1.11 - Bittersweet Endings

Lucas turned his attention back towards his writing and worked on his newest novel, a science fiction story he had always wanted to write.

Haley tackled something a bit more challenging and began the slow and stressful process of teaching Jacob how to drive.

Shane and Tyler did their best to help the younger twins with their homework. They were doing their best to finish out their school year strong.

Lucas put his strength to a different test and started working on the board breaker to advance his martial arts skills.

Tyler took an interest as well and started  working with one of the dummies that mom and dad had brought back with them from China.

Jacob tried his best but didn't quite have the natural athletic skill needed to really grasp martial arts.  Still, it was fun to hit something - until it decided to hit back!

Shane couldn't let his twin brother show him up and he got busy on the practice dummy as well.  He proved to be quite a natural at it.

Everyone was really glad that the decision to install outdoor showers in the backyard had been made.  

Tyler and Lucas continued to have fun in the backyard by playing with the Gnubb set.  Lucas just barely took the game against his son.

Meanwhile, Shane taught Jacob the skill of Rock, Paper, Scissors and hung out a bit with his younger brother Jacob.

Tyler and Lucas decided to throw the football around and enjoy the last bit of daylight after a fun day out back.

Haley came home from her shift at the spa and decided that cooking was not something she felt up to.  The family decided to enjoy a nice meal at the Bistro.

Layna and Stefan discovered the joys of basketball.  Although still too young to start dunking, they enjoyed shooting hoops anyway.

Not able to resist, Lucas took a moment to show them how it was actually done!  The twins watched their dad in awe!

Stefan put the multitab to great use and learned that doing homework was fast and simple.  He also enjoyed listening to a few tabcasts as well.

As usual, the house experienced a few more birthdays.  This time, the twins were about to become young adults.

Shane was up first and the whole house was thrilled that he was about to start a new and exciting chapter in his life.

Shane turned out to be a very handsome young man.

Next up was his twin, Tyler, and he was more than ready to break the chains of childhood.

As always, Tyler aged up well and his sense of style shone through.  Both boys had grown up so well.

Lucas and Haley were so proud of their two sons and took them out for a night on the town.  It was hard to believe how quickly they had grown up.

More birthday excitement continued as the other set of twins reached teenage status.

Layna was first to age up with older brother Jacob looking on with approval.

Stefan, a bit hesitant,stepped up to the birthday cake once again.

The youngest child was now a full-grown teenager - with mood swings to prove it!

Shane and Tyler got ready early for graduation.  Both were excited to finally be done with the demands of school.

The entire family gathered at City Hall where the twins would finally graduate from High School.

Tyler emerged first and was proud that he had been named Valedictorian.  All that work had truly payed off for him.

Shane was able to graduate with honors and tossed his diploma with pride and relief.

The family celebrated by having one final family dinner at the Bistro.  It was hard not to feel sadness as the end of childhood closed for the twins.

Ready to embark on a life of their own, the twins packed their bags and moved out, ready to start their new life.  Everyone in the house was extremely proud but heartbroken by the emptiness that their leaving would cause.

Lucas and Haley helped the boys buy a home of their own.  It just so happened to be the same home that Lucas had owned when he first moved to town.

The boys were excited to be out on their own, but it was nice to know that the family still lived just down the street and were a quick jog away if needed.

The void left behind was sad for everyone in the home.  Besides the memories that were made, the photographs of the boys remained so as to keep the boys in the house with the family - at least in some form.

It wasn't long before Tyler was back for a visit.  He loved the basketball court and enjoyed coming back over for dinner and a little fun on the court with Dad.  The family looked forward to the visits of the boys and hoped they would be frequent.

1.10 - Let There Be Cake

The shock of another set of twins in the house did nothing to slow the passage of time.  Jacob was ready to age up to a child.

With the babies sleeping and the twins at school, Jacob held a small birthday party at home with his mom and dad.

To be honest, I think mom and dad were more relieved and excited that Jacob was growing up than Jacob himself.  Perhaps the demand of the newborns had something to do with that!

Jacob is all ready to start school but for now, he enjoyed the last day of freedom at home.

The next full moon brought excitement to the house.  It brought a few zombies as well, but the peashooters seemed to do the trick in warding them off.

Shane stepped out in his very best on his way to the high school prom.

Tyler also was attending and was excited to dress up and see his friends there.

Although neither boy had a date for the dance, they did arrive in style with the rented limo.  

Tyler was ecstatic to have been named Prom King, although it was Shane that walked away with a new romantic interest!

Shane's prom picture definitely displayed his sense of style and humor.

Being a twin, it was hardly surprising that Tyler's photo also maintained a common appearance.

After an exhausting few days, it was once again time to gather around the table to celebrate a birthday or two.

Layna aged up first, and the whole family was thrilled but aware that toddlers come with a whole different set of demands.

Still, Layna flashed and swirled and grew up beautifully with her whole family around.

Next up was Stefan to move to his next life stage.

Another dance of lights and Stefan Knight became a toddler.

Although he didn't realize any difference, the whole family knew that the work was about to begin for all of them.

Lucas didn't let any time waste as he went about teaching his daughter to walk.

Haley led little Stefan by the hand and guided him on the way to walking on his own.

After an eventful week, Lucas insisted on a family fun day for the weekend.  A babysitter was called and the rest of the family stepped out for a much-needed break.

First on the list was taking in an afternoon movie at the local cinema.

Later, the family visited Eerie Park and Lucas took the opportunity to play the guitar - even taking in a few unexpected tips from some of the townspeople there.

The twins found the perfect spot in the park to play a game of catch before night came and ended the family outing.

Lucas spent as much time as possible teaching Stefan how to talk.

Haley was glad to have a little girl to talk to as well and worked hard to make sure that Layna could learn to communicate.

Before too long, it was time for another round of birthdays in the Knight house.

Layna was once again up first and aged up from a toddler to a child.

Layna is starting to understand that she has a house full of boys to deal with, but she seems up to the challenge.

Stefan's birthday followed immediately after and, like his twin, he aged up.

In another flash of lights, little Stefan ended his days of diapers, cribs, and baby potties.

Stefan, like his twin Layna, are now ready to start school.  Mom and Dad are more than thrilled!

During the next full moon, the family braved the outdoors once again and enjoyed time around the firepit and listening to Lucas as he played the guitar.  Fortunately, no zombies decided to crash the party.

Lucas surprised Haley with a late honeymoon getaway to China.  Leaving the teenagers in charge, the couple traveled to the Forbidden City and relaxed together.

Always the athlete, Lucas convinced Haley that martial arts was the perfect romantic afternoon experience.  She wasn't so sure....

However, to her surprise, it turned out to be invigorating and very romantic for them both.  

Haley and Lucas visited the scholar garden.  Instead of looking around the area, they seemed to only have eyes for each other.

After a late evening picnic, the two sat in the garden and chatted.  It was nice to have time away from babies and homework, but a little sad without the kids as well.

The two watched the stars together in China and forgot about all the craziness that was normally a part of their evening ritual.

Roasting marshmallows over the fire was a perfect way to end their evening, but Lucas was not done quite yet.

Having spoke with a few locals, he was directed to an out of the way private camp site where he could spend some intimate time with his wife.

The next morning, they took advantage of the local produce and did some gardening at the orchard.  Many of these plants did not grow naturally back home, but they would be able to start their own garden upon their return.

They both tried their luck at fishing, but it just seemed that the fish weren't really biting that day.

Haley challenged Lucas to some friendly sparring and they both saw their martial arts skills began to rise.

Once they had returned to Moonlight Falls, it was once again time for another birthday.  Jacob was about to become a teenager.

Shane and Tyler were excited that their younger brother would be joining them in high school.  The couldn't wait to get him into the sports club after school.

The whole family joined in on the celebration as the week came to a close.

Jacob twirled quickly and in a flash, he left childhood behind him.

Jacob Knight became the third teenager in the house.  Could the family survive the multiple mood swings from their teenage trio?