I grew up with large extended families on both sides. On my dad’s side, I have lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. My mom has lots of aunts, uncles and cousins, which means I have lots of second cousins. My youth was filled with many weddings, baby parties, and always New Year’s dinner hosted by my mom’s Auntie Mabel and Uncle Russell. This was a tradition, and a sure way for everyone to see each regularly. The tradition ended some years back, it was just too much work for them, which unfortunately meant the end of the Soo family gatherings. This year, the cousins decided to get everyone together again. It was funny to see all the kids of my generation who were age 10 or under (some were babies!) the last time I saw them. Now everyone is grown up! We all had a great time catching up or getting acquainted, and I can’t wait for the next one.
My sis-in-law Deirdre and my cousin Sarah (from Seattle)
My bro and sis-in-law
My grandma and my mom’s cousin, Claudine
My cousin Lisa and her beau, Lee, who travelled from San Diego
The Soo siblings - my mom’s Uncle Al, my grandma, and mom’s Auntie Mabel (the Soo family consisted of seven kids total!)
We took individual family photos. Here’s who made it from our family.
The (very) extended Soo family, four generations represented. Believe it or not, there were probably almost 20 people who did not make it to the party!
The first and second generations, which is my mom and her cousins
The first, third and fourth generations