It was long, long ago (1950?). Two young people met. I have no idea if it was love at first site, but they eventually decided to get married. And boy am I glad they did because they were (are?) my grandparents! They soon had their first child, a son. Then a daughter, another daughter, a son, well the list goes on. In all they had 13 children (12 living). I am the daughter of their second child. :-)

Every family member brings their own unique personality. Once born, they can never be replaced. I cannot imagine my family being only half it's size, and I don't think I want to try. I love my family and feel blessed to have been born into it. Even despite it's ups and downs, I would never trade it for the world. :-)

My Grandfather~Cornelius (Jr.)~ Born in, well, I think it was 1927 but don't hold me to that. He became a doctor. He now has his own medical practice. :-)
My Grandmother~Rose~ Born in what I think was 1929, the child of Austrian/Hungarian immigrants. Although she passed up an art school scholarship to marry my grandfather, she later went to nursing school after the children were grown. She and my aunt, Laurie, went to nursing school together. They graduated 2nd and 1st respectively in their class. My grandmother worked for several years at a hospital until she retired in 1992 (I think). On October 7th, 1999, Rose Marie Sullivan died at 9:45pm. She was 70 years of age. She was surrounded by nearly all the members of her family. Survived by her husband of 48 years, 12 children, 27 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. We will forever mourn her loss, while celebrating her life. Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow, bloom and grow forever....

Their First Child~My Uncle~Cornelius (III)~ An opera singer, he and his wife Cecelia (now my aunt, also an opera singer) lived overseas for seven years to sing. They begat *grin* my oldest cousin, Cornelius (IV) (February 1978), and engaged to Jennifer. He is totally awesome. :-D Alana (July 1986), and Gwendolyn (March 1990).

Their Second Child~My Mother~(who would like her name withheld)~ An ordained minister and traveling evangelist, she married my father, (whose name my mother would like withheld) in August of 1976. My older brother, Damien, died a few hours after he was born in February of 1978. I was born in February 1980. My little sister was born in July 1988.

Their Third Child~My Uncle~Gregory, died at 6 weeks of age in what was decided as crib death. He and my mother were twins. We have a picture of him that I would put on here, but it's been professionally framed therefore I can't remove it to scan it.

Their Fourth Child~My Aunt~Laureen graduated first in her class at nursing school and worked at the same hospital as my grandmother for several years before she met her husband. She and married David in 1991 and made him my uncle. David works as a pharmacist in the town they live in. They have four sons, in the form of two sets of twins. They're my cousins. Their names are: first set, David (Jr.), and Kevin (February 1992), second set James, and Frederick (April 1993). Now Laurie spends all her time caring for their sons.

Their Fifth Child~My Uncle~Brian and his wife, Leslie, recently moved into a new home out in California. Brian invented some sort of special equipment to edit movie footage with, I'm not sure what it is exactly. And Leslie is the top editor of a film producer's magazine. They have four sons, all single births. :-) Jared (June 1986), he's the next grandchild (age wise) after myself. Jamie (August 1987), is one of the most handsome grandsons. *squealing* He's soooo cute!!! Joshua (November 1990), and Jason (August 1992). Jared, Jamie, and Josh in December of 1991, the most recent pic I have (sad, I know).

Their Sixth Child~My Uncle~Christopher entered the Navy through the ROTC. In February of 1996, he was given command of his own nuclear sudmarine. That was a very exciting time for the family. Many of us (although only a fraction) traveled to attend the Change of Command Ceremony. We all got to have brunch with the mayor of the city after which the submarine was named. Then we were treated to a tour of the sub itself. While there were many locked doors and covered instrument panels inside the boat, it was still quite fun. We got to see where the sailors (and my uncle) sleep and eat, and the very special experience of breathing the recycled air aboard. :-) One word about the air, yuck. Nothing beats fresh air, and it was very nice to breathe real air again once we got out! The whole experience was capped off by passing my driver's written test and getting my learner's permit right before the drive out of state! :-) Christopher recently seperated from his wife, Susan, who had worked as the manager of several veterinarian hospitals. {Photograph removed by request.}

Their Seventh Child~My Uncle~Matthew had an exciting 1996 as well. He married and graduated from college within two months! He received his bachelors degree in Business. He married Kathie, making her my third aunt named Kathy(ie)!!! Yes, there is some confusion involved! Kathie works for the IRS. *hears screams of pain coming from the readers* They have two sons and a daughter from previous relationships. Matt's son Graham (December 1989), and Kathie's children, Traciann, and Jeff. They recently welcomed their first child together into the world. Matthew Christopher was born weighing 9 pounds 14 ounces, at 3:17pm on August 4th, 1998. He is the 29th grandchild (26th still with us).

Their Eighth Child~My Aunt~Kathleen married Mark. They live in Texas where Mark works as an Executive for an exclusive department store. They have two sons, Mark (Jr.) (August 1989), and Robert (September 1991). Again, very handsome children! {Photographs removed by request.}

Their Ninth Child~My Aunt~Francine married John in 1983. There is a VERY adorable picture (at least in my opinion) of Neil (IV) and I posed with Fran and John at their wedding, I was three and Neil was five. I was so cute. *grin* They have two children as well. A son, John (Jr.) (June 1988). And a daughter, Rachael (September 1994). Rachael is one of the youngest grandchild. She is sooo adorable! She has a very outgoing personality and the endless energy to go with it! I just adore the way she says my name!!!! And for her brother, she calls him "Don", and she'll say "My Don!!!" and run and hug him. *heart is melting*

Their Tenth Child~My Uncle~Shawn and his wife, Kathy, are both EMT's. (Something like that anyway, I think I've been corrected on this several times....) They have four children. Charlene (February 1978), had a big year as well! Just like Matthew she graduated and got married! Both events took place in June of 1996. High school graduation was overshadowed by her wedding to Thomas, my first cousin~in~law! They had a special announcement at Christmas 1996 as well, they were expecting their first child! Thomas (Jr.) (that's me holding him) born in August 1997. Their second child, Nicholas, was born in May 1999. Char and Tom in 1995, at their Junior Prom. Melissa (May 1979), married Bill in early July of 1997. They had their first child, Phillip, sometime in February of 1998. Shawn and Kathy have two other children, Justine (February 1988), and Shawn (Jr.) (January 1993).

Their Eleventh Child~My Aunt~Constance (Connie) is now working towards her doctorial degree in Anthropology. She also works as a student professor. She is my godmother and one of my favorite aunts. She's a really cool person and I love her very much. :-D Hmmm, they say that that pesky high school graduation photo follows you around for a lifetime....*grin* She and her partner, Louise, have a daughter, Zoe (Summer 1994). Absolutely adorable child. So cute!

Their Twelfth Child~My Uncle~Gregory is by far my favorite uncle *trusting no family members will be reading this page (probably not a smart thing to do)*! He is my godfather. In October 1997, Greg and his long~time girlfriend Jennifer got married. I love weddings. :-) Together during the wedding ceremony. You can see more pictures from their wedding at this page here. Greg also is very talented musically! He plays several instruments and has a knack for mixing/editing music. He has a great voice as well and was in his own band for several years. I have fond memories of being down in my grandparent's basement with Greg and Dion (next on the list), watching them "jam" as a five/six year old. I actually have a lot of memories of playing with Greg. Epecially our "boxing" matches, but I don't remember who won. *dreamy smile, feeling quite nostalgic* Greg in concert.