Almost A Typical Family, 2010

Havar, fall, 2010
Tobi is 38; Aaron and Simora are 11; Matt is 7 (Li Yoo is 38)

They actually have had dates now.

Poll Results: Li Yoo

The results are in!

HFA's SAG

Resar, Fall, 2003
Herendez Foundation for the Arts First Simannual Save the Arts Gala started off with an afternoon charity auction and was followed by an evening gala. Sims from all over SimNation gathered in Apple Valley's newly constructed Warwick Hall for the event. Staisa and Stacian Bluzz of Simmerville shared a kiss on the dance floor after successfully bidding on a small pottery vase.

Mayor Sabien and Tomika Cunningham of Simmington Hills shared a kiss because the moon was in the sky,

and because Tomika was wearing a dress. Honestly, this couple didn't need an excuse to make-out during large events, it was just something that they did. Maybe they found some kind of excitement in the knowledge that other sims were within eyesight of seeing them, maybe it was simply that they still carried a burning torch for each other.

Other guests enjoyed the gala by making contacts with the big name sims in attendance such as Winston Crabtree of Crabtree Talent Agency; Claire Abbott, spokessim of Lemon Creek;

actresses Daphne Wardwell and Alexis Havers, both of Pahala Shore; and event sponsers Antonio and Carmela Herendez of Apple Valley.

The Kents shared a conversation with Taffi of Riverdale discussing thier recent anniversary.

"We still have to make a trip to Riverdale, I would love to meet with your council and talk shop." Fiona commented.

The ever beautiful Taffi nodded, "You are welcome to come anytime."

"I'm so glad it didn't rain," Staisa commented to her husband, "otherwise my dress would have been soaked."

Stacian nodded and eyed the generous buffet table, maybe it was time to get a plate.

Mayor Antwan and Taffi Snowden of Riverdale enjoyed taking photos and a little bit more in the photo booth for the gala.

Hood Council President Fiona and Jesse Kent of Apple Valley enjoyed the dance floor while Abbey Grimm of Lemon Creek, art gallery owner Fawn Thayer (twin sister of Gareth Thayer of Aerial Bionic) of New Eden and Daphne Wardwell chatted about the new art exhibit Fantasy Realm.

The new exhibit had the potential to travel to several SUN hoods and Sabien discussed the possibility of it coming to Simmington Hills. Taffi agreed that Riverdale would have to sign up for the traveling exhibit as well.

By the end of the evening, HFA had raised $53,000 for the organization. Thank you again for all those in attendance!

Summer Break Remar 2003

Remar, Summer, 2003
Jesse is 37, Fiona is 34, Bill is 19, Veronika is 5 (Suzanna Carr is 38, Bradford McMillian is 39)

Summer had arrived once again and to celebrate Veronika's birthday, Aunt Suzanna flew in from Eden.

"You've grown so much since I last saw you!" Suzanna said sweeping down to give her niece a hug.

Veronika nodded. "Yep, I was a baby then, but now I'm a big girl. I'm going to go to school soon, but first daddy and mommy are taking me to the beach."

---

And to the beach they went. Jesse surprised Fiona with a brand new beachhouse that featured plenty of room for Veronika to run around and the adults to enjoy the hottub.

"You should be careful, Bill." Fiona warned. "When women are slighted, they become like witches."

"Faith wanted the breakup as well."

"That may be true, but don't flaunt your new relationships in front of her."

Bill wondered how his step-mother knew about his relationships, then he corrected himself. She was the county president, she had eyes everywhere.

Meanwhile, Veronika convinced Aunt Suzanna to build sandcastles with her at the beach.

"I like it when you're here, auntie. "

"I like being here, Veronika."

"Do you miss Grandma Layla?"

Suzanna nodded, keeping the tears behind her eyes. "I do, she was a wonderful woman."

"I never met Grandma Ayanna, she died before I was born."

"Enough talk about death." Suzanna said brushing the sand off her skirt. "It's almost lunchtime, I'll race you to the house."

Veronika won the race and was greeted by her father.

"Swing me, daddy!" She cried and her father obeyed.

"Jesse, you're going to make her sick. Come inside you two, it's time for lunch." Fiona called.

While Bill and Veronika napped after lunch, the other adults enjoyed the popular hottub.

"It's about time you got a raise from your company, Suzanna." Jesse commented.

"I agree. If you were working here in Apple Valley, not only would you have a higher position but a higher salary as well."

"I'm doing well financially."

That much was true. Suzanna had always excelled in her career and education, but now...her priorities were shifting. Maybe it was her mother's death, or the fact that her biological clock was ticking, but she was considering adopting a child. Not only adopting a child, but selling the family home house and moving to something smaller to raise that child in.

It had been on her mind since Jesse adopted Bill ten simyears ago. Now she was at an age where she had to be honest with herself. If she wanted a family and children, she would have to make it happen...alone. It wasn't that she wasn't interested in dating, but Eden was a small community and there wasn't a lot of options. She rather do it alone, then to settle.

There was Bradford McMillian. Fiona had urged her co-worker to chat with Suzanna on the SUN Boards and she had to admit, he sounded interesting. He was a lawyer at Stern & Clerks with Fiona and lived in Apple Valley Metro with his brother, James, and his daughter, Laci. Bradford's wife had died shortly after Laci's birth five simyears ago. She enjoyed thier daily chats.

"Auntie! Watch me!" Veronika yelled, shaking Suzanna from her thoughts.

"Weeee!!!!"

----

The next day, Fiona grabbed the family for a little sightseeing.

"I would suggest you visit the ruins of Captain Fisher's boat." A local woman recommended. "You have a few moments before the next tour starts."

To pass the time until the tour, the family decided to have a dance party of sorts. Jesse and Fiona swayed to the music, while Veronika happily bounced around. Bill had wisely escaped to the restroom and Suzanna kept glancing around to see if any other sims saw her dancing alone.

The family was able to squezze in a tour before the sky opened up and buckets of rain fell to the ground. Jesse enjoyed it and even developed a few lesson plans around the history of the boat while he surveyed the land from the top of the ship.

After a quick dinner of Luau Ribs, the family opted for some night swimming.

"I think friendship is important. You have to be best friends. You need some kind of foundation to build a relationship on."

"This coming from the guy who fell in love at first sight."

"Yea...but we're best friends...how's that guy you're chatting with?"

"He's fine. He invited us to visit a jazz club after we return from the beach.We'll see how it goes when we meet in person. Just chatting online isn't quite the same thing as actually seeing someone face to face, you know."

"I know, just try not to drool all over the place when you meet him."

---

"Are you excited about tonight's date?" Fiona asked as Suzanna inhaled her breakfast. She was starving and Dr.Wilsonoff was due to pick her up in a few minutes so that she could volunteer at the medical clinic.

"Yes," she mumbled hastily chewing and running upstairs to throw on clothes.

"Has your sister mentioned anything about tonight?" Fiona asked Jesse when he walked downstairs.

"No, why?"

"Do you think she's excited? She didn't seem like she wanted to talk about it when I asked her earlier."

"She's probably nervous. It's been a while since she's been on a date with a decent guy."

"Still, I wonder-"

"Hush." He said and swept her in his arms for a kiss. "You told me to stay out of thier relationship, you should do the same."

Suzanna coughed as she entered the living room, breaking the couple's embrace.

"I know you two want another baby, but perhaps try to keep that in the bedroom." She teased.

Jesse stuck his tongue out at her.

"We leave at six, right?" She asked, fumbling with the door.

"Six o'clock, on the dot!" They yelled after her.

---

That evening, Fiona, Jesse, Suzanna and Bradford walked into the metro's newest jazz club. The seating was limited and the couples were seperated to two close, but seperate tables.

Fiona and Jessed tried not to laugh so loud from thier table. Whenever Bradford wasn't looking Suzanna would swoon over him and when Suzanna wasn't looking Bradford would swoon over her.

"At least those two are attracted to each other." Fiona whispered as they watch them dance.

"That much is obvious." Jesse agreed.

Fiona glanced around the club. "Do you think they'll notice if we sneak out for a few moments?"

"I doubt it. Suzanna has that silly look on her face and is grinning like a cat with a toothbrush stuck sideways in it's mouth."

"Good, let's go."

---

The ferry ride back to the island seemed like minutes. After changing, Suzanna went straight to the piano to pluck out a few tunes. She had a lot to think about. Suzanna doesn't think she has ever met anyone that she's gotten along so well with so quickly. Her plans of adoption and moving to something smaller in her hometown of Eden was starting to waver after her chats with Bradford and now this amazing date.

While Suzanna considered her options, Fiona clearly knew what was in store for thier family. There was no question about it, they were expecting a baby.

---

Yea, they're pregnant! Fiona's due to deliver twins in Hapar 2004. Suzanna and Bradford are an example of using the SUN Boards (in this case the Sims Dating & Friends Board) to interact with sims in other sim-to-sim hoods. Suzanna is staying until the birth, so we'll see what happens bewteen her and Bradford.

Summer of Apples - Patar 2003

Patar 2003
School Update & Apple Festival


It's the last week of school before the official summer break and the students were understandably excited.



Johan took a few minutes to have some quiet time in his office, well the corner of the room that he calls his office. Thankfully the progress on the new school building is almost complete. He has to do the final tour and then all the equiptment can be moved. The new building comes not a moment too soon. The Sweeny triplets are due to start school this fall. By the time the building opens the enrollment will be up to 16 students. Jesse Kent is doing a wonderful job as the high school teacher and he recently hired Nicole Humphrey as the music teacher. He still needs two more teachers (junior high and elementary), but for now the school is going well.

He decides to check up on the high school students. Verde is busy practicing at the ballet barre. It wasn't the young man's first choice for his physical education credit, but there isn't a soccer field or basketball court on the tiny campus.

The younger students are busy with educational play and completing thier reading assignments.

The students are on the last chapter of The Llama and the Bicycle and it's one of the few books to capture thier attention. Johan makes a mental note to start looking for books for the new year.

He calls them all to sit on the floor and the class has brief debate about the logical reasoning of llamas riding bicycles. Satisfied that the children possess some hints of logical ability, Johan dismisses the class for recess in order to prepare for his special guest.

After much playing in the puddles, games of catch and chats about summer plans, Johan calls the group inside.

Johan watches as the students crowd around Neeve Boudin of Simberry Fields.

They politely greet her and lead her to the front of the cramped room where she delivers a short speech about the importance healthy eating and physical activity during the summer. Afterwards the children give her handmade thank you cards and big hugs as she leaves.

****

Neeve has a lot to do during her brief trip to Apple Valley. After the speech at the school, she meets with the hood council to discuss plans for a community garden. Finally she meets up with her friend, Ginger, at the Apple Festival. Thankfully, they managed to spend some time together beforehand with Ginger's newly adopted son, Breckin, in Apple Plains. Today, they thought bringing all the children to the festival would be a good idea and allow the rest of the residents to see little Breckin.

"You look great." Neeve exclaims. "I still can't get over how much your skin glows. Pregnancy definately suits you."

The friends sit on the ground of the park and play a little bit with Breckin.

"Congratulations, Ginger. He is adorable."

Ginger looks up into the eyes of Tobi. "Thanks! Congratulations to you as well. How is the little one?"

"Doing well. His siblings love him, how are the children responding to the newest Grey?"

Ginger laughed. "The children can't get enough of him, they love him. They're also excited about the baby as well."

"Wow, looks like your family is growing. How is Grex?"

Ginger stalled. How was Grex? He had been moody to say the least, distant and angry from some strange reason.

"He's fine. How's Li?"

Tobi nodded. "She's doing well. Taking everything in stride. I admire her, she's been such a good sport with everything."

"Everything like what?"

"The children, the bills, everything. I know this isn't what she signed up for when we said 'I do' "

"I don't think marriage is ever what we envision." Ginger adds.

Neeve takes it all in, envious that they are able to discuss thier children and growing families while she was trying to convinve her husband to adopt a pet.

Her thoughts are interrupted as Jimmie Page, also of Simberry Fields, takes the stage.

The woman is sporting a new look due to her recent photo shoots and time spent in the studio. Her signature soulful, bluesy sound mixed with a rock n’ roll beat filled the small arena and after her last song, the crowd gave her a standing ovation.

She was followed by her label mates, Glitter. The teen band performed thier first single, My Glitter Jeans.

The catchy pop tune had the crowd snapping thier fingers and the older members of the audience sat polietly.

The highlight of the evening was Aerial Bionic. It was thier second time in Apple Valley, but this time thier performance was part of thier summer tour.

"Thanks for having us again, Apple Valley! Good night!"