New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve, we took Grandma & Grandpa Guptill to the Space & Aviation Museum in McMinnville. We met up with Aunt Nicki & Uncle Lance and their girls as well as Lance's parents who were in town for baby Alexia's blessing on Sunday.










After a Guptill traditional dinner at The Olive Garden, we had a rockin' New Year's Party at our house playing the Wii, Monopoly City and the Christmas tree train.

SNOW!

That one word is all it took for all of us to scramble into our winter coats, hats and gloves. Ready to go take in the first snowstorm of the season. Santa brought the boys a sled this year and when Christmas Day turned up totally dry, we wondered if we would have the opportunity to break in this bad boy this year after all. I pulled the sled out onto the grassy slope in our front yard to pull Tyler down the skiff of snow so far. I thought that would be as good as it would get. But down, down, down came the snow and luckily we had no where to go. Our neighbors hitched up their two labs and the dogs ran pulling the sled and the kids up and down our sidewalk. I always want to remember those giggles of joy.

Merry Christmas Letter 2009

Ho! Ho! Ho!

We want to wish everyone a “Holly Jolly Christmas”! Hop on and join us for a “Sleigh Ride” through our favorite Christmas songs all mixed up with a quick update on our family.

Kayelynn has been busy trying to “Deck the Halls” with Christmas cheer. On the first Saturday of December, she sent Travis “Up On The Housetop” to hang Christmas lights because, after all, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. Then, early the next morning, Intel sent Travis “Far, Far Away On Judea’s Plains” to Japan for a pre-holiday business trip. We missed him, but as you can tell from this letter, we busied ourselves listening to “My Favorite Things”…you know, Christmas music.

Justin (7 years old) is in 2nd grade this year and loves school. When he devours a chapter book in an hour or two, I exclaim “What Child Is This?” and go find another book for him to read. Our “Little Drummer Boy”, Tyler (4 years old), loves preschool and “Mary, Did You Know?”, Mom gets to be one of his teachers. Ty loves to play “Away in a Manger” with the little nativity sets Kayelynn collects.

The boys quote Alvin and the Chipmunks at least 50 times a day saying, “We can hardly stand the wait, please Christmas don’t be late!” and beg “Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day”. But the image of them hushed with the lights dimmed and all the various nativity figurines crowded around one lighted manger to look at Baby Jesus will be “Somewhere In My Memory” forever.

“Here We Come A Caroling” to give our best wishes for a “Wonderful Christmastime” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” Hope it’s remarkable!

With love, Travis, Kayelynn, Justin and Tyler Guptill

The Story of Merry Christmas Eve!

I was just tagged with, 'This Picture Has A Story'.

Rules:
*Open your first photo folder
*Scroll down to the 10th picture in your file
(if you don't have a 10 pictures go to the next folder that does)
*Post that photo and tell your story behind the photo.
*Tag 5 friends to do the same



Well this just worked out perfectly for Christmas Eve! This picture just happens to be from Christmas Eve 2006. We spent Christmas that year with Grandma and Grandpa Davis in Utah. This picture is of Justin (4 1/2 yrs. old) with his cousin, Elana (2 years old). The kids just helped us act out the nativity story with the Little People characters. This is part of our yearly Christmas Eve program. Like tonight, after a special dinner (of pizza, tonight!) we gather together and sing songs and the kids act out the story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Then, we open one present from under the tree before racing to bed before Santa comes!

This Christmas Eve is the second one in a row we have spent in Oregon with just our little family. It has been fun to continue some old traditions and to start some new ones of our own. For example, tonight Justin invented a new tradition of tossing baby carrots onto our front lawn for the reindeer to eat! Santa's going to love that one!

I think it would be fun to hear next from Lisa, Kari, JaNae, Kirstin B. and Liz.

Merry Christmas!

Joy

It feels like we're coming in for the home stretch. Christmas is coming soon...thank goodness. I don't think we can wait much longer! It's much too exciting for our two munchkins. And I have to admit that I'm really into the whole Christmas spirit this year. I just enjoy all the parties, Christmas cards from friends and family, singing Christmas carols, presents under the tree and all the reminders of the birth of Jesus Christ. I'm just happy. I still have a few things to finish on my list, but the big stuff is done and I'm just looking forward to spending time with my family.

I taught the Relief Society lesson on Sunday. It was a special Christmas program called "12 Silent Nights" based on the "12 Days of Christmas Closer to Christ" packets we handed out to the sisters after the lesson. I asked several sisters to share their talents/thoughts as part of the lesson. I felt the Spirit so strongly as I prepared and shared my lesson. I loved it. If you are interested in a copy of the packets or lesson, let me know and I'll email it to you. My sister, Tawnya, is the RS president in her ward and thought she might use the idea as their theme for 2010 as "12 Months Closer to Christ". I thought that was a great idea.

Last week we had our RS Christmas Progressive Dinner. Yes, I have been a busy planner for the past few weeks for my calling. :) That's why I haven't been blogging...between my church and getting ready for Christmas I have had no extra time to think. Anyway, for the dinner, we moved between three different homes for the different dinner courses. At the first house, we had Olive Garden salad and some bread sticks. After we ate, I played my guitar for a Christmas caroling sing-a-long. Lots of sisters participated, so that made it fun. At the Enrichment leader's home, we had the main course of chicken and twice-baked potatoes along with a reading of a special Christmas story. Then, at the last home we ate dessert of pies, cake and a hot chocolate bar. We visited and worked on a service quilt. The night was so much fun and I received many requests for us to plan it again next year.

Last week, the boys both had Christmas parties with their school buddies. I got to go along with Tyler to his preschool party. Tori's mom planned such a fun time for the kids. They even acted out the nativity with costumes. Ty was Joseph. He did a great job.






On Friday morning, we went over to the elementary school to watch Justin perform with the whole school in a Christmas music concert. They did a great job and it was fun to watch Justin having a great time. On Saturday afternoon, Travis and Justin went to go play laser tag for the first time at a birthday party for one of Justin's friends. Then I got to go to a girls-only Christmas party. It was so much fun to catch up with some good friends and to meet some new ones.

We are getting ready to move the boys into the same bedroom and to sleep in a bunk bed. They are so excited! I don't know why I'm doing this right before Christmas...but, alas, we are. I think they'll have a great time as roommates!

Travis' parents are coming out to Oregon for Christmas this year! We are so excited to see them soon! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!

The best of the best

This year I had an epiphany about Christmas music...a light went on in my head...we can borrow cd's from the library...I don't have to buy and then regret my bad choice in a new holiday cd. It is obvious to me now that a cute cd cover picture doesn't guarantee good music. And, as a bonus, I have been the proud "borrower" of nearly 15 Christmas cds this season. I love that we can reserve items at our library online and they call when they're ready to be picked up.

Here is my "Best of the best" or "You really should check these cd's out this year" list:

The best album for kids running around the house:
1. Los Lonely Boys - Christmas Spirit
2. BNL's "BN for the Holidays"(If you know what I'm saying...gotta be incognito here...He he!)
3. Jump 5 - All the Joy in the World

The best EVER "All I Want for Christmas":
1. The Andrew's Sisters Christmas - (Hilarious! Who can top a duet with Danny Kaye? We're still laughing! I was sad to return this cd to the library today.)

The best all around Christmas album:
1. Amy Grant's Holiday Collection (We all know that all of her Christmas albums are amazing, but this is a collection of the best of the best. My fav - Breath of Heaven.)

I just have to mention these since I actually own them and can't remember when I did NOT listen to them for Christmas:
1. Looney Tunes Christmas
2. Osmond Family Christmas
3. Rockapella Christmas
4. Primarily for Christmas

Really good, but not jazzy enough for me this year:
1. Faith Hill - Joy to the World

Best kids Christmas album:
1. Alvin and the Chipmunks

Nearly put me to sleep while doing the dishes tonight:
1. Christmas with Julie Andrews - (Mom, Don't worry, I still love her...in The Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music.)

Best new surprise favorite this year or "I can't believe I like this so much":
1. Los Lonely Boys - Christmas Spirit(I'm really groovin' on this one. I don't know what possessed me to reserve this cd, but I'm glad I did! I like every single song. I was getting my dance on in the kitchen.)

I'm impatiently waiting for the Christmas albums by David Archuleta and Sugarland...among many others waiting in the wings of my requests list at the library.

I'd love to hear your favorites...we still have weeks until Christmas. (Much to my delight and to my boys' dismay!) And if you consider in my holiday buffer zone, that means we'll be listening to Christmas music around here until at least the end of January. That's at least six more weeks of Christmas! It just doesn't get better than that.

Over the river and through the woods...

...to spend Thanksgiving in Utah this year!

Pre-Thanksgiving Fun

Grandpa Davis taught the boys how to make pumpkin pies. They loved it!



I was looking forward to this trip for lots of reasons. But topping the list for me was to bat my eyes at these cute baby boys. Jared & Shannon's Tian and Heidi & Joe's Jonathan were born just a week apart in July.



Their moms were fun to talk to, too! We enjoyed game nights with the adults and even a girls' night (Twilight) movie night. Mom and Tawnya hadn't seen it yet...yes, apparently they have been living under a rock for the past year. :) We had a good old time!


Thanksgiving Day

Here are the kiddos horsing around in the backyard with Aunt Tawnya while the food is being magically prepared inside the house.



My cute Mom:



My Gourmet Dad and Heidi



Heidi and Joe moved back to Utah from Texas the day before we arrived. They're staying with G & G, so we had a fun time hangin' with them for Thanksgiving. We hadn't seen them in a year and a half. It was great to hold their sweet baby. I gobbled him up! Tyler just loved him!

Here's Tyler (4 years old) and Heidi and Joe's baby Jonathan (4 months old). "He's holding onto me, do I have to hold onto him, too?"





Jolley Family Christmas Party

We had a fun-packed day playing group games, writing notes to our 3 family missionaries, eating, cheering Shawn & Jessie on at their Wedding "Grocery" Shower and last, but not least, an impromptu talent show. So glad we were in town for all the hoopla!

Speaking of group games...here's Tyler "Santa's Elf" and Dad "The toy bench":



Tyler's expression cracks me up! He was so happy to hammer away on Travis!

Below is Justin (on the end) in the "finals" for the pairs game...he makes a great Santa with his Uncle Jared as rudolph! (Heidi's husband, Joe, is the Santa on the far left.)



More games: I had to catch Tawnya sitting on her honey's (Santa's) lap (Joe, Dan and Tawnya)



Cute Josh! (Heidi's)



Here's Tian and Shannon:



We compared pictures of Tian with pictures of his dad, my brother, Jared, at the same age. They are little twinners! Like father, like son! I love it!

We had a fabulous trip although it was over before we knew it! We didn't even get a chance to meet up with friends while we were in town! Sorry guys! We still love you and look forward to seeing everyone again soon! We don't know when...but hopefully it will be sooner than later.

Presents

We had BYU-TV on the other Sunday morning and President Monson was speaking. Tyler was the only one sitting on the couch watching. I walked into the kitchen and this is what he asked me:

Tyler: Mom, do they call him "Present" Monson because he brings presents?

Both boys have been obsessed with making Christmas lists. Justin's list is complete with item numbers and prices. I remember has a kid how much fun it was to look forward to Christmas. And it's true...it takes FOREVER to arrive...unless you're the Mom or Dad. Then it's only 6 WEEKS away! Wasn't it just 6 months away?!? Where did the time go? I need to pace myself.

Halloween Visitor

We had a surprise visitor for Halloween this year. A fun little frog! We hear frogs outside nearly every day, but very rarely find them. Travis was mowing the lawn and mowed right over the little guy before he noticed it in the grass. I am amazed he survived unscathed! The boys picked him up to get a closer look.





Tyler and his pumpkin



Justin and his pumpkin



Between my pirate and my S.W.A.T. policeman, I felt very safe handing out treats to 135 kids last night!



Happy Halloween!

Check.

Portland puzzle. Check. And I didn't have to lift a finger. :)
Super Saturday. Check. It was fun to have a project day!
Halloween decorations on the porch. Only cute Halloween here. Nothing creepy. Check.
Books and DVDs back to the library. Itty-bitty late fee. Totally worth it. Check.
Tyler's preschool Halloween party. I have one cute construction worker. Check.
Justin's class Halloween party. Spider web art project. I'll check that one off tomorrow...
Clean laundry put away. More to wash...another day.
Clean house. Now would be a good time to drop in for a visit. Big smile. Check.
Dinner with the missionaries. Check. I was feeling like a real gourmet today...Papa Murphy's pizza! :)
The New York Yankees won the first game of the World Series. Happy Hubby. Check.
Boys in bed. Happy Momma. Check.

Yabba-Dabba-Do!

This past week was pretty exciting for our family. Travis and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary on the same day our new little niece was born. We'll always remember her birthday! On Wednesday, October 21st, Alexia Rose was born in Vancouver, Wa. Travis' sister, Nicki, and her husband, Lance, have two little girls now!

We had fun tending Brynlee for a few days while her parents were still at the hospital. Justin and Tyler had so much fun playing with their little cousin. We took her to the hospital to go meet her new little sister on Thursday. Because of the new hospital rules, our boys weren't invited to visit. So, I stayed out in the car with the boys while Travis took Brynlee in to the hospital. As they were walking away, Tyler sighed and told me, "I miss Brynlee, Mom!" Luckily we live close enough to see them again soon...



On Friday night, the boys went to the school's Fall Festival and then Travis and I went to a great Halloween party. Travis and I were dressed up as Fred and Wilma Flintstone. This picture cracks me up because I think we look more like Barney and Betty dressed up as Fred and Wilma. Oh well! We had a fabulous time partying the night away!



I just had to take a picture of our appetizer because it looked so fun: Meet Mr. Bones and his brains!



Our friends threw an amazing party! Their whole main floor was re-decorated for Halloween. Amazing! They planned/built some impressive activities including: a life-sized operation game, a custom-made Halloween Wii game, and a candy x-ray challenge. It was fun to laugh with friends and enjoy a night out!



Now I'm getting excited to help with Justin's class party at school this week and get the boys ready for Halloween night!

Howl-oween at the Wolf

We have been looking forward to this Great Wolf Lodge trip all year! We went with a group of 10 families last year in October and had so much fun we did it again this year. This time with 30 families (mostly from our stake). Yea, the word spread...next year we'll fill the place! :)

Here are the boys in front of the wave pool:



The water slides were great fun! Even for the adults! The biggest slide, the "Howling Tornado", is crazy! It cracked me up that Tyler kept calling it the "Halloween Tomato"! Justin was so brave this year. He kept those slides in business!



I know this video is sideways...ignore that and watch it anyway. Ha ha! This place is checker-blocked full of water-works fun! Check out that bucket dump!



Story time...Tyler was afraid of the "Dancing Tree". So I put puzzles together on the other side of the main entrance while Travis and Justin had fun with the animatronics story time show.



I love that we could borrow board games from the front desk and take them back to our room. So fun!



We stayed for one night, but swam for two days. It was the perfect amount of time to do everything we wanted to do. We had a great time with our friends and are looking forward to another trip to the Wolf next year. This is one fun tradition!