A big family got a big surprise when they walked into their new home for the first time Friday, but only nine of the ten family members got to see it.

Sgt. Jonathan VanderWert planned to fix up the house, but was sent to Iraq just after they moved in.

That’s when the Rebuilding Together and Heroes at Home program finished the New Prague house for the VanderWerts.

For months the family lived with missing drywall and ceilings, which left exposed electrical wires and only one bathroom.

But in three months, an all-volunteer crew remodeled almost the entire house. With the help of Sears, they also added furniture, bedding and appliances.