Blessings, Happiness, Gratitude

This is Cassander, our 13th grandchild, born July 30, to Greg and Alli. Isn't she beautiful!

John and I took Brooklynn on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera and had the happiest time!
Our first port was Cabo St. Lucas where we went in a glass-bottom boat and saw colorful fish and amazing beaches. We snorkled at Pelican beach. I'm sorry you all missed the embarring scenes here...me trying to climb back into the small tour boat and all of us hiding behind a towel while we changed into our swimming suits on the beach! (We didn't know if we were going to get to snorkel so we had just brought our suits along.) Our ship (in the background) was incredible!

Our second port was Matzalan. This is the meat market! It stunk to high heaven! All the meat is in the open air, in 85% humidity and high 80 temperatures. I would definitely have to be vegetarian if I lived there!

We ate in the dining room each evening with another two women that we were assigned to eat with. We enjoyed getting to know them. Brooklynn was so brave. She tried snails (and liked them!) duck, brussel sprouts...

Our third and final port was Puerta Viarta (Sp?). Brooklynn had her heart set on doing an extreme adventure so we all got in the back of an open, old army truck and went to the mountains where we rappeled, climbed ladders and crossed steep, skinny bridges, and zipped 9 times from tree top to tree top. I felt sorry for our guides who had to babysit me so I didn't kill myself! But John and I were thrilled that we got through the entire course. (Remember the humidity! It played a huge part in me almost passing out! Fun times!)

There was an ice skating rink aboard so Brooklynn skated twice and climbed the rock wall twice, which was huge! We worked out at the gym, went swimming in the salt water pools, watched fabulous entertainment and feel very blessed for the experience of it all!

It' good to be back!!! Since my last post we've had some fun adventures. This is the 4th of July parade in Provo, UT where we had four family reunions in a week, went to Lagoon, celebrated my sister's birthday, and just had a blast with famil and friends!

LAGOON My sister Nancy, Brooklynn, me and John

Girl's camp! Our ward had 18 girls. I went up for one day and loved every minute (except when B burped in testimony meeting.)

Camp GoGo at Peter Piper Pizza

Adorable Sam!

Camp GoGo

Our first camp GoGo was a lot of fun! I think that each camp will get better and better, provided I keep learning and rest up first! Sleep was the only thing lacking with our group of six. I hope they all got LONG naps yesterday! When driving home from Peter Piper Pizza, Oaklee, Ella and Elle said that their best friends were their "moms and dads and sisters and brother" (in Ella's and Oaklee's case) It was so sweet to hear them say 'I love my family. They are my best friends." I learned that since I don't live at Elle's house then I'm not her family! (I know she loves me anyway!)

Oaklee and I were talking and this is how it went:
Oaklee, "How many babies did you have?"
Me, "Seven".
O, "Wow, that's a lot! How many did you get to keep?"
Me, "All of them."
O, "What were their names?"
Me, "Greg, Brian, Adam... At that time Oaklee excitedly said, "Hey my dad's name is Brian!"
Me, "He was one of my babies!" It was so much fun to see the "I get it" look on her face!

I LOVE each one of my grandchildren and am so thankful to my children for giving me so much joy through them.

Here is a run-down of most of our activities: Made "I love you" key chains and bracelets and drew pictures and framed them for their parents. Played SpongeBob Bingo complete with prizes, had a talent show with Charlee in charge (No surprise there! :)) Oaklee danced, John played the accordion, Ella and Nina played the Fisher Price piano, and Charlee played the big piano. (Elle was too busy playing Barbies!) We went to Peter Piper Pizza and they all got tickets from the games. (Not nearly enough tickets in their eyes!) Had popcorn and movies, dress-up and toy time, swimming, poppers, bubbles, balloons...Whew!

Nap time for me! (I'll post pictures when I get a card reader!)

No pictures-no blogs

I can't find my USB connection cable so I can't get pictures off of my camera. :(

Devin is 25!

Allison gave Devin a surprise party for his 25th birthday. She had everyone write a note saying what  they like about him. “He’s nice, he wrestles with me, he makes good food, he is the life of the party, he is a good father and husband, has a good attitude about work, he makes everything fun,” was just a few of the comments that were made. Every one of those comments are true. Devin is a real joy!    Cheesy? That’s okay!

Allison and Brooklynn made everyone a ‘Devin on a stick’ with a party hat so that when Devin came in we all yelled “surprise!” with Devin’s face surprising himself!

Charlee made this big Happy Birthday poster and a crown for each member of the family, complete with jewels!

Rich stole the show with his speedo!

New Program

I am posting from my new program called Windows Live Writer that Rich just setup for me.  It is really easy to use.

More on Barry Family Reunion

For the LIVE action of our family reunion go to Devin and Allison's blog. Allison really puts together a great show. Also watch Devin and Allison's family movie. HOOT! Brooklynn also posted our video (John, B and I) on her blog. John doing hip hop is worth a look-n-see!

Barry Family Reunion

Rich, Treslee, Nina and Elle
Greg, Bastian and Alli

Ella, Adam, Anya and John
Our Barry Boys Devin and Sam, Adam, Rich, Brian and Greg
Brooklynn on the zip-line
Water balloon bounce
Volleyball Olympian


We had four glorious and fun days at the Barry Family Reunion in Heber, AZ.
Each family had been challenged to make a video to show at FHE. It was such a riot to see what everyone had come up with. That will definitely have to be a tradition. (Thanks Allison!) We all created tie-dyed shirts with our Barry Family Reunion name ironed on. (Thanks Alli!) We played 'paintball wars' with giant marshmallows dunked in flour. We had a 'talent show'! (We aren't the Jim Barry family!) We had a sing-a-long with Alli playing Beatle songs on the guitar. We played water balloons. There were many games of badmitton and volleyball, walks, zip line rides, archery... We got up close to a little dead mouse and humingbird and a real LIVE tarantula! He even let us pet him!
We found a closet full of dress-ups and made a music video. Who knew how much the guys would get into it!


Brian and Scottee
Mindy and Ryan
Just as Devin was preparing our lunch (fajitas) out on the camp fire, it started pouring rain and then turned to hail!!! The fajitas were delicious anyway, especially because of Devin's sacrifice!
Our Big Crazy Barry Family-so loved and so dear.

AWAY we go!!!

Jaxson
Oaklee
Charlee
Greg and Bastian
I got five of these little scooters to give to our grand kids for birthdays and such. The problem is that they were delivered while John and I were in CA. so by the time we got home, Brooklynn and Greg had already assembled them and broke them in! I can see why! They are a blast to ride! All you have to do is turn the steering wheel to make them go and they can take up to a 200 pound person on them so I can even ride them!!! If you want to have a good time, come and take a scoot on this ride! Here's Devin, Greg and Bastian!

St George-Red Hot Society

I finally got some pictures of the Red Hots in St George.

Collegan lips

Brian is 32! (4-25-09)

Brian and my mom

Our second son, Brian is such a wonder-guy! He was born dependable and strong in every way. Tennis, golf, ice-hockey (soon), and his family are among his loves. We love you Brian and wish you a Happy Birthday!

Journee LaBelle Barry 4-23-09

Another little Barry angel was born too soon. She wasn't due until September, but dear Scottee just couldn't stay pregnant, even after being on bed rest and having shots and medication to try to help her. Journee weighed just 8 ounces and was 8 inches long. She will be buried next to her sister, Trevee and will continue, no doubt, to serve on the other side of the veil. We took pictures of us smiling to help the other children know that it's okay that even though we wanted Journee to stay, we trust Heavenly Father's plan for us all.

Fifty-eight looks so good on some people!

John's birthday was yesterday! I drove him to lunch, a movie, to ice cream and to the book store! (Since he earns all the money I can't say that "I took him" but I did!)He is such a good-to-the-core man and a dream-husband! Thanks John for all that you are and for all that you do. Happy Birthday! XOX

San Diego FUN!

Thirty-four years of Bliss and Blisters!

John and I celebrated our 34th anniversary by going to San Diego where we went to the Wild Animal Park, the beautiful San Diego Temple, LaJolla Cave, Sea World and visited the Sabin's who are some of our oldest and dearest friends.