A New Additon!

Over the past week my dear husband has been checking Craigslist like a madman, searching for Siberian Huskies. He has been dropping not-so-subtle hints left and right, my personal favorite being, "Well, I really thought you were going to get me a dog for Christmas."

Yesterday, Devin's hints turned into pleas, and I told him, "I really don't want another dog."

About an hour passed, and I told him, "I really don't want another dog, but the choice is up to you. If you feel like we should get one, then we can get one."



Devin felt like we should get one.

Meal Time with Sam

Not so Merry and Bright

From last night's Barry Christmas Party

you-know-where froze over this weekend.

Well, it happened. I went camping. Every time I experience the bliss of sleeping and urinating out in the wilderness, I swear to family and friends that I am not obligated to camp again for a minimum of 5 years. Somehow I ended up camping before my due time this past weekend, along with Debbie, Brad, and Whitney. It was actually a good time, minus the grumpy spells I had (I think I was missing Sam and also remembered that I was camping). Here are the highlights.





This picture captures Devin giving his fellow campers an early Christmas gift (gas)

Whitney's reaction to all the gas.

and now I present, dancing around the campfire!

Whitney's famous dance moves. If you were at her wedding, you'd know that she is completely serious about these moves.







Fire portraits:





Good times. Let's do it again in 5 years.

Sam, how many brothers and sisters do you want?

Top 10 Moments from the past 10 Days

10. Going to the Temple lights with the Young Women from church. I have not had that much "girl fun" in a long time.

9. Buying a Pizza Hut coupon from our neighbor boy, then realizing that the coupon was printed on a candy bar wrapper. Yep, the little salesman had eaten the candy he was selling and I fell for it.

8. Making enchiladas without a recipe with Paw-Paw. My mom said when the time came to make the enchiladas, I could call her and she'd walk me through it. Well, when the time came, my dear mom was not answering her phone. I think they turned out ok...

7. Sam going up to Maw-Maw with a book so that she would read to him.

6. Making a beautiful pear pie that I am very proud of. I know, pear is a weird thing to make a pie out of, but we had a huge supply of them thanks to Bountiful Baskets.

5. Last Monday night's storm. Our Christmas lights no longer work because of it, and we lost a roof tile. It was a good time.

4. The GB company party. I cannot tell you how much I was looking forward this party. It was held at Famous Dave's and I was so excited to have my cheat meal there! I had been looking at the menu online all last week. Yes, I know that is pathetic.

3. Smelling a really bad smell while at the GB company party. It wasn't until the drive home that the culprit finally confessed.

2. Driving down Bell rd. and seeing a Grandma Barry lookalike riding a bike.

1. Putting Sam down for a nap, then coming in to find him like this:

Family Home Evening Activity

For Family Home Evening we had a lesson on taming the tongue (James chapter 3). Since watching what you say isn't always easy, we all decided to make animal noises instead. Plus, this way Dixie could be involved.

Yes, that is Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw in the video. They are in town and staying with us! Stop by if you want to meet the sweetest people in the world.

Maker's Diet Kickoff Party

As most of you know, I am doing my own version of The Maker's Diet. I have already promised at least 5 people that I would coach them in my ways when they start their own diet starting New Years. Well, rather than personally coach everyone, I've decided to have a Maker's Diet Kickoff Party! Exciting, eh? I hope you will come. My amazing cook of a sister, Whitney, has volunteered to help me with this party (displaying the types of meals and treats you can eat, etc.). Not only is this diet a way to lose weight, it truly is a way to make yourself and your body "unspotted from the world." The reason this diet is working so well for me (1.5 lbs. away from my pre-pregnancy weight, y'all!!!) is because it is a diet with a purpose. I am so much more appreciative of the things our "maker" created for us to eat. He designed our bodies, after all, so it just makes sense that He would know which foods are best for us. The party is tentatively planned for Friday, January 9.

Warning: LOTS of Pictures

I love the holidays for many reasons, but one huge one is because my friends come into town! Becky, Selena, and Russ were all in town for Thanksgiving, and I was lucky enough to get to steal them away from their families for a while. Here is what we did:
Becky came over and hung out with Sam and me. Becky is Sam's first crush. I am not joking. He was giving her looks I have never seen before.

We went to downtown Glendale to walk around. Did you know there's a Bead Museum down there? We almost walked in, but then we discovered there was a $5 admission fee. We also noticed that kids get in free, so we were tempted to have one of the museum workers stroll Sam around inside for a while.

I'm proud of myself that I took this pretty picture of Becky.

Samson.

Friday night Ryan and Bri hosted a party at their house.

My best angle:

and Becky's

and Selena's

and Bri's

and even Leigh Ann's

We were happy because Sam actually went to sleep in one of the bedrooms.

until the boys woke him up because they were gloating about winning a game we were playing...

aren't I nice to take a picture of Leigh Ann nursing??

By the looks of this picture it was a swinger's party...

...so I made Sam cover his eyes.

What is it with girls and cameras? At least us girls in this picture have a valid excuse. We're all members of the "I'm Obsessed with Myself Club" (est. 2006)

Then on Saturday I ditched Devin (he had ditched me earlier in the day to attend the ASU game) and hung out at Selena's parents' house (aka my favorite place in Glendale) We made my date cookies and fed Smokey! Selena's response to my cookies: "No offense, but the horses would really love these."

Mollie was a little afraid of the new horse, Oreo.

Me and my main man Smokey.

(in reality I'm afraid of him)

Ok LAST PICTURE: Selena was kind enough to take our family pictures. Here is my absolute favorite one of Sam.


THE END.