Shatto Family

Early Christmas...in Chicago!

For Christmas my parents gave the girls American Girl Dolls! That in itself is a HUGE gift (especially when you are 7 & 5!), but this came with an extra special gift...a trip to Chicago to pick them up!

My girls play with their American Girls for hours and hours! Shaelyn's look almost as good as new. Monreau's all have crazy hair and look very "well loved" :). But, even with different play styles they will spend hours creating imaginary scenes and stories! So, adding a doll to their collection was a BIG deal!

We planned the trip and for two months before the girls would study the magazine. The decisions were so true to their little personalities! Shaelyn, had her heart set on the year doll McKenna. She had been wanting her all year and did not waiver for an instant. She did extra jobs to earn money to buy her accessories and she was SO excited about finally getting her. Monreau, sweet Monreau, changed her mind every week! Each week it was a new doll and a new reason of why she wanted her! I loved listening to her :). Shae and I would laugh and wonder which doll would finally win out in the end!

We drove down first thing Friday morning. We had the JOY of one of my mom's best friends- who was visiting from CA for the weekend- join us! We love Laurie and it was such a treat to get this time with her! It was good Grandma prep for someday... she is going to be an amazing one :)!

As we arrived at the store Monreau had made up her mind! She picked Marie-Grace! We checked out her whole section and then Shaelyn asked to go find McKenna. As she asked me an employee of AG heard her. She immediately told us (in not the kindest or even close to gentle way) that McKenna had sold out. They didn't have a single item of hers in the store. Poor Shae was SO sad! She couldn't hold back the tears! We talked it through and she could order her- but she was on back order until January. I was pretty impressed with her patience and willingness to wait to get her and leave the store with out a doll. Once we got over the disappointment we had a great day! :) Which included afternoon tea at the AG restaurant, amazing Christmas trees, Chick-fil-a take out, The Sound of Music & sleep over at the hotel! Such a fun, fun day!

Headed to the store...

Tea Time!

Marie- Grace!!

Beautiful friends!!!

Love these two!!

Our hotel was just around the corner and was a great place!

Good morning!

The next morning the girls met Santa :)

It looked a lot like Christmas!

It was fun to put up the tree this year and watch how excited the kids got about their box of ornaments. It was sweet to listen to them tell each other about each one, where it came from, who had given it to them. Fun memories! When we remodeled our house it gave us the perfect spot for a tree! I love having it up!!

It was also fun to celebrate at the girls school with them as they enjoyed an afternoon of crafts!

Monreau with her ginger bread house!

Kindergarten is fun!

Shae and Sophia!

Their class! We did a fun group gift! The kids were so excited to give it to her!

Playing Catch up... Florida Trip...

We've had such a fun couple of months! There are so many experiences I should be organizing pictures from and documenting! So, here's my attempt to start catch up, now that Christmas vacation is complete and we are back on a routine!

In November we spent Thanksgiving in Florida. It's a trip my family has done for most of my life. We meet 5 other families there. (the same families from my childhood). Most of the "kids" are now married and many have kids of their own. It's such a precious gift of friendships that my parents have given us! It was a wonderful week and we were so thankful Matt got to join us down there for the 2nd half of it!

When I got home I wished I had taken more pictures... but here's a few and they definitely show the JOY of having so many cousins!!!

Such a sweet 5 year olds!