Gingerbread Houses Galore!

I took my granddaughter Rowan to see the gingerbread houses in downtown Lawrence. The event benefits Big Brothers and Sisters in Douglas County.  It was fun to see her reaction to these wonderful houses.  These masterpieces do put you in the Christmas spirit.  I loved the theater above and I took a close up of the dog with the owner right.  On the marquee it says "Its a wonderful life"  which I saw last night on TV and cried once again.  I have to watch it and "White Christmas" every year.

Can you even imagine all the hours that went into all these houses!!!!!

I love this house because each side of the house was a different color.  I wonder if this is based on a actual house?  This is the front.

This is the back.

This cottage  is done beautifully.  I loved the large leaves next to the house.  It belongs to a mouse.  The photo below shows him sleeping in his upstairs bedroom.

He has a candle by his bed and his stocking is hanging on the fireplace.

 

This is Dorothy's house from the "Wizard of Oz".  Notice the witch's feet under the house and the yellow brick road.

I loved the pretzel ladder leaning next to the green popcorn trees.  Notice the pasta wheels on the pretzel wagon.  It is so much fun to see all the candy and snack food that they use.

  

This is a replica of the bell tower on the KU campus complete with a jayhawk.  Lawrence is the home to Kansas University.

This is Spooner Hall.  This is also a replica from the KU campus.  Lots of Shredded Wheat and red licorice!

This is Santa's reindeer stable.

This Victorian house was amazing,  The artist cuts and bakes the miniature bricks separately and then adds them to the house.

A Christmas windmill.

We also saw the Lawrence Old Fashioned Christmas Parade and stayed dry.  The parade has around 100 horse drawn entries each year that come from all over.  The wagons and carriages are decked out in wreaths, lights and bows.  Even though it rained the crowd was there because it is such a popular event.  My mother in law Bev, granddaughter Rowan and I stayed warm under all the blankets.

I hope you all are enjoying the Christmas events in your towns too!