When 1st Lt. Adam Hennen opens his mail, he’s in for a big surprise. He’s in for about 375 surprises.

Hennen, a Jordan High School graduate, left home in early September 5 with the U.S. Army National Guard. Away from home and family for the holiday season, his family decided to bring Christmas to him by way of several boxes full of cookies.

Hennen’s mom, Connie Hennen of Sand Creek Township, said she was trying to think of ways to make Iraq seem a little more like Minnesota for Adam.

"Christmas cookies would make it feel like home," she said.

Connie said she sent six boxes of frosted gingerbread cookies – 375 cookies in all – to her son and his unit, the Army National Guard 1157th Transportation Company out of Oshkosh, Wis.. The cookies were decorated Nov. 25 by family and friends who wanted to wish Adam well.

The cookies were decorated in assembly line fashion. First, each gingerbread man would get a coat of camouflage frosting. A second decorator would add the beret, and a third would add a cinnamon candy for the heart. The last step was adding a face.

"I was pretty overwhelmed that we got it done as fast as we did," Connie said.

She estimated that about 35 to 40 people were in her house helping with the decoration.

But that isn’t all that Adam will receive in the mail.

Connie said in addition to the cookies, there were boxes of Christmas decorations, including Vikings decorations, American flag decorations, and an entire Christmas tree.

"I’d like to see him opening them," she said.

Connie said she isn’t sure if Adam even likes gingerbread, but she knows he likes receiving cookies in the mail.

"He’s always really happy when I send him things," she said.

Connie said she ordered the cookies from the Shakopee School District food service in July, because gingerbread cookies are popular, and she had to act fast.

The cookies were pre-cut, but they had to be baked. For that, Connie enlisted Deb Pauly and Peggy Heitkamp.

Adam is currently working supply and information for the 15th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. He is scheduled to be back in the U.S. after 18 months overseas.

Madalyn Schmidt helped add the camouflage frosting to the cookie soldiers.

Derek Larson coated Ritz peanut butter sandwich crackers in chocolate to send along with the cookies and decorations.

Jake Weierke added the cinnamon candies that symbolized the hearts of the cookie soldiers.

Cousins Ashley Heitkamp and Jaxon Schmidt helped lay the cookies out for the frosting to dry before they were sent.