For the Bruns family, life in Forest Hills is all about community, connection, and a good dose of friendly rivalry — especially when Indiana University and Purdue University face off.

Kimmely and Craig Bruns have called the area home for more than 20 years, settling into Forest Hills 14 years ago. Both are educators at Greenwood High School, where Kimm teaches algebra and Craig serves as an assistant principal — and fun fact, Craig was actually on the hiring committee that selected Kimm to join the school!

Together, they’re raising two active sons: Nolan (14), a freshman at Center Grove High School, and Finley (11), a sixth grader at Center Grove Middle School Central. The family also includes their playful labradoodle, Bowser, who spends his days chasing tennis balls, barking at neighborhood squirrels, and keeping watch over the yard.

The Bruns crew is always on the move. Craig’s love for running and all things athletic has rubbed off on both boys. Nolan plays basketball and baseball, has started exploring sports photography, and loves hitting the golf course with friends. Finley plays Bantam football and baseball and was part of the CG Bantam Pro Bowl team — even helping his team win the Bantam Super Bowl last year! When they’re not at a game or practice, the Bruns family enjoys hiking at Turkey Run and Brown County State Park, relaxing around backyard campfires, and going for neighborhood walks (as long as Bowser behaves).

The Bruns family’s love of local parks runs deep. Over the years, Independence Park has been a favorite hangout, especially when the boys were younger. They also love visiting Raccoon Lake in Rockville, where Kimm’s parents have a lake house, and Craig’s family farm in Sunman, Indiana. When it’s time for a night out, Kimm and Craig sneak away for a monthly date at Our Table in Bargersville, while the boys prefer Arni’s, El Beso, or Chick-fil-A — with the occasional treat from Rise and Roll Bakery. Sundays are reserved for homemade pizza night, where Nolan and Finley get creative with their own stuffed-crust pepperoni masterpieces. Weekend breakfasts are another Bruns tradition, complete with waffles, French toast, and omelets.

Each summer, the Bruns family packs up for their annual getaway to St. Joseph, Michigan, where they stay in the same cozy beach house on Lake Michigan. Days are filled with wiffle ball, bocce ball, and swimming, and evenings bring familiar visits to favorite restaurants and shops. When spring break rolls around, they trade the lake for sunshine at Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. The beach is Kimm’s happy place — as she says, quoting her favorite Kenny Chesney line, “Ambition fades with every wave for the finer things in life.”

A House Divided (But Full of Love)...

Sports loyalty runs deep in the Bruns home — sometimes a little too deep! Craig and the boys are die-hard IU fans, while Kimm proudly cheers for her alma mater, Purdue University. The family attends the annual Old Oaken Bucket football game together, keeping the friendly rivalry alive.

One of the Bruns family’s favorite traditions is watching old home videos on Christmas Eve, laughing and reminiscing about how much life has changed. But one story takes the cake — or rather, the Christmas cookie — for sheer chaos. During their first Christmas as newlyweds, a squirrel snuck into the house and wreaked havoc, straight out of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Over the years, the Bruns family has made countless memories rooted in their love for each other, their community, and their hometown schools. Whether it’s cheering from the sidelines, enjoying pizza by the fire, or walking to high school football games, life in Forest Hills has been the perfect backdrop for this busy, joyful family. And if you ever see Bowser barking from the yard, don’t worry — he’s just saying hello on behalf of the Bruns family, one tail wag at a time.