Gingerbread Houses!

It's not every Tuesday night you get to have friends over, eat candy, and showcase everyone's unique creativity!!! On Tuesday, December 6th, we had a bunch of friends over to build gingerbread houses! We used gingerbread-style graham crackers and each of us constructed a fun building. I for one had lots of fun and felt even a little giddy. Usually my extrovert husband is anxious to have fun and play, but this time I was excited. (Don't get me wrong, I love people, but I do tend to feel exhausted after lots of socializing.) Sean was excited too, to clarify!

Mallory, Matt, and Sean hard at work

 Sean, Cam, and Josh

The table

 Our completed houses

And... I insisted on taking individual shots of each master architect and his or her structure.

 Cameron Cunningham, one of our "old," dear friends from CA/Vandenberg days, with his radio tower. He works out at Schriever, as do Josh and Sean.

Josh Carlson, another oldie-and-goodie friend from CA (also Sean's former roommate before we got married!), with a very discriminating look on his face.

 Mrs. Rachel Carlson (as of July this year) with her welcoming little bungalow. Peppermint doormat, anyone?

 Yours truly, with a snow-bedecked rooftop.

 Mallory Hillis, the real-life artist/sculptor (and mama-to-be!), with a popcorn smoke-topped chimney.

 Matthew Hillis, dentist/resident at Fort Carson, husband of Mallory, moonlighting as Godzilla! These two are our newest friends, but good ones already! Thanks to Brandon and Emily for introducing us all at a BBQ at their place a few months ago.

Sean and his masterpiece (replete with snowdrift in the corner, not visible, and a snowman outside)

It was great fun, and we made lots of good memories! We are so grateful for our friends here. It's hard to believe we are only 18 months away from our next assignment-- which may or may not mean moving away. Just yesterday Sean and I were talking about how to balance two seemingly-conflicting emotions: contentment with our circumstances, while allowing ourselves to miss people or past seasons. (The conversation was prompted by me crying over missing my friend Amanda, and missing that season we had in California.) It was such a sweet time when we were in California: a bunch of fun, active single people who hung out all the time and "did life" together. It was relatively carefree-- no kids, marriages, or mortgages! (Not that any of those three things are bad, they just change your life monumentally.) We have been so blessed to continue that fellowship we experienced then with at least four LT's from the California group getting stationed here-- Sean, Josh, Cam, and Brandon. But life is changing. People are getting married and starting families. Both Josh and Brandon are dads-to-be now! Our tour is on the downhill side of time, 2.5 years down, 1.5 to go. For Sean and me both, Colorado has a special place in our hearts. We started our married life here; Caleb was born here; we bought our first home here; we found a thriving church home here; we've grown and matured here. I know we will continue to grow and mature throughout our lives, but there's something about the "early years" that stimulates a fond nostalgia, even when you're in them!

Anyway, before any sentimental tears drip into my hot tea, I'll sign off, with a pledge to cover Josh and Rachel's wedding next time!