for the birds

Mrs. Krissi and Elijah came to hang out with the kiddos while we were all at Jon's dissertation defense. While the boys were napping she and Lydda Grace did a special project..... Well, "projects" happen to be Lydda Grace's favorite thing. ever. 

They made bird feeders with birdseed and edible glue and cut them out with cookie cutters. LG loved getting to hang them up outside when they dried! 

Thanks Mrs. Krissi for watching the kids and for an awesome project!

Dr. Wylie

On Tuesday, January 24th Jon defended his dissertation for his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership! His committee signed off on it so he is now, technically, Dr. Wylie!! We are so thankful to be finished and so blessed by all the support and encouragement we had along the way. (graduation coming this May)

Granna Wylie, Mr. Richard, BeBe and PopPop all came into town for the defense and a celebratory dinner. Here are a few pictures from "defense day."

The kids ran out to greet "Dr. Daddy" when he got home.
(No they don't actually call him that! But it was fun for the day!)

If he wasn't squinting from the sun you would be
able to visibly see the relief on his face :)

Later that evening Jon opened a beer and this is what it said inside the cap.....
what?!?!  After 200 and some-odd pages I think he's really okay!

ring.pop.

Thank you Mrs. Amanda!

these two.....

I am loving the stage Lydda Grace and Wade are in right now. They are just starting to figure out playing together, give each other hugs and kisses, show concern for one another, talk to each other.... it's great. Granted that with this comes fits where they scream at each other or Wade hits Lydda Grace with a (soft) bat... maybe next time that happens I'll lock myself in our bedroom and just look at these pictures :) 

1. Watching Angelina Ballerina together (sorry Wade!!!)
2. Reading
3. "bub bat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
4. LOVE this! Just playing and cuddling!

park

on a beautiful Saturday in January......

out to dry

While playing with a bit of yarn the other day LG decided to make a clothesline. I helped her tie it in place, gave her a handful of clothespins and let her go at it.... 

baby it's cold... no it's warm... no it's cold.... outside

This January weather is crazy! We're just rolling with the punches and getting outside as we're able! 

climbing in Daddy's car after he gets home from work... they LOVE this

flyswatter bubbles.... makes lots of tiny bubbles
it's very fun to dance and twirl to make the bubbles.... I should know, I did
lots of demonstrations for the kids :)

Thanks A. BekBek and U. HaHa for the bubbles and flyswatters :)
Wade likes to splash the bubbles