I was recently out in Utah on a short vacation. Aside from just visiting those places I used to know, I took the time to visit with family. My parents are back in Utah, so we had to stop and visit with them.
I took the long drive south to visit my sister Debbie Crockett on her homestead near Mt Pleasant. Some of Debbie's kids were there, and some are married with a couple of kids. Now I am a great-uncle!
While we were there Melissa and I gathered who we could and had a extended family home evening. We had an impromptu potluck, a lesson, and time to visit, chat, and swamp stories. We had about 35 people in attendance. We had my parents, my family, most of Debbie's kids, most of Tom and Lori's kids, Danny Taylor, and America Martin.
Grandma and Grandpa Swan had about 40 grandchildren. We had 35 people and that is just a small fraction of their descendants now. I have a list of their descendants, which has not been updated in awhile. On there I see about 178 people, but many of their great and great great grandchildren are not recorded.
Attending there were two of the second generation, my parents. The third generation, the grandchildren, Debbie, me, Danny Taylor, America Martin, and spouses. The fourth generation, the great-grandchildren, six of Debbie's eight kids, Tom Swan's daughters, three out of five, two of mine, Danny had a few kids, America came with five, and a handful of spouses. So among that group, we had 1st and 2nd cousins. The fifth generation, the great-great-children (2nd great-grandchildren) were scattered and running about. They are 3rd cousins. I am not sure I have meet any 3rd cousins, though I have had contact with other distant cousins. Those in Utah may have some limited contact, though several of us have contact on Facebook. I know I am not on there that often, and not sure about other's either.
Still, even on short notice, I was able to reconnect with some of my extended family which was more than I had hoped for. Many thanks to those who I was able to connect with, and some for the first. I am grateful there is some connection still among the Swan clan, even down to the firth generation.
