Family members: John Everette, dad; Carrie Everette, mom; Jack Everette, son, 8; Luna Everette, daughter, 6

Pets: Murphy (Havanese), 10

Schools/Colleges: John attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Carrie attended UW-Madison and received a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from Michigan State University. Jack and Luna both attend Field Park Elementary, and will be starting 4th and 1st grades in the fall.

Occupation(s): John - co-owner of Everette's Fresh Roast Coffee in Addison; Carrie - Speech-Language Pathologist at Tiny Talkers in Hinsdale and stay-at-home mom

We moved to Western Springs from Chicago in the summer of 2018, when Jack was nearly a year old and we had decided condo life wasn't for us anymore! We're both initially from this area, having grown up in Hinsdale. When looking for a new home for our family, however, nothing stood out to us in the western suburbs quite like Western Springs. Despite our former allegiance to the rival town and high school, we found our home here and haven't looked back!

Our favorite places will be familiar to everyone in town: Hillgrove Tap, BB's Donuts, Oberweis, Petite Vie, Spring Rock Park, etc. But the best memories are made by doing things like Jammin' in July at Tower Green, Saturday basketball games at the Rec Center in the winter, Field Park outdoor movie night, the Village Club gala, and all the other fun events you can find throughout the year.

Firstly, the people. We've made some amazing friends through Western Springs Neighbors and Newcomers, Field Park school, book clubs and basketball and softball leagues. Secondly, the walkability and close-knit community. Our kids can walk to school and run around the neighborhood like it's the 90s. You just don't get that everywhere in this day and age. We're extremely fortunate to live here.

John enjoys both watching and playing sports, while Carrie is a voracious reader. Jack loves basketball, football, soccer, and art -- especially drawing. Luna participates in dance through Jo’s Footwork and takes BAM and gymnastics classes. We love going on walks with our dog, Murphy, through Fullersburg or Bemis woods and cozying up with popcorn to watch a family movie.

Our favorite family vacation recently was for spring break last year, we stayed at the Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall in Jamaica. It was the kids' first time traveling outside the U.S., so it was a great adventure for all of us, especially since John was stung by a stingray. But our summer trips to the Jersey Shore and Glen Arbor, Michigan are annual highlights.

John bleeds orange and blue, both for the Illini and Bears, and has passed down that passion -- for better or worse -- to Jack! Carrie misses the glory days when the Badgers were good at everything. Luna is just along for the ride, especially if the team has a cute uniform! As Chicagoans living on the north side in 2016, John and Carrie will never forget swarming Wrigleyville when the Cubs won the World Series. Go Cubs Go!

The kids love grabbing a bite at Hillgrove and picking ice cream from the freezer (likely before their meals) and John can probably be found there watching whatever games are on after men's basketball on Thursday nights. Carrie loves Petite Vie for their steak frites and a dirty martini -- or two.

Our house undoubtedly either has the TV on or music playing. Jack and Luna love to have dance parties and earned their love of 2010s EDM music from mom and dad. We also love Disney and Pixar movies and enjoy going to the movies together. A recent favorite was Super Mario Galaxy, which we saw at the LaGrange theater. Support local business!

Carrie’s family has a place in New Buffalo, Michigan, and we enjoy escaping to this cozy beach town, especially in the summer. Around St. Paddy’s Day we always make Irish Soda Bread, in honor of Carrie's late mother, Jane. And although John grew up in a Christmas Eve present opening family, he's reluctantly made the switch to Christmas Day for his kids.

We play "Would You Rather" at the dinner table some nights, and this topic comes up a lot. The top two are always super strength or flight. We've also discussed the morality of invisibility, and we honestly can't think of anything "good" we'd do with that gift, a fact that Jack really gets a kick out of.

You know when your iPhone warns you about your headphone volume? Probably something along those lines! We are not a quiet family. Sorry neighbors!