ego-syntonic -- Little Brother Matt

Egosyntonic is a psychological term referring to behaviors, values, feelings that are in harmony with or acceptable to the needs and goals of the ego, or consistent with one's ideal self-image

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egosyntonic_and_egodystonic

Learning to play the guitar is part of Little Brother Matt’s ego-syntonic process.

chèvre -- Kristin

chèv·re  (shvr) n. Cheese made from goat's milk. [French, from Old French, from Latin capra, she-goat, feminine of caper, goat.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published byHoughton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

I would guess that Kristin, who likes fine food, likes chèvre in her salad. 

pugnacious -- Hayden

pug·na·cious  (pg-nshs) adj. Combative in nature; belligerent. See Synonyms at belligerent. [From Latin pugnx, pugnc-, from pugnre, to fight, from pugnus, fist; see peuk- in Indo-European roots.] pug·nacious·ly adv. pug·nacious·ness, pug·naci·ty (-ns-t) n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Though not generally pugnacious, Hayden once punched an older boy on the school bus who was harassing him. 

amalgam -- Isabella, Jack, Sam, Willie, Hayden, Lucie, Gretchen

a·mal·gam  (-mlgm) n. 1. Any of various alloys of mercury with other metals, especially: a. An alloy of mercury and silver used in dental fillings. b. An alloy of mercury and tin used in silvering mirrors. 2. A combination of diverse elements; a mixture: an amalgam of strength, reputation, and commitment to ethical principles. See Synonyms at mixture. [Middle English, from Old French amalgame, from Medieval Latin amalgama, probably ultimately from Greekmalagma, soft mass.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

I love my nieces and nephews, who have an amalgam of intelligence, athleticism, and humor: some are musically talented, too. 

nostrum -- Dad

nos·trum  (nstrm) n. 1. A medicine whose effectiveness is unproved and whose ingredients are usually secret; a quack remedy. 2. A favorite but usually ineffective remedy for problems or evils. [From Latin nostrum (remedium), our (remedy), neuter of noster; see nes-2 in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009.

An allopathic doctor, Dad believes that he did not prescribe nostrums. 

irony -- Mom

i·ro·ny  (r-n, r-) n. pl. i·ro·nies 1. a. The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. b. An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning. c. A literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect. See Synonyms at wit1. 2. a. Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs: "Hyde noted the irony of Ireland's copying the nation she most hated" (Richard Kain). b. An occurrence, result, or circumstance notable for such incongruity. See Usage Note at ironic. 3. Dramatic irony. 4. Socratic irony. [French ironie, from Old French, from Latin rna, from Greek eirneia, feigned ignorance, from eirn,dissembler, probably from eirein, to say; see wer-5 in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

It is ironic that Mom's retired and she's working overtime.

mandala -- Ann

man·da·la  (mnd-l) n. Any of various ritualistic geometric designs symbolic of the universe, used in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditation. [Sanskrit maalam, circle.] man·dalic (mn-dlk) adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published byHoughton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Mandalas are perfect for Ann as they combine spirituality and math.