pArTy!!!

After Dan's graduation, we drove a detour home via Springfield, MO to visit some of our dear friends. (see more about graduation HERE). Knowing we would only be there overnight, and wanting to visit with as many people as we could, Julie helped me plan a surprise graduation party for Dan!

Here is what you have to understand about Dan...

1. He does not like to be the center of attention

2. He can smell a surprise a mile away

3. If I would have asked if he wanted a get together, he would have said "no"

Well, WE DID IT!!!! Julie picked up the supplies for me and graciously opened her home to 12 adults and 14 kids. Melanie made from scratch a YUMMY cake. The best part was Dan was totally clueless, even with the party prep going on around him! :) About 10 minutes before the party, I had all the kids go down and tell him what was going on - he was VERY surprised!!!

We were able to hang out and chat with some of our oldest friends. They are those friends that will always be there to pray and support us, even if we don't get to see them often. Friends before any of us had kids, and now after 14 kids :)

THANKS EVERYONE for coming and making this time special :) It was great to see everyone and catch up. Next party is in Tennessee! Come visit us!!! :)

Going downstairs to warn Dan about his surprise party....

HE had NO idea that in 15 minutes we were having a PAR-TAY!

The DELICIOUS cake made my Melanie! Two layers of yummy butter pecan cake topped with home made cream cheese frosting. YUM!

Congrats, Dr. Slater!

Ahhh, the swingset

"Hi, Girls!!!"

Food time for the kiddos

Two of the boys with one of their favorite people

Princess Ash and Princess Katie

The Owens Family

The Denton Family

She is the miracle that was never supposed to make it

The Brennan Family

Linda & Danny

I have more pictures of the individual kids on my Facebook photo albums. They all have grown up so much!!!

Unfortunately, I never got a family picture of our host family OR a picture of myself and Julie. You'd almost think we were never there since we are not in the pictures :) It's ok, next time.

Thanks for being GREAT hosts, Dave & Julie!!!