All these years

 Round 17: June 2028

Ryland and Jackie Whitfield are 77, Rianna Midlock is 58, Anthony is 54 and Jesse is 15.

(Ross is 17.)

Narrated by Jesse

Grandma and grandpa moved in with us a few weeks ago. Mom and aunt Denise were starting to worry about them living on their own because they are kinda old. Denise's house is full of kids, Dawn and Finn live in a really small house and Zach lives in a tiny apartment so our house was the natural choice since Emily and Sara are at college. It's been nice having them here. Despite being old they're pretty cool about everything - even though I could probably live without seeing them kiss each other all the time.

Dandelions

Round 17: May 2028

Toby Parker is 36, Erin is 33, Naomi is 5, Matthew is 2 weeks and Iona Fielding is 16.

Narrated by Toby.

Matthew was born just a couple of weeks ago. I don't think I've ever been so anxious as I was during Erin's pregnancy. The miscarriage before really did a number on us both. I'm so happy that Matthew is here, he's healthy and we can finally breathe a sigh of relief and just enjoy this precious time.

Happy Birthday, May 2028

Eve and Gabriel have just met with Dr Williams and have gotten the first glimpse of their baby on the ultrasound. They weren't actively trying to get pregnant but they weren't exactly actively trying not to get pregnant either. They both agree that it's nice that Drake and his sibling - who is due in November - won't have a huge age difference. They also agree that it's time to really start looking for a house because the apartment is getting a bit small for them with the addition of another baby.

You are the sunshine of my life

 Round 17: April 2028

Stephen Marlowe and Kaitlyn Brennan are 27.

Narrated by Stephen.

Kaitlyn is busier than ever with her fourth and last year of doctorate studies so we try to make the most of the little free time we actually get to spend together. One of our favourite things to do is walk to the park nearby and sit on the bench and talk.

Is it true

Round 17: April 2028

Jack Robinson is 45, Paige is 44, Todd is 16, Emma is 7 and Beck is 2.
(Skye is 16.)

Narrated by Todd

Last year my parents told me that I'd have to either get a job or start helping on the farm since I was already 15. I gladly chose working on the farm instead of trying to get a job elsewhere. I don't mind actually. I mean it's a lot of hard work but it's kind of cool to think that we grow food for our own family and probably at least like half the town as well. Dad and I usually go over some farm stuff during dinner so I know what I'm supposed to do after school the next day.

Flight mode

Round 17: March 2028

Sara Midlock is 19 and Riley Cooper is 18.

Narrated by Riley.

Apparently there was a mix-up thanks to my unisex name and my student info said I was a female... so naturally I was also assigned a female room mate. It was a pretty awkward first couple of weeks. I ended up sleeping on the floor of Sara's room most nights so my room mate could have the room for herself. Luckily they were able to correct the situation pretty quickly. While I was okay with the thought of having a room mate, I got to say I'm happy I have my own room now.

Sound the alarm

Round 17: March 2028

Aaron Hayes, Emily Midlock and Frieda Robinson are 20.

(Sara is 19, Riley is 18 and Jesse is 15.)

Narrated by Emily

Frieda has been bugging us about throwing a party and this semester our schedules finally aligned enough that we actually could. We also wanted to welcome Riley to university so we decided to throw a joined birthday party for him and me. Throwing a party at a dorm is not exactly acceptable but people do it anyway because usually the RAs let it slide. We only invited Frieda's boyfriend Blake, Sara and Riley and also Frieda's nephew Todd and his girlfriend Skye. Mind you, Todd and Skye are only 16 but we figured our party would be tame enough for highschoolers. 

Shadow love

Round 17: February 2028

Gabriel Domingo is 28, Drake is 2 and Eve Midlock is 27.

 

Narrated by Eve.

 

My pregnancy wasn't exactly a planned one - far from it - but I couldn't love Drake more if I tried. Things with Gabriel were a bit complicated at first, mostly due to my issues with commitment, but I think we're doing alright. Marriage and children have never been very high on my list of things I want in the future but being in a committed relationship isn't as bad as I thought. 

 

Happy Birthday, February 2028

Erin and Toby have come to the hospital for an ultrasound for her third trimester. It has been an anxiety-ridden pregnancy for Erin due to her devastating miscarriage a year earlier. Luckily Dr Williams is able to give them some good news - everything seems to be fine.

Here and whole

Round 17: January 2028

Janie Greene is 34, Danny Cooper is 32, Bridget Greene-Cooper is 10, Lucas is 9 and Molly is 7.
(Brooke is 36, Charlie is 34 and Ava is 4.)

Narrated by Janie

I'm not going to lie, I wasn't exactly thrilled to sell our house in Exmoor and move to Allerdale. But I can't really be unhappy about it, not with the way things have gone ever since. Danny and I are doing so much better now and I think that's very much due to us being in a good place financially. We've almost debt-free now and can actually breathe a lot easier nowadays without having to worry about how we are going to make ends meet.

Happy Birthday, January 2028

Here are the birthday boys and girls!

Ava Greene turns 4 this year. She's really excited about starting school but she's even more excited about becoming a big sister. Her mommy has three babies in her belly and they'll be born any minute now.

Christmas lights, 2027

Round 17: December 2027

Alexandra Hayes is 53, Quinn is 51 and Jeremy is 16.

(Aaron is 19.)

Narrated by Alexandra.

School is closed for the holidays and I feel like all Jeremy does all day is mope around the house all day. He broke up with Ross in the spring and I think he's regretting it a bit. He's been out on a few dates with Iona Fielding who I suspect was at least part of the reason for the break-up but he hasn't been going out at all lately.

Happy Birthday, December 2027

Malia Newman has passed the 12-week mark on her pregnancy so she and Greg have told their closest ones that they're expecting. Iona couldn't be more excited - she's going to get two new siblings this year!

Does it matter

Round 17: November 2027

Greg Newman is 34, Malia is 31, Briony is 3, Rhea is 2 and Iona Fielding is 15.

Narrated by Greg.

Iona's such a big help when she's living with us. She's really into cooking so she's more than happy to get up early in the morning and cook breakfast before going to school. It's also nice to have an extra pair of hands with Briony and Rhea. Iona adores all of her little sisters and she's so excited about Erin's pregnancy.

We watch the stars

Round 17: November 2027

Alexander and Bobbie Greene are 76, Patsy and Camryn are 36, Mia is 13 and  Hanna and Jared are 6

(Liam is 15 and Kyra is 13)

Narrated by Mia.

My parents are really supportive about my art but at the same time they're on my back about being more active and spending time outdoors. Painting just makes me so happy that I don't really want to do anything else on my free time. But it's not like I bury myself in my room all the time. I do spend time with my family, we're just interested in different things.

Happy Birthday, November 2027

Erin and Toby Parker are thrilled to be able to finally tell everyone about Erin's pregnancy now that she has passed 12 weeks. 4-year-old Naomi is very excited about becoming a big sister. The baby is due in May 2028.

Erin still can't help but worry a little after the devastating miscarriage she suffered just last December. She is determined to do whatever it takes to ensure this pregnancy goes smoothly so she is planning to talk to her boss about doing less hours at the office.


Notes:

• Yay, a baby for Erin and Toby! I'm going to take very good care of Erin because I don't want a repetition of what happened with her last pregnancy.

Everybody breaks

Round 17: October 2027

Tina Robinson is 39, Tim is 6 and Michael is 3.

Narrated by Tina.

Kurt passed away last December and it hasn't been easy for anyone of us to get used to the fact that he's not here. I took some time off work both for my own and the boys' sake but at least to me getting back to our normal daily routines has helped dealing with the grief. Obviously the boys are still so small that even Tim barely understands the concept of someone dying but as time has gone by they both have started to understand that their dad isn't coming back.

Happy now

Round 17: September 2027

Sara Midlock is 18.

(Emily and Frieda are 19.)

Narrated by Sara Midlock.

I feel like I'm more used to the gruelling schedule now than I was during my first semester. I used to be totally exhausted every night but I've worked out a system that works for me. After our midday practise I often come back to the dorm, get some lunch and take a nap.

Stargazing

Round 17: September 2027

Aaron Hayes, Emily Midlock and Frieda Robinson are 19.

(Sara is 18.)

Narrated by Aaron.

I don't have any sisters so I wasn't really prepared to all the aspects of living with girls. I mean, I thought pillow fights only happened in movies but I've witnessed Emily and Frieda having pillow fights in their underwear at least twice. Whenever I catch them they just laugh and ask me to join them!

Good old days

Round 17: August 2027

Deacon Burrows is 62, Stella Harris is 63, Minka is 9 and Nick is 7.

Narrated by Stella.

I've seriously cut down the amount of work I do. When I was younger I used to have projects lined up for months and months but now I'm very picky - especially when it comes to spending time away from home. What's even more wonderful is that finally Deacon feels the same way. We used to be so career-oriented that sometimes it feels strange to hang around the house during the day doing absolutely nothing.