This week our family traveled to Eastern Oregon to spend time with Emma Whitnah. Emma lives in the small town of Richland Oregon. Richland is about 45 minutes off the highway and outside of Baker City Oregon. It's about a 7 hour drive from our place. I make sure sandwiches are made, fruit is packed along with cookies and crackers for the journey. It seemed strange going to Grandma Whitnah's with only 2 of my 5 kids. It was a quiet ride. Bethany had her headphones on to listen to music and Bryan brought his portable DVD player to play music and watch movies....both are life savers on a long trip like that! I wish we had those when our other kids were little.
On Thanksgiving Day Wes' brother Mike and his wife Angee arrived to share the day with us. It was nice to spend some family time with the Whitnahs. Mike and Angee have 5 kids like we have yet there kids are still pretty young. They range in ages from 18mths to 15 yrs. Close to where we were 10 years ago. It was fun to see how little Qwynna had grown and how smart she was! She can speak so well now and boy does she run the show! Her brother and sisters do almost anything she wants...this can be good and bad. Even still it was great to see them and enjoy getting to spend time with them as well as with Grandma.
Qwynna looks like she'll be quite the musican some day and she already enjoys to sing like her sisters. Jaina and Kady. I am not sure if Jarin likes singing that much but maybe someday :)
Bethany enjoyed spending time with her cousins...it kept her from getting too bored. She never would get bored before while at Grandmas but now that she is the oldest at home, it seems to happen more. Bethany and Jaina enjoyed getting to know each other better.
Bryan LOVED playing with Betsy. Betsy is Grandma Whitnah's dog and boy does Betsy loved to play ball! That kept Bryan busy. Not to mention a 2 hour walk that Bryan and Wes took on Thanksgiving morning. They both enjoyed it and the fresh air. Bryan with his autism seems to thrive in the outdoors much more than indoors. It's like his personality comes alives. Thanksgiving is a time when family and friends gather and sometimes "pig" out on too many foods but this year I found myself thinking of Grandpa Whitnah who passed away in August of 2008 and my Dad, Grampa McAndrew who passed away in October of 2009. How thankful I am for these 2 good men who raised good kids and loved their grandkids. What a wonderful blessing. Both their wives are alone now and I know that brings them sadness at times but I also know that both of them are grateful for the many years that they spent with their sweethearts and all they were to them.
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for all our many blessings...the blessings of choice people who have been placed in our lives. Sometimes for a short time and sometimes for a longer time. Either way it is important to remember and be thankful