I don't have Samantha's house, but I have made traditional gingerbread houses in the past (pre-kids), and I think with kids it's more fun to make edible ones using the sugar cookie or graham cracker method and yummy icing/candy. There are also cute little ornaments shaped like gingerbread houses that would be great for dolls (I would be a little nervous about keeping a real one around for long in my climate).

Kim