moving--- in more ways than one

After 5 1/2 years of blogging over at jonandemwylie.blogspot.com we're switching things up. From what we've read and heard Wordpress should give us greater flexibility on our blog and now seemed like a good time to make a change.  You can now find us at: teamwylie.wordpress.com 

Many of you will know by this point that we are planning to move this coming July (7/24/2012) to China for Jon to teach English at a university. Changing to a new blog now kind of serves as a defining break at this big transition point in our family's life. We're also excited to switch so that we can officially have "teamwylie" in our web address.  Please check out our About page to read why we call ourselves "teamwylie."

Thanks for loving us and caring about us!

Grace and peace,

Jon, Emily, Lydda Grace and Wade

Goodnight Moon

Here is Wade Reading:

"Goodnight moon"

A Tribute to the Two Year Old

Today, Wade is Two.

Here are two video's of him

"Big Hitting"

dear Wade

Hey Wadester!

Today you are two, and we are somewhat in disbelief that this day is here, truly a toddler now.  Sweet boy you melt my heart everyday, your sweet smile, your love for cuddles and the way you talk-- I just try to soak it all in savoring all the little bits of your life at this age.

Here are some things that I love about you right now:

- you go and get a book to read and then walk to me on the sofa, turn around and wait to be hoisted in my lap

- "watsh me mama! watsh me!" you say just so you know I'm watching you do something exciting... like hitting a bat on the floor or throwing a ball

- some days when you wake up from your nap or early in the morning you are still cuddly and love to be held and snuggle

- you love to talk.... a lot... I think you've realized that's a necessity to keep up with your big sister

- what a little helper you are- you do such a great job when I ask you to help with something

- you would live outside if we let you, any chance you get you are outside... with a ball

- jumping is probably your favorite thing ever, off of things, over things, just jumping to jump, you love it. I am a bit unnerved sometimes at the heights you try to jump off but you always amaze me that you really can do it! just another reminder how quickly you're growing.

We have some big changes coming up for our family buddy, your next year is bound to hold lots of new experiences and many ups and downs.  We are so thankful the Lord wanted you to be a part of our family, I am so blessed to be your mama!

I love you dearly!

Mama

sweet friends

We had fun celebrating the upcoming arrival of Reagan with Cat! 

I love all these sweet ladies who are such a blessing to me! 

the purple was totally not intentional! 

sick

Really can't believe I'm posting these pictures.... but this is part of our life! 

Wade and I both came down with a tummy bug this past week and we were both wiped out! Poor little guy didn't have a clue what was going on. Jon had the hard job staying up all night with Wade since I was too sick to help. LG and Jon both stayed healthy though, Praise the Lord! 

messy but fun

We've been up to lots of messy projects lately. 

I've been waiting for some pretty days to do this stuff outside and so we've really gotten into it! 

First off was cloud dough

Then on another day I made these paints while Wade was napping and LG painted the front door. 

Of course Wade's first words when he woke up were "me paint!!"

So he joined in the fun :)

 The body painting was a huge hit! Next time we'll just skip the door! 

Afterwards I stripped the kids down to their undies/diaper and chased them around the front yard with the hose, they cleaned up really well thanks to the dish soap in the paint! 

strawberry festival

Jon had class a couple Saturdays ago so we got to meet up with BeBe and PopPop at the Bush n Vine Strawberry Festival. It was chilly out but lots of fun! 

On the hay ride to pick strawberries.

Serious berry picker

Riding back

Strawberry slushy... YUM!

Going on a walk on the trail

Those kiddos LOVED those slushys!

LG had a great time dancing to the live music!!

catch

Wade got some good practice in catching the other night! He's getting great at catching his gertie ball and is so pleased with himself when he gets it!

love

quick as a cricket

We recently found a new book we like at the library, Quick as a Cricket by Don Wood (author of the Napping House).  It basically goes through lots of different animals ("I'm quick as a cricket. I'm slow as a snail..... I'm as small as an ant, I'm as large as a whale..."). I read the book outside the other day and had the kids act out being the animals. Lydda Grace really got into it (as evidenced by her faces below!), Wade mostly just ran around a lot :) 

duplos

sweet sleepers

We've had the kids go back to sleeping on their own- they seem to sleep later in the morning on their own- but here are a few pictures before we stopped. Love these sweet babies!! 

little artists

It began with the kids painting on the front porch....

it ended with Wade drinking the "rinse the brush" water....

haircut

Thanks Tonya!!

last night

Makes my heart melt....

Wade climbed out of his crib- twice- yesterday during nap time... cue "big boy bed." He was a little wary of sleeping in the bed until Lydda Grace said that SHE wanted to sleep in it. One thing led to another and Jon and I caved and let them sleep together in the double bed. They talked and laughed for 10-15 minutes or so and then they were out and slept all night!

Lydda Grace usually has a nightlight but Wade won't sleep well with one. She asked if she could have one and Jon told her that she could not if she was sleeping with Wade. She said "that's okay I'm with Wade and I can pray to Jesus!"

He is Risen!!!

The kids loved making "Easter Mountain"

Lots of fun playing Uno Moo with Granna Wylie and Mr. Richard

Easter morning! These are the outfits I made for them last year
... which means they must have been really big on them last year! 

This was about the only egg Wade hunted... he'd much rather just play!

LG is a great egg hunter!

With a little help from Granna Wylie

as I said... he'd rather play and get dirty!

An Easter afternoon walk.... beautiful day! 

birthday party

We had the Montero kiddo's birthday party at the end of March and it was super fun! There was a pinata and all sorts of goodies. Lydda Grace got decked out right away with jewelry and glasses and Wade loved the little party horn. 

ice cream with daddy

We met Jon on-campus after work one day for some ice cream! A fun treat!!