she gets happier each day when she opens the doors.

June 2030 Birthdays & Anniversaries, + Graduation Day

“Alex is still asleep,” Sam says one morning. “You’re getting started really early on his cake.”

“It’s his first birthday,” Ariel says. “It has to be special right from the beginning.”

Making Decisions

May 2030 - Windenburg, Germany
University student: Lily Gates-Watson is 19

It’s another semester at Windenburg University and Lily is now entering into hopefully a good end to her first round of classes.

Learn the Lessons

May 2030 - Pine State University, Arcadia, North Carolina
University students: Baine Austin is 21, Yori Hayashi is 21, Violet Craig is 20, Kat Gates is 20

Everyone is staying busy this spring semester, working hard at keeping up with their classes. Violet finds her public speaking classes to be a breeze.

May 2030 Birthdays & Anniversaries

“Ethan is not having a great time away at college,” Carol tells her husband.

“It’s his first year,” Zared tells her. “Things will get better.”

Perfect Oasis

April 2030 - Oasis Springs, Nevada
Richard house - Dewey is 34, Anna is 34, Piper is 4, Landon is 3

Anna is still exhausted in her fifth month of pregnancy, but that doesn’t stop her from reading to Landon each night when he goes to bed. He won’t be the youngest of the family when the baby is born but he always will be Anna’s baby, no matter what his age.

Unexpected Steps Ahead

April 2030 - Britechester, Illinois
University of Britechester - Adam Smith is 20, Charlotte Craig is 19

Charlotte reviews Adam’s project for one of his classes. “Hmm,” she says.

“Hmm what?” Adam asks.

April 2030 Birthdays & Anniversaries

A trip to the vet is not at the top of Andrea’s wishlist for the day. Her back hurts, her feet hurt, everything hurts. But she has to take Mojo to the vet because he suddenly isn’t acting like himself. Lucas is working so it’s all up to her.

It Ain't Easy

March 2030 - Foxbury Institute, Britechester, Illinois
University student - Ethan Smith is 19

Ethan’s second semester of college is starting off with new things to keep him interested. His roommate dresses in a suit every day, with sunglasses and a hat as if he’s trying to keep his identity secret.

March 2030 Birthdays & Anniversaries

“You’d think I would know how a pregnancy will feel throughout the months,” Anna tells Dewey. “I gave birth to Landon, after all. But I feel like I’m just not getting along as well as I did before. Taking care of two kids and myself and my students is a lot to do!”

Life Outside

February 2030 - San Myshuno, New York
Smith family - Sam is 25, Ariel is 22, Alex is 8 months

Sam and Ariel both stay busy with little Alex. 

Desert Nights

February 2030 - Oasis Springs, Nevada
Craig family - Bryant is 34, Madison is 34, Summer is 7, Skye is 5

Madison spends a lot time at the lab working hard on new developments she’s designed.

February 2030 Birthdays & Anniversaries

It’s Nathan and Terri Gates’ anniversary. Nineteen years. Nineteen long years. Nathan thinks they can start out their anniversary with a trip back to the bed after breakfast, but Terri isn’t having it.

Finding New Life

January 2030 - Paradise City, Nevada
Craig family - Andrea is 23, Lucas is 22, Elliott is 3

How was your day?” Andrea asks.

Lucas is working on some top secret studies at work these days. He really wants to tell Andrea all about them, but he has to keep quiet about it all. “It was good,” he says. “Really busy, but that’s okay.”

January 2030 Birthdays & Anniversaries

Waylon Menon is up early as he usually is, even on weekend mornings. Always a lot of work to do.