What has your family done?

my mother's family is made of hard work and awesome.

This=win.

That also sounds like my mother's family. Her mom's father came to the States from Italy, leaving behind his family so he could work here and make enough money to bring his wife and daughter over as well. My grandma didn't really get to know her father until she was ~7 years old. My maternal grandfather's family is also from Italy. Grandma worked as a secretary and Papap worked in a steel mill in Pennsylvania. My grandparents didn't teach my mom or my aunt Italian because they wanted them to grow up completely American and my mom was the first on her side of the family to go to college. Her family is hard working, valued education and is awesome.

My dad's side has been in the US for idk how long. My dad's maternal grandfather started/owned Bastin Lumber Company in Lancaster, Kentucky and was also the mayor of the town for awhile as well. Now, my immediate family on my his side all lives in the Chicago-area. ~70% of them are lawyers, including my dad (also including the married-in members). They are basically arrogant, self-centered people who are always looking for some way to express how awesome they are at every turn and my aunt is the worst of them all. She's queen peach of the family, never misses an opportunity to boast, and lately I feel like she's rather fake mostly in her sincerity about being happy for other people. Get together for Easter: "We're all hoping you choose that school in Canada. *plastered on smile*" Now watch, once I'm the first in the family to have a PhD she'll be all like "Oh, my niece is has a PhD and works for [insert big name ag company here]."

So, yeah. My mom's family is also made of hard work and awesome. My dad's side... harmless arrogants who I think are completely nuts and much less awesome.