Ah, the dream of many: to have children, a big family full of love and life. For some it’s a quiet dream with one or two children, but for others, like Jen and Ray Bonell, it’s a real family marathon! When Jen met Ray, she didn’t consider herself a mother. He had other plans in mind. But Ray’s power of persuasion made the difference. Today the couple are parents of 16 children.

Yes, you read that right, sixteen years old! Imagine the scene: a big house with nine boys and seven girls running around. The Bonells are Jesse, Brooke, Claire, Natalie, Karl, Samuel, Cameron, Sabrina, Tim, Brandon, Eve, Nate, Rachel, Eric, Damian and Katelyn. Is it still there? Remembering names, birthdays, customs… is a daily challenge.

But for Ray and Jen it’s an everyday thing. Since the birth of their first children, they haven’t stopped growing and continue to dream of an even bigger family. Raising 16 children must be a whirlwind! Jen admits it’s complex to manage it all, but she’s never bored. Every day is unique, full of new adventures and challenges. “It’s fun. For a family of this size, you have to make a lot of sacrifices, but for us, it’s a good thing.

For many other people, this may not be the case. But we invest 100% in our children’s growth and our family life, so it’s perfect for us. The photos of his happy family prove it, and we wonder if more little Bonells will soon be joining the ranks to brighten up his already full life even more.