When Jeni met her husband Ray, she was sure of one thing — she didn’t want kids. Ray, on the other hand, dreamed of having four. Fast-forward 30 years, and the couple are now parents to sixteen children — nine boys and seven girls — making them one of the most well-known families in Australia.

Living in Toowoomba, Queensland, the Bonell family’s day-to-day life is nothing short of extraordinary. With eight kids still under their roof, their weekly grocery bill runs around $600. That covers essentials like 50 liters of milk, dozens of eggs, and 14 boxes of cereal — enough to keep a small army fed. Shopping trips take at least two carts and a team effort just to get everything home.

Managing a household of this size requires serious organization. Between school runs, part-time jobs, sports practices, and daily chores, Jeni and Ray depend on a tight system. Once a child turns eight, they’re assigned rotating responsibilities like cooking and cleaning. Their 12-year-old is even capable of preparing a full roast dinner — for 20 people.

For the Bonells, this is just everyday life — loud, busy, and full of love.