The best thing about Christmas is kids and family. This Christmas, we got both of them in spades. My sister Holly is in KC now, allowing us to see them more. David and Lindsay are just adorable!
We had a fantastic time hanging out as a family. Meals, and gifts exchanged, we also managed to stop for a group photo!
I got lots of wrestling time with David and Lindsay!
And we have a compilation of David saying silly things 🙂
Hogan Haake
My brother Herman is getting married! He lives in Warsaw, Mo, but is getting married in Sedalia. Family of course came in town to see the big day. In traditional Haake fashion, we did it our way. I started off the party of weirdness when the lady at the hotel desk asked for a description of the car. The photo below is what transpired.
I got a very strange look from the lady when she saw what I wrote. Family was already there and we all started getting ready for the wedding.
It didn’t take long before we were all dressed and waiting for the ceremony to start. Before long, Nikki and Herman were up there taking their vows and enjoying their party!
After the ceremony, we retreated indoors to the barn to celebrate more!
Mom getting a little crazy!
Hanging out with uncle Mike.
Mom, Kalie, and Hannah
Dad, Me, and Corvin
Look, a truck. I would guess a Ford, but I don’t see a tow truck.
Groomsmen
Everyone except for Hayden.
Nikki and Herman entering the reception.
Somebody wrote on dad’s window…
I love out of town weddings because everybody stays in the same hotel and its a constant party. Here’s to Herman and Nikki!
Hogan Haake
My sister Holly is moving to Kansas City after being in Wichita for about 10 years. This is super exiting for me as i don’t often see her as its a very long drive from St. Louis. Now she will be closer and we can see her and her family.
This moving journey starts out on Friday evening in St. Louis though. I wanted to change the air filter in my van before we left. This requires tools and reaching back in the engine by the firewall to get the screws out. I had done this successfully and had it mostly put back together. Sonora came out and was checking out what I was doing.
I work hard at being a good father and I was in the groove. I asked her if she was interested in helping. I got a resounding yes. Before long, Sonora was leaning over working on tightening the screws to get the cover back on. That was when I heard the fateful sound of her dropping the socket deep into the engine.
On the photo above, I had to take out a majority of the plastic parts behind the battery before I found the socket. It took about 45 minutes, but I got it all fixed. I was glad to get if fixed up as we needed to take the van the next day to help with the move.
Holly said not to come too early as they were still packing the truck in Wichita, but we didn’t listen. She had lots of stuff pre-moved at my parents house. We got to KC before lunch and didn’t waste any time gathering the troops and starting the move. Hiatt, Tom, Kathy, Matt, Lauren, Mom, Dad, and Sonora.
We packed up Tom’s Expedition, Dad’s Flex, and my Sienna and headed out to Holly’s new house to unload without her. Along the way, I made some modifications to the boxes to help them find their stuff.
We just finished unloading the second load when they showed up!
Lots of trips in and out of the house trying to put things where they were supposed to go.
But it wasn’t all business, we did stop to have some fun! I taped David’s mouth shut.
Lindsay didn’t want to be left out of the fun.
And before long, it was family fun!
Henry wanted to help, but he had to work. Eventually he did get off work and we make sure to visit. His mustang is coming along nicely!
Moving was a lot of hard work and I can tell I’m getting older. By the end, I was going much slower. The hard work was worth it helping Holly and Jim out.
Hogan Haake
We came into KC for the weekend because Holly and family were going to be in town. Somehow it ended up being a mini reunion with family. Its always good to see everybody. First off is a video of Holly (and Jim)’s kids, David and Lindsay.
I got them to say “Kelly Clarkson” and “Welcome to your doom” multiple times in case you could not understand them.
Ok and now for family photos. I’ll name people from left to right.
Joan, Tom
Lauren, Jane
Mike, Hannah, Kathy
Hiatt and Kris
Lauren, Kathy, Sonora, Danelle, Holly, Becky, Mike
As the night wore on, Henry needed a ride home, so Dad and I went out to pick him up from work. We found this car in his working parking lot. An interesting and harmless prank.
Then we swung by my cousin Matt’s house to pick him up and add to the late night party. A great night!
Hogan Haake
We went to Kansas City for Christmas. We decided to take our time coming into town. We left St. Louis on Friday morning and took a leisurely drive out US Highway 50 stopping in Jefferson City. First stop was the river.
With almost no complaints, Corvin and Sonora put their coats on and walked down to the river to take it all in. And maybe to throw rocks as well 🙂
After the river, we met Sean and Jennifer for lunch. We don’t get to Jeff City to see them enough, so it was great to stop by and catch up with them!
Eventually, we found our way to Kansas City where the fun began!
If anybody wasn’t sure where I get all of my fun from, the two photos above of my parents should give you some idea!
Peaches on the left and Heidi on the right.
As an extra bonus, Holly and Lindsay were able to come in town for a while! We missed David and Jim, but made the most of the time we had with the girls!
We even made it in time for the annual Christmas party on my dad’s side.
Back at my parents, the presents flowed and the kids glowed.
Henry continued some demolition on his old car engine. 
Ohh look, its only 365 days till Christmas!
And most important of all, we have to sing our traditional song before we can open presents!
Hogan Haake