Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Oh what fun we had!

We had our annual Barry Family Christmas party on the 22, complete with Bingo and white elephant prizes, dinner, talent show, nativity play, Grandpa Santa Clause, and sharing gifts. We laughed until we cried and we cried over the 'Barry Christmas' movie that Anya made of some of our past year pictures. What a marvelous blessing families are!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Big events, cherished times.

John's mother, LaBelle Barry lives in AZ during the winter months. She arrived in November, just in time to get to know her newest great-grandchild Sam Barry, just 9 days old in this photo!
Our oldest grandson, John, celebrated his 6th birthday at our house on Sunday, November 23rd.
Rich and Treslee Barry with Nina and Elle, Treslee's precious daughters, and now ours too! (Nov. 29, 2008)
My most dear parents, Elmer and LaRue Gerber with our son Brian, his wife Scottee and their children, Charlee, Oaklee and Jaxson at our son Rich's and his bride, Treslee's wedding reception.
Thanksgiving Day Family Volleyball Game
Our family minus Devin's wife, Allison and their new son, Sam.
The newlyweds, Rich and Treslee off to a great start!!:)


In the last 11 days we have had thirteen people here to stay. My oldest and dearest friend Herbie and her husband Steve came from Utah for a whole 24 hours on their way to Mexico. After they left our son, Greg and his wife and Bastian, our grandson, came and are going to stay until after Christmas. (Greg is working for our company which includes knocking down a wall in our upstairs playroom to make a huge room that we will watch movies in.) My brother and sister-in-law and four of their children and my parents all came from Utah for Thanksgiving and for our son, Rich's wedding that was right after Thanksgiving. He, my brother left to go back home on Sunday and my wonderful parents left Wed. It has been such a pleasure to be with all of these loved ones. Plus one of my sisters and John's two brothers all came from Utah too! We feel loved and supported.

We hosted a wedding dinner for 70 guests on Friday night. We had Famous Dave's BBQ cater it and it was scrumptious! Rich and Treslee were sealed in the Mesa temple in a wonderful ceremony with 53 family members in the room. Feelings of joy and love were almost tangible!

Thanksgiving was such a great day! Scottee and Brian hosted it which saved my life because of everything else that was going on. There were around 50 of us there but we had enough food for 100! I feel so blessed! We played games and volleyball, rode quads and enjoyed the beautiful clouds as they rolled through the sky.

Last night my quiet dad started telling some of our kids, who were over visiting, some of the events of his youth. We were spellbound as he talked for an hour or so of growing up through the Great Depression and his escapades in the navy. He is truely my hero!

There is not a basket big enough to hold the gratitude I feel for all the events of the past weeks and the people I've shared them with.