Gene's "Family"

Sometimes when Gene tells people just how many "relatives" show up for the holidays at his mom's house, they laugh. This past Thanksgiving weekend, at one informal luncheon that was taking place at my mother-in-law's, Gene and I glanced around and quickly counted about 22 people just waiting to heat up leftovers (and that didn't count those who escaped downstairs at that moment). This picture above shows our try at getting a "family" photo. The reason I say "family" (in quotes) is because basically anyone who walks through the door, be it a true Brannaka blood-relative or not, is immediately referred to as family. Most of the people in the picture are true family members, except about four, but they my as well be. I think I counted about 27 people in the above picture, and that's with some missing. All of them are Gram and Grandpa's kids and grandkids (and spouses). Gene's and my baby will only be the 2nd great-grandchild added to the bunch. The other great-grandchild is now 5 years old, so we'll have the only baby in the family. Needless to say, everyone is already starting a sign-up sheet as to when they get to hold the baby when it arrives. All I have to say is.....you can hold the baby as long as you change it when it poops on you!

What a clan!