So.. I just got the DLC for my Xbox 360 "Hearthfire", went through lots of work getting the whole house "Lakeview Manor" built, found a suitable steward (Ria, from the companions) and got my wife and adopted daughter moved in. Things were going great! Happy Happy! Off I went to become thane of Falkreath, I had Ria gettting things for the house. A horse, cow, a few chickens, they were in the yard when I left.. Came back from a day of questing only to find the Dawnguard had slaughtered everyone,(I didn't kill the vampire I rescued her and made them mortal enemies) and Ria the steward no where to be found. Its been 3 in game weeks (from 7 of mid year to 22 of mid year) and not only do I have no family but no steward and can't even hire a new one. To me, the family and house should be off limits unless I'm there to defend them. This blows.
I was about to point out that merely "rescuing the vampire" isn't enough to make the Dawnguard mortal enemies... think about what else you did.
But, more to the point, children are invulnerable, so they must still be there. They actually lack the ability for enemies or you to even target them, weapons pass through them harmlessly - they cannot, without modding, be killed.