After Doug sang, everyone was wondering if they should leave to give Bo and Hope time alone to say good-bye. They asked everyone to stay, saying they needed their family and friends, although nothing was going to make the day any easier. {5/1/02}

Uncle Mickey read a scripture from the bible. He read a line about tears and laughter and then the camera showed JT laughing with Bo. Jacob and Joshua have a great bond with Peter. {5/1/02}

The door bell rang and it was the Reibers, who were early. They wanted to make sure and fit everything in the car. {5/1/02}

Glen and Barb received lots of stuff from Bo and Hope, not only for JT, but for his new baby brother that was going to be born soon. Shawn was happy that JT was going to be a big brother. They even gave JT his birthday present, a new tricycle. {5/1/02}

Hope got tears in her eyes as she talked about all the new things that JT had just learned, throwing a ball and going up and down the stairs. Jacob was a little wiggly, but he never fussed to get down. He just moved around, letting everyone know he was still there. {5/1/02}

Glen then asked, "Can I hold him?" Bo took JT and handed him over to Glen. {5/1/02}

Glen smiled and hugged JT and gave him a kiss. {5/1/02}

Glen said, "I have something to say to you all. I love JT and..." he started to break down and then Barb took over, saying that Glen was glad that JT was with such nice people the first years of his life. {5/1/02}

Glen then talked again about how JT won't forget and that he will tell him about that family that raised him. He then said, "About his name..." Shawn piped up and said "his name is JT." {5/1/02}

Glen said, "I know and I want to keep his name if it is alright with your parents. His name will be John Thomas Brady Reiber." Hope then told Glen that Thomas was her grandfather's name, Dr. Thomas Horton. Glen said some day she will have to tell JT about Dr. Tom Horton, as he is going to tell JT about his parents too. {5/1/02}

Bo took JT back and Shawn and Hope gathered around. It was now time to say "good night" to JT. Glen said, "I want everyone to write to JT, and when he gets older he can write back and you can come and visit anytime you want." {5/1/02}

As Bo lifted JT up to give him to his brother, he said, "Daddy" to Bo. Shawn took him and gave him a big hug and kiss. {5/1/02}

Shawn looked at him and said, "You are going to make the best big brother." Then JT said, "Brother." And Shawn gave him big smile. {5/1/02}

Shawn said, "The best..." then Bo took him back. {5/1/02}

Bo turned JT around so he could look at his mom. Hope got tears in her eyes, before she even spoke. She said, "Hey, big guy. I don't want you to ever be sad about leaving. We will miss you and we love you." {5/1/02}

This episode marked Jacob {pictured here} and Joshua's last show. Jacob was quite a trooper in this episode. Taping never had to be stopped for him, which all of the adult actors appreciated, in such an emotionally charged episode. {5/1/02}

Hope gave JT one last kiss and said "you will be in my heart forever." {5/1/02}

Bo then handed over JT and said, "take him." {5/1/02}

Then Bo told Glen, "it is best if you go now. Give me your keys and someone will bring your car around back." Glen was in tears as he left with his son. Hope yelled out, "I love you JT. Mommy loves you." {5/1/02}

The show closed with one last look at JT {Jacob}. Then they showed Bo fighting a punching bag and breaking down. Then Shawn walking around out back, looking at JT's toys and then breaking down into tears. Hope was the last one shown, sitting in the nursery holding the baby book. This photo was taken backstage in the school room when the boys were in their own clothes. {5/1/02}

This cover marked the Rips fourth cover. They are the only child actor on Days to grace the cover of a magazine four times in a two year period. Jacob, pictured here, appeared on all four covers. Joshua appeared on the very first one with his brother. Joshua also appeared on two SOU covers in "insert" pics. Altogether the boys have appeared on six covers. {photo by Jeff Katz}

One last family picture...Jason Cook {Shawn}, Peter Reckell {Bo}, Kristian Alfonso {Hope} and Jacob Rips {JT}. {photo by Jeff Katz}

Jacob and Joshua appeared on Days for the last time on May 1, 2002. In nearly two years on Days, they were seen in a total of 104 episodes. As busy two-year olds, they will now spend their time being "normal kids."