Culpepper Pals: Winter 2: Bell

[beanstalk_sims]

Hello! I played through winter with the Bell family quicker than I expected to, so you get an update!

Last time, Taeko became a teen and Shari introduced her to Max Vatore. The pair of them unexpectedly hit it off and became a couple. Travis and Adora took a day off to spend some quality time together, which resulted in Travis popping the question. Harvestfest brought a birthday for Tania, and a small and intimate wedding for Travis and Adora. Tania also befriended Marnie Titan-Ojo and Tori Holiday.

Index / Boolprop




We rejoin the family to find Adora grilling in the rain.

Which wasn't how I was expecting the season to start, I must admit.






Shari devoting all of her time and attention to Cookie the raccoon was more normal.

Shari is definitely Cookie's favourite.




The rain stops in the afternoon, which is the perfect time for Taeko to call over her boyfriend, Max.

Despite the fact that she's younger than him, she'll actually grow into an adult first because of the rotation order. She grows up towards the end of this update, Max will grow up on the first day of the Vatore update.




Taeko and Max spend the afternoon making sand sculptures.

Well, what else do you do when you know your family might come out and start chatting at any moment?




Meanwhile, Shari is preparing for her future.

I've decided I want Shari to run a vet clinic, so she might as well spend the last few days of her teen years getting a head start on the skills she'll need. I'm really excited about this, I've never played a vet clinic before!




And what's Tania up to while her step-sisters are doing teen things?

She's playing in the rain on the front door step. Best kid <3




This screenshot is literally here because it's cute!

I really like seeing Adora fussing over Tania as if she's one of her own. I really shouldn't be surprised, Adora raised Shari who is biologically nothing to do with her, but it's still nice to see <3

I've found blended families really interesting to play and would recommend, essentially.




Monday morning, and the Bell family achieves a small miracle - they all sit down to breakfast together.

"Taeko, I just made French toast, why are you eating last night's mac and cheese?"




Don't worry, Adora, someone appreciated your French toast.






The day passes uneventfully because of school and work. Adora gets five minutes to herself, Shari comes home miserable from a mood swing.

And Taeko?




She came home with an invisible project.

This did concern me for a bit, because it was just there and I couldn't move it or anything, and I was super worried it was going to cause routing issues. But it didn't bother anyone, and later on randomly became visible.

The Sims 4 likes to keep me on my toes.




The following morning and Adora's making cake for breakfast. Casual Tuesday, really.




Happy Birthday Shari!

I can't believe we're here already.




Shari's final trait was Active, and she also got the Responsible trait.

A quick recap of her other traits and such, as she's not leaving home:

Shari Kibo
Friend of the Animals - Animal Affection
Cat Lover - Geek - Active
Happy Toddler - Scouting Aptitude - Responsible






Shari's birthday is also the day before Winterfest, once Adora gets home the two of them get to work setting the house up for Winterfest.

Adora feels like this is best achieved by hanging baubles on thin air.




I was very apprehensive about lighting it after the christmas Winterfest tree fire at the Titan's, but the Bell tree lighting was very uneventful.

I'm not sure the girls are even that bothered.




This was also the point the school project reappeared, so Taeko and Tania decided to spend Winterfest eve doing it together <3




Max also decided to drop by.

"Honestly, I thought your parents would be asleep by now. They are human, right?"

"Yeah but they napped. I don't think we'll get any alone time tonight."

"Ah well. At least they're not embarrassing, like my parents."





I think you might have spoken too soon, Max.

"Nice to see you again, Mr and Mrs Bell!"




Max even helped collect and wash up the dirty dishes.

He's such a good boy, his parents would be so proud.






Max heads home for the evening, and the family eventually starts heading to bed. Apparently Adora thinks a story and a slap in the face is a recipe for a good night's sleep.






Winterfest morning, and Tania is the first one up. And she immediately decides she's going through a Loud phase.

Her little smirk reminded me of this:





Like many of my families, the Bells are having breakfast for their Grand Meal. It's just easier, as they all woke up hungry.






Breakfast is followed by gifts.

I did see Shari put a prank gift under the tree, and I'm wondering if that's why Travis's gift was empty when he opened it.




* * *




"Shari, why did you get me a future cube?"

"I don't know, they're kind of neat, right?"

"I guess..."

"If you don't want it, give it to Tania."

"I don't want it!"




It must be a day for lukewarm feelings about gifts, because even though he looks super happy with the rose, Max didn't like it all that much.






I think he liked the mistletoe kiss, though.






Overall, the family had a pretty good Winterfest. :)




The following day, Shari buys a small vet clinic in Newcrest - Tiny Toe Beans Vet Clinic by teacupgnomes.

The Bell family couldn't actually afford it, even though it is so cheap. I don't normally cheat, but I really wanted to do this with Shari, so I'm going to treat it like a loan. I wrote down how much the family "borrowed", and I'll sub amounts off their household funds each rotation until they've paid it back.




Unfortunately I'm a total noob so Shari's first day was a total bust.

I probably should have looked it up before jumping in head first.




Back at the house, Adora is celebrating - Taeko got into university!

I'm planning to move Taeko & Max to uni at the end of the Vatore rotation, so the two of them will start at Britechester together.






The following morning the celebrating continues - it's Taeko's birthday!

Not that Tania seems interested.




Taeko's final trait is Lazy, and she also got the Responsible trait.






The rest of Friday was spent at the vet clinic, where I finally know what I'm doing.

Shari was able to treat four customers, and now has a star rating of 1.5 - I'm hoping to get it to 5 at some point. I like having a goal to work towards!




Saturday morning arrives, and it's the last day of the rotation for the family. And the last day of year - the family is throwing a party to celebrate new year.




There's one last milestone to get through before new year, though. Adora's becoming an elder.

This took me by surprise, I was sure her birthday was going to be in early Spring.




Adora makes an adorable old lady <3




The fun doesn't stop there. I decided to hang out at the house rather than take Shari out to the vet clinic, and perfect time for Tania to have the other kids over.

I can't wait to see what the four girls get up to as teenagers in the spring.






Even though they had a house full, Adora and Travis were able to sneak off and have some alone time.

I also kind of forgot elder sims have to be careful when woohooing, but luckily nothing went wrong.




Don't believe that smile, Travis got the "mediocre woohoo" moodlet.

I guess once Adora recovers they should probably try again.






The sun sets after a relaxing and uneventful afternoon, and it's time for the new year's eve party...




...which was also uneventful. They literally stood around watching the TV from about 9pm onwards. Nothing else happened.

Oh well.




And that's where winter ended for the Bell family.

The next season is going to bring several changes for the family - but also Taeko won't be here come spring, she'll be at uni. And Tania will be a teen!

We'll be visiting the Vatores next, though :) See you soon!