This is the last we'll see of this particular bunch of Bertrams for a little while.

Swift on the heels of multiple family birthdays, is the safe arrival of another daughter for Julia and Crawford. They name her Deborah.

Unfortunately, Julius has to miss his first day at high school - and a chance to show off his trendy new haircut - thanks to a bout of pneumonia! (I recently installed the 'realistic sickness' mod from MATY, and had a fright from how rapidly my Sims became seriously ill, and how much care they now need in order not to keel over!)

A bit of TLC from mum is what's needed.

And he's soon feeling well enough to challenge her to a pillow fight...

...and preside over his baby sister's birthday.

~ Libra 4 / 4 / 6 / 5 / 2

~ Eccentric / Mean-Spirited

(Another grump!)

Older brother Francis likes to exercise his mean streak on a regular basis - on this occasion mocking his dad's work colleague Martha for recently losing her mother to the Grim Reaper! How low can you get?

Julius is soon up and about again, and able to join his older siblings at high school, where he starts getting up to youthful hijinks with some of his fellow students, including Annemarie...

Having a very strange time at the moment, and haven't had the time or energy for my Sims, but I'm trying to get back on track. Back to the Bertrams again today, where kids are sprouting up all over.

It's a quiet Sunday morning at home, and Julius makes the most of his last day for bouncing on the bed, before his birthday later!

A leisurely family breakfast...of spaghetti, for Eccentric Francesca.

And a family game of kicky bag, to round off the morning.

Well, that will be why Julia's cereal was making her feel a bit queasy earlier on!

Extended family drop in, to celebrate with the two birthday boys. Julia clearly didn't feel like dressing for the occasion. (And is having prenatal doughnut cravings, it seems.)

At least she put on some clothes to go outside, and explain the facts of life to her slightly perplexed nephew Marcus.

Crawford prefers to spy on his neighbours in his bath towel. Eccentric, or misunderstood genius? I'll let you decide.

One last noogie from big brother Francis...

...and Julius's teen transformation is complete.

~ Aries 6 / 3 / 5 / 5 / 2

~ Shy / Anxious / Loves the Outdoors / Hot-Headed

~ OTH: Tinkering

~ Favourite Colour(s): Grey

~ Aspiration: Knowledge

~ Turn-ons / -off: +Alien / +Reserved / -Supernatural

It's youngest Timothy's birthday too.

~ Taurus 10 / 8 / 10 / 7 / 10

~ Eccentric / Friendly / Adventurous

~ OTH: Arts & Crafts

~ Favourite Colour(s): Blue

They may be a family of solid introverts, but the Sanditon Bertrams have been entertaining a stream of visitors lately.

Julia's youngest brother William drops by.

Cousin Janet comes home from school with Julius, but ends up spending time with the littlest Bertram, Timothy, and his Wobbly Wabbit.

And old friend Georgiana calls in too.

It's all a bit much for Crawford, when he comes home from work with a stinking cold, so he escapes into a soothing bubble bath.

And Francesca retreats to the garden, to lose herself in the night sky.

The next morning, Crawford is feeling a bit brighter.

The boys are - uncharacteristically - playing contentedly together.

While poor Julia is being insulted in her own home by a random stranger who invited himself in!

After the loss of both their beloved grandparents in a very short space of time, Valentine is stepping into the breach, and making more time for his younger siblings.

Although Susanna is choosing to spend more time on her own, losing herself in a good book.

Their cousin Julius is also processing his grief in his own unique way!

It might be a chilly winter's day, but Frederica decides that what the youngsters need is a day out at the park, to burn off some energy and take their minds off things.

The monkey bars are a favourite with Thomasina! Although her coordination needs a little work.

But Susanna prefers the climbing tower - where she can play at being a sailor, just like her granddad.

Frederica isn't really an animal person in general, but there's just something comforting about Kim the stray kitty...

...and the kids can't resist bringing her home with them at the end of the day.

~ Leo

The Bertram family is expanding again.

And here he is - new son, Julius!

Julia takes an unconventional approach to caring for three infants at the same time.

Perhaps it's for the best when the twins age up. Francis goes first - what a dapper little chap!

~ Aries 9 / 0 / 4 / 6 / 2

~ Eccentric / Perfectionist

~ OTH: Cuisine

And Francesca follows later that day - she definitely takes after her grandfather Frank.

~ Aries 7 / 0 / 7 / 4 / 3

~ Brave / Eccentric

~ OTH: Tinkering

Julius isn't far behind - he borrowed his older brother's outfit for the occasion, and has a strong resemblance to his sister.

~ Pisces 6 / 3 / 5 / 5 / 2

~ Shy / Worrier

~ OTH: Tinkering

Three toddlers at once are of course a complete handful.

And it's a bit of a relief when Frank and Mary pay an unexpected visit.

But despite the plaintive entreaties of their granddaughter...

Toddler chaos still reigns.

Francesca is proving to have a very dominant personality, keeping younger brother Julius firmly in his place.

And growing up at quite a pace.

~ Aries 7 / 0 / 7 / 4 / 3

~ Brave / Eccentric / Loves the Outdoors

~ OTH: Tinkering

~ Favourite Colour(s): Turquoise

She is of course matched by her twin Francis.

~ Aries 9 / 0 / 4 / 6 / 2

~ Eccentric / Perfectionist / Workaholic

~ OTH: Cuisine

~ Favourite Colour(s): Yellow

Francesca knows absolutely everything there is to know about balloon animals, and loves to regale the whole dinner table with her wisdom.

Julius soon catches up with his siblings.

~ Pisces 6 / 3 / 5 / 5 / 2

~ Shy / Anxious / Loves the Outdoors

~ OTH: Tinkering

~Favourite Colour(s): Grey

Now that the kids are a bit more self-sufficient, there's time to finally plan and execute a wedding!

It might be a chilly winter's day, but that doesn't hinder the romance of the occasion one bit.

The newlyweds even manage to squeeze in a brief honeymoon.

We're spending some time with the Bertrams of Sanditon today, where the family is expanding once again.

Oldest child Francesca is still a force to be reckoned with, keeping her younger brothers in their place.

It looks like she will soon have another sibling to lord it over!

Julia is a happy mum-to-be though.

A quiet evening at home, with Crawford supervising homework while Julia naps. Francis is wondering whether he can copy his twin sister's answers without dad noticing...

In the Zone, and about to max out his Logic skill. He couldn't be a happier Knowledge Sim!

Ouch!

Ta-da! it's another boy, named Timothy.

Crawford, would you like to put down your logic toy for a moment, and say hello to your new son?

Random shot, because I liked the pretty snow. *_*

Esther drops by unannounced, and finds herself in the middle of after-school playtime!

Outside, I'm really happy to see two of my shyest Sims - Felix and Francesca - making a friend outside the family.

Francis is really excited about the prolonged spell of snowy weather this winter; although younger brother Julius is far more interested in sleeping.

Crawford shows Julia how it's done.

Happy birthday, toddler Timothy! And he couldn't be more different to his introverted, grouchy siblings:

~ Taurus 10 / 8 / 10 / 7 / 10

~ Eccentric / Friendly

~ OTH: Arts & Crafts

As a result, he's more demanding of parental attention than the others have been.