My last night home was spent at my brother Zane's and sister in law Joy's home. We celebrated my mother's birthday. Joy prepared the dinner in her new kitchen.
My cousin Gene and Kathy came over too, I helped them prepare for their trip to Europe next Spring. I love when I know someone in my family is coming over to visit, it makes saying goodbye a bit easier.
Zane and Joy are the parents to Molly and Warren.
Joy made double pumpkin cakes and put them on pedestals for my mother's birthday. I thought that was very clever, and I am going to copy that idea.
This is Warren (named after Joy's father) he is the youngest in our family. The last time I saw him he wasn't talking… but boy does he talk now! He wanted to show me his bedroom, so he grabbed my hand and lead me to his sister Molly's bedroom. When we went inside I asked him if he was sure this was his bedroom. Warren reassured me that this was indeed his room.
"Warren, your room sure looks like Molly's… it is very pink!"
"Aunt Coco, this IS my room and it is very pretty."
While we played with Molly's miniature doll house Warren told me that the bedroom next door (his room) was dark and that he liked this pretty room best.
I was and still am afraid of the dark. I hugged Warren and said, "…we could turn a light on in that room next door…."
My brother Mathew re-designed Zane and Joy's house. It use to be my Uncle Phil's and Aunt Sara's home (Franca Bolla's and Sheba's childhood home).
I love the fresh twist my brother Mathew created for them.
A kitchen is meant for gatherings.
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This is my brother Mathew…. forgiven.
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Here are a few more of my nephews… Sam, Joe and my Godchild George (named after my father.)
Sacha spent many long summer days with these guys. A year ago they tried to build a raft to float down the canal. After it sunk over and over again, they abandoned the project and swam instead.
What I love best about my home in Willows: Family Gatherings.
My Mother is
the center,
the rock,
the faith point,
The cookie maker,
we love her
and she brings us together…
Patti, the young woman on the left, is the oldest grandchild in the family. She brought her boyfriend along. He fit right in with his plaid shirt, wrangler jeans, and baseball cap.
Patti turned 20 this August. Chelsea will turn 20 in December… when I see Warren (the youngest grandchild) who is two, I am reminded how fast time goes by. Chelsea and Patti met the first time I went home with a baby in tow, Chelsea was five months old.
Since then I admire ANYONE who travels with a baby on a plane. Though I am SO GLAD those days are over for me… what a work out traveling with a baby on a plane can be.
Sam, brother Mathew, Diane, Godchild George, a tip of Molly and my brother Mark.
I have four brothers, and four amazing sister in laws.
-Marty and Suzy, have three children Patti, Andy and Jack.
-Mathew and Shelley, have three children too, Sam, Joe and Marie.
-Mark and Diane, they have four children, Gina, Maci, George and Kate.
-and my youngest brother Zane and Joy, they have two children, Molly and Warren.
I am the oldest and the only girl in the family.
My Mom, Marie, Marty, Joe, Sam and Mathew.
Joy and Warren.
The girls cutting the pumpkin birthday cakes.
My oldest brother Marty. My sister in law Suzy and the boys were not able to make it, Andy had the flu!
I hope he is better by now?
Marty often writes comments for my brother Mathew.
Maci, Kate covering her ears and Warren hiding…though I do not remember why? Maybe my brother Mathew was giving a lecture or something.
Warren looks exactly like my brother Zane when he was little. I remember well because I was fourteen when Zane was born.
This is Marie, I call her Ree, she learned how to read by herself when she was something like three or four. Ree and Gina keep me posted by sending me emails.
Once Gina wrote to me:
"Dear Aunt Coco,
George was riding his motorcycle
and fell into the canal.
Love, Gina"
This is Molly, the other day my sister in law Shelley's parents celebrated their 50th wedding aniversay. My entire family was invited. We also all helped with setting up, cooking, serving and clean up, it is an Amaro thing, it is one of my favorite things about my family too. Anyway, I told Molly, who LOVES chocolate, that on each of the party tables there was going to be chocolate candies, and she should bring a purse so she could take home some chocolates home after the party. Molly grinned ear to ear and said,
"I'll bring a grocery bag."
Home. Happy. Good and Full.
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