I am the youngest of seven siblings which gives me three brothers and three sisters.
Sile is in the middle of six, she has three brothers and two sisters.
They have provided us with thirteen brother and sisters-in law.
We have three daughters.
In the fullness of time our brothers and sisters have multiplied giving us a combination of thirty five nephews and nieces.
One of our daughters has married and provided us with one son-in-law and two grand-sons.
The other daughters have provided us with two, equally valued, partners.
Quite a few of our nephews and nieces have, in turn married and provided us with twenty one niece and nephews in law.
And they in their turn have increased and multiplied and produced a running total of fifty one great nieces and nephews.
I must add that this is far from a finished score.
I have, as I write two nephews engaged who will certainly add to the score.
So, if my maths are right (and they rarely are) I have a fair old bundle of close relations.
(I must add that this does not include cousins- of whom I have several dozens!)
My tally of close family comes to One Hundred and Thirty Nine (139) by this latest count.
I consider myself very fortunate to have such an enormous family but, boy am I glad that they are not all on my christmas present list.