Surprise Package to the Sandbox!

I was hoping to receive a letter back from my adopted soldier by now, but one has not yet arrived.  Instead of my weekly letter, I included a personalized Christmas card in with this "surprise package" to my adopted soldier, since the normal monthly package already went out for December.  In addition to my soldier's card, there were 21 other cards included.  My mother and I hand-made each one (11 each).  Right before sending the box, a friend of mine sat with me and helped write in all the cards that my mother hadn't already written in.  Unfortunately I had no names for the cards, so all the envelopes said,
"To: __________  From: ALASKA".  In my solder's card I asked that he distribute the cards to his platoon, and share the other goodies as well.

Also in the box were 24 candy canes (Jelly Belly flavors, mmmm yummy!) and 22 Christmas ornaments.  Each ornament had a large bell attached too, so when all were packed in the box, it made obnoxious noises when shaken!  It's my, "I'm-trying-to-drive-the-postal-workers-crazy-from-here-to-the-Sandbox" project.  I told a friend of mine about the bells, who is also deployed and in an area where there is internet access, and he said, "I just shared that with the guys I work with and the verdict is that you are an evil genius. Well done." Oh gosh, that totally made my month!

In addition to the cards, candy canes, and bell ornaments, I was also able to squeeze in a few fruit snack packs, a camouflage Santa hat (how fun is that?!), and a canister of FLARP.  If you don't know what FLARP is, or how much fun it can be, go ask a 7 year old.  Oh how I love flat-rate shipping boxes!

Below are some photos of a few of the cards I made, plus the card I made for my friend (he loves guitars and I'm just sooo proud of it).  As usual, I also took a few shots of the box as it was being packed.  Not a large box this time, just big enough for what was needed.  

Hope a letter from my soldier comes soon.  I'm starting to run out of things to write about... just wish I knew something more about him.  

First card I made.  Glitter glue on every spot... totally worth how it looked when it was all done!

This is the card that I made for my adopted soldier.   

Snowflakes!

Partridges!

Partridges!

7 of the 11 cards I made.

I made this one for a friend who is also oversees at the moment as well.  Really proud of this card. :) 

24 candy canes, check! 22 cards, check! 22 ornaments with noisy bells, check!

Camo Santa hat, check!

Gummy snacks, check! FLARP, check!!!