Today’s technology affects us all in different ways, but for me it is a very important way to stay in touch with my crazy family. My dad’s family consists of 6 siblings, spanning across the country from Texas, Georgia, California and Ohio. My grandma always tried really hard to keep her family close after her children all went their separate ways, so planning family reunions every couple years and finding ways for us to stay in touch was something important to her. It means a great deal to me to be able to honor her memory and continue to stay close with my family.
We came up with a fun spin on a family football pool. Each person submits their football picks and then attaches their weekly “News from the Home Front” through email. We’ve been doing this football pool for the past 10 years. It’s a great way for all of us to keep each other updated on our lives.
This weekend was very special for me, because all of our huge, extended family was able to come together for my cousin’s wedding in Georgia. My cousin’s older brother actually got married in June so this was the second trip we made for the special occasion, and it meant a lot for everyone to make an effort to do it all over again only 3 months later.
Through Facebook, Twitter, picture messaging and email, we have been exchanging pictures from the occasion. This weekend was one of my favorite family get togethers we’ve had, even though each one is amazing, so I will definitely be looking through the pictures from time to time to relive our fun times had together.
I can’t wait to see how technology evolves and see how I will use it in the future to stay connected when I have a family. It’d be nice if someone finally invents a way to teleport!
Wedding on Lake Oconee
Texas cousins
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This article has so many great ideas on how to stay connected with family near and far. Take a look!
What's the Word? 
I enjoyed reading your post because I am also from a large family that spans across the United States. With my cousins all getting older, we have also started the beginning of what will be many, many weddings. I like your idea of a family football pool. My mom’s family consists of nine siblings so I think this would be a great idea to look into as well to keep in touch with the many relatives. Do you have any idea where in the country you would like to end up after school? I also find that social media has helped my family keep in touch and updated on each other’s lives through pictures. Instagram recently is something I think people will take advantage of through families to share photos. Have you looked into that at all?
Katie, I think I would like to stay in the Columbus area after graduation, to start off. Eventually I wouldn’t mind moving to one of the Carolinas, or even Georgia, if the right opportunity presented itself. I have been using Instagram for awhile now and I’m becoming more and more addicted everyday! One of my cousins from Georgia recently signed up so it’s nice seeing different pictures she posts.