Pixel Drama

Instead of Jacqueline, Oliver finds himself smitten with May Winters, a former classmate of his. She had always been unkind and standoffish, but somehow Oliver is the only one to bring out her kinder side.

A lovely day outside with the ladies. From left to right, we have May, Martha (Esther’s best friend,) Malina, and Esther.

Oliver and Ralph eating breakfast together. The kids are growing up so quickly!

Mother and daughter reading together.

In 1909, Esther and Henry Burrell have their wedding at Windenburg Baptist Church at the center of town. It’s a perfect summer day and guests come from all around to celebrate.

Martha, Esther, and Andras enjoying the wedding cake in the back of the chapel. 

Poor Alice has been left out of many screenshots lately, so here she is, in the purple dress on the bottom left with Oliver.

I could never seem to get all the kids together for a screenshot, but here’s Alice, Esther, and Ralph playing dolls while Oliver is off doing...something.

Oliver, Ralph, and Esther doing their homework. Esther knows this is her last year of school, as she would be needed to help out around the home, but still she continues to study hard.

Meanwhile, Alice plays with Esther’s dollhouse.

Christmas is upon us once again, and the Kempthorne’s sitting room is as cozy as ever. Oliver and Ralph take to making a snowman in the front yard.

Esther has grown into a beautiful and kind young woman, but her love for Henry Burrell hasn’t faded with the years. Here, she gives him a Christmas gift.

Their love begins to blossom with the coming months...

...until they begin courting.

Meanwhile, one of Esther’s friends, Jacqueline Miller, has taken a notice to Oliver. He isn’t so sure, but he won’t complain.

Andras and Malina enjoying the spring air.

Esther and Oliver playing chess beneath the portrait of their grandfather, Charles Kempthorne.

It’s another boy! The nursery is beginning to grow crowded, as seen by the two beds in the background for Esther and Oliver.

Fortunately, Esther soon moves out of the nursery and has started attending the local school. She even started a study group with her friends Rose, Howard, and Matthew. 

Ralph is a true mama’s boy and loves to help out in the garden. Even if he can’t stay awake for all of it.

Oliver and Ralph are inseparable. And sometimes impossible to tell apart.

Esther and a slightly older Oliver contemplate jumping in a leaf pile before the Thanksgiving dinner. While wearing their best clothes.

Esther and Henry Burrell, who is a former member of her study group. He’s only two years older, but already he has the manners of a man already grown. An enamored Esther asks him if he’d like to stay for dinner.

Andras and Malina have no family on the continent, so they celebrate Thanksgiving by inviting all the neighbors for dinner. Henry brings his brother Howard, and word spreads through Windenburg. Soon, Kempthorne Hall is filled with all those who have no place to go for the holiday.

...and then the kitchen burst into flames.

Once again, Malina finds out she is pregnant. It’s another girl, named Alice, who soon charms the family.

Even Oliver and Esther eagerly wait their turn to meet their younger sister.

Oliver takes to the piano just like his mother. Soon, he grows skilled enough that the family can bear to hear him play.

Ralph and Andras reading together, with Robi trying to be the center of attention.

The couple begins to enjoy their new home. Malina has her books and grand piano to keep her occupied, and even Andras doesn’t mind settling down with a good read.

They’re joined by Andras’ cocker spaniel, Robi, and their butler, whose name slips my mind at the moment. Spoiler alert: my game deleted him and replaced him with another guy who stuck around for ages.

Not much time has passed before Malina realizes she is pregnant. They’re hoping for a boy to carry on the family name, even if it’s a stolen one. Robi carefully guards his owner, unsure of what to make of all the joy in the Kempthorne home.

As it turns out, the baby is a girl! There will be plenty of time to produce a male heir, and the couple’s momentary disappointment fades as they meet their new daughter, Esther. Andras wasn’t sure if he’d be a good father, but after holding Esther for the first time, his fears are drifting away.

Franco, the new butler, dotes on little Esther. She loves to read, just like her parents.

A second child is born! His name is Oliver, and one day he will carry on the family name and all the wealth that comes with it. For now, though, he’s content with hugging his sister.

Malina arranging a new bouquet for the dining room table.

Andras, trying his best.

A bedtime story with Oliver. Around now, I began to realize how few screenshots I had of Esther as a toddler. As a fellow firstborn, I can relate.

As we reach 1895, Malina is pregnant once again. Clearly, she’s thrilled to have another little one to wake up screaming in the night.

I’m a huge history nerd, so of course I had to attempt the Decades Challenge by ZombieCleo. I had attempted it once before but stopped around 1940 once I got frustrated with how little historical clothing there is. If I can’t have my period fashions, I can’t play. I have since discovered the joyous rabbit hole of custom content, and oddly enough, it was one of the main reasons I had for getting back into the challenge!

I’ll be using these updated rules by CuteCoffeeGal, along with a few of my own alterations as I see fit, even if they’re not 100% historically accurate. I tried not to go too crazy.

First, we have Andras Kempthorne, who wasn’t actually meant to be the heir to the Kempthorne household. Who knew? The story is a bit muddled and no one is quite certain what went down, but some say that he was able to charm his way into tricking the dying (and delirious and dementia-ridden) Charles Kempthorne into giving the estate to him, the adopted son, rather than Charles’ firstborn. This led to an ugly series of events in which Andras narrowly escaped murder, then hired some shady fellows to…eliminate his adoptive brother.

He’s a Hungarian immigrant whose parents died, leaving him orphaned at a young age until the Kempthorne family took him in as their own. Andras is confident, has a love of fine cuisine, and is a bit of a kleptomaniac thanks to his criminal activities.

And here we have Malina Wiatrowicz, the beauty to the beast. She immigrated to the United States in search of a different life. She was born to a wealthy Polish family and received an education at a girls’ school in England before deciding to test out American life. Her talents are numerous, including painting, piano, violin, and so on. Malina loves art and music, and is just as confident as her husband.

Malina first met Andras when he was attempting to pickpocket her, and in a strange turn of events, the pair fell in love. Andras tolerated and even encouraged Malina’s pursuit of knowledge, and Malina turned a blind eye to Andras’ criminal background. The couple was quickly married within months at a little church in Windenburg, and they began their life together at Kempthorne Hall.

And so, a new year is upon us all. 1890…will it be the start to a promising decade for the newlyweds?