We have quite a clan. To start with, here are the Caddigans (brothers and sisters of my mom)

Before (60 plus years ago - my mom's the one in the cart)

After (mom's not pictured)

To renew family ties, and avoid trying to keep in touch over the holidays, we have developed the a tradition of "Christmas in July" picnics.

Thats my mom down in front. The head peaking up in the back is my grandfather.

This is at '97 gathering. Pictured are 22 of my 37 cousins (Caddigan children). I think the current count has us at 52 second cousins (Caddigan grand kids). And our first third cousin was born that year (a Caddigan great-grand kid). A prolific lot are we. Sounds more like a tribe, Eh?

Again at that the '97 picnic, here are the seven who started it all (my mom is front center left). Sadly this was to be the last group shot. My Aunt Betty past away at the end of that year.

She will be missed. That smile is the last memory I have of her, and it makes me wish I had gotten to know her better. It also makes me wonder what life would have been like if we hadn't moved away from Chicago when I was so young.