Surprise (that's not really a surprise) for Michelle...

We wanted to surprise our friend Michelle, by getting a family photo of all 10 of her kids together. It's not really a surprise cause how was I supposed to say "can I borrow your van and all of your kids?" and not tell her why! Plus I'm not good at keeping surprises! But she won't see the "for real" picture until Christmas!

I thought I could handle all 1o kids, plus my 2 for help.... I was wrong. Cuz Laura offered to come help, and I'm so glad she did. Then Jeromy also showed up after an appt. for some extra backup. And we needed it! We even ran into auntie Mary who was taking Laura's kids so she could help us! Thanks auntie Mary!

Like I said- I'm not good at surprises, so here are some of those adorable kids all dressed up, Michelle may see these but she won't see the real thing till later!! Here's Ashton... he's 2.... and STINKIN' ADORABLE!!!Here's Iana, she's 6.... and a hand full... 2 hand fulls!!!

Here's Beriah, she's 9, she wearing one of Jade's dresses when she was that age... so cute seeing that cute little sparkly dress again...Here's Nadia, she's 11, and looking beautiful in purple velvet...Here's fabulous cousin Laura with Tessa age 13 and Julia age 14.... such cute girls...

And Austin the man... the 16 year old man...Here's Laura again, giving Aiden and Iana some kind of "ride"... looks like whiplash to me lol!!!After the portraits were done, we thought we'd walk around the mall a little bit...Here we are in front of this huge tree... so pretty...We stopped for ice-cream...This is NOT something Jeromy should be eating... he's going to regret it! He said he has not had a real ice-cream cone in years... he got German Chocolate Cake ice-cream.... he sure looks happy with his ice-cream....Then we took 3 rides up and down the escalator... after the 3rd time some woman informed me that I could not take pictures inside the store... I said "WHY?" and she said I just couldn't... what ever... at least I got this cool of of our gang taking up the whole escalator...Then we went to the grocery store to get food for lunch and dinner. Michelle treated us all for lunch and dinner, thanks Michelle! Here's Aiden who is 4 and Ashton in the kid cart... I forget how big these things are...Then we came home. Laura and the older kids started making lunch. I though I was holding it together pretty good, but I had a little meltdown towards the end of the day, but I'm better now. I'm staying home from work to recover :o)

Thanks Laura for all your help with the kids, Michelle is going to love this gift from both of us, because now it is from both our families!

Laura left a little bit ago, and now Jade is making meatloaf, one of Michelle's recipes. I have been getting a few yummy recipes from her lately. Here Jade working on it with Beriah watching....Here's Jeromy and Alex... Jeromy's eyes are freaking me out a bit!Man, I am spent. I don't know how Michelle does this everyday, she is super mom! Here is Michelle... Later gators!