changes in the neighborhood

The first family we met when we moved into this neighborhood was the Allen family. They lived just diagonally from us. Their four kids are really close to the age of our kids. We clicked pretty instantly. So many hours were spent with the kids playing together; they played school, jumped on the tramp, played in the sandbox, played harry potter and percy jackson, had lemonade stands, lined up dinosaurs, coloring and spy games are just a few of those fun times. When I needed a missing ingredient I knew who to call and vice versa, I ground cups and cups of wheat at their house, we shared plants and seeds, we had so many laughs and conversations in our front yards. Our kids knew where to go if for some reason I was not home. We just love this family. 

On top of that we are blessed with some other awesome families in the neighborhood. All of us had to say goodbye to the Allen family this last week.

Some of us in the neighborhood and some of us that served together in young womens threw a luncheon party for mommy Allen, who is in polka dots. We had a great time.

The next day the weather was just so perfect. We had to have a going away party for the kids. One last time that all these kiddos in the neighborhood could play at the same time. It made me both happy and kind of sad to see this sight. That's a whole lot of awesomeness in those photos.  

Perhaps the saddest one to see them move is Rudger. He completely adores Emma. He looks out his window and points to their house and says Em..ma. And every time she comes to our house he gets so excited and follows her around the house so he can be right where she is. It's tender. 

Lucky for us they are just moving across town, so it's really not the end. I just hate seeing that empty house across the street.