Family Portrait -- The Gayton Family

-- Family members: Currently it's dad Carver Gayton, mom Carmen Gayton, 2-year-old son Chandler and full-time nanny Gene Crews, 23. Carver also has three grown children from a previous marriage: Cynthia Sleiman, 29, a law school student, and her husband Ayad Sleiman; Carver Jr. ("Clark"), 28, a professional musician who's played with Quincy Jones and Lionel Hampton; and Craig, 26, a dental school student. -- Balancing careers and family: Carver is the corporate director of college and university relations at The Boeing Co. Carmen, a Clemson University graduate, works in human resources at Weyerhaeuser. Even 2-year old Chandler works. . .he has modeled clothes for Nordstrom. -- Having a nanny: The Gaytons' careers demand a lot of time outside of the home. Carver travels frequently, recently having returned from a business trip to Japan. They hired nanny Gene Crews two years ago. Crews stays with Chandler during the week and sometimes on weekend. "I'm his sister and his friend," Crews said.

The Gaytons consider Crews family. "Having a nanny has allows us more flexibility in our schedules as opposed to day care," Carmen said.

"The family's been great," said Crews. "They're very career-oriented people, but their son always comes first."

Next year, while Crews goes to preschool, Chandler will return to school, too. -- Family time: Despite their busy schedules, the Gaytons always find time for fun. "We make it a point to do something together each week," said Carver. Activities include playing at the park and Seattle Center and gymnastics classes. -- Community services: Carver and Carmen devote many hours to volunteer work. Carver recently completed his term as president of the Seattle Central Community College Board of Trustees. He is vice president of the UW's President's Club, a board member of the Pioneer Human Services; co-chairman of the education committee of the Breakfast Group, a group of African-American men concerned with the economic development of the area; treasurer for the African-American service organization Sigma Pi Phi Boule; and on the national board for the Center for Occupational Research and Development.

Carmen is active in the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Leadership Tomorrow, an organization of business leaders who help the community. She is developing a positive anti-gang advertisement for the Central Youth and Family Services. She is a member of the Patrons of Northwest Civic, Cultural and Charitable Organization (Poncho), which donates money to the Seattle arts community; the African American Young Women's Brain Trust; the Junior League and the Women's Advisory Board for Clemson University.