2015 The Gingers adventures

In 2015 William returned for another successful stint as a gingerbread maker helper. Bet you can't say that fast 5 times in a row. He was joined by brother James and cousin Lucas as we celebrated our 45th year of gingerbread house making. OK, that's not how long we've been making the bread of the gingers, but I didn't want to stop and count and so I just made that up. In case you thought, "Forty five years? I don't think that's correct." You were right.

After scrolling through the pictures and seeing the home of 2015, it seems the Gingers were downsizing. They made the difficult decision to sell their beloved and opulent federal style home they'd loved and raised their family in until the end of 2014. They hadn't fallen on hard times, but instead they'd worked hard towards a life of retirement. They sold their lovely home and moved to a house in the country. I think they were happy to have a cozy spot to rest their weary heads after their successful nationwide sporting goods stores. 

Their kids had been grateful for the opportunities the sporting goods stores had afforded their educations, but each of the five kids had forged their own ways in the fields of science, medicine, technology and home making. Their parents were not upset in any way that the kids hadn't wanted to continue in the family business and so they happily sold the business for a pretty sum of money. Their 300 acre spread in Texas was just the spot for them to watch sunsets and find country roads to travel down. The winding road that leads to their farmhouse is lined with huge oak trees with sprawling limbs stretching far out over the dusty dirt road. It's quite the scenic drive to the heart of the property where the house stands. 

The kids, their spouses and the 20 grandkids visit often and can be found walking the pastures or swinging on the huge back Ginger porch. It's the life the Gingers always dreamed of after moving so many times throughout their lives together. 

Life was good. 

Lets see what their temporary house looked like while the architect finalized the real house plans. It would not be ready until 2016.   

Candy sprinkles makes a happy face. 

Maggie's working on one of the Ginger's many Christmas trees. 

Yes William, the Gingers do make many kinds of candy sprinkles. 

I spy a sprinkle at the side of his mouth. 

Lucas is contemplating life with candy sprinkles. 

The Beebs and William. 

It's the making of the trees.

Final touch is a star atop the tree.

Lucas has arrived on the scene again. 

As has James.

Shirtless ginger house making. 

The roof is looking full of chicklet gum. 

Decorate a little, eat a little. 

The mouth and lips tell no lies about sugar. 

They're intent on something.

The Ginger"s starter home while the other house is under construction. The final Ginger home would not be complete until 2016. They shared no plans with us.

This will eventually become the grandkids bunkhouse after the Gingers move into their new house. 

These people look tired. 

Mollie was not tired of the camera.

Ahhh, the front walk to the Ginger house. 

Even though the Gingers wanted to downsize, they always knew this was too small for their needs. Several structures like this would work well for their individual kids' families when they came for a visit. So they made multi of these to accommodate them all. Those Gingers lived and loved well.

This is a chapel they built on the property so the grandkids could marry right there on the promised land that God called Texas. 

Such a lovely chapel. It will see many a wedding.

Picture taking will happen on this side before and after the ceremonies. 

That's it for Ginger structures in 2015. Their story is ever evolving. What will their final house look like? Will it meet their needs or will they have to build again in 2017? 

You'll have to stay tuned to see what happens! 

Come back to see!

I may be losing it!