Gingerbread Party

Our friends Gina and Cody Ballard held their 2nd annual Gingerbread house party for family home evening. We went and had a great time. There were a ton of people there, some just to have fun and some with a healthy spirit of competition (John). John came up with our most ingenious idea of something truly southern: a trailer home. While we tried to make it very back-woodsy with a wood-pile, some old tires, and scrap metal on the side, I think it turned out very cute, homey, and inviting. John's favorite part is the satellite dish on top.

The group hard at work (Angie and Donnie Appleman intently working in the background)

Victoria, John and our future home

The masterpiece

Phantom Weekend

John and I took a quick trip up to Fayetteville, NC to visit our friends the Browns and attend a performance of the Phantom of the Opera. John had never seen the production but grew up with the music. He has always wanted to see the Broadway production but as is always the case, his family went to see it while he was on his mission. I had seen it when I was 6 with my family but I could hardly remember it. So, I asked John if we could take a quick trip during my finals week to visit some friends and surprised him with tickets to the Phantom. We really loved the show and had a great time visiting the Browns.

Lisa and I; Kevin, Lisa, me, and John

A night at the Opera