beanstalk_sims | Culpepper Pals: Winter 3: Villareal

I'm storming through the winter rotation in game, and desperately trying not to fall behind with the updates!

Last time, autumn got off to a frosty start, and the arrival of a new family member – Cat the, er, cat. Miko also passed away at the very start of the season, leaving the family devastated. All of the extended family were invited over to support one another in this time of grief. Marnie spent a lot of time on the slopes this season, working towards her aspiration, but still found the time to tie the knot with Luna at the Von Haunt Estate – where their first kiss took place back in the day! The family threw a large party for Spooky Day, and the following morning welcomed another new family member, Luna and Marnie’s adopted daughter, Joslyn.

We rejoin the family at breakfast time.

Norah was napping, I promise you she's still around. After Miko died right at the beginning of the last update I was absolutely terrified of losing Norah every single day of this round.

Marnie doesn't hang out at home for long - she's headed for the slopes.

But she's not snowboarding today...

Marnie and three randos from her climbing club are going to have a go at scaling the mountain!

I was genuinely terrified.

I mean, doesn't that look like fantastic weather for an expedition?

Totally 100% safe.

The weather cleared up enough for the first climb, at least.

Jeez.

I can hardly watch.

Her equipment broke and her odds of success were low and yet somehow, somehow she made it to the top.

Huge sigh of relief from me!

Marnie celebrates her successful climb with some football. Naturally.

And then they'd made it to the summit.

And that was that. I was kind of expecting more to it? I don't know what, though.

The required selfies are taken of course. Marnie decided she likes photography based off of these snaps.

And then when it was time to go home, Marnie hopped onto her bicycle?!

I guess the hard part was climbing up. Looks like going down will be a breeze.

Back at the house, Marnie's summit selfie gets added to Norah's photo wall.

Kind of wish I'd equipped Marnie with a better camera before the trip but ah well.

They're glad she's home in one piece, though. There was pretty big risk she wouldn't be.

Of course Marnie has been home barely five minutes before she's out again.

She just can't sit still.

It's Monday morning and Luna is off to work.

Dressed like this for some reason. You do you, Luna.

Marnie is spending Monday morning hiking for her aspiration.

She has to win three encounters with wildlife.

This encounter counted towards her aspiration, and I thought "neat, this'll be a breeze"

But actually this was the last wildlife encounter for the entire season despite all the hikes I sent Marnie on. It's going to take a little longer than I thought.

Marnie, it's not a hike if you're cycling!

This is how Norah spent her morning. 10/10

I think Joslyn napped the entire time Marnie was out, and woke up for her return home <3

And then the sun was going down and that was Monday over and done with.

Tuesday morning arrives, and it's cake for breakfast!

I can't believe it's Joslyn's birthday already.

She's a cutie! I'm not totally sure why she looks so annoyed.

She's got the Whiz Kid aspiration, and her trait is Genius. I really dropped the ball on her toddler years though, I spent so much time following Marnie around instead of her that Joslyn didn't even develop enough skills for the Happy Toddler trait.

I'll have to try harder with her childhood.

It was the early hours of the morning when I aged Joslyn up, apparently still night time enough for aliens though!

I guess with Miko gone they've shifted their focus to Luna?

Luna is off to work, Joslyn is off to school, and Marnie is off on a hike.

It was pretty uneventful.

That night after school, Joslyn joined the Culpepper kids club and had them all over.

She and Bonnie Vatore got on pretty well <3

'Twas the night before Winterfest...

...and Marnie's out jogging, of course. How else do you celebrate?

It's Winterfest morning!

Naturally, the day starts off with presents.

The morning was a quiet one, with just the members of the household spending time together.

Of course that would all change around lunchtime...

...the entire extended family is here!

I envision Norah absolutely loving having them all over for Winterfest <3 No idea what Cassandra is so upset about though.

So there are more presents and conversations and games and catching up <3

I loved watching them all interact.

Norah made a Grand Meal for them all, too <3

10/10, a very cute Winterfest!

Marnie finished the day off with some snowboarding, and despite falling down, she's happy.

Thursday morning, and Joslyn is playing with her new Winterfest presents instead of getting ready for school.

Naturally.

I totally forgot school uniforms were a thing in Mt Komorebi!

It's another day of Luna working and Joslyn at school, so Marnie spends this one on the slopes.

She's joined by Joslyn after she finishes school, though!

I can't believe Joslyn's first visit to the slopes took me this long.

First order of business: sledding, of course.

After a few goes on the sled, Joslyn then tries skiing.

Despite the look on her face she made it to the bottom successfully!

She spent all afternoon playing in the snow, but apparently five minutes with the telescope when she got home was enough to nearly freeze her to death.

Friday morning is a gloomy one, but that doesn't put Marnie off!

She drags Norah with her on her morning hike. Given that Norah's life bar has been full and glowing this entire time I was really tense she'd pass away at any moment - while a little optimistic that she might hold on one more season!

Your mother fell over and you're just going to leave her there?

Pretty heartless, Marnie!

David drops by unannounced that afternoon, so Marnie beats him at video games.

And then it's Friday night and it's festival time!

Don't look so unimpressed, Luna.

Norah was with them but apparently not in any of the pictures?

And then Joslyn went home to her homework.

What a wild Friday night!

It's Saturday and it's New Year's Eve!

And because technically it's the last day of winter in Mt Komorebi, the greenery is back - perfect conditions for Marnie's morning hike!

Joslyn joins her this morning, and arguably this is one of the cutest pictures I've taken recently!

No wildlife encounters though. Guess we'll have to try and complete Marnie's aspiration next season.

That evening, Luna and Norah were getting ready for the new year's eve party - all the usual family were invited, plus a few extras.

I was really looking forward to having a house full but then...

Norah died :(

I was really surprised she held on this long to be honest, but I'd just got my hopes up that she'd survive until spring.

EXCUSE ME. PARDON ME. CAN I JUST SQUEEZE PAST? THANK YOU.

Death trying to get into the building did crack me up a little, though, despite everything.

Absolutely heartbreaking :(

Rory Oaklow picked that moment to arrive at the party - I guess she's friends with Marnie or something.

"Hey, sorry I'm late, what did I miss?"

And then it was new year, but it fell a little flat, I think. I'm genuinely going to miss having Norah around <3

So that was winter 3 for the Villareal family...