Family - how does mine look?!?

My parents - Thomas Leslie and Donna Leslie (Winters).

Thomas' decedents came from Ireland and Scotland to Eastern Canada.

Donna's decedents came mostly from England.

Thomas has one younger brother - his father passed away when he was 16 and was raised by his mother and soon after - step father.

Donna has one older brother and 3 younger (a house full of boys - poor girl) her parents were married 50 years before her mother passed away.

The Whole Family (-1 brother) at my oldest brothers wedding

I am the youngest of 5.  I have 2 older half brothers (same father) who I grew up with as they lived with my mom and dad. and I have another older brother and an older sister (same parents).  I was raised by mostly my mother - as my father was killed in a car accident when I was just 6.  One of my half brothers has made some decisions in his life that has unfortunately pushed us away.  But other than that we were a close knit nuclear family and even now that there are children involved and soon to be more (my brother and his wife are expecting in May and myself and my boyfriend are expecting in May) we are still very close - bringing the extended family into play!!  We grew up very close with our extended family on my mother's side and we are still pretty close - we don't see each other as often but always keep in touch!

My Siblings and their 'other halves'

My boyfriend is the middle of 3 boys - He is quite close with his younger brother , not so close with his older but very close with his parents.  Although growing up they spent a lot of time with extended family - they did not stay as close as everyone gets older. 

I always imagined my children being close with their aunts uncles and cousins but now that I am having a child - this is something that I really want.  The idea of family is SO important and I believe that for a child, nothing bad comes out of a child being loved, supported and encouraged by as many people as possible - only good things.  It is proven that love and support cannot only fulfill a child's attachment needs but also increase their self-esteem and belonging. 

Our Little babes first picture - Due July 2012

So.. I want my nuclear family to be close with mine and my boyfriends extended family - Family is a wonderful thing and it is something that I and hopefully my children will never take for granted!!

My love <3