more randomly materialized families, text style

This was inspired by that time I made Drew and Fenton's family (who you'll actually meet in story very soon!) and once I got started with them, I just couldn't stop! I've said before that I have a hard time reaching my characters fully until I understand where they're coming from, so family backgrounds are always a sticking point for me. These families were made from the little tidbits of story I've thrown out for them over the years, and when I compiled everything together, a real picture started to emerge.

I'd love to make all these characters as real actual Sims, but OMG, that would be impossible! So most of them will have to live in our imaginations. Though I'm sure some of them will probably end up working their way into a story some day.

Some of these places might not mean very much to people living outside the U.S., so I linked them up to Wikipedia if you feel inclined to know more.

Cameron: His parents have been married for 45 years, working-class people living in metro Detroit. Cameron is the youngest of four brothers. His dad and brothers are big fans of ice hockey, and his mother sings in the church choir. Cameron was always kind of bullied by his big brothers for being a bit of a prissy boy (which he kind of is), and we suspect that's why he grew up to have such a chip on his shoulder. Cameron is quite happy to have a house full of girls now, though sometimes he wonders how he would do with a little boy too.

Jodie and Jason: Their parents divorced when Jodie was a baby. Their dad remarried first, and brought one step-sibling and one half-sibling to the family. Their mom remarried next, bringing two more half-siblings, and three step-siblings. Blended family holidays were ridiculous and chaotic for a time, and once Jodie moved out for college, she stopped going. Even Jason stopped going soon after, and the grown children scattered around the country and meetings fizzled out. Jodie has spent holidays with her brother ever since. She considered not going this year, now that he's married and expecting a baby, because she thinks she'd feel left out. But in light of certain emotional events, she's actually changed her mind. She's even a little excited to see them. She plans on bringing a pie. Store-bought, but still.

Corbin: His parents are Raymond and Juniper "June" Gray, a hippyish and quiet couple living a little ways outside of Portland, Oregon. They've been together for about 35 years, but didn't marry until Corbin was five. Corbin is an only child. If at all possible, his father is even more reserved a man than Corbin is. His mother is a large woman who wears linen skirts and bakes organic bread. She also makes windchimes, and she sells both the bread and the windchimes at local craft shows. His dad is a carpenter, and specializes in sunrooms. Corbin calls home about once a month, plus holidays and birthdays, which he never forgets.

Piper: was born in Idaho, and moved to Lake City for college. She comes from a big, religious family (she's the second-youngest of seven!), but it was so big she felt lost in it. Piper is still fairly religious herself. Her parents have been married for 35 years. She was never very close to her mother, but she and all of her sisters are daddy's girls. She has four sisters and two brothers, and she keeps up with all of them through email and video chats. She's set up a family blog, where all her siblings can post pictures and stories of their children. She has sixteen nieces and nephews, and she can't WAIT to have one of her own!

James: Has just a dad, in Cleveland, Ohio. His mother died of cancer when he was eight. His father just remarried a few years ago. James was invited to their very small wedding, but he didn't attend. He is not currently speaking to his father.

Vicky: Declined to comment on her family.