A Very Quinn Halloween

 Halloween 1993

Halloween was always a highlight for the Quinn family. The majority of my memories are shared with my brothers Conor and Pat, simply because they're the closest in age. Months were spent picking out the best costume, which was usually a pirate, a ninja turtle, or a football player for them and a fairy or a princess for me. We live in what's arguably the best neighborhood in town for trick-or-treating and had some precious intel from our older brothers about what houses were a must-go and which were a major-skip (i.e.the ones that gave those popcorn balls, ew). It was a strategic event for us; how could we get not only the most candy, but also the best candy, in the shortest amount of time? A challenge we happily accepted.

Our Halloween day would go a little something like this:

• 8am-3pm-Sit in school all day anticipating the evening
• 3pm-3:05pm-Upon arriving back home, IMMEDIATELY change into costume 
• 3:05pm-5:30pm-Sitting, waiting, watching the clock tick
• 5:30pm-6:00pm-Dinner
• 6:00pm-6:30-Organize pumpkin candy buckets, ghost flashlights and finalize costumes
• 6:30pm-It's go time
• 8:30pm-Arrive back home, exhausted, face-makeup smudged, but with a gold mine of sweets
• 8:30-9:30pm-Trade candy-like it's the NFL draft
• 9:30pm-Collapse into bed

I can't stress how important the trade portion of the evening was to us. After carefully arranging all of our loot in a strategic fashion on the living room floor, the trading process began. Obviously, there was a hierarchy of candy. Reese's peanut butter cups trumped all. They were the most powerful bartering tool. Supply and demand, catch my drift? "I'll give you four packs of Nerds for one Reese's peanut butter cup." "I'll give you two Milkyway's for a Snickers." "I'll give you ALL of my Almond Joys for your big Hershey's bar." (Almond Joys were always a tough sell). This went on for what seemed like forever until we were all happy with what we got. Best part? My parents dumped it all into one bag the next day and we all happily shared anyway. But it was a blast and I have some of my best memories from our trick-or-treating days.

I can't wait for the next Halloween, where I will undoubtedly be taking my nephew on his first trick-or-treating experience. As for this Halloween, I thought I'd share some comedy from Crest:

And with that, I wish everyone a happy, safe and super fun Halloween!

Do you have any Halloween traditions? What was the best candy in your house? Comment or share!

As always, "Other things may change us, but we start and end with family."-AB

A Message to Red Sox Nation...From Afghanistan

"All the way from Bagram, Afghanistan, this is the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Delta Company 3rd 126th Aviation, part of the Massachusetts National Guard, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, wishes the Red Sox the best luck in the World Series...BOSTON STRONG!"

If you didn't know, that's my brother Dan, speaking. I really can't articulate how good it is to actually see him and hear his voice; I suppose relief is really the best word to use. As a tight-knit family, to have any of us missing from any family event makes it feel incomplete. But if I trust anyone to represent the United States of America well, it's him.

During the Boston Marathon bombing, this unit flew directly into Watertown. But Dan said it better than I ever could:

"It was an honor for our crews to be a part, while only a small supporting part, of the amazing job the men and women of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies did on the ground last week to restore safety in the Boston community. We offer a tip of the cap to your incredible work! Thanks for keeping us safe!"

Boston Strong means a little more to a unit that was called into action directly after the blasts and rushed into the city. These men and women risk their lives to keep us safe, whether it's foreign or domestic. 

So, if you can, share this video and tweet at Boston sports outlets. Let's try and get them to air the message and give a thanks back to the soldiers still in Afghanistan, keeping us safe. Go Sox!!!

As always, "Other things may change us, but we start and end with family."-AB

Dogs Are Family Too

Anyone who knows me at all knows me knows that dogs are the way to my heart. Golden retrievers or yellow labs, specifically, but I'm not really one to discriminate. Unless it's one of those hairless dogs or a pug or bulldog. I know pugs are trendy I just don't think they're cute. Although I introduced them briefly in my first post, it only seemed appropriate to dedicate a full post to the canine members of my family.

I have to give a quick shout-out to the first dog I ever owned, who is the reason for my affection for Golden Retrievers.

Katie (age 2) and Me (Age 2)-Rockin' shades

Katie was sort of, unplanned. My Dad promised my brother Dan that he could have a puppy when he was getting his tonsils out. My mom responded with a hard no-she had 5 children to take care of. A puppy? Not happening. But then came Katie. Our family friends in Claryville had a litter of puppies and were basically giving them away, so just like that, the Quinn family got it's first Golden Retriever puppy who became my immediate best friend. While my brothers were rough housing and doing boy things, I would paint Katie's nails, dress her up, put barrettes in her hair, even take naps with her. My first friend was a dog, which probably explains why my family calls me "the dog whisperer." To this day, she is the most gentle and docile dog I have ever known.

Next we've got Maddie, who I think is Katie reincarnated, but sassier. After Katie passed, my parents were again, dead set on never getting another dog. But of course, that was ALLLLL I wanted for my 11th birthday. So, they told me if I researched and planned and coordinated I could get a puppy, probably anticipating that I'd give up. But I didn't and July 26, 2003, my little angel puppy came home and we've been inseparable ever since. She has (not that I'm biased), the best personality. She gives absolute, unconditional love to the people she deems worthy, which definitely isn't everyone. After coming home from 4 months of a semester abroad, she didn't even get up to say hi to my brother Pat. When I come through the door, she's all like, "WHERE DID YOU GO?!" and, "DON'T EVER LEAVE ME AGAIN!!" and then, "Hey where's my treat?" She does things on her own time, her way, and I've got to respect that. She's got us humans figured out pretty darn well. I think it's because she's part human herself, but I guess we'll never know. If it's true and dogs are like their owner, I'd be happy to be as sassy and stubborn as this old chica. Here's a short montage of Maddie:

Last, but certainly not least, we've got Nola. She is the newest addition to the Quinn clan and was rescued by Dan when he was in flight school in Alabama. She is a vivacious, fun, snuggly goofball and I love her to death. She's only 3, so I'd say she's still trying to figure herself out and her exuberance is misunderstood. But who can blame her? She moved 3 times before turning 1. But fear not, she has been living comfortably in a queen-sized bed with us for about 2 years now, eating 2 big meals a day, plenty of treats and packing on a solid 20 pounds. Maddie has successfully taught her how to drink out of the toilet bowl and beg for food so we'll call that relationship a success. She's become a best friend (or maybe annoying little sister) to Maddie and a part of our family. My plan is to record her and Dan seeing each other for the first time when he gets back from Afghanistan, which will definitely produce a few tears and smiles (from me at least). And here is Nola, in all her glory:

Do you have any stories about your pets? Comment or share!


A little different this time, but fitting. "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself."-Josh Billings

The Dating Game

One of the most frequent reactions I receive when people hear I have four older brothers is, "OH MY GOODNESS, you poor thing, I can't imagine how you ever dated anyone." The answer is you don't. Until your brother leaves the high school and you finally experience freedom for the first time. Just kidding! But seriously, tell a guy you have four brothers and you might as well have an extremely contagious, terminal illness because that's how fast they'll run.

Growing up, my brothers used to joke and say things like, "You can't date until you're married. And you can't get married until you're 30." They were relentless; plotting what they'd say or do to any guy who tried to date me. To add insult to injury, all four of my brothers proceeded me in high school and I even overlapped with Pat for two years. I was always "Quinny's sister." Try rolling up to school everyday with your captain-of-the-football-team brother in a Ford F150 and then try and find a date to prom. Not going to happen.

Pat graduating high school was a BIG game changer. Free at last, free at last, thank the dating God's, I was free at last. I didn't have to worry about walking in the halls with a boy and all of a sudden feeling a large presence behind me, demanding the innocent, male walking partner leave me alone and get to class.

But then came actually DATING someone. My 16-year-old self was in totally uncharted territory. I started seeing someone, and of course my parents relayed the message to my brothers. Pat knew the guy from three years of going to high school with him (he was a year older than me) and seemed to (somewhat) approve. He was a nice guy, played golf, which proved to be KEY, and was as upstanding as a high school senior can be. As long as he didn't play soccer I knew I was in the clear. Soccer was an immediate disqualification according to my brothers (dually noted by me.)

Thus began the dating phase. And this is a picture from my prom. It speaks a thousand words.

Pat, my date (Pete), and my dad

Of course, Pat had to come home from college just to remind Pete big brother is ALWAYS watching. The acceptance process of the baby girl of the family having a boyfriend must have been difficult for my dad and brothers. After all, they are supposed to be my protectors and keep me out of trouble and away from teenage boys. But the inevitable happened and the men in my life were forced to loosen the dating reigns. 

Long story short, four and half years later Pete and I are still dating. Maybe it's because the probability of me finding any other suitable partner that gets along with all four brothers and my father is about as likely as hell freezing over. And I guess anyone who braves the five Quinn men for my affection deserves at least a little bit of credit.

Despite the years of torment, as much as it pains me to admit, and my bratty high school self would kill me for saying this, it turns out their influence was actually positive. It certainly deterred me from dating anyone who I couldn't see my brothers getting along with and separated the men from the boys. In return, I am always the first to meet any girl who comes into any of my brothers lives. The only difference is that a 5'2'' little blonde girl isn't all that threatening and I'm not too hard to impress. Nonetheless, I am the first to give the yay or nay, so I'll take it.

Regardless of how the future pans out as far as significant others are concerned, I know my brothers always have my best interest in mind. Even if that means joining a convent.


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As always, "Other things may change us, but we start and end with family."-AB

We Interrupt This Family for Football Season

When most people think of autumn in New England, they likely envision apple picking, pumpkin carving, brisk mornings and colorful foliage. For the Quinn family, fall is synonymous with one thing: football season. For at least 21 years (my entire lifetime), from late August until mid-January the Quinn's eat, sleep and breathe football. There must be some strand of DNA that we were all born with, mostly my brothers, but me by default, that gives us a passion for the game. Since I can remember, our family Christmas card has been a picture taken at the end of the Thanksgiving Day football game, where we'd all watch whichever brother was playing at the time, before going home for turkey. My first experience with football was at just four days old. I was born August 19th and pop warner preseason was starting for my brother Dan. This was just a slight foreshadow of my next 20 years. During one season, I attended 44 football games (4 brothers, 11 games per brother) and watched countless others. I don't watch a game and say things like, "the guy that hikes the ball," but instead anticipate the throw on third and long, understand the zone defense, know what "horse collar" means and can call a hold from a mile away. Luckily, I enjoyed every minute of watching my brothers play.

Conor, age 4, at the living room Superbowl 

Friday nights were made for high school football. Each week, my mom would order post-game food from a local catering company, make an apple crisp, and get ready for the relatives coming into town. We'd pile into the car and start the drive to wherever the game was being held, leaving more than enough time to be the first family in the stands and watch warm ups. During the game, my dad and other brothers would find any way possible to get themselves as close to the sidelines and action as they could, whether that meant having to befriend a local police officer or chat it up with a referee prior to kickoff. Somehow, they always managed to stand just outside the end zone with the best seats in the house.

Next came college football. Two of my brothers played all four years and one played for two years. I think the best day of my father's life was this one below:

Pat and Conor's teams facing off

It was the day Pat, as a freshman in college, and Conor, as a senior in college, played each other. During the kickoff, Pat and Conor ran toward each other, and for the first time, despite being on opposing teams, two brothers shared the field. It was definitely a proud and special moment for everyone.

Despite my (forced) love of football, the best part of these NESCAC college football days was, in my opinion, undoubtedly the tailgating. My dad would make us arrive around 8:30 am for a 12 or 1 pm start, which sometimes meant a 5 am wake up call. We'd set up our tent, Dan would cook breakfast sandwiches, and the day of football would begin. What's better than a fall day with family and tailgate food? In my book, not much.

Now that all my brothers have graduated from college and their own football-playing days, my family has decided to follow their favorite college team, Notre Dame, quite literally all over the world. Last year, my father and two of my brothers flew to Ireland to watch them play and this season, my dad and two other brothers are headed out to watch the Fighting Irish play the first Saturday of November. 

The new Quinn baby boy is arriving soon, and I think all the boys are hoping for a football player so the next generation of Quinn's can appreciate the game that has been woven into the fabric of our family. No matter where the games were, how long took it to get there, what the outcome was-the most important thing was to be there for each other. We're the loudest cheerers, the most enthusiastic spectators, biggest fans and proudest supporters. Every fall may mean football for my brothers, but for me, football is synonymous with family. It means spending Friday nights, all day Saturday, and even Sunday when the Patriots play, together. No matter what each week had in store, we'd reconnect on the weekends for a few days of fun, and at the end of it all, that's what was most important. 

As always, "Other things may change us, but we start and end with family." -AB

A Party Without a Circus is Just a Gathering

Each fourth of July, most of my mother's side of the family gets together at our summer homes in the Catskill Mountains to celebrate and have a good old-fashioned American cookout. One of our traditions, since before I can remember, is to hold some sort of play or event. This past year, however, was definitely one for the books. In mid-June we received an email from the oldest great grand-child in our family, Caity. She's currently 8, just started third grade and is absolutely wise beyond her years (see email below):

Has anyone else ever received an email like this from an 8-year-old? I can't imagine many people have. What's amazes me most is that Caity facilitated, planned and put on a whole "circus" for about 100 people. We had popcorn, we had animals, we had clowns, we had a fire breather. We even had a girl on stilts. Everyone participated-young, old, friend, family, animal, human. Sure, we might have all looked like idiots dressed up in wigs and costumes, but we came together, created memories, and got some pretty great photos from the whole ordeal.

Dan, my fire breathing brother

A clown of course

We even had an aunt "shoot" out of a cannon

We might sound crazy. Our traditions might sound bizarre. You might think, "who are these people?" We're people who get together for holidays, who make fools of ourselves, who stick with traditions, who find a way to see each other once a year, despite the chaotic lives we all lead. And yeah, when an 8-year-old gives us the option to participate in a circus, we're going to do it. 

Fourth of July has always been my favorite holiday. When I was young, all my friends would say Christmas was their favorite or even halloween. Presents and candy? Hell yeah, I like those too. But the Fourth of July trumped those holidays for me then and it still does now. While the Fourth of July may just be another day for most people, maybe a cookout and some fireworks, for me, it's always meant family and there's nothing better than that. 

This is most of us on my mom's side right after the circus-just missing a few!

What family traditions do you have? What do they signify to you? Comment, share or tweet me your favorite family traditions!

As always, "Other things may change us, but we start and end with family."-AB

An Brief Introduction to The Quinn's

My family is gigantic. I mean, huge. My mom is one of 11 and I have over 45 cousins (I've lost count) on her side alone. My immediate family isn't small either. I'm the youngest in a family with four older brothers, spanning from two to 12 years older than me. For the purposes of this blog, I'll give a little synopsis on who everyone is, at least in my immediate family. We'll start with my parents, who are undoubtedly the glue that keeps this family together.

My parents, John (Dub) and Ellen (El Michelle,) (you'll learn that we all have nicknames), are high school sweethearts and have been married for 35 years. They still hold hands. They still snuggle on the couch. The older version of myself now appreciates this but 12-year-old Meaghan thought it was totally gross and embarrassing. El Michelle is a nurse and Dub works in IT and Finance and they've proved the American Dream is attainable without selling your soul to the devil. Here they are in the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland- (adorable, amiright?)

Next up is my oldest brother, Matt (nicknamed Rick), and his wife, Abby (nicknamed Abe, or as Matt likes to call her, Willis.) They're a package deal because they've been together for 13 years, which is a solid portion of my life. Matt works in marketing and Abby works at in insurance, but the real exciting stuff about them is that they're about to have a BABY BOY! He's arriving right around Thanksgiving, so stay tuned for that. They also have a 3-year-old Golden Retriever, Murph, who is absolutely adorable and loves to eat things off the counter. But he's precious, so we'll forgive him. Here are Matt and Abby (also in Ireland):

Next we have Dan (DQ). Dan's a Blackhawk pilot for the US Army National Guard and is currently serving in Afghanistan. He's pretty much a badass. Dan is the goofball of our family, the first to make you smile, the guy with the most Christmas Spirit you will ever meet and a huge inspiration to me. Say an extra prayer for him if you get a chance. Here's Dan in his Blackhawk:

Next, there is Conor (Bone). Conor lives and works in NYC in investment banking. His better half is his girlfriend, Meg, (not me), who is one of the nicest people I've met in this world. She should get a prize each day for dealing with Conor. Just kidding...kind of. Conor and I are the most similar-somewhat high-strung, stubborn, impatient, determined, passionate, steadfast in our beliefs. He's the middle child and I'm a girl, what do you expect? Here are Conor and Meg looking adorable as always in the Catskill Mountains:

Next, we have my youngest older brother, Pat (Pate). His life revolves around Cranberries (he works for Oceanspray), football, his girlfriend Alix, and having a blast. Pat has an infectious personality and is always the life of the party. He works hard and plays hard, which I've really got to commend him for. He's one of those people that has mastered the work-life balance and is really just an all-around great person. Although there are many incriminating pictures of Pat, I'll spare him the embarrassment (for now). Here are Pat and Alix just before graduating from Bates: 

Last, but CERTAINLY not least (especially in my book) are my dogs. They are my soul sistas and the greatest beings on the planet. I'll go into so much more detail about these angels eventually, don't you worry. Their names are Maddie and Nola. Maddie is my 10-year-old Golden Retriver. She's the peanut butter to my jelly. The milk to my oreo. The ying to my yang. Then we have Nola-she's technically Dan's dog, but has lived with us for 2 out of the 3 years of her life and will remain until Dan gets home. She's not technically mine but she might as well be. She is a 3-year-old Yellow Lab/Golden Retriever mix. She's a rambunctious, perfect, snuggly little nugget and I couldn't live without her. Here they are being perfect and amazing:

Maddie

Nola

This is just an introduction and a basis for the stories I tell and the people I reference. There will be others mixed in between, but these people (and animals) are likely the focal points of my stories and where my world is centered. These stories and experiences with my family will be funny, happy, sad, but most of all, real. 

As always, "Other things may change us, but we start and end with family."-Anthony Brandt