Christmas morning...

There is nothing like the excitement of a child on Christmas morning! To share that with our three was amazing! My girls were SO excited for all the "traditions" we have started. For opening their stockings, singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and having birthday cake for breakfast and then giving and receiving gifts. The girls were at such fun ages and were just as excited to give the gifts they had bought and made as they were to get them! I loved watching them as they watched each other and were so excited about each little thing! It was a special morning to just be our family! We have been given so much! 

I love the sleepy eyes! 

This is Monreau hugging Shaelyn and saying thank you for the gift Shae picked out...before she has even opened it. This is probably my favorite picture of the morning :).

He's really tall..we have to start him early :)

Just what they wanted :)

James' 1st Birthday

My nephew James turned one on December 23rd. The downside for him is that it is so close to Christmas the upside for us is that we got to celebrate it with him! We had a fun surpise birthday party/breakfast at our house on Christmas eve morning! The Ellis family joined us and it was so much fun to all celebrate James together! He is one very special little boy!!! Amazing he is already 1!

Jonker Christmas...

This year we had a fun Christmas eve with my family. All of my siblings were home after John surprised us and came in from Sweden. It was a little on the crazy side with all the kids, but it's a fun craziness! The kids all love being together and get along great! They were all excited about their gifts- mainly being American girl doll items and Legos and they quickly disappeared downstairs to play with them together! We got them all down to bed and enjoyed a quiet adult dinner. It has been amazing amazing to watch my family grow and to see all the amazing gifts that each personality brings into the family! It will be fun to see where we are in another few years :). 

The whole family! Classic timer shot!

Grandkids ...missing Jacob who was napping!

James and McLleyton ...future best buds!

All of the grandkids in their Christmas PJ's! 11 kids- Lauren is the oldest at 7! 

It was fun to have a couple post Christmas days with the Jonkers. 

The boys ...wondering why we put them in there without food :) 

They are just 6 months apart in age! So much fun! 

Cinderella with Nanny...

Shaelyn, Sophia, Nanny and Lauren

My mom took the three girls downtown to see Cinderella at the local theater! They had such a fun afternoon and they all loved seeing their first play! Shaelyn and Sophia spent the next week playing "Cinderella and the step sisters" :)! Such a fun experience. 

Decorating the tree...

I have such fun memories from my childhood of pulling out the same box of ornaments each year and decorating the Christmas tree. It is fun to watch my girls now enjoy the same tradition and to see their boxes of ornaments grow as they do! It's one of those tiny moments in time that you wish you could push the pause button on. I am blessed!

1st Snow!

Today was the first snow of the season...and it was good enough to close schools and keep us home for the day! It was one of those winter days in Michigan that you love. The girls were SO excited that they were bundled up and outside sledding at 8:15 this morning. It was extra fun because as they walked out the door their cousins (and next door neighbors) were walking up the driveway ready to play! They went out two more times during the day ... and we enjoyed a lot of hot chocolate! It was a great day! 

The next day Matt took the girls sledding at the golf course his parents live on...it was Monreau's first "big" hill sledding experience and she did great! 

Happy half birthday McLleyton!

So much to update...so little time! 

I'm way behind...my computer isn't uploading my pictures at the moment and I've been waiting to write until I have them. The pictures are my favorite part! 

But, I just had to note a big milestone in our house. We are a half a year older! McLleyton is 6 months today! Monreau is now 2 1/2 and while Shaelyn, she's been 4 1/2 for a while and won't let me forget that when someone asks her age :). I am always amazed at how quickly time continues to pass by.

McLleyton is a joy! He's sitting up on his own. Eating cereal. Sleeping great. Down to 2 naps and 4 feedings a day. No teeth. Rolling lots. Is not the best bottle taker! Is still called "McLleyton Matthew Tarzan Shatto" in our house. Has survived his first ear infection. Is in love with his daddy. Loves to snuggle. Can pull grab his sisters' hair in an instant. Still will sleep just about anywhere I need him to. Gets woken up from a nap nearly everyday to accommodate someones schedule...but within seconds will wipe my guilt away with a smile. Endures an immense amount of "loving" from his sisters. Where ever we go he makes people smile with his dimples! I am daily blessed by this sweet boy!!!!!