If you’ve been out for an evening stroll in the neighborhood lately, you might have noticed a young child squealing with delight over ducks, geese, or waterfowl. That’s likely one of the Appel kids—Henry, Hallie, or baby Blake—enjoying a post-dinner outing with their parents, Brant and Kaitlin, and their loyal dog, Oliver.

The Appel family has been part of the Red Tail community since August 2023, and while their days are happily full with three little ones, they’ve already started putting down roots and look forward to becoming more involved in the years ahead.

Brant, originally from Bath, OH, works in Wealth Management. His educational journey is a testament to his dedication and curiosity, holding a BA from The Ohio State University, a JD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and an MBA from the University of Akron. Kaitlin, a Dayton native, is a devoted stay-at-home mom to their three energetic kids. She holds a BA from the University of Richmond and a Master’s degree in Human Resources from Ohio State. While the couple keeps busy with work and parenting, they share a love for golf, tennis, swimming, grilling out, and soaking up time outdoors as a family.

Henry, at age 4, is already following in his dad’s footsteps, both on and off the field. He plays in the Avon Little League, with Brant proudly serving as his coach, and also takes swim and tennis lessons. Hallie and baby Blake are a bit young for organized activities just yet, but they love cheering for their big brother at every game.

Weekends in the Appel house often start with the smell of homemade waffles or pancakes wafting from the kitchen—a cherished family tradition.  Another house favorite is Cincinnati-style chili served over spaghetti, topped with cheddar cheese and oyster crackers. Understandingly so, the kids love to get involved in the cooking!

Their free time is filled with local adventures like trips to Schwartz Park, the library, and the zoo, as well as seasonal favorites like strawberry or apple picking and visiting the farmers market. Kaitlin also participates in a mom-and-me fitness class called Stroller Strides, where she and the kids get moving together a few times each week.

When it's time to relax, Brant reaches for the remote. With an eclectic taste in television, his favorites range from The West Wing to Stranger Things and What We Do in the Shadows. Kaitlin enjoys catching up on all things Bravo. Their Spotify playlists have been recently overtaken by toddler favorites—think Frozen and Moana—but the whole family enjoys a wide variety of music.

When they do get a night out, their favorite restaurants include Strip Steakhouse and Cooper’s Hawk. And when it comes to sports, the whole family roots for the Browns, Guardians, and Buckeyes.

Brant and Kaitlin honeymooned in Hawaii and plan to return for their 10-year anniversary. In the meantime, they continue making family memories closer to home with regular trips to Hilton Head.

Their favorite part of living in Red Tail? “The kids love watching the ducks, geese, and other waterfowl that frequent our pond,” says Kaitlin. “And we all enjoy evening walks after dinner—it’s a great way to end the day together.”

Please give a warm hello to the Appel family next time you see them out and about—you’ll likely hear giggles from the stroller or spot Oliver happily trotting beside them. They’re excited to be part of the Red Tail community and look forward to connecting with more neighbors as their little ones grow.