Complicated Meals, 2021

Lovar, spring, 2021
Brandon is 43, Ilila is 42, Jude and Brooklyn are 12; Audrey is 9, Victor is 3

narrated by Jude

We only have a few more simweeks until school is out for the summer, so things have been more relaxed at home.

Inevitably, Givar, 2019

Givar, winter, 2019
Brandon is 41, Ilila is 40, Jude and Brooklyn are 10; Audrey is 7, Victor is 1

I have so much to be thankful for this Christmas.

Battlefield, Part 2, 2017

Havar, fall, 2017
Brandon is 39, Ilila is 38, Jude and Brooklyn are 8; Audrey is 5

narrated by Ilila

Battlefield, Part 1, 2017

Havar, fall, 2017
Brandon is 39, Ilila is 38, Jude and Brooklyn are 8; Audrey is 5

narrated by Brandon

Leisurely Chat, 2015

Patar, summer, 2015
Brandon is 37, Ilila is 36, Jude and Brooklyn are 6; Audrey is 2

Summer time meant that kids were out of school and Ilila was at home due to her summer vacation as well. Except it really wasn't much of a vacation since most of the planning for the school year took place during the summer. Sometimes she squeezed in planning and family time by inviting teachers to the community pool where they could discuss business as their children swam.

Quiet Day, 2013

Hapar, spring, 2013
Brandon is 35, Ilila is 34, Jude and Brooklyn are 4; Audrey is 3 simlonic months

The spring was quieter than the previous fall in the Peterson household. 

Bringing Home Baby, Havar 2012

Havar, fall, 2012

It had been hours and still no news.

Bringing Home Baby, Lovar 2012

Lovar, spring, 2012

They had been there for hours and nothing was working, in fact, her labor had stalled.

Her Response, 2011

Peacar, winter, 2011

Brandon is 33, Ilila is 32, Jude and Brooklyn are 2

"Smile!" Brandon encouraged the twins as they beamed towards the tiny camera.

So Blessed, 2009

Resar, fall, 2009

Brandon is 31, Ilila is 30, Jude and Brooklyn are 5 simlonic months

Even though Ilila's maternity leave was over, she still managed to spend as much time as she could with the twins before leaving for school each morning.

Bringing Home Baby Hapar 2009

Hapar, spring, 2009

Susie and Anthony sat impatiently in the waiting area.

Bringing Home Baby Peacer 2008

Peacer, winter, 2008

The Peterson family had plenty to be thankful for this Christmas season. Brandon had gotten a small bonus at work and Ilila was doing well in the polls. Only a few more simweeks until the results were final.

Bringing Home Baby Resar 2008

Resar, fall, 2008

Brandon and Ilila were nervous. This was their fourth treatment round and money, eggs and patience was running out. They were doing their best to try and live their lives as normally as possible in spite of the invasion procedures and numerous heartbreaks over not becoming pregnant...or worse, having a miscarriage. Ilila was running for the hood council even though the doctor said that it was best that she rest and take things easy.

Stories of Other, 2007

Havar, fall, 2007
Brandon is 29 and Ilila is 28

Ilila couldn't help staring at the young couple as they whispered in the waiting room.

"When are you due?"

Approaching, 2006

Patar, summer, 2006

Brandon is 28 and Ilila is 27

Summer meant another intensive round of boot camp for the ROTC recruits. Thankfully, Brandon's budget was increased and he was able to hire a drill instructor. Stephen Liew came from Pahala Shore, his girlfriend, Nailah Harris, was lucky enough to find a position as an intern with Stern and Clerks while she finished law school.

Brandon was able to learn all this from chatting with the young man, who was close to his age in fact. Brandon didn't mind knowing the personal details of the recruits' lives, it helped him to connect with his troops and provide morale when needed. Try as he might, Brandon was not the over the top in your face leader, but he could morph into one when necessary.

He stayed around for a bit to observe Sgt. Liew in action with the ROTC teams. Today, the top tier team, Pvt Herendez and Pvt Barchlet were scaling the wall. Brandon knew that the duo had the potential to make it to the top, if they didn't let their relationship get in the way. Unofficially, it was frowned upon for recruits to get involved with each other, however the two privates didn't allow their relationship to get in the way of training and unless you had eyes and ears everywhere, like Brandon did, then you wouldn't have known that they were dating. He knew that it was serious when Pvt Herendez approached him with the request for a new teammate to avoid conflict of interest. Brandon admired the young man for his honesty and promised to think about it.

Brandon had a lot to think about. His new position as Security Director for the County meant that he was often spending hours in his office, planning military tatics and chatting with other base commanders, including his brother, Bruce, stationed in Simmington Hills. Bruce and his wife, Greta, were still settling into the hood, but from what Brandon could tell, they loved the place.

He sighed as he looked at Pvt. Herendez's file. The young man was having trouble concentrating in university and Brandon feared that he would be kicked out soon. His grades were decent, but the motivation wasn't there. If Pvt. Herendez wanted to be an officer with the military, he would at least need to obtain his associate's degree, which meant only one more simyear of school.

In the summer, Ilila would sometimes arrive to pick him up after hours to make sure that he made it home safetly...or that's what she said.

Sometimes they didn't make it home until much later, which was a delight. The couple had finally decided to start trying for a baby, they felt that now was a good time to expand their family. No news yet, but they had just started.

"I can handle dinner, you don't have to stand over me." Brandon sighed.

"I know, but I think your choice of seasonings is interesting."

"I have this weekend off..."

"That's great. Are you going to relax at home?"

"I was thinking that we can go to a nice cabin for the weekend."

"Really?"

"Really."

The trip would be much welcomed as the couple had recently become so busy. Brandon was busy studying for his advanced degree. The military wanted him to be a general, like his brother Bruce, but Brandon lacked the credientials necessary in Apple Valley for the position.

Ilila also was studying, Johan had approached her about becoming a principal one simday in the future. She would need some additional skills and was enrolled in summer courses to gain those skills.

The weekend trip was "over before it began" as Ilila liked to say.

They enjoyed the few days of dancing by the fire,

or getting toes stepped on by the fire,

and being pampered,

but the approaching blizzard cut the vacation a day short.

They used their extra day to spend time at the Apple Festival enjoying the booths,

delicious coffee

and great performances.

Ilila even entered one of the cooking contests, however if she had known that longtime champion and new found friend, Ginger Grey was also entering the contest, perhaps she would have entered something besides a chunky chef salad.

How can salad stand up to Ginger's famous Lamb Roast. Just the smell of it was causing her stomach to growl. Even Ginger was bragging about her last winning recipe.

Next time she was entering a dish that had at least spent time in the oven and maybe then the defeat wouldn't be so harsh.

Expecting Company, 2005

Peacar, winter, 2005

It was the first large party that Ilila and Brandon hosted since thier arrival to the county. The guest list was small, those sims that they encountered almost daily and of course Brandon's boss. Ilila tried the new cookie recipe that Jolie had given her.

Once the cookies were iced and cooled, Ilila couldn't resist and snuck a bite. The lemon flavor melded with the mint and ginger as if they were long lost siblings. In an effort to save the remaining cookies for the party, she distracted herself with decorations.

Soon the guests had arrived and the small living room was overflowing.

"One day, Jorge, I might have more children than you if I'm not careful." Bradford joked.

"No matter how careful I am, I can't keep the weight off." Jolie complained. "I've come to terms with it now. I'm a mother of five and a pastry chef. There will definately be extra pounds, besides...you can't trust a skinny chef."

"You better make sure none of your boys decide to slip past," Fiona whispered as the couple slipped away for a few moments.

"I'll try."

Ilila was glad when the hired Santa arrived. He was a hit with her students but she didn't expect for him to be such a big hit at the party.

It was almost as if he was cupid, spreading love everywhere as couples soon grew amorous

and kisses were exchanged.

Even Brandon was giving her that seductive look.

---

Elsewhere, families were enjoying fresh meals as the holiday season approached.

"Si'Enya, you might have a gift with food." Sazo said savoring another bite of the perfectly seasoned bass.

"Does that mean I can start dating?"

Sazo almost choked on his fish. "Dating? Who are you thinking of dating?"

"There isn't really a guy, but I thought now would be a good time to ask."

The couple laughed. "I think, Sazo, that perhaps Si'Enya has the makings to become a successful business owner with her negoiation skills."

---

Other families were enjoying one of the few snow free days of winter by relaxing outdoors.

"Look, Lilly," Suzanna pointed. "there's a big blue bird."

"Boo Bird!"

"Daddy's home!" Laci cried running to her father.

"Hello, pumpkin." He said to his oldest before closing his mouth to listen to her retell her busy day.

Afterwards he joined his middle child for some playtime

while Laci checked on Ms. Birdie

and Mr. Wombat before joining her sisters downstairs.

"I think that I might run for election," Suzanna surprised Bradford with her statement.

"Isn't the election over?"

"Yes, but I mean the 2009 election. We'll be done with children by that time, right?"

"I hope so."
---

Next door, the Wilsonoffs were enjoying the busy season. Rebecca had reopened the Toy Shoppe in time for the holiday buying season and traffic was busy.

Her nephew had even volunteered to help out at the shop in exchange for a paycheck of course.

"Rojo, I really don't need any additional help right now." Rebecca explained careful not to hurt the young man's feelings. She knew Julio would tease her about this later especially considering Rojo's recent crush on his aunt. Rebecca sighed, it was as if puberty had made Rojo aware of every woman simply because they had breasts.

"I could even make deliveries."

"Not right now, Rojo. Maybe this spring, once sales pick up a bit."

Thankfully her brother-in-law, Jorge, wasn't as hard to talk to. Rebecca could feel herself swoon as Jorge stepped into the shop. Naturally she was attracted to him, he and Julio were identical twins, but Jorge had more of a rugged, dangerous appeal to him.

Julio was cute and dependable, like an innocent suburban husband. Rebecca needed that dependable suburban husband, he kept her sane and tolerated her crazy ideas.

He helped her not to go batty when Amanda decided to turn the stairs into a slide,

or when Abel said that Laci's mother was as big as a beach ball,

which naturally didn't end well.

He helped her to appreciate when the twins were playing quietly,

he caused her to laugh when he mentioned that Amanda was still at the age to think boys were stinky

in spite of Amanda's own confession of various crushes

and he kept her hopeful concerning Ana Rayne.

"What can I help you find today, Jorge?"

"Do you have kites, yet? Ashlee has been begging for one, oh and that new fancy toy oven, what's it called?"

"Young Baking Machine,"

"Yes, Grace Elise wants one. Actually she wants a cell phone, but that's out of the picture."

Rebecca laughed. "Of course. The ovens are to the left and kites are on that wall. Make sure you take 10% off, family discount."

"You may not want to say that too loud, most of the hood is related to you."

---

Other couples enjoyed the first falling snowflakes

and traditional kisses underneath the mistletoe as they daydreamed about their future together.

---

On the other side of town, Faith sat alone listening to the crackle of the radio and the small movements inside her belly. Her bump was tiny, barely noticable. If you didn't know Faith, you would have thought that she simply had a big lunch.

The knock startled her. It was late and she wasn't expecting company. She got up and cautiously walked to the door. When she saw who it was she opened the door so he could enter.

"Aren't you going to welcome me home?"

Faith laughed. "You have no home, remember. The world is your home."

"Not anymore, my home is with my two baby girls."

"What makes you think it's a girl."

"Just a hunch."

Faith smiled and stared at the young man. He could have easily kept touring the comedy circuit instead he had returned. They may not know exactly what their relationship was or where it was going, but they did agree to make sure that their child was cared for and loved. That was all Faith was willing to accept at this time even though she knew that Walt wanted more.

"Merry Christmas, Faith."

"Merry Christmas."