Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Pure Pleasure: The Joy of Being a Family

Summer fun with family

 

Summer fun, pure and simple, being with family, some of the nieces and nephews having fun around my brother Marty and sister (in law's) Suzy's pool.

I love when we can hang around the backyard, laughing/talking the night away, over a BBQ and a pool.

 

Brothers and mom

Three of my four brothers, and my mom.

I am amazed they all said yes to a photo.

I guess my leaving made them do it. They wanted me to be happy.

Or maybe being the oldest finally has some power.

 

IMG_2mom and I

My brother Marty took this one of my Mom and I, after I realized I do not have a photo of my mom and I!

I found the red, white and blue dress at a second hand store for two dollars. It was surprising to wear color, let alone something so bold.

Doesn't my mother look like my sister!

 

Summer romance

Summer romance, that has gone on an entire school year…. Oh la la is someone gonna be sad, for more reasons than one to say goodbye!

Did you ever have a summer romance?

 

Comments

36 responses to “Pure Pleasure: The Joy of Being a Family”

  1. Cathy J.

    Corey,
    Wow, you so look different. You’ve got a different type of smile. You’re looking very happy and rested. California certainly agrees with you. Come back soon by the way of Long Beach next time, I’d love to meet you! Have a safe journey home!
    Cathy

    Reply
  2. Sam

    Have a safe trip home, I know you can’t wait to see Chelsea and FH, but I’m sure you’ll miss your brothers and your sister. Looking at the pictures of Sacha lately make me pause, when I first started reading this blog he and I were probably about the same height, lol. He’s grown into a fine young man, you must be so proud.

    Reply
  3. Elaine L.

    Corey, that’s wonderful picture of you and your mom.
    All in all it must have been a wonderful opportunity for Sasha to live as an Amaro for a year and experience his American roots.
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  4. Merisi

    The two of you, your mom and you, look absolutely gorgeous in this picture!
    I know from experience that it is essential to every now and then go back to your roots, be reenergized in different ways. You’ll be welcome with open arms back home in France and dazzle everyone, all over again, with your California charm and love for your French family.
    Bon voyage home, Corey,
    M.

    Reply
  5. Marie-Noëlle

    What a great bunch !!! I love those pictures !!!
    Yes, I had a “summer romance” which lasted … “three weeks” (the time of my vacation)!
    -even though we both wished it could last longer-
    Enjoy your last days !!!
    Sweet wishes to all

    Reply
  6. Sue

    You look so much like your mom! Two beautiful ladies.

    Reply
  7. Sally

    there’s some very strong family genes there! Your mom looks wonderful and yes, she could be your sister! Your family photos are great. Everyone is so smiley and full of vitality.

    Reply
  8. Kathleen

    Lovely photos of one big happy family!All your brothers names begin with M!?
    I was admiring your dress and could not believe on scrolling down how much you paid for it,gorgeus!
    Your Mom looks beautiful as do you!How does she survive without her only daughter nearby she must be one strong lady!

    Reply
  9. Irina

    You do look like sisters! You both look very pretty! Love the dress too!!!

    Reply
  10. Lilly

    Wonderful photos!
    Sasha is so young but perhaps this summer romance is the start of something that will last. She looks lovely.

    Reply
  11. Jackie

    My favorite photo is the one of you and your mom. I love the way she is gently holding your hand. Beautiful.

    Reply
  12. Theresa Smith

    I think you guys all have some of the same features! And you really favor you mom! Great photos!
    tot

    Reply
  13. Kiki

    yes, it’s easy to spot the family likeness, both amongst mum and daughter and mum and sons…. what a happy, cheerful and joyful family you are. BRAVO
    no, never had a summer love…. but a winter love (for some weeks)! then it grew cold…. :)))

    Reply
  14. lihabiboun

    Hi Corey, you look approximately like you were 37 years old and PERFECTLY like your mother. Very often I had thought that. And these bold colors are very becoming to you …. Love from Munich

    Reply
  15. JudyO

    Beautiful family. Love the pic of you and your Mom/sister 🙂

    Reply
  16. Sharon Penney-Morrison

    Wonderful memories to last until next time.
    hugs..

    Reply
  17. Kathie B

    I’m available for adoption, if anyone would like an eccentric Azorean-American sister or aunt 🙂

    Reply
  18. Penny

    Yes, I did have a summer romance, 43 years ago, and I am still having a romance with him now! I’m blessed.
    You and your mom do, indeed, look like a lovely set of sisters. A beautiful picture for both of you to treasure.

    Reply
  19. debra

    Hi, Corey! I love the picture of you & your mom, and , that’s exactly what it looks like . . .an adoring mother and daughter. So happy to see & read that you are home in CA and enjoying everyday with your family. Sacha parting for home will be hard, but I know you will handle it well.
    xo

    Reply
  20. Laura

    LOVE the dress! So cute!
    The family photos are precious. Thanks for taking us along to Willows this summer. Safe journey home…

    Reply
  21. Elaine H.

    It is so hard to comment on the posts of my #1 favorite blog because everyone else has already said exactly my same feelings. But I do have to say that the photo of you and your mom is wonderful and I love that you got your great dress at the thrift shop–my favorite place to shop besides the Santa Cruz flea market.

    Reply
  22. Tamra/The Gilded Barn

    You could pass for sisters!! Your mom looks beautiful!

    Reply
  23. pam

    I love the photo of you and your mom. So sweet. I never wear color, but if once in a blue moon I do wear it people take notice, and I’m not certain that I like it. I think I prefer to blend in. You look wonderful in any color. Happy returns to France.

    Reply
  24. Amy Kortuem

    I love your “new” dress. I think you should definitely, definitely wear it when you get home and shake up the regulars at the boulangerie a little bit when you arrive! Your visit sounds like it was a bit of Heaven. Love the photo of you and your Mom.
    I never had a summer romance, but I did have plenty of summer crushes. They’re even better – that unrequited thing that makes the memory so much sweet and still, after all these years, so filled with possibility.

    Reply
  25. Brenda L. in TN.

    You and your mom DO like sisters!! Plus I can see the resembelence in your brothers as well….Same Mouth for sure!!
    Yes, I did have a summer romance between my Jr and Sr yr. in HS. He was a boarding student from Illinois at a local boys military HS. My mother even let me FLY to Il. to see him in his hometown! I couldn’t believe she’d do that! We had great fun!! But the distance kept us apart. He didn’t come back to TN for his Sr. yr. He called a few times but it was over.Great memories tho!!

    Reply
  26. Rhonda P.

    You look so happy, Corey. I know you had a wonderful visit and you will have these memories for years.
    I feel for Sacha, leaving a summer romance….

    Reply
  27. Denise

    Yes! I had a summer romance with a Frenchman from Toulon when I was about 20.
    Your family look like a lovable bunch of people! Your Mom looks yummy. I say that because mine was yummy, I loved to kiss her because her skin was soft and she always smelled so good!
    Have a safe journey home and see you soon!
    xo

    Reply
  28. Marilyn

    Ahhh summer romance are what memories are made of. How fun to see your family at play. Love the picture of you and your mom. Yes, she looks like your sister. Love seeing you in the $2 colorful dress. Every once in awhile we do need a little color.

    Reply
  29. Zosia

    You and your Mom look so much alike and you both look amazing. Happiness just radiates from both of you. Thanks for sharing more of your family with us.

    Reply
  30. *French Curiosités*

    It is nice to see you look so happy. The good times with your family show….. 🙂

    Reply
  31. Karen C

    Every summer between the ages of 13 and 19. If only the boys in question knew it. sigh.
    Please get everyone you can to take photos of you and your Mum, you will never regret it.
    You can never have too many photos of your favourite people.

    Reply
  32. Lee

    Lovely family photos.
    Your mom ages gracefully, and you are her forever beautiful daughter.

    Reply
  33. Carol

    I love the picture of you and your Mom! You look so cute in your two dollar dress. Thrift stores rock!
    Poor Sasha and his California girl. You know what they say about absence making the heart grow fonder.

    Reply
  34. Jane Ann

    I think the picture of you with your mother is one of my favorites. What a good looking happy family!
    I don’t know what it is, but summer is just made for romance. It must be the warm sunshine and free time. Some of my romances were just summer ones. As the summer waned, so did the romance. It was fun while it lasted. Sacha will certainly be sad to leave, but oh what memories he will have of this year!
    Have a safe trip!

    Reply
  35. Brenda, Walker, LA, USA

    Cute runs in your family I see! You and your mom have a timeless beauty! Sacha may have to be a guest blogger and tell us of all his adventures! There is always email and Skype, and IPhone for him and his summer girl! :o)
    This was a pleasant break, back to ScotchGuarding fabric!
    I LOVE your families smiles!
    Drink in summer while it is here!

    Reply
  36. Gracie

    I see lots of emails amd phone calls (pay attention to the bills lady!) in the near future!

    Reply

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