Showing posts with label Pre-eclampsia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pre-eclampsia. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Whole Crew

As I'm sure you have all noticed,  I write birthday letters to each of my siblings.   I do this to help keep the connection between and them alive.  After the last birthday letterKelly asked for more information about my family.  Kelly, consider this your answer.

I have 9 siblings, 5 sisters and 4 brothers.  I am the second child.  Yes, we all came from the same mother and father.  To satisfy any curiosity you might have,  here's what my family looks like.

[caption id="attachment_585" align="aligncenter" width="240" caption="Steve & Kim (Mom & Dad)"][/caption]

These are the leaders of our clan--Steve and Kim.  My dad is busy with work and my mom is busy keeping track of all their children.

[caption id="attachment_586" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="The First Born: Ashley"][/caption]

Ashley is a buyer for HerTern, a boutique based out of Alaska.  She is gorgeous, successful, and everything I could have hoped for in an older sister.  She explores her photography and baking talents at her blog--Just {Ash}.

[caption id="attachment_587" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Raul, Brody, & Autumn"][/caption]

I have referred to Autumn a few times for the ultimate sacrifice she made a couple years ago.  She is now happily married to Raul and completely smitten with her son, Brody (who has Down's Syndrome).

[caption id="attachment_588" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="Austin"][/caption]

Austin will be leaving to serve a 2-year mission to Peru in a couple of weeks.  He practically saved my sanity while I was pregnant with Andrew.  I will greatly miss him.

[caption id="attachment_598" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Aaron"][/caption]

Aaron is busy breaking girls' hearts.  He is an incredible athlete who has had to leave sports due to injuries.  He is a big goof ball.

[caption id="attachment_590" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Katelynn"][/caption]

Katelynn dreams of becoming a paramedic.  She brings balance to our family with her witty sense of humor and kind heart.

[caption id="attachment_591" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="Alden"][/caption]

Alden is a strong boy.  His battle with Asperger syndrome often leaves him feeling confused and out of control.  His heart, though, remains untouched.  He is extremely compassionate--often the only sibling that can comfort a crying niece or nephew.

[caption id="attachment_592" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Abby"][/caption]

Abby is a happy, sweet, angelic little girl.  She enjoys snuggling and playing with her little friends.  She has a special place in Ben's heart.

[caption id="attachment_593" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Kaden"][/caption]

Kaden is the miracle baby.  As you can see, he has grown to be a handsome little boy.  He is adventurous, smart, and loving.

[caption id="attachment_594" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Alivia"][/caption]

Alivia was also a premature arrival, slipping into our family when we least expected it.   Yet,  she has made a name for herself as Queen Alivia.  She is completely a Daddy's girl.

There you have it--my family.  If you have any questions you'd like to ask about my siblings, my parents, or growing up in a large family, ask away.  I will do my best to provide well thought out answers.