Category Archives: about us

We don’t mind sand in our stiletto’s

A really great chance for us to meet up presented itself when Wayne received the opportunity to attend the SFN (Society for Neuroscience) conference in San Diego.  With only a couple of broken up days together, one vehicle and two active boys that had just spent many hours in that vehicle, our options were limited.  #1 on the list was the beach…ahhhhh….the beautiful Coronado Island.  And then just as the sun was going down we ended up at Seaport Village.  To all of you that scraped snow off your windshield this morning, we hope these photos will warm you up.

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And the rest of it…

And you thought all we did was hang out a Lincoln Center?!!  Oh no, not a moment of my precious kid-free time was wasted .  We caught a live taping of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, soaked in the sights of the Brooklyn Bridge, enjoyed authentic pierogies (sweet potato and cheese) and borscht at a little restaurant called Little Poland.  (please tell me you all have tried pierogies?)  We were all over town…Columbus Circle, East Village, Diamond District, Mid Town, Canal St., Soho and the Upper West Side.  And we shopped (obviously), ate square pizza and made Clive take us home in his pedicab!  Whew!

Inside Lincoln Center snatching freebies from FIJI water and Starbucks

The Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in-house band The Roots gave out drummer ?uest love’s sticks after the show….yep….Jenn got them!

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Hola Canada!

Four days till I head back to Canadaland.

Lugged out the suitcase to fill it with the most important things first.

Shoes!

After 27 years in the Rocanville School System our family is all getting together to celebrate Vanessa’s high school graduation. I’m so excited to see family and friends….and Dairy Queen blizzards….and dollar stores….and pizza pops…oh!…..soooo excited for pizza pops!

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the COOKE boys

On one of those long drives somewhere, we decided to play a game with the boys to teach them plurals…

“What do you call more than one mouse?”  “Mice!”

“What do you call more than one goose?”  “Geese!”

Then David gets smart and asks “What do you call more than one T-Rex?”  “SCARY!!!!”

I decided it was my turn to be silly and ask “What do you call more than one Cooke boy?”  Noah replies ever so serious….”Chefs!”


Noah….such an intense child.  His body has been on the go since day one.  A bit of a challenge I must confess.  There were times that I definitely missed my mommy!  He’s passionate in everything from his anger and frustration, to his love.  He repeatedly tells me that he loves me all the way to China and back or around the moon 4 times or shows me using his fingers, toes, knees and elbows.

There hasn’t been an animal yet that he hasn’t loved and wanted to take home.  If he and his father had their way we’d be running a petting zoo in our backyard here in the city.    He’s headed to kindergarten this fall, and he just informed me that when he grows up he’s going to be a wolverine ninja.   I’d better make sure he has all the right classes so that he can achieve his dream.

Simon…my food lover and affection hater.  “Snack….snack…snack…” is his constant mantra.  We have countless pictures of him eating.  He’s the messiest eater ever but hates to get his hands dirty.  “Nahkin, nahkin, nahkin…pees.”  He’s quite opposite from Noah when it comes to showing his love.  It’s a rare occasion that he gives out any hugs or kisses.  Good thing for that smile–he’s rarely short of those!  It came as a relief that he wasn’t quite as ‘busy’ as Noah.  I’d probably be committed somewhere if that was the case.

He’s well into his 2’s now so we’re dealing with the independence issues.  It takes 3 years to get into the Jeep,  4 years washing his hands and 10 years to ride his bike half a block.  He’s into throwing everything, including his fists and is experimenting with a second language, often referred to as potty talk.  David asked him the other day if he was poopy and he snaps back “I’m not poopy, I’m Simon!”  Then he calls me “Boots! I call you boots, that’s not potty talk.  Boots!”  Smarty pants!

Splitting Image

Welcome to our blog!

West Coast, by Melissa Petays-Cooke
In 2001 I received my photography diploma in Regina, the capital of my home province, Saskatchewan. I now live in northern California, in the beautiful sun-filled Sacramento Valley. One thing that never changes no matter where I am, is the inspiration that I receive when looking at the beauty and character of the world through a camera lens.

I have two young active boys. My days are like snapshots, capturing one memory at a time. Children’s expressions of love, laughter and tears. Preserving these moments in the unforgettable medium of photography, the permanent memory, is a delight I want to share with you.

East Coast, by Jenn Petays-Tschetter

I have been living in New York since February 2008, first in Manhattan and now Westchester (the suburbs). Living here has been one of the most remarkable experiences of my life. Although the city was daunting at first, I cannot imagine a place I’d rather be.

I have grown to love the ethnic diversity, the vast history, the shopping, the hustle, the restaurants, the fashion… did I mention the shopping?
Not that the city is perfect, it is crowded, it is noisy, it is dirty, and at times, even amongst 8 million people, it can leave a person feeling disconnected. However, this is the place where I thrive.

I love exploring the city; from the quiet of central park to festivals, street fairs, parades, and street performances, it is always new and electrifying. I hope to share a little of this with you here.


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