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| Vic & Andrea |
Her first home was in our trailer house just south of Ketchum . . . one of her first buddies in the trailer park was Trevor Patzer . . . and her cousin Nicole Archibald. Since all of us moms were new at this, twas good to have someone else to compare notes with. . . She was an only child for just a short period of time, as her little sister Erika, joined the family in 1975. And if we thought one little girl was special, seemed that two were extra special. Andrea went to elementary school in Bellevue - and she loved to read and hated to practice the piano. She was very artistic and creative . . . her best friends were Tanya Rosenstein and Brandon Jones. Though she was a model student and rather quiet and shy, there were a few Bellevue boys that will remember being put in their place quite firmly at recess by Andrea's physical prowess.
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| Sweet 16 |
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| @ 607 Lawrence |
Life was wonderful in the Wood River Valley and the little Warr family continued to grow - 2 brothers and a new baby sister were added to the original 2, making the perfect family of 7! Camping, skiing, enjoying our place on Broadford Road with the Wood River in our backyard . . . what could be better? But economic times were a little rough and so after lots of thought and prayers, it was decided that the family would move to Boise. Andrea was an 8th grader . . . a difficult age to move! She made friends, but not like the close ones she left behind. She continued to shine as a student and her creativity and artistic talents grew. She loved art and one of her pictures was chosen as the art for a community Christmas card. She was always so helpful and responsible . . . but she did discover boys - and they discovered her! And as time has gone by, oh the stories we've discovered! But it was fun to watch our #1 take us through each new step of being parents!
Then came high school graduation . . . and shortly after came that sad but proud day when she headed to Ricks College. Everything seems harder with your first . . . and many tears were shed by this mom on the drive back from Rexburg. But it was there that she met one of her soul mate friends - Sara Russell! It was, and still is, as if they had known each other long before Ricks College days.
Lots of changes came into Andrea's life . . . some that I am sure she would never have wished for . . . but looking back, she became a stronger and more determined person through some difficult times. Many times my heart broke for her, but I learned a lot from watching her pick up and go forward and upward!
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| Mandy and Andrea |
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On May 1, 1999 she married Rick Souden . . . and became an instant mom to Amanda and Rick became an instant dog owner to Otis. They lived in Idaho Falls in half of a duplex that they bought. Not long after they were married, they were visiting us and YAHOO! Told us that a little one was going to be joining their family! Being a mother is wonderful - but being a grandmother is . . . well . . . it is GRAND! On March 9, 2000, Madeline Brianne Souden came into this world! And if Andrea was short on hair as a baby, Madeline made up for it! Shortly after that, they moved to Nampa - and it was such fun to have them close by!
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| The new mom with proud grandma and great grandparents! |
Andrea was a very calm first time mother . . . and great little wife . . . she helped out with their finances by delivering papers every morning . . . early morning! They moved to another little house in Nampa and then bought a house not far from 10910 Arabian Way . . . 8900 Targee a home on an acre which soon became home to not only their family, but to chickens, cats, calves and a dog, a garden and fruit trees . . . Their place is one where all critters know they are special . . . and most have very creative names thought up by Andrea and/or Madeline. (Rick has learned he just needs to listen here).
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| Andrea, Mad and the Twilight crew |
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| Andrea, Rick & Bentley & Placerville |
Not long after they had moved to Boise, Andrea (with much support and encouragement from Rick) returned to college . . . and received her Bachelor's in English. She was - and is an amazing student! I am sure that several of her professors will remember her for forever for her insightfulness and what she added to their classes! She maintained very high grades - was on the honor roll, while still being a fulltime mom and wife and student! Pretty impressive gal! She got her teaching certificate and her first job was at the alternative high school. She loved it and they loved her. But it was a temporary contract and so the next year found her wondering where she would be . . . or if she would be. That year she taught at the alternative junior high and enjoyed it . . . but same story, different school - a temporary contract. The following year she taught at Fairmont Jr. High . . . and same thing . . . then the next year she was at West Jr. High . . . and FINALLY this year she is on a continuing contract and everyone is so happy! She is highly respected among her fellow teachers and she has become many of her students favorite teacher! She is probably one of the most creative thorough teachers I have ever met (and I've met my share). There is much to be learned from her - not only as a student, but as a fellow teacher!
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| Sisters . . . |
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| The 5 Warr kids . . . the BEST! |
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| Pops and his #1 |
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| Ma and her #1 |
And so as her birthday comes around, I reflect on how proud I am to be her mom! She is an amazing woman - mom - teacher - wife - friend! I know that whatever she decides to do will come to be . . . from riding her motorcycle many miles through Washington to completing her Master's Degree . . . it shall be done and done well! No matter what she does, she does it with style and class . . . from wearing her red boots to being able to look like a model whether going out for the evening or mowing the lawn! And I'm glad I get to be a part of her life! She has taught me much and continues to teach me! She can be counted on to always lend a listening hear and a thoughtful heart and she is loved by everyone in her family!!
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| Lookin' it over @ Placerville |
Though Whit was one of the youngest in her classes at school - that only helped her have more friends . . . friends younger, friends older, and friends just her age! She was always busy . . . and to this day her list of friends continues to grow! Not only is she friends with her friends . . . but she is friends with everyone in her family! From the oldest to the youngest! 
As it came time for Whit to spread her wings and fly, she headed off to Utah State University where she discovered a savage game called rugby. She LOVED it . . . and made many new friends who also loved it! We enjoyed (?) watching her play . . . it is kind of like moto cross racing - fun to watch as long as you aren't the mom of one of the participants. Her fascination with broken bones continued to thrive during her rugby years . . . two broken noses (well actually just one nose, but broke at least 2 times - that I know of. . . .) and a broken collar bone. But guess it was a good opportunty to take out some of the pent up agressions that come with being the youngest . . . especially with two just older brothers! She continued to play . . . and completed her studies . . . graduating just on time! She got her bachelor's in Parks and Recreation. She spent summers combining what she loves and getting paid for it - she worked at a Girl Scout camp in Montana and then at a Boy Scout camp near Salmon. She learned to fish, cook, camp, kayak and keep little girls from doing bodily harm to each other. As she left Utah State, she took along with her one of her very best buddies - Harley Marie . . her loving crazy pit bull/lab mix dog . . . they go everywhere together. 
Right after graduation, she began working for Aspiro - an organization that worked with at risk youth. They took them out in the wilds of Utah to try to help them sort out their lives . . . And like the true "warr"ior she is, Whit took on anything that was required of her - from climbing tallest mountain peaks, to crossing lakes, to spending weeks in the wilderness with the barest of essentials. As she worked for Aspiro, she discovered that she really enjoyed the opportunity to work with kids and see their lives change and so she decided to apply for the master's program at Idaho State University in counseling. She was accepted - the youngest in the program. She loved it . . . and her professors loved her! She completed her program graduating with honors. (Whit had always had the philosophy in high school and at Utah State that "C's get degrees" . . . so when she got nearly a perfect 4.0 gpa we were impressed and realized that she could do it when she wanted to!)
Now our little Whittle gets paid for helping people sort out their lives. She is perfect for this job - she is so genuine and caring - filled with sensitivity! She just seems to have that innate ability to let you know that she truly cares and understands. She finds herself actually enjoying living in Pocatello . . . and as always, has made many new friendships that will continue through the years. Her life is busy and full . . . with hiking, riding the mountains on her bike, skiing the backcountry, camping and boating . . . and crocheting (w/o a pattern . . . how does she do that?!) and crafts and cooking and canning . . . and work and friends and family . . . life is much richer with our little Whittle in it! Wherever Whit is, there will be happiness and joy! How happy I am to be a mother of 5 fantastic kids!
Ready for action . . . come on Adam get that 4 wheeler and let's go! Susannah looking stylish with the goggles . . . Katherine looking stylish with her smile . . . and Adam always stylin"!
What a cute couple! Ready for action!
Susannah and Alona sittin' by the stream.
Kirsten loved putting her toes in the stream . . . 
Katherine enjoyed the race and picnic from a sunny spot close by.
Vic wanted to see the action up a bit closer so he ventured on down by the gate . . . go red car!!