Our Milwaukee Family

During our last 3 weeks in Milwaukee (after our stuff was already moved to Virginia and we were camping in our empty, echoey house), we tried to arrange as many social events as we could.  These pictures make me so happy. 

Best buddies Marshall and Benson.  I loved overhearing their conversations about important topics like eagles and femurs.

A surprise picnic with the Woolf Pack.  Thanks Miranda!

Slumber party with the Levers!  The kids were all W-I-R-E-D.

We stayed up way too late talking with Jackson and Catherine, but it was so much fun!  The next slumber party's at the Levers' place in Michigan.

Pool party in the Abrahamsons' backyard.

Benson and Evan spent a while in the pool discussing Benjamin Franklin!  These are some pretty cool kids. 

We were mesmerized at Benihanas with the Shultices.  This was their first time to eat at a hibachi restaurant, and it didn't disappoint!  Blake is the guy that we named Christian after.  (Christian Blake McAllister.)  He and Andrea made an amazing wall hanging for Christian's room, as well as a letter for us to read to Christian when he's older.  These guys are the best. 

My two favorite Venezuelans, Ines and Vivian. 

We tried out the next Kopps Custard flavor, "Hey Cupcake," with the Leakes and Hassells.  (We decided the flavor was okay, but would've tasted better with a chocolate base.)  From playgroups, lunch bunches, book clubs, date night swaps, half marathon training, and a thousand other things over the years, these guys have become our family away from home. 

One last playdate with John and Tracy!  (Actually, these guys were watching the kids while Lindsay and I chatted, but we peeked into the room and noticed that the kids had melted into the background, and John and Tracy were creating complicated magnetic structures.)

The Zundels invited us over for a Balistreris Pizza night.  (We did it at their home instead of at the restaurant-- good call!)  Whenever we hang out with Lindsay and Tracy, we feel smarter and more cultured afterwards.  These guys are some of our favorites!

Mao and Yeng treated us to a REAL Chinese restaurant (not the Americanized stuff).  It was delish!  We will miss Mao and Yeng (and their egg rolls) sorely.  We are excited because they're flying out to visit us in DC next year!  (Yeng is a pilot when he's not doing the lawyer thing.)  Everyone, hop on board!

The Kings did a quick trip to Milwaukee, and we met for lunch at Wirth Park.  These guys are super cool. Hanging out with them always inspires me to go biking and eat more vegetables!

Little Alice Rummler instantly charmed my boys. 

My finest moment with Laura was performing a rousing version of "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" at a church activity.  These guys are so fun, we're really going to miss them and our inside scoop on the Milwaukee theater front. 

We enjoyed one last backyard jousting tournament at Tim Mertz's 12th birthday party (with a Roman gladiator theme, of course). 

John and Pierre met 8 years ago and immediately hit it off.  They've been yakking with each other ever since.  John literally daydreams about Pierre's gumbo and N'awlins red beans. 

My last day running the church Nursery had just one minor catastrophe.  The duck basket goes on easier than it comes off, Easton!

We were so happy to see Ka and Jimmy and company one last time.  Their 5 kids are brilliant and have such sunny personalities, and they are a tribute to their amazing parents. 

My kids love to snuggle up and climb all over Rhonda.  Who wouldn't?

People just don't get any better than Wallace and Rhonda Hayes. 

John and his bud Mike Malan.  John's going to miss philosophizing with this guy. 

The Bagleys, Mabeys, and Zundels came over for one last dessert party in our kitchen.

Five little monkeys jumping on an air mattress!  The Bagley boys are perfect matches for the McAllister boys. 

Hanging out with Jersey girl Lorri.  This girl is so sharp, and she is really going places in life.  Darn it, I should've grabbed her autograph while I still could!

Our new next-door neighbors in Virginia will have huge shoes to fill!  It has been a delight to live 20 feet away from the Mabeys.  (At least, a delight for us!)

Cami gave me a new 'do!  And I love it.  She is a miracle worker with hair.

Fonde and Benson on a playdate.  Their kindergarten teacher referred to these guys as Math Masters #1 and #2. 

Kicking back and playing Uno.  Fonde and Benson. 

It was so convenient to be just blocks away from the Woolfs. Cameron and Miranda are some of the most thoughtful people we know.  Next time we visit Milwaukee, we get to stay in their brand new custom-built house!

The Bridges, Hassells, Froebes, Bradfords, Richardsons, and we took over Murf's Custard one evening.  Mmm boy!  Good times, great people. 

The boys and I have attended church in this gorgeous building for over 400 Sundays.  And (drumroll)... guess who's taking our place?  Jabari Parker!  The Milwaukee City Branch basketball team will be ever more unstoppable!

Now you can see why it was so difficult for us to leave our home and family in Milwaukee.