The Christmas season is in full swing for the Mundy family. Thanksgiving was great! Annika felt it would be nice to pay homage to the turkey we ate by drawing a picture of him on a dresser drawer... She is some artist. It even looks like she traced her own hand, creative that one is!
There are some perks to living in little ol Bethel. Every year they host the "Down Home Christmas". They have gingerbread stations, kids fest, activities in the park, breakfast with Santa, and of course it all ends with a big parade through down town, and an old fashioned cantata at one of the churches. This year the girls make gingerbread houses while the boys hunted.
It takes concentration to get it just right!
Here I am with my Annika and Madie as they build their sugary masterpieces.
Annika, Madie and her BFF Darcy.
Here Michaela, Annika, Madie, Darcy and Christa show off their fabulous gingerbread houses!
It appears there is a ghost in Madie's yard.
Annika's house is so happy!
Annika with her first gingerbread house.
Right after this photo she started dismantling it sugary piece by piece.
The girls participated in the Christmas parade with their AHG troop.
Can you spot Madie, Darcy, and Michaela?
After the parade we joined the Vogel's and the Angel's on a family fun night.
The plan was dinner at a little pizza joint, and then checking out a farm that does a huge display every year. When we get together we call it "Mogangel" time. So I made some cookies to commemorate the occasion.
Here we are in the big bus as we headed out for our evening.
My lawyer prepared a statement:
Due to legal proceedings and the guidelines of the witness protection program this is the only image to be released of that night. The Mundy's had an evening that they will never forget. In fact, they will be laughing over that evening for some time.
Annika found a bag of bells at her grandparents and decided to have music wherever she goes!
I was so busy video taping Madie's performance that I have photo's of the cast afterwards. The lighting was horrible.
Here is Madie with Mrs. Hatch, the director. She was due with Baby Eli 3 days later.
Every great stage actress should get flowers after an amazing performance.
Here is Madie with her bouquet.
The Christmas fun hasn't ended there. We went to the annual Cooke Christmas Party!
Here is one of my goodies, Rice Crispy Treat ornaments!
And I had to make Cooke Christmas Cookies too!
Jake has to text now wherever he goes.
And it starts...
Aaron scoping out the table while he sets out his deer sausage.
Jake and his cousin David. It was his 16th birthday as well.
It goes by fast!
Here is my favorite little man! Azariah and I are so rad in plaid!
He was excited about his gift, I swear.
Annika has this spirit of Christmas thing down! She wanted to go shopping one day, and I figured she would ask for a bunch of toys for herself. She surprised me when she asked if she could get gifts for her favorite cousins Montana and Dakota. Perfect time to implement a lesson. I gave her a certain amount for each recipient, and we went shopping. We talked about budget, and what it means to give. She was so excited as we drove to Springfield, she couldn't wait to give her cousins the gifts she got them.
It was such a joy to watch her light up when she gave out her gifts.
Here she is with Montana.
Here she is with Dakota.
No Cooke Christmas is complete without Grandpa!
Here is Jake with his "Ol Pa".
Noah had to give the Ol Pa some love too!
The boys sure to do love their Great Grandpa.
So.
Santa shows up every year at the Cooke Christmas. We all file into the bleachers in the gym and watch him call the children to give them a gift. The kids love this part of the day.
With about 40 or so kids you can imagine that if your name doesn't called by the 35th or so, you would start to worry. Noah was on Aaron's shoulders and he stated that he hoped that he wasn't on the naughty list. I told him that I doubted it.
About that time, Santa called for Noah Mundy. And here is how it went down:
Aaron gets down to let Noah climb off of his shoulders, and Noah with his "gun hands" starts to "maneuver" towards Santa. Noah even somersaulted on his way over...
Aaron asked me, "What is your son doing?"
I said, "Securing the perimeter to acquire the target?"
Once he got over to Santa he saluted him, and then stood at perfect attention.
How that Santa was not crying laughing like the rest of us I'll never know.
I had a tear in my eye from laughing. That boy and his randomness never
gets old. Look at his hand position. He would make a find Marine!
So he briefed Santa on his targeted gift requests, at length I might add.
Hands down, best Santa visit at the Cooke Christmas yet!
Thanks Noah!!
Ok, one last picture of Aaron and I with Grandpa.
His smile and love for his big family makes Christmas
grow in my heart.
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