Tag Archives: Family

When your Baby is expecting THEIR baby…

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Man, I thought I would be able to keep it together and get through writing this without tears…but whelp, it’s me, so tears there will be.  But the happiest of tears, be sure about that–because in about ONE month, the person who made me a Mother for the first time, is about to finally know how much a parent can love. It’s difficult to fully express to our children, the true depths of our love.  Love you too Mom, they say.  But now that Austin and Morgan  will become parents, they will GET it.  That soon, there will be a little person in their lives that will transform who they are to the core. A little person that will slay them with the tiniest of smiles,  someone they would do absolutely anything to protect, a new life that will bring them closer as a couple and turn them into a family.  Imagining them as parents is easy.  They are among the kindest, hardest working, playful, creative people I know.  That is one lucky duck of a little girl.  And the best part?  I get to be part of that sweetness… just call me Gramma Coco.  Now where is that damn box of kleenex?_DSC2971 2-Edit _DSC2984 2 _DSC2994 2-Edit _DSC3000 2 _DSC3037 2 _DSC3067 2-Edit _DSC3108 2 _DSC3137 2-Edit _DSC3159 2-Edit _DSC3191 2-Edit

End of an Era… {Appreciating Family}

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C & M RentonI’ve had a big ‘ole lump in my throat since 9:55 am yesterday morning when I received a text from my sister Melissa sharing the exciting news that they had secured their loft in Seattle.  Move in date, March 1st.  After a hearty Hooray, my next reaction was “I’m not ready!” I know, selfish, but I’m having a difficult time reconciling my sister will no longer being my next-door-neighbor.  As with any siblings, we have had our moments of being the best of friends and world wars 3, 4 and 5… But she has always been there for me.  “Horseback riding” trips (on barstools) for hours in the backyard, meticulously sorting Barbie clothes, reading Laura Ingalls Wilder books, roller skating in the garage, sneaking out of the house to go dancing, rock concert corruption, and then into motherhood–watching Austin when I was doing back to back theater shows, taking our babies on many a trip to IKEA and Goodwill, spending afternoons exploring parks with the toddlers. We were lucky enough to raise our son’s together, the BroZens roaming back and forth between households.  For me, always having an ear to bend or someone to share a beverage with, just knowing she was close.  The first two months they moved in we had dinner together every single night.  Over the years, a comfortable routine settled in–holidays were always happily punctuated with a gathering of some sort. Summer evenings imbibing in the sunset, or catching up while folding laundry and drinking coffee.  The poodle, Hero, coming over for his nightly visit.  While cherishing these moments, I fear I may have taken them for granted.  Yes, I know Seattle is only an hour away, but it seems like a lifetime as we close the “rearing our children” years and move into a different phase of life. I’m excited for their next adventure to unfold in Seattle and know we will continue to share, celebrate and create loads of new memories.  I guess I just need a bit of time to mourn the ending of a very sweet era… I will miss you and love you…

C & M braids

 

And now the Baby is a Father…

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I’m the oldest in a family of six kids.  Although it MUST have been chaotic, I don’t remember it being too rowdy.  There were kids in diapers for long stretches, and guess who was babysitter numero uno? Yep, me. I was 15 when the baby of our family arrived–Zachary.  My sister and I were away at camp and anxiously awaiting any news.  I remember someone breathlessly running through the woods to deliver the news to our cabin.  Another boy!  He was such a little stinker and so much fun. In fact, he still is a stinker, only a lot taller, and still so much fun to be with.  I know how lucky I am to have such a crazy family and LOVE my brothers and sisters so darn much! It’s truly a joy to watch them nurture their own darling little families.  Congrats to Zach and his sweet wife Desiree–little miss Payton is a blessed addition. xoxo

My Baby Bro's Getting Married! Engagement Portrait Session, Olympia, WA

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#6679This was a kid I lugged around on my hip—I was 16 when Zach was born, so I thought of him as my baby too.  He was the cutest, cutest little boy, soft blond curls and a devilish smile.  At age 5 he’d perfected the Zackie Special–a rice cake with a slice of cheese, toasted to sheer perfection–and he was always happy to make one for you.  The first time he met Philip, (Zach was maybe four) his first comment was “Nice khaki shorts”  — I’m not sure Philip even knew khaki was a color, to him they were likely tan shorts… but hey, it felt good to be complimented : )

Well, little Zackie has grown up, WAAAAY up to nearly 6’3,  graduated from UW, and has perfected many more culinary masterpieces. He’s no longer that sweet little boy, now he’s a sweet young man. A sweet man who has met a very sweet woman.  And in June they will become a sweet family with her son Keevan.  That’s a lot of sweetness.  I am so proud of him.  I think I need to make a Zackie special for lunch…#6618#6646#6565#6459#6652#6491

It's all about family… Family Portrait Session, Olympia, WA

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I have met some of the sweetest people in my career. Take the McCann family–not only are they all completely adorable, but they are mega smilers. I like smiling, in fact along with Buddy the Elf, it’s my favorite. You simply feel good when you smile, am I right or what?#2937
It’s a very subtle, but powerful statement having your family photo on the wall. Something you see every single day…who you are connected to, who has your back and who will love you just because. It’s so important to reinforce that, every single day. Because frankly, our days here, together as a family, are limited. We need to treat them as treasured time. Starting right now. Sending hugs and hallahs out… Make this a year to count. Cortney

#2941 bw
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Where did the last 20 years go? Anniversary, Olympia, WA

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Hoodoo Gurus Concert
20 years ago today, Philip, Austin and I gathered in front of a cozy fire in our home in the south Capitol neighborhood. Snow had been falling most of the day, and a glowing, silent landscape had emerged. My sister Melissa and Philip’s good friend Scott stood as witnesses for us, as we fumbled our way through a ceremony. The snow had prevented the officiant from making it to our home, and so we were on our own. We smiled, laughed and raised our champagne glasses, toasting one another. We then headed out into the still evening for a walk through the wintery scene, our first walk as a “married” couple and family. We began our relationship as friends, and it soon blossomed into something more, and before we knew it, we were young parents full of hope and feeling we could conquer the world. And so, 20 years later, we still feel like those young parents, full of hope. Only now it is tempered by the sweet contentment of the many memories we have shared, but still full of hope for many more to come. I am so grateful to have a partner who is not only my friend, but who is truly my biggest fan and supporter. I love you Philip, and I love the life we have created together. Happy Anniversary…

The Things We Ate…Thanksgiving 2009, Olympia, WA

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Thanksgiving Day started off with a light breakfast of buttermilk, pumpkin and pecan waffles, mango/orange juice and REAL maple syrup. Emmett assisted in the preparation of roasted brussel sprouts and candied yams/sweet potatoes. We headed over to Grampa & Nana Kelleys for a lunch at 1:00. We chose to forego dessert since dinner (Thanksgiving Dinner #2) was just a few hours later… Heading back to West Oly, we gathered at Grampa and Gramma Greens for another wonderful meal. Thanks to Megan for the wonderful bacon wrapped dates. Dad made both a turkey and ham… it’s just too difficult to choose, plus he was feeding a small army!  The evening wound down with satiated boys, snuggled on the couch, the blue light of their gameboys illuminating glazed eyes. I love Thanksgiving–the gathering of family and friends without all the over-hyped commercialism of Christmas… Today, I think I will just eat a banana…
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