The Oldest and The Youngest, the story lives

 

family

Photography and text by Corey Amaro:

The oldest with the youngest.

My Mom is seventy five today.

The youngest in our family is three.

 

family

My mom surrounded by the seven youngest grandchildren.

 

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This is W. (the youngest) on his baptismal day,

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Here he is nearly three years later. He played trains with Uncle Yo-Yo all day long, and I mean all day long. Uncle Yo-Yo was choo-chooed out.

 

 

 

Pig-tails

Kay-Kay two summers ago… with a pin curl.

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Kay-Kay turned five, and Daisy came to her birthday party. Kay-Kay tells everyone that she is BIG.

 

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Do you remember Molly? She was the mermaid… yes she cut her hair.

 

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The Little Mermaid with her seaweed crown.

 

My Godchild George

 

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This is my Godchild George. He never liked his photo to be taken. Now he is all over it. Lucky me.

 

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Since George is my Godchild, I let him take a photo of us using the "BIG" camera. He is a very good photographer don't you think?

 

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Uncle Yo Yo (that is French Husband's name to his nieces and nephews, because his real name "Yann", which everyone around here pronounces: "Yawn" just didn't cut the mustard.) loves to tell stories. So while he wove his tale I snapped a few.

 

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The five older boys in our family: Andy, Sacha, Sam, Jack and Joe are now taller than the Empire State Buliding, and my camera lens cannot capture their faces….. well not yet that is.

This is a photo of them a few years ago. Andy is now six foot five….

 

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Maci… with those blue eyes.

 

Years ago I took the photo below:

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Notice the pointed toe, on nature's stage? The sweet Prima Donna poses. I asked May-May if she was hot that August day in her Snowflake Princess dress. She looked at me like I really didn't understand what it meant to be a Princess. This was the favorite dress, a real FUR dress! I was told.

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I told the them last summer,

"Okay girls, take two red bricks, tie them tightly to the top of your head with a ribbon every night before going to bed. Oh also, DO NOT CUT YOUR HAIR…."

They did not heed a word I said…. next year I am certain they will be taller than me.

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This is Ree, she is Brother Mathew's daughter. Ree often writes comments on my blog. And I fear will be the first of the little girls to be taller than me.

 

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The story continues… Uncle Yo Yo's stories are long….

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Every emotion shared…

 

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My mother waters her garden faithfully… and it grows tall and stong.

 



Comments

54 responses to “The Oldest and The Youngest, the story lives”

  1. I love this post and seeing the many members of your family. 🙂

  2. Happy Birthday!
    They are so beautiful;i like so much the picture with your mother watering your garden!

  3. A Tall and Strong and Beautiful Garden indeed, Corey. With Deep and well-loved and fed roots from both your fine folks.
    Such darling lovely children.
    What a marvelous family!

  4. Happy Birthday to your mom!
    These are wonderful pictures and such happy memories.
    It is simply unbelievable how fast children grow!
    (Some grow so fast that they graduate before their mother!) *
    A blessed day to all of you,
    happy gathering of memories!
    * My Geneva girl finishes today.
    Time flies.

  5. What a beautiful, loving family. Your pictures tell the story. 🙂

  6. Your mom is a gorgeous 75 (and you look just like her.) I can only hope I’ll look as good (actually I don’t think I look as good now at 54:) Every single child is stunning as well (as is the setting.) You weave a lovely story…with your mom watering the family…:) er, I mean the garden. Of course you know you are “watering” the family with your camera too, yes?
    jackie
    blissfarmantiques
    ps Uncle YoYo is hilarious, if I ever get to visit you I am soooo calling him YoYo…

  7. So enjoyed seeing all the photos of the children, then and now. Such beautiful blue eyes, they could be part of my family as we all have blue eyes too. Happy birthday to your mother. How lucky to have been surrounded by so many and to be captured by your talented lens.

  8. You are wrapped up in the middle of so much love, how will you ever be able to return to France??? Love seeing your big, happy family. Bisous (left-right-left) to Yo-Yo. xox, dede

  9. I love seeing how much all the kids have grown. It such a bitter sweet thing.
    Happy Birthday to your ever so beautiful Mother!!! She and my dear hubby celebrate the same day. Hope you all enjoy each other’s company.

  10. My God, how much you two look alike!!!!

  11. Happy Birthday Delores! I came by the other day with Mom when I was in town for her birthday, 1st of October. Found a beautiful plater with a M engraved on it.
    love, Mary Hall

  12. “As you sow, so shall you reap”…your mother is indeed a very fine gardener.

  13. thanks so much Corey, I love seeing before and now photos, everyone is growing wonderfully together.

  14. one of my all time favorite posts from you…. what a treasure.

  15. Brenda L from TN

    Hope your Mom had a great day!!! Actually, it looks as if she did. WOW!! you two look so much alike…
    You have beautiful nieces and nephews as your great photos can attest…thanks for sharing…hope you have a wonderful visit and have a safe trip home.

  16. Love this post … it has brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful trip you have had. Thanks for sharing

  17. Happy birthday to your mom! It’s so much fun to see the young ones growing up (my how they’ve changed).

  18. Happy Birthday to your Mom! What beautiful grandchildren she has! Your family is full of life and full of love. God bless you all.

  19. I have tears in my eyes. Beautiful. Life and family and love and laughter, what else is there. I feel quite full and am certain you must as well.

  20. What a family!
    What an album!

  21. How I love to see all these beautiful family faces.
    How lovely indeed♥

  22. Delores, I hope you had a most wonderful Birthday. You are truly blessed. And the best present of all, Corey and Yo Yo were here to share it with you. Beautiful family. Good soil in Willows.

  23. The perfect birthday gift, being surrounded by family. What a stunning group you are! You all have the most beautiful skin, hair, smiles. What a family!

  24. Family to cherish.
    You are your Mother’s child. Are you sure she is not your sister?
    Happy Birthday beautiful Mother of Corey.

  25. What a beautiful family , they are so tall . They grown so fast

  26. A very beautiful family. Thanks for sharing them with us. Happy, happy birthday to your mom. How special to all be together for her birthday. I am sure she is thrilled.

  27. My nickname is Kay Kay, as well as my only niece. Kay Kays are the best! Please tell your Kay Kay I said hello.
    Beautiful photos and thank you for posting the older photos, fabulous family you have, you see the love in each photo.

  28. What a beautiful family and pictures to cherish when they are not so close by. Birthday wishes to your mom with many more to come.

  29. Gorgeous family!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  30. Denise Solsrud

    what a pleasure! lovely kids. i enjoyed viewing them. children are God’s best gift to us. such beautiful and trusting faces. Bestest,Denise

  31. Beautiful post, Corey…looks like you are enjoying your visit here in California!

  32. WOAWWWWWW – I come back (broken computer, dead is the word ….) and first thing I find is this absolutely DELIGHTFUL story about your family….. Gosh, I sighed and sighed, smiled, grinned, smiled again, read on…. what a BEAUTY! Young mum and wonderful she is too! My birthday is tomorrow but I have no grandchildren to boast about and only tell my tales to my Hero Husband when he is around 🙂
    THANK YOU for this pre-birthday present, just for me (and some thousand readers I guess)…. Must go – see you soon, young life!
    Kisses, Kiki

  33. I forgot, and I do apologize….
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY mum – you are absolutely gorgeous and your daughter looks just like you. You are both smiling women and the smile looks out of your eyes – you’re both very, very beautiful – inside and out!
    Love from another ‘balanced’ October child!

  34. Happy Birthday Dolores!
    How proud you must be of your beautiful family.
    May all the blessings that you give, return to you a million times over.
    You are my angel.
    Love
    Holly

  35. I think you have the dreamiest crop of young beauties and beaus there. Gorgeous, every single one. Your Mom is a pillar of strength and beauty, so radiant.

  36. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Love the last-year and this-year comparison photos.
    And how DOES one pronounce “Yann”? I think of it as “Yawn” myself… didn’t realize I was thinking it wrong.
    Did I miss photos and a story catching us up with Sacha? Look forward to hearing how his adjustment to the US (awkward greetings, color of hair, etc etc) is going.
    thank you so much for sharing your family and your life with us, Corey.

  37. Tap on the shoulder and I turnaround and it’s you, Corey. What a wonderful surprise today. Happy Birthday Delores…..how beautiful and chic you look.

  38. What a delight! And happy birthday to your Mom!

  39. Bom aniversário para a Mamãe da Corey — parabéns!
    Corey, try to remember to pack those books I sent c/o your mom last year, so you can take them back to France with you (and read them!).

  40. What lovely family photos you have shared today! Gorgeous boys and girls and such a great group photo with your Mum….it seems like an idyllic time is being had by all!!
    Cheers
    Jennifer

  41. What a gorgeous family you have, so many of them have your mother’s doe eyes and all of them seem to have her spirit. Happy Birthday Mrs. Amaro!

  42. Rita Darnell

    ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ To You♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪To You ♥ ♥ ♥Happy Birthday ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Mrs. Amaro♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Happy Birthday ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥To You ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ ANd Many More!
    Corey, you have beautiful children in your family. Those girls are really special!
    What a sweet treat that you get to spend your mom’s birthday with her. Enjoy and Blessings.

  43. What an absolutely beautiful family. I can feel the love from here.

  44. Marie Noelle

    “Happy Birthday to your mum !!! my secret wish is to meet her some day …
    Could you, please, give her a sweet kiss from me, Thank you !
    A nice family bunch, that is !!!
    I can hear the whole lot giggling, I can see them dancing, running, hugging, kissing, …
    listening to their French story teller, …”

  45. Ida from South Africa

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Corey’s Mum! MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ABUNDANTLY. It’s great to be surrounded by all your loved ones! ♥♥♥ ENJOY the time together!!!

  46. Corey,
    What a beautiful family!!! Best Wishes for a Happy Birthday celebration for your Mom!
    Gwen

  47. Anne Pezell

    What a heart warming photo of your Mom and her grandchildren. I’m sure having them all around her must have been one of her best presents. Happy Birthday…You are certainly surrounded by much love and respect. Such a lovely family!!

  48. Your mother has tended to her “garden” with love….which is the foundation of boutiful “garden”. Thank you for sharing the pics 🙂

  49. BOUNTIFUL 🙂 and Beautiful!

  50. How nice to have such a large family!
    I love the photos of your mom and the kids, but especially like the one of you.
    ~elaine~

  51. Julie Ann

    Yes I was right, your mother is getting younger. These are wonderful family photos Corey, memories to treasure and cherish forever. The mermaid is just beautiful, should be in Vogue ! My love, Jx

  52. These are all wonderful images. What a lovely and blessed family.

  53. Corey,
    How can so many attractive people be in one family? Your family is gorgeous. They all look like they’ve stepped out of a Calvin Klein photo shoot.
    WISHING YOUR MOM A HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!
    Continued safe travel!

  54. BIG HUGS COREY,
    FINALLY GOT INTO YOUR BLOG….
    WONDERFUL PHOTO’S AND COMMENTS OF ALL
    YOUR LOVING FAMILY AND CIRCLE OF FRIENDS. THINK OF YOU OFTEN.
    HOPE YOU WILL VISIT ME IN THAILAND SOMEDAY
    YOU WILL ALWAY’S BE WELCOMED.

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