The (Ordinary) Lives

[pallyndrome]

I'm rushing through these!!!

I'm afraid I can't easily find photos of Norman, but here's one of the first photos I showed you of the Bernard family:


This family has gone gigantic since then! 6 kids: Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackberry, Mulberry, and Cranberry. And now meet the latest editions, Acorn (horse) and Almond (cat).


As always in this family, there are lots of birthdays. Check out Mulberry in his new child clothes:


Blueberry has his birthday in the garden early in the morning!

His parents are pleased with his dress sense:


Blueberry may not be the best looking teenager around, but he has heart. He helps look after his little brothers, and spends his free time writing love songs for his bass. Who's his crush? He's not telling just yet.


Raspberry is keeping no secrets about her crush. Topaz Greenwood is just what she's been looking for. They are both wild outdoors types - who knows where life will take them?


Blackberry, the youngest Bernard, is a child now too. Looks like his parents are finally done having kids.


Elaine is still working on her garden, and she's adding lots of new plants and mushrooms. Finally she has claimed her Perfect Garden LTW! Yves is still making nectar too, though since the family is comfortable financially now, he does not always bother to sell it.


Strawberry is the first berry to age into an adult! She's voted the "most likely to have a big family" and is super popular with her class mates.


She is still taking trips in the time machine, and has even taken up bee keeping. But first in her mind is her wish to get a degree! She goes for a semester of Uni majoring in Science and Medicine. She stays in a sorority, but does not hang out much with her weird neighbours. That doesn't mean she doesn't have fun. She takes a liking to bowling, and has her first kiss!


Meanwhile at home the boys are pestering Raspberry's boyfriend. They claim they are just trick or treating, but Raspberry has her suspicions.


Raspberry can't wait to escape her crazy family as soon as she graduates! Her brothers think she's the crazy one judging by her dress sense!


Strawberry, on the other hand, sees no reason to move out. Now she can have her room in the barn all to herself. What will she do with it, now she's old enough not to be limited by her parents' views?

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Still rushing through these sorry:

The Windsoar family doesn't really have an old photo from round 1, because back then it was just Nina Caliente. Since then, Nina has married Theo Windsoar and together they are raising their twin girls Rina (brown hair) and Mina (red hair). And they've just added 3 dogs for the girls: Aqua the Chihuahua for Nina, Fuchsia the grey Mini Poodle for Mina, and Lilac the  brown Mini Poodle for Rina.



They've bought and renovated a new home in Sunlit Tides:


The twins quickly aged up into teenagers! Mina is overemotional and has 2 celebrity stars. Rina is now frugal, and has 3 celebrity stars. That and being in the same music class at school is causing a bit of competitive tension between the two girls.


Nina and Theo are not the most clued-in parents in the neighbourhood, and are oblivious to the scowls starting to mar their daughters faces when they look at each other. Nina is happily slowly moving up the ranks by making over her friends (she gave Bobby Sargeant a mustache!), and Theo is doing even better - he is promoted to Investigative Reporter (level 6) - which made Nina nearly faint with suprise.

The 3 cheeky little dogs are having fun while their sims are busy with other things - suddenly the family finds themselves with two puppies (mum is Aqua and dad is Lilac) that they name Ginger and Coco. Both pups are hyper and noisy and Nina is not sure she can handle the strain - she might need to adopt these pups out soon (and she still hasn't noticed her daughters' troubles).


Theo is spending a lot of his time looking through his new telescope. Rina is having fun snowboarding at the winter festival, and is really enjoying the attention of her sweetheart: Mercury Steel. Can you guess which twin has tons more confidence than the other? Their mother is meanwhile just happy to have added a show stopper to Roxie Lin's stage makeup.


Will Mina ever find a place where she can be as happy as her sister? Even her dog didn't have puppies!

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And straight on to the Greenwoods! I really enjoyed playing this family this time. Something about the old couple is just so cute!

Back in Round 1, the Greenwoods were a family of 4 that were crazy about the environment.


Since then, both of Oliver and Holly's girls (Jade and Emerald) have moved out, but there is still young Topaz to raise. They're in a different house now, with an aging dog and cat.


Before diving into their lives, one quick thing to note is that Holly, being the kind social woman she is, is the first sim in the town to invite an alien down from the sky to live with her. Zoopew doesn't stay long, but he'll always be grateful to the family that gave him his fresh start.


Holly and Oliver are really enjoying their retirement! They are so in love with life, and each other, that it shines from them at the spring festival. They are even named Spring King and Queen for dancing the night away! Topaz was of course horribly embarrassed by this event. And did they have to get their faces painted too?




Topaz is going through some decisions and transformations of his own. After the suggestion from his girlfriend Raspberry Bernard, he takes the plunge and uses an elixer on himself. Meet Topaz the werewolf! He's not at all sure of himself just yet - he can't even howl right, and the only 'fish' he catches to eat raw is not at all appetizing - but the rocks he's starting to find on his hunts make up for it a little. You might think this is like the Windsoars, with oblivious parents, but Holly and Oliver are anything but. They keep a careful eye on their son, but are not at all against a little change and know not to rule their teenage boy's life too much.


Topaz soon grows up into an adult, and really starts to show his wild side! He had to buy the swordfish, but at least he's trying!


The family is happy to include two new gnomes from their adventures - Topaz found the ghost gnome in the claw machine and the other was bought with the couple's festival tickets!


Not everything can be happy for the sims, but everything has a silver lining. Holly and Oliver are said to see their old pets pass away, but know they gave them the best life they could. Rather than moping too much, they quickly adopt two new dogs from the shelter: Rusty the (big) dog and Dakota the (oddly cute) puppy!

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Onwards! To the Caliente family. Only a very quick one, as I don't have many photos for these guys.

Remember Dina Caliente in Round 1? Here she is with her original family:


Well since then Dina has not only moved out on her own and adopted a child, but she's now a vampire! This woman is stunning and she knows it. She has big ambitions, and nothing is going to stand in her way. She's getting a little tired of playing the nice girl, and it's starting to show:


But there are other things happening in this household, though Dina may not care. Jojo the puppy grew up! He's the size of his dad but has his mum's face and colouring.


And then there's Edward. He's really quite an independent boy for his age. He's used to minimal contact with his mother. He does get teased a little at school because of his weight, and sometimes he tries - and succeeds - to trim down a little. But it never seems to last long. The one thing that he's really happy about, is his relationship with Gentle Sargeant. He can't believe she's interested in him, and savors every moment of their time together. Will things turn out happily for Edward?


...yes that's Gentle in the halloween costume lol. Guess she has to look weird to be normal sometimes

[pallyndrome]

Is anyone else seeing Jojo with big patches of blue on his body? I'm hoping it's just my browser...

[Gogowars329]

The Jojo on my screen has blue botches and i think the table behind him does too...

I'm still surprised with the amount of kids Elaine had! I can barely manage two in my games...
I love the Windsoar house. Even though I don't have Sunlit Tides I can really see it fitting in.
The Greenwoods are really sweet. Topaz is going to tear the town apart as a werewolf.

[pallyndrome]

Thanks Gogo! I love that you comment - I love getting comments

I was actually thinking of having Elaine have 8 kids instead of 6, but the town was going to be too full of berries! lol
I like the windsoar house too - the outside at least - I didn't show the inside because it's not as nice.

I'm going to try and fix the blue blotches - they're supposed to be brown. Don't know what happened with those 
EDIT: aha! I think I've fixed (correct me if I'm wrong). Still don't know what I did to it in the first place lol...

[pallyndrome]

We're nearly caught up to what I'm actually playing!

Ok, so here's the Malifas. Their lives with us started with a death and a birth. Since then Buzz has got remarried to Lala, and Marcus has moved out to start a family of his own. Now a big part of this family's story is about that baby - now a teenager - Catalina.


Catalina has just become even more special than before - she's now a fairy! Do you like her wings?


Her father and stepmother had a greenhouse built for her so she can play with plants like a fairy, even when it's snowing outside.


Catalina spends her days riding her beautiful horse Wisp, and learning how to bloom her plants.


Buzz and Lala are busy too. Buzz likes to just enjoy himself and goes to parties (sometimes in fancy dress), and together with Lala he relaxes at the local spa. They even ducked out one night to skate together on a frozen pond.

Lala is still writing her books though. Her latest books include: "The Pharoah & the Fairy" (guess what that's about!), "Your last days" (a hit), "And then more days" (bestseller), and she's just started "To Love Life and Accept Death". She's finally reached her lifetime goal of earning enough in royalties to be a Professional Author!

It's time for Catalina to grow up. She turns into a beautiful young woman that looks so much like her mother that it makes Buzz's heart pang.


And she's developed something new on her ears - they're pointed now! Isn't she pretty?

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This is the last family in the catchup! And I really love this one.

Remember the Crumplebottoms in Round 1?


So much has happened since then! Grandma Yumi passed away peacefully, and Sam and Patricia grew up and moved out.  Now we're left with Agnes, Leighton, Ingrid and their two cats Missy and Milo at their home on the beach.



Both Leighton and Agnes are working on leaving art work for the next generation when they're gone. Agnes is painting scenes from the neighbourhood - sometimes with an overriding theme.


It's finally time for Leighton to join his wife in old age. He's reached the top of the architecture career now, and doesn't need to do many commissions.


Ingrid grows up into a truly beautiful young woman. She's family-oriented and graduates with highest honour and an award for being most popular. She even has two stars to her name now!


And it's soon time for the biggest day of Ingrid's life. Her love Jason McGraw moves in (with his dog Drew) and they prepare for their wedding. Doesn't Ingrid look stunning in her wedding dress? (I'm feeling emotional!)


Check out the pics from their beautiful beach wedding:


Jason takes the Crumplebottom name, and the family are all there to watch the ceremony and enjoy the reception. Wedding gifts include a coffee machine from Jason's dad and a snowboard from Jason's brother Anton.

Jason is ready to start his new life! He's decided he wants to travel the world. After an unfortunate fight with the family's evil rooster (why the chicken won is beyond me) his first trip to China brings him into the world of martial arts. Before long he is level 8, but loses both his matches to Biyu Shen - he'll have to keep practicing. He does find a beautiful wedding present for his wife in China - a blue macaw.


Back home, Leighton and Agnes help Ingrid to relax through her first pregnancy. Everyone is very happy and content in their new luxurious house (see this thread for pics: http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,1468.3300.html). Baby Beatrice is born one evening without fuss - she's Good and Loves the Heat. But with birth comes death and it's time for Agnes to pass on. Leighton knew it was coming, but still it's a shock for him. Can he find the comfort he needs in his new little grandaughter?

[pallyndrome]

Before I move on to the family I'm playing right now (the Lins), I want to ask my readers a question. I am thinking the photos are too small - I realise the ones with four photos at once are too small, and I could make them bigger, but I'm wondering if I should stop putting four into one picture altogether. I feel that maybe the photos are more powerful big - and that perhaps I should stop worrying about having too many photos big. What does everyone think? For an example, here is one of the pics from the crumplebottoms in it's big original form:



Is it more powerful like this?

[Gogowars329]

I personally like the collages but I think sometimes just a standalone photo would also be good.

Catalina looks like a very wonderful and fitting fairy! She seems like fun to play.

I personally love (really love) the new Crumplebottom house. I think you did an amazing job.

[pallyndrome]

The LIN Family

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Back in Round 1, the Lin family was Shirley and her recently-reconciled sister Roxie, and Shirley's new husband Jules.


Since then, Shirley and Jules have had 3 children: Marlin, Piranha, and Minnow. And last time we saw them, Piranha's imaginary friend Silly joined the family too. Here's a quick shot of Silly and Shirley & Jules:


The first order of business this time is Piranha and Silly's birthdays. Aren't they pretty? Silly is a very calm teenager - there's not much that can rock her boat - though her name is one of them (she can't wait until she's old enough to change it). Piranha, on the other hand, is a fireball - there's always something for her to be passionate (or disagreeable) about.



And then, tragedy strikes. No one ever finds out why Shirley and Jules swam out so far into the ocean. They always loved the water, and Roxie seems to remember something about a boat in the distance, but that's all anyone will ever know.


The 3 Lin kids are all devastated, and Roxie is left completely bewildered. She was never meant to be a parent - she doesn't know how to do it right. Taking it out on the Reaper is the only thing she can think to do.


It's Marlin who realises that the family needs a new start. A new house is a good way to move on. Marlin seems so steady and confident that Roxie does what he suggests. A room for each of the kids in a new 5 bedroom house is a good thing too.


Marlin continues to be the most level-headed of the children. He distracts himself from his loss by spending time with his girlfriend Ming Darer-Coddle - they have a great time at the Prom together. And together, he and Silly look after the chores and the meals - Roxie is struggling to do even that for the family. Silly never really knew Shirley and Jules well. She shelters Minnow and encourages him to play video games to help him cope. Soon Minnow finds that he can't remember his parents that well - he was too young when they died.


It is Piranha that fails to cope. She is so filled with anger and sorrow, that she takes it out on everyone she encounters. She starts with her brother's girlfriend, then continues to her new neighbours. Pulling pranks is her new passion - she releases frogs into the school and boobytraps the new couches in her house. Any chance she gets to break the rules, she takes. One late night at a local bar playing with the DJ booth leads to a ride home in a cop car and a furious Roxie. Piranha thinks that's completely hypocritical of her aunt, she is supposed to be a rebel herself!


Then one night in the new house, 2 ghosts come to visit. But are they the kind parents that the kids remember? Would the mother they knew shake Marlin out of bed, or haunt the house so the kids can't sleep? Minnow is sure these are not his parents - and he tells them that angrily when he meets them. He may not remember much of his parents, but what he does remember was all good - not these creepy blue figures in the night. Silly and Marlin are concerned for the boy's wellbeing, but thankfully the ghosts don't come back again.


There are some good things happening in the family. Little Barry the puppy grows up - he's the spitting image of his mother, just with his father's purple face.
\

And the family does bond together now that they've settled a little - especially the 4 kids. Marlin makes sure that they have something to remember these times with in a good light.


2 more birthdays come along. Minnow grows up into an awkward teenager, with the heavy sleeper trait (he doesn't want to wake up to ghosts ever again). Roxie finally starts to feel her age. She lets her niece convince her not to dye her now grey hair, but insists on keeping her big purple lightning bolt. There aren't many rock stars outfits in her size now, even though she is now officially a Rock Star (career level 10), but she makes do. She also quietly goes to the local mall to get a new tattoo - a purple broken heart on her lower back to remind her of her lost sister. Despite what the kids may think, Roxie does grieve in her own way.


Shortly after, it's Marlin's turn to grow up. He's turned into a real nerd, hasn't he? Piranha and Minnow don't want him to go, but they know going to University is his dream, and Ming is almost ready to start a family with him.




So that's the Lin family. Next will be the Fangs. I hope you like this new layout. Please remember that I LOVE comments, so if you can leave a comment, thank you!!!

[Gogowars329]

Wow, can't believe Jules and Shirley died. Very surprising but I'm glad that Marlin and Roxie could take care of the kids. Except for the rebellious Pirancha!

[pallyndrome]

The FANGS!!!

Quickly, here's what they were like in Round 1:

...newlyweds without a care in the world!

And now:

From left to right: eldest daughter Belladonna, William and his wife Suzy, and the other two triplets Chimera and Isolde. At the bottom there is Inferno, Skull, Phantom, and Poffertje.
And this is their beautiful home:


There are new things happening in the Fang family. William thinks he's finally discovered his calling - alchemy! Suzy buys him lots of vegetables for his potions and William quickly learns this exciting new skill and lets Suzy benefit from his first concoctions. But William soon finds himself lacking many ingredients. What is he to do - he can't see insects and rocks in the dark at night - not even with his vampire vision!
Meanwhile Isolde is the only triplet to have found teenage love. Her sisters have no idea what she sees in Blueberry Bernard!


Suzy comes home one day with gifts for the girls and herself - dragon eggs! Each of them is so different that it results in four very different dragons: Belladonna with her fiery temper gets a red dragon she names Ember, Chimera with an interest in the dead gets a black armoured dragon named Grim Junior, Isolde the friendly sister gets a purple dragon named Georgina, and Suzy gets a green dragon she names Thermal to help her grow plants for William's potions. They are all in love with their new lifelong companions.


Teenage life is pretty sweet. All the girls have different interests. Isolde learns to ride on her boyfriend's horse Acorn. Belladonna has lots of fun casting fiery torment on the locals - but she has a good side too: she spends time training other teenagers like Gentle Sargeant. Chimera is fascinated with her dragon's link to the dead - a ghost or two will go well in the family home.


And then it's time for the triplets to grow up! Finally they no longer feel the need to match their hair and clothes. Isolde gains the Loves the Outdoors trait, is voted most popular in her year, and wishes to one day be a Master of Mysticism. Chimera is now a brooder, graduates with the award for most artistic, and wants to become a Descendant of Da Vinci. Belladonna becomes hot-headed and is told she is 'most likely to save the world'. Check out their stunning new looks:


And some of their awesome clothes:


The first thing on the girls' minds is their plan for their lives. Isolde is set on being a fortune teller, but Belladonna and Chimera want to try out University. They both have enough skills to get some starting credit. Just before the two of them pack for their first semester, Pancake who was born recently (mother=Inferno, father=Poffertje) grows up into a distinctive young cat - with one red eye!


Belladonna and Chimera have an interesting time at University. Their newly blossomed vampire powers come with annoying side effects and they both learn the hard way that sunlight is not their friend. Chimera studies Fine Arts, and fits in with the Rebel group. She loves trying out the local herbs, as well as sketching, and even completing the occasional random dare. Belladonna loves all the sport on campus, and bonds with her sister over study and drinks. Before the semester is over, Belladonna is really into the Jock group and earns the new trait Daredevil, and Chimera is doing wonderfully in the Rebel group and earns the trait Avant Garde. After a lot of hard work (Uni does not come as easily to vampires as they expected), they both get on the deans list. When they head home Belladonna gets an invite into the career of her dreams - as a sports commentator. Chimera is sure her own invite is coming soon.


When they come back, Suzy is anxious to see her missing daughters - she loves her family very much. Suzy is now quite good at gardening, and with the help of her dragon, she supplies her daughters with plasma fruit for emergencies. She spends time with each of them - no matter the weather. But these happy times sadly do not last. In a strange twist of fate, Suzy finds a jelly bean plant on the front porch one day - no one can explain where it came from. She is captivated by it, and cannot resist eating all the beans she can find. Unfortunately this does not end well. The whole family is devastated to see her go. William is particularly heartbroken, and can only shed a tear when seeing what his wife left for him on their bed - a collection helper.
Only one of them has the sense of mind to think about how the plant got there in the first place, but Chimera is no scientist - she'll have to take the plant to an expert. Meanwhile, the family mourns.


...hope you liked that family. Next will be the young Sekemoto family. Once again, I LOVE LOVE LOVE comments (thank you as always Gogo!). Also, does anyone know why my images are all the same size - smaller than I'd like, or why they are darker than they show in sims and photoshop - I feel some detail is lost because of those two things. Can you all see Chimera's hands reaching out in the last photo?

[Trip]

I can see Chimera's hands just fine.

RIP Suzy. Glad you got to see your girls grow up.