Sunday, September 30, 2012

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?

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

1.9 - Full House


Lucas got to work teaching Jacob the important things in life.  It wasn't pleasant for either of them, but at least they got it done.


Learning to talk was a much better experience however.  Lucas was feeling pretty good since this was his third time to do this.


The twins, Shane and Tyler, enjoyed afternoon and evening games of catch as often as possible.  Sports seemed very natural to them both.


Haley woke up once again to the realization that she was pregnant.  She was overjoyed but also concerned that her family was already at risk of outgrowing their new home.


A series of birthdays started in the house with Shane up first.  Never one to be afraid of growing up, he stepped up and blew out the candles on his cake.


Shane Knight grew up quite well.  Both of his parents couldn't have been prouder of their oldest son.


Tyler was next and, as usual, didn't really care to much for the whole birthday idea.  Childhood was definitely a favorite for this little guy.


Still, the birthday sparkles came anyway and whisked Tyler off to the joys of being a teenager.


Tyler Knight turned into a future heartbreaker just like his older twin brother!


The last birthday celebration came for Lucas.  Not really feeling ready for adulthood, Lucas braved the dreaded birthday cake.


The rest of the family looked on as Lucas reached adulthood in a flash of colorful lights.  Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all...


A look of fear and anxiety took over Lucas as  he began the throes of a mid-life crisis.  


The next morning, Lucas hit the gym, hoping to shake off the feeling of aging and hang on to is youth for as long as he could.  A mid-life crisis could be horrible but he was determined to keep a handle on it.


Shane discovered the love of basketball just like his father.  After spending the afternoon in sports club, he let off some steam shooting hoops at the school.


Tyler, on the other hand, developed a taste for his parent's other favorite activity.  That hot tub sure did ease the stress of those awkward first days of high school!


Shane started showing a parental side and took care of his baby brother.  Being the oldest, he seemed to develop a sense of protection for his brothers.


Jacob was attached to Shane instantly and felt safe while around his big brother.  It didn't hurt that Shane was willing to change a diaper or two to make his life a bit more comfortable.


Haley went into labor shortly after dinner.  Something felt all too familiar and not necessarily desired during these painful contractions.


For the first time, Lucas panicked at the sight of his wife in labor.  After three kids, this should have been routine, but the mid-life crisis must have really unsettled Lucas more than he realized.


Haley finally had a baby girl and called her Layna.  In a house full of boys, this little girl would have to be able to hold her own.  Haley knew her boys would look out for this little sweetheart.


But of course, Lucas was happy as another boy was added to the family.  Stefan became the fifth and final(?) child for the Knight family.  Never in their wildest dreams did they expect to have another set of twins!