Our Backyard Visitors

Just recently I was getting ready to make dinner and looked out in to our back yard. There sat three deer just grazing away on the grass and whatever else the woodchucks and squirels had left behind. They were so close - just over the fence line in our neighbors yard who owns 5.5 acres behind us. I got Max to the window so that he could see them and he finally got focused in on them and loved watching for them. He could hardly wait for Mark to get home to show him. When Mark got home, it was dark outside but they grabbed a flash light and headed out to "scare" the deer! Max was loving it! I had been teaching him that we did not want to make too much noise or open the doors because it might scare them away. Mark says, lets grab the flashlight and go scare them! I guess that's the difference between mom & dad.

Trip to Las Vegas / St. George

Grandma & Grandpa Bridges with cousins Michael and Glenn

Max loving the playground and slides!

Grandpa Tippets takes Max swimming and has been teaching him to float!

The big big slide at the indoor pool in St.George. Max & Grandpa at the top!

Max loves to go swimming! He is our little fish!

We had a great quick trip to Las Vegas and St. George a few weeks ago. Grandma & Grandpa Tippets watched Max while I had some work in Las Vegas. After I was done working I took the shuttle up and had a few days to spend there. We were so glad to visit Grandpa & Grandma Bridges too! Cousins Michael and Glenn are staying with the Bridges too so we were able to David and Lara as well.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow ...

Tonight we had our first snow storm of the season. We were actually across the street talking to some of our neighbors and their kids and Max had a great time watching the snow come down. Nice big fluffy flakes! Their kids immediately hoped that school would be cancelled - no need to do the rest of their homework - while Max could not wait to get outside. We carefully walked down the driveway and crossed over thankfully not falling or slipping! Of course the snow has stopped now but, the trees and grass look beautiful with their first dusting! Let it snow, Let it snow .... Let it Snow!

Halloween Update

Well, here is are the three amigo's! Dallin is the skeleton, Max the Dinosaur/Dragon and Josh the Superhero - I love his painted on mask!! These three little boys play so well together and really have a good time together. Dallin is about 5 months ahead of Josh and Max but they really are all just good buddies ! It has been fun to watch them grow together and learn lifes lessons together. This picture was taken at our ward's trunk or treat in Stephens City and it was probably 40 degree's out that night. The wind was blowing so cold - needless to say I think they all slept good that night.

Can you tell that Max really did not like the "hat" portion of his costume? On Halloween night I think he kept it on for the 6 houses we went to but, after that, he quickly asked for it off while handing out treats to our neighbors.

Watch Out for the Bear!

We are back from our little trip to Las Vegas and Utah. Mom and Dad gave us an early Christmas present of a new digital camera! I was so grateful and it was soo fun to have a camera again. I'll have to update the pictures soon.

In the meanwhile, I'll tell you to WATCH OUT for the BLACK BEARS on Weather Mountain! Last week at 6:40 am on the way to the airport we were crossing Weather Mountain and as I was watching the road for deer, fox, etc. my heart skipped a couple of beats as a Black Bear was crossing the road!!! I could hardly believe what I was seeing. I have never seen a bear upclose in person or from a car for that fact! Luckily, the bear was crossing the highway and kept moving without stopping to wave at any of us in our cars.

So there you have it! Shenandoah Valley comes complete with picturesque views and black bears!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween 2006

We picked up a disposable camera for tonight and the upcoming week at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Max loved trick or treating and I really think he had MORE fun handing out the candy to all 250 + kids that came to our neighborhood. Every year, our neighborhood gets hit like crazy with kids from ALL over including West Virginia! Tonight the kids started ringing the bell about 5:50 and we turned out the lights at 7:30. We certainly can not afford to buy enough candy for everyone so, we have fun and wish those who come to our door early Happy Halloween. This year, we just planted two chairs on our front porch and Max helped hand out the candy. In fact, in at least two cases, he chased two little boys down (whom he thought did not get our candy) and gave them another piece just in case he missed them. Several parents commented that they have never seen that before! This will probably be one of the only years that he is so willing to give our candy away! As soon as I get back from our little trip, I'll be sure to post this years pictures of our little dinosaur / dragon!

I'll Get the Yogurt!

It never fails that when we are eating yogurt or anything really, you can ask Max - do you want any more? He'll say no so naturally we finish up the last bite. Then five minutes later you hear, I need some yogurt! I need more yogurt.

Tonight, without fail this happened. Except Max said, "I'll go get some more yogurt." I was now sitting on the couch having just walked our entire neighborhood door to door so letting him go back up the stairs sounded good. Until I realized, he won't be able to reach the yogurt. The next thing I know, Max is back down the stairs walking towards me saying, "I got the yogurt" and when I looked at him what did I see what? The 18 count egg cartoon getting a "bear hug" from Max. I come out of my daze .... and say "Stop! Do not move." Thankfully the eggs were not crushed and I do NOT have eggs all over my carpet - just the thought of cleaning up crushed eggs on our eggshell white carpet would be such a mess! So I end up going back up stairs for the yogurt when in reality if I had just given him the last bite of yogurt ... the whole scenary would not have happened!