Hope and Iris

"You sure did. Not only that, but you used to try to eat my makeup all the time when you were a baby."

Iris laughs, "Ah Mom. You have got to stop telling me these stories. Are you trying to traumatize me, or what?"

Iris and Hope

"Thanks for the birthday gift, Mom. You know that was always my favorite necklace of Grandma's."

Hope smiles, "Yeah I know, honey. I was always afraid you were going to break it when you were a baby. You were always pulling on it."

"Com'n Mom. I wouldn't do that!"

Still in Love

Stephan is still just as much in love with Hope as he was when they married. He still loves to drop to his knee and sing songs to her of his love and her beauty.

This morning though he noticed that it was a little harder to get back up. That last birthday was really rough on him.

Ishmael dreams of home

Ishmael often dreams of going to visit his "other" home. He loves his family here, but he wants to visit the home planet of the visitors.

He wonders just how big of a rocket will he need?

Snuggle Time

Stephan and Hope enjoy a little quiet time as they plan for the big double-birthday party tomorrow.

Hope's birthday

Hope takes a moment to look around at her family and friends before she blows out her candles.

Birthdays always make her think of her place in the Adamson's family legacy. The Adamson's have lived in this town and in this house for nine generations now. She wonders how Imari will add to the story of the family.

(Clockwise from far left - Ramin Centowski, Jan Tellerman, Clay Almassizadeh, Stephan, Hank, Imari, Iris and Steffi)

Time to blow out the candles...

Elder Hope

And become a Senior Citizen.

Grow-up Dance

Next is Imari's turn to blow out the candles.

She does a little twist and turn, sets off a few sparklers, and then...

Oh Yeah!

Imari seems pleased with how well she's... developed.

Iris works on her skills

Iris has already been accepted at the local university. After reading the literature they sent her, she realized that with a little more work she would be eligible for a few more scholarships.

Here she is trying to maximize her body skill.

Iris Leaves for University

Before long, it was time for Imari to leave for school.

Goodbye, Iris. You will be missed.

Who's that?

In all the excitement of getting Iris packed up and off to college, someone got left out.

Who's that strange person walking towards the stairs?

It's Ishmael

Ishmael was in his room, quietly reading his book when he felt a sudden change come over him.

MOM???

We end this update on a sad note. Hope passed suddenly one day while her husband was at work. Iris and Ishmael rushed to her side but were unable to make it in time to save her.

Hope will be greatly missed.

(Especially since the controller had forgotten that Hope was the one with all of the friends. Big point loss here.)