I am so behind on updating the blog - but for a good reason. I have been busily spending most of my free time on my graduate program and am moving along there. Here is a really quick attempt to catch up...
Back in July/August we had a fun Guptill family reunion in California. It was great to spend time together. See the previous post for pics from our Disneyland trip. We also spent some time at the beach and Lego Land.
Scott and the kids drove home to WA in one long day. A day or so later the boys all left for young men's camps. John got dropped off to go to Deacon's camp and Scott, Matthew and Grant headed off for a multi day backpacking trip. It was a very physically demanding hike - 50+ miles over 4 days or so and not all who started off made it to the end.
When it was time to head home to WA I stayed behind in SoCal for a girl's weekend with my friends from back home. It was so wonderful to get together with these amazing ladies!
We visited a lot of local favorite places - here we are at our high school - our one friend who went to a different HS ducked out and took the pic for us. My friend in the white top lived down the street from me since we were both one year old and we met the other two girls in this pic in 3rd grade. And we met Sally (above pic) at girl's camp when we were in high school. We were all in the same church stake, but 3 different wards.
These boys made it and were so tired and sore at the end
Way to go guys!!
Anna turned 17
John turned 13
We got family pics taken
And Matthew headed off for his first year at college. We were all sad but excited for him!
First days of school!!
In 2025 I made a goal to do all my cardio outside and it has been so good for my mental health.
I walk outside for at least an hour a day - and some run/walking, 5-6 days a week. And yes, I get very wet some days. And also cold, windblown etc. I love the Scandinavian saying, "there is no bad weather, only bad clothing" so good cozy layers and water resistant coats, plus hats and gloves have made this not unpleasant. Here I am on a hike by a creek near our house. The PNW is so beautiful!!
This is a truly unflattering video but there were some amazingly windy days at this trail I like down by the Columbia River. I don't know why I kept going back with the crazy wind, but I did like how empty the trail was on those days.
Anna got her senior pics taken - she is graduating in June, and although we didn't know this when these pics were taken, we now know that she plans to attend BYU and study civil engineering - and live in Heritage Halls if you know BYU dorms.
The pictures turned out so nice!!
Almost there, Anna!
A community track meet
Emma got to try her hand (or her legs) at hurdles
John threw shot put and discus for the middle school track team this fall.
It was a new experience for him
John's bday party at Big Al's
One of the kids won this big stuffed animal prize!!
Emma played in a 3 on 3 basketball league in the fall. They had some intense games
Anna is in the school choir - her 4th year doing choir at the high school.
She is a pro!
Grant and Anna are both running on the HS cross country team this fall
Scott and I celebrated out 20th wedding anniversary
We didn't go on a big trip or anything - maybe in the summer?
And here is a bonus pic of us from about 20 years ago
Pumpkin patch - with just the younger kids
We got pumpkins and had fun
Halloween!! Grant and Anna went off to parties with their friends.
John went off with his friends too and Scott walked Emma around with her friends
It was a quiet evening for me
John is Mario and Emma is one of the Power Puff Girls
Emma turned 11
She had a fun bday party at the ice skating rink
Anna and Emma sang in a choir event together - and Anna got invisalign - clear, retainer style braces.
Emma participated in Science Olympiad for her school
Her favorite event was the helicopter design challenge
We went to Utah for Thanksgiving and Matthew gave us a tour of the U campus
It's a pretty campus but Anna thinks its too hilly for her
We stayed with Scott's sister, Alycia, in Highland and we had so much family fun!!
Cousin time!!
Some of the boys went to the BYU football game - Matthew went even though he's a Ute now.
Back at home we went to the local Christmas lighting event.
Emma sang in her school Christmas concert and the 5th grade girls who wanted to participated in a fun dance performance!!
We saw Anna sing with her choir at the Grotto in Portland
Matthew came home from college
We went to get a Christmas tree!!
Staring into the sun getting our tree - a nice sunny day in WA
Decorating the tree
And decorating gingerbread houses
We had some truly unique designs, as usual
Christmas Eve
We had a fun family dinner on Christmas night
But I didn't get good pics
Little New Years Eve party - Matthew went to a get together with friends that night
And that's it for 2025!!
More quick updates to come...maybe
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