My dad is one of six kids and my mom is one of five. That leaves me with a lot of aunts and uncles and a lot of cousins. I have over 30 first cousins, and although it makes for some chaotic Christmas', I wouldn't have it any other way.

Growing up we always had someone to play with at family parties (even if that meant your older cousins forcing you to have a pretend wedding with your boy cousin in the basement). Nothing was ever boring when you have as many kids running around as we did. My youngest cousin is in elementary school and my oldest is in their 30's. There was always somebody to look up to and it was nice knowing there were younger ones looking up to me.

An upside of both parents having a lot of siblings meant that there is always an aunt and uncle there for me. I have the most amazing aunts that I can look up to. They do so much for me and I know if I ever need them I can call them and they will come in a second. They were always there to drive me somewhere if my mom couldn't, and I could always count on being spoiled by them. Whether it's baking Christmas cookies every year or going on a shopping spree, it's always a fun spending time together. I wouldn't change the relationship I have with my aunts and uncles for anything.

Holidays with my family are entertaining and hectic at the same time. Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, mainly because it's the one time of year I know my entire family will be there. When the whole family gets together everyone has a great time. I know I can count on us gathering around the dinner table on Christmas Eve getting ready to say grace and one of my uncles making a joke saying, "Grace? She died years ago!" Even after all these years it still makes me laugh. No matter how cheesy my family is, it wouldn't be a Christmas Eve dinner without that joke, and it definitely wouldn't be Christmas time if it wasn't spent with my family. I hope I never have to go through a holiday season where I don't get to spend it with them because it wouldn't even come close to a Christmas at home.

Growing up in a family like mine was definitely something I would never change. Celebrating every holiday and birthday with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins gave me some great memories and I know there will be many more ahead. There were definitely times when I was a teenager where I probably wanted to go the mall with my friends than rather be with the family, but my mom told me I had to go to the family party. Looking back on it now, I'm glad she did. My parents instilled a great sense of family in me and my sisters, and it's something that I will carry on to my kids. Watching my family and my parents with their siblings I've learned family will always be there for you no matter what.

Coming from a big family definitely help shaped me into the person I am today. It taught me the value of family, and I will continue to teach it to my kids. Thank you to all my aunts and uncles for everything you've done for me. I couldn't imagine my life without you guys and all my cousins.