The Boys

We had Justin for a week before started work. Justin and Max get along so well. Justin is very patient with Max and tries very hard to teach him new games or play on a level that is more fair for a 3 year old. We took every opportunity we could to go to the park and play frisbee, football or play on the swings. Grandma & Grandpa Tippets arrived for this week as well to help us pack and get ready to move out west. You may notice that all the boys got haircuts .... since the temple pictures!

Super Soaker Pictures

Saturday afternoon the boys decided to get their suits on and play in the sprinklers. After the first splash in to Maxs' eyes he came up with the best solution .... the goggles! Then you add the super soaker squirt guns and this is what you come up with! Max ran all around squirting Justin, the rocks, the fence, the patio, etc. and had a grand time. This is really a favorite of both boys right now. (Justin 12, Max 3)

Justin's 6th Grade Graduation

6th Grade Graduation was on Thursday, June 18th! Mark was able to travel down to Falls Church and be there to see all the kids walk across the stage and receive their certificates. Justin will start at a new middle school this fall which only has 7th & 8th graders. He is very excited and did very well on his final report card! Congratulations Justin!
Later that evening we took Justin out to a local favorite restaurant Romas and then to Rita's for an ice cream. He had a great day and we were happy to have been able to celebrate with him.

Return with Honor

Tonight we celebrated Justins birthday with cake and presents. Justin got some new Sunday clothes which included a nice white shirt so that he can help pass the sacrament along with a beautiful cross stitch from Grandma Tippets of "Return With Honor" done in the colors of green. We explained to Justin what this meant and we decided to hang this piece of "artwork" (yes we consider it artwork Grandma) in our front entryway so that we can be reminded each time we leave the house. Thank you so much ... we all love it. Thanks again Grandma for thinking of Justin. Grandma and Grandpa Bridges sent some money that Justin will be using to buy himself a new tie to go with his new white shirt. Thank you to everyone for making Justin feel special. Having video difficulties tonight so I will try again tomorrow to post the video of Justin with his birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Justin

While Justin is now here with us today, we are celebrating his 12 birthday today. Here is a recent photo of Justin and Max playing together here in the basement. Justin and Max love to play and wrestle together. Most of the time... Justin loves to have the attention of Max. But is still learning to be a patient big brother. Justin loves to play the drums in school and is doing well overall in school. Math and science still seem to be favorite subjects. Green is still is favorite color and he still loves Bionicles although Playstation and WII are close behind. Happy Birthday Justin. We love you.

Future Missionaries

Here are our future missionaries. I thought our boys looked pretty handsome on Sunday ... so as I was taking this picture they said "future missionaries" and held up their Book of Mormons! I sure hope they both choose to serve the Lord when they are 19!

PS - Max picked out his bow tie .... to match his dad!

Park Time in December

So the weather outside has been unseasonably warm this past week. In fact, I would guess the day we went to this park it was close to 75 or so. Kids and adults were in shorts, t-shirts and definitely running around with no coats and in some cases no shoes. We decided to get out of the house and enjoy some warm weather. We packed a picnic and headed for the biggest park close by. Here are a few snap shots from our day at the park. Justin loved being the big brother and helping Max with the slides.

Merry Christmas!

Thanks to so many family members and friends who helped make our Christmas so special. Our boys thank you from the bottom of their hearts and of course Mark and I will never forget this Christmas. Here are a few snap shots from today!

New Green Shirts for Justin!
A Fun Race Track with Remotes!

Happy Justin

Max just bought his first Ford ... Very proud owner!

Every present that Max opened had to go in his new car!

A guitar to keep him singing all the way.

Hill High Farm Pictures

Here are some highlights from last weekend. It was a beautiful fall day!

Halloween Faces

Max loved to see the cows, horses, bunnies, chickens, sheep and goats!

Getting three men to smile and look at the camera! What a challenge!

Does anyone know that mom is trying to take a picture?


Max has been driving for years now.

Look how big that tire is!

While I miss my digital camera, I'm glad this disposable was able to capture some of our weekend. Hopefully the great pumpkin king, will deliver us a new digital before Halloween comes!

Growing Up So Fast

While we are still without a digital camera .... I thought I would share some photo's from the past 2 1/2 years that I currently have saved on my laptop. Both Max and Justin have definitely done some growing up! Enjoy!

Max & Grandma Tippets in Wyoming

(I think his first trip there May 06)

Bath time is still so much fun! Just more toys and no chair!

The first haircut was quite traumatic!

Just before his 1st birthday we said goodbye to the long curls!

A little ham... this was down at Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Christmas 2006 Winchester, Virginia.

Max learning patty-cake with Grandpa Tippets

Max and Aunt Jenny (about 5 months)



Max with his first Elmo.

First hayride for Max - October 2006

Boys enjoying some football and looks like chocolate - no doubt!

Max & Justin Fall of 2007



Max's first Halloween - October 2006

Max and Dad have a first ... swimming at the pool.

A favorite - My handsome boys ready for church!

Justin working on becoming a great quarterback!

Hershey Park June 2008.

Well that should provide a little history on our family over the past couple of years. Someday, I'll get all of the best photo's in a scrapbook. But for today, I am grateful for a healthy and strong set of men in my life.

Recent Photo's - Cute Kids

Today is my birthday and as my mom said, it is the first anniversary of my 39th birthday! We have had a very long and hard week but I wanted to focus on the kids and how much they have grown and developed!

Max has developed a great little personality! He still loves to help me vacuum, unload the dishwasher and go through any cupboards that are left open. His favorite thing to do is line up all the cars, pans or books. What ever he can get his hands on. He is working on pedaling his tricycle that Grandma and Grandpa bought him but, he still likes to push it along with his feet vs. pedaling it. If Max could stay outside from 6 am until 12 midnight he would. He loves to be outside and loves to help mom in the garden and dad cut the grass!

Justin is growing up quickly and learning that he can do many things. He enjoys being outside and loves to be around nature and animals. He enjoyings trying new things that are adventureous and loves to play with Max. Justin plays the piano well but will take the summer off from piano lessons.