I feel as if I have been on a emotional rollercoaster for the last few weeks. Wes and I, along with Bryan drove to Logan Utah on the 10th of April. We had a wonderful time there visiting with our daughter Becky and her husband Jeff and our sweet grandson Ryan. Ryan was doing SO much better since he had tubes put in his ears. It was obvious he was trying to talk more and he didn't seem quite so frustrated. I'm so glad the surgery has gone well for him. We had a chance to visit with him on the 10th and again when we were making our way back to Oregon. We stayed with Becky and Jeff Saturday evening until we left on Monday morning. It was a good visit. I made sure to bring Ryan Trader Joe's cheese puffs, He knows that Gramma Whitnah brings these :) He sure loved them! The week went by fast, we headed to Salt Lake and then moved Bethany out of her place. She wrapped up two semesters at LDS Business. Thankfully this girl didn't have a ton of stuff and we were able to fit nearly all of the things in our van. We headed from there to Orem where we spent the night having dinner with family at a Brazilian-like restaurant. It was also my nephew Zac's birthday, so a good time to celebrate. after dinner we headed to Don and Shelly's house where we all sang happy birthday to Zac. . It was good to spend time with family and especially nice for Bethany to see her brother Sean who she wouldn't see for another 18 months. We had dinner on Friday at Texas road house with Bethany's friend Spencer. Here is a photo I took of the 2 of them later that night at the hotel we were staying in. The next day, Wes, Bethany and I attended a session at the Draper Temple. A Temple that Bethany had wanted to attend the whole time she had been in Utah. She loved it. It really is a beautiful Temple. Then we finished some last minute shopping for missionary clothes that Bethany would need, stopped at Deseret Book one more time and then headed up to Logan. We had a great, whirlwind trip. Bethany is now in the MTC. She left this past Wednesday. I KNOW she got hardly any sleep the night before. She was set apart as a missionary on April 21st, the same day she gave her farewell talk. Here are some pictures of after she was set apart. This last photo was taken EARLY in the morning at the Portland airport. There were several missionaries on Bethany's plane to Salt Lake. One young man we saw was also headed to Brazil. We remember meeting him in the Portland Temple in December.

Bethany Whitnah is going on a mission

In less that 26 days our daughter Bethany will head off to the MTC(Missionary Training Center) as she embarks on a 18 month mission to Campinas Brazil. She had not always planned or even wanted to serve a mission, BUT, in October of 2012, when General Conference was held and President Monson announced that the age for sister missionaries to serve was being lowered from 21 to 19, Bethany received a huge prompting to go. She fought it for the first week and half, but by the 21st of October, she phoned us to let us know of her intent. She was attending LDS Business school in Salt Lake City, Utah and had different plans up until this moment. To see the fire that was lit under her as she worked on getting her mission papers done and all her doctor visits taken care of as well as passport and the like, it was obvious to see that she was determined and her mind was set on what she needed to do. While she was home at Christmas we finished up last minute things to help get her visa processed for Brazil, she went through the Temple, and enjoyed having a nice Christmas her at home. The next Christmas she'll have here will be in December of 2014. Gee, that sounds like a long way off, yet I know her time serving will go fast!

The year in review

“Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer, fun for all, that children call, their favorite time of year.” Charlie Brown Christmas
I love this time of year, I think it brings out the child in all of us. I love seeing homes decorated with lights, putting up the Christmas tree, making home made goodies for friends and neighbors, singing beautiful hymns that remind us all the reason we celebrate Christmas-Christ.
Wes continues to work in the high tech field. His company was sold last year and went from being Thomson Group to Grass Valley Group. He was given the opportunity to move up to a manager with his work. To be honest, it was not a position he desired but rather that his work wanted him there. Wes has always liked being involved in the development and creation phases of products. He tries to still keep his hand in that part of his job along with his new duties.
In August of last year Becky and Jeff became parents, which made Wes and I grandparents! Ryan Louis Boudrero was born on our 27th wedding anniversary. A nice gift to say the least. Ryan is now 16 months old. We love hearing his voice over the phone and enjoy skyping with him and Becky over the internet. What a sweetie he is. Becky earned her second bachelors in May with a degree in Speech. She has been busily working with schools and researching in hopes to be selected for the Master’s program in speech at Utah State in February. Keep your fingers crossed that she gets in. Jeff is continuing to work and go to school. He is a wonderful son in law and a great daddy.  Becky and Jeff reside in Logan, Utah
This was a big year of change for Robbie. Last year he began dating a beautiful, blonde haired girl named Tessa. Wes and I could tell early on that she was pretty special. They became engaged in August of 2010 and were married on August 27th of this year. They had a wonderful wedding and reception. Both my Mom and Emma, Wes’ Mom along with other family members and friends were there to celebrate their big day. Robbie is a plumber. He is attending plumbing school and when he graduates he’ll be a journeymen plumber. Tessa works in sales at the Mall and plans to continue her schooling this upcoming year. They recently added an addition to their family. A cute little beagle named Minnie.
Robbie and Tessa reside here in Beaverton, Oregon…we’re glad they are so close.
Sean returned from his mission in Germany on December 30th of last year. He had a wonderful time there! Those 2 years flew by fast for him. He is currently attending BYU and works at the MTC bookstore. He is adjusting to college life and trying to decide what to major in. He had thought about dentistry before his mission but now realizes that is not for him. Sean is looking forward to Christmas break when he gets to go back to Germany for 2 weeks along with his Dad and his Uncle Don. It will be a quiet Christmas at our home but definitely a great father/son time for Sean and Wes 
Bethany is a senior this year at Aloha. I can NOT believe that! I don’t know where the past 12 years have gone. She is having a fun year. She loves to dance, sing, take pictures, and enjoys being on yearbook at school. She has this bubbly personality and I enjoy doing things with her. I will miss her next year when she heads off to school. She is hoping to get accepted into either BYU-Idaho or LDS Business College. She is still weighing her options. So much to think about when you are a senior!
Bryan began his freshman year at Aloha. He is doing GREAT. This year he is in a classroom with 20 other students. His 2 teachers do a fantastic job and Bryan is learning a great deal. He is continuing his singing in the Aloha HS choir and he enjoys it a lot. He will turn 16 this month; he is super excited for it. Bryan LOVES to attend the Church dances. He has a fun time and usually dances every single dance. It’s fun to see his excitement and love of life!
Wes and I were asked to head up a girl’s high adventure this summer. With the theme “Journey to Higher Ground” we organized a two day activity that involved service, fun and hard work. There were many lessons learned through service at the forestry center in Tillamook, fun and games at the beach and climbing Kings Mountain the following day. This definitely showed the girls that they could do hard things and could push on and do their best.
We hope this Christmas season finds you well and happy. With much love, The Whitnahs, Wes, Grace, Bethany and Bryan

so much has happened since i last wrote on my blog. I am a Gramma, I will become a Mother in Law for the second time next summer when Robbie gets married. I am still a missionary mom but not for much longer. Sean is due to return home from his mission in Germany Frankfurt on December 30th!
Just a few things that happened this summer. Bryan and I took a trip to Pennsylvania to visit my Mom. We left the week after school was out and returned to Oregon on July 8th. It was nice to visit Mom. I would be lying if I didn't mention how much I missed seeing my Dad. It just seemed so strange without him there. Mom is doing pretty well, she's a strong women and someone I've always admired. As hard as this has been for her she is always helping others out and is staying involved in the community, which is really good. Bryan and I went camping with Gramma and the rest of my family for a week at Allegany State Park. The weather was perfect, not too hot and not too cold, other than one night where we had a crazy thunder storm, the week went well. It was nice to visit with cousins and my sisters and brother along with other family members.
Our last day of camp, 2 older cousins came from Michigan to visit. They stayed through the 5th of July. I hadn't seen these cousins in over 30 years. It was nice to get reaquainted with them.
Here are just a few pictures of camping.Bryan enjoyed visiting with his Aunts and Uncles and cousins. Here he is with Aunt Mary :) Gramma got Jack to pop some popcorn over the fire this year. He did a good job, it tasted great!My cousin Larry and his 5 grandkids there most of the week, they are such cute kids. It was fun to see them run around and play. It wasn't that long ago that my kids were that age and doing the same thing. Overall Bryan and I had a great time visiting family in PA and NY
While we were in PA visiting. Bethany was off to Girls Camp for 1 week and the week after that was off to EFY. She told me it was by far her most favorite time at EFY yet. She had a blast. At girls camp she was able to be a counselor over the 1st and 2nd year girls, that is something she looked forward to and had fun planning with the other counselors what they would do.
While I was in Pennsylvania visiting my family, Robbie met a great young girl named Tessa. They met at at FHE (Family Home Evening) activity. I got home on the 8th adn met Tessa on the 9th. She is perfect for Robbie. He has been working as a plumber and they both are planning a summer wedding in 2011. In July we headed to the beach. Bethany brought along her friend Marissa Thompson and Robbie came down with Tessa for a day. I love the beach. It's always so relaxing. We found a nice beach house to stay in at Pacific City, Oregon. After spending a day in Lincoln City shopping (something that Bethany and Marissa especially enjoyed) we headed to the beach home. We were there about 3 days. I would have loved to have stayed longer. It was really nice.
One night we had a fire at the beach, it was great.
On Wes and my 27th wedding anniversary Becky went into labor and little Ryan Louis Boudrero made his appearance. What a memorable day! I wasn't able to be in Utah when Becky had Ryan but I made it there 4 days later. I stayed with Becky and helped any way I could. Lucky Becky...she lost ALL her pregnancy weight within less than 2 weeks. Then again, she only gained 18 pounds. Ryan weighed in at 6 lbs 10 oz and was 21 inches long. Grampa Whitnah loved holding his first grandson, so sweet! Bryan was pretty excited to be an uncle, even though he was a little unsure how to hold Ryan he did just fine!Bethany also relished in being an Aunt. Ryan loved it when Bethany held him. And of course I couldn't hold the little guy enough! He is such a sweetie. The only thing I wish is that Becky and Jeff lived closer so we could see them as well as litte Ryan more often. They are doing well and are adjusting to being parents and little Ryan is growing like a weed. He just had his 2 month check up and he already weighs 13lbs 3ounces. He's more than doubled his birth weight.
The new parents..they are very happy.

Becky and Jeff's Visit

This past week Becky and Jeff paid us a visit from Utah. It was great to see them! I hadn't seen Becky since she found out she was pregnant and to see her little belly and all and feel little Ryan moving around in side of her was fun. I have had 5 kids of my own and I still remember how it felt to have a little baby moving and kicking inside of you. It really is a miracle. I took every advantage to place my hand on Becky's belly when he moved :)
Lacey Coakley, a long time school and church friend threw Becky a baby shower while she was here. She was able to get some cute little boy clothes...or should I say, "little man" clothes. That is what Ryan will be, her little man. On Saturday we took off to Tillamook and then to Rockaway Beach. It was beautiful that day. With Oregon you just never know what the weather will be like at the coast, we lucked out. It was sunny the whole time and warm. Bryan loved the beach! There is something about nature that brings out excitement in him. He stimmed like crazy.But it was all great
You can tell by Bryan's hair that the wind was blowing pretty good, I love the rock in the background of this picture, it makes me think of lockness.
Bethany was busy with her camera taking some magical pictures as well. She is fantastic with photography, one of favorite things to do. I was able to capture a nice picture of Becky and Bethany together though. Bethany was glad to see her big sister that she hadn't seen in nearly a year.
and this photo at the coast is probably one of my favorites.
Robbie took Bryan to the coast in his truck, buying Bryan a monster drink to have on the way..as if Bryan needed anything else to make him hyper. Bryan loved both the drink and riding to the coast and back with his big brother. It was great to have nearly everyone there.
Another photo at the restaurant we ate at, Robbie wasn't too crazy about the place so he walked to McDonalds and ate something else but came back to share some of Bryan's scone.
I was glad to spend some time with my daughter Becky. With her living in Utah and not getting to see her or visit with her as much as I used to made this trip extra special.

The next time I see Becky and Jeff they will be holding their little Ryan in their arms. Exciting yet busy times ahead for the both of them!I am sure they will make good parents and will be as ready as ever for the challenge ahead

Bethany's First Prom

Last Saturday Bethany attended her first Prom. The Church has begun holding Stake Proms and they have been such a success! First off the music is good, no "weird" dancing that kids have to deal with as well as girls and guys are dressed modest and they ALL have a fun time. Bethany was called by the Stake to help with the Prom and she absolutely LOVED being involved! With her attention to details and her love of music and fun everything she did helped the rest of the group work together to get so much done. It was great and she loved it! Bethany wanted to go and just have fun and so she and Lance Barfuss went together..it was great...they are 2 good friends and they along with many there had a great time.

Of course a dance wouldn't be a dance if she didn't hang out some with her BFF Alina. Alina and Bethany were beaming and had so much fun!
The theme of the dance was "An Evening in NYC" From a crystal chandelier to a small central park and Statue of Liberty, everything looked great and had a blast.
After a long time organizing, those on the committee stayed after and helped to clean up. I don't think Bethany minded one bit..from the smile on her face you can tell she had a great night

I am in a Blue mood

This week I found out what Becky and Jeff were going to have...a little baby BOY. Jeff was super excited. He had told Becky all along that they were having a boy and he couldn't wait to take this little guy fishing and camping and all sorts of boyish things. Becky on the other hand was hoping for a girl. Once she saw her new little baby on the 3D ultrasound and saw how cute he was she fell in love with him. She told me that a couple of weeks ago she had a dream of a cute little baby boy and was convinced that Jeff was right, they were going to have a boy. Sometime in August little Ryan Louis Boudrero should make his arrival into this world. What exciting news! Becoming a Gramma certainly feels different than I thought it would. First off, I never really knew how it would feel or thought about when it would happen. I guess it's like having your own first child...the emotions catch you off guard and you are filled with excitement for this new little life.

What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Frogs and snails and puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little boys are made of.