Brrrrrrrrrrrr

For those of you who follow our blog, you'll remember I was appalled when my car temperature gauge read 7 degrees last year.

Imagine our amazement(and cold, shivering shock) when we reached the lowest temperature in 6 years this morning. MINUS ONE. That's the official reading, but the thermometer on our deck read minus 4.

Yes, it is too cold for humans here. So cold in fact, that we opted to eat frozen pizza tonight as opposed to going out for Mexican food. You know it's cold when we stay in for frozen pizza.

So, we don't want to hear from anyone how cold it is in Texas. Once you hit zero and below, let us know. As for my friend, Cuestas, who's in NY, you win the prize my friend!

U-What????

In our never-ending efforts to increase Yulia's vocabulary, we introduced her to the word "U-Haul" on the way from Texas back to Missouri.

If you had told me I would be riding in, much less driving a U-Haul 12 hours from Texas to Missouri, I would have laughed in your face. But since I've married Paul Barry I've done a lot of things I never thought I would do.

So, we need to get some of Kitty's furniture to our Missouri abode. What better way than a U Haul??? Karen, "But, my love, don't they pay people to do those kinds of things?" Paul Barry, "Oh, my love, it will be an adventure." And it certainly was. We hit a small animal of some type only five minutes into the trip. I asked PB what is was and he simply responded, "Oh, probably a cat." We just kept on rolling. Yulia was amazed that there was no CD player, no electric locks and most importantly, a 4 foot jump-seat on which to place her buttocks. I was amazed that there was no cruise control! Even more amazed that the 16 foot tank wouldn't stop on a dime when I took a hard U-turn while exiting the freeway for a Sonic. I quickly learned the U-Haul WAS equipped with anti-lock brakes and received a quick lecture on safe driving of said vehicle.

A positive side of the road trip adventure was seeing the Christies, our great friends from Oklahomo City. Yes, you read that right.



Yulia showing her envious friends our "ride."


Anna


Katie. Not sure why I didn't get a picture of precious Ben, the baby.


We had a wonderful Christmas seeing our families, but it's great to be home. Yes, we really feel like Missouri is home now! Yulia was ready to get home to her "big" bed, her dog and her Wii.

Welcome 2009

Happy New Years at Joe Ts. Gotta love it.

And they said it wouldn't last.....

Debbie and Larry celebrated two years of marital bliss Dec. 30 and my sister wanted to celebrate with a rousing game of bowling with family. (Apparently living in Celina has done this to her.) It was hilarious.



Big Sis showing Yulia the "bowling" ropes.



This picture was taken only minutes before Britney became the first person I've ever seen throw a 7 pound bowling ball 3 lanes over to the left. That hot pink ball was airborne. Luckily, no one was injured and no, Britney did not get a spare. This picture was also taken only minutes before Colyn realized the lens was dirty on our camera. Wow, what a difference.


Really, Mr. Bowling Lane Manager, my sister doesn't drink. She doesn't touch the stuff.

BARRY CHRISTMAS

After the Burnette Christmas, it was on to the Barry's. This will probably be the last year we celebrate at Kitty's house.




New jammies from Uncle Chuck and Aunt Mary.(With matching slippers, I might add.)





(Please turn head sideways to view this photo) Colyn actually baked these pies from scratch. (Unheard of) Made jewelry and scarves as gifts. I can't understand why everyone laughs when I say that she inherited her domestic goddess skills from me! (And her computer skills as well.)



Mr. and Mrs. Jon Barry(still very weird to type that)

BURNETTE CHRISTMAS

Paul Barry decided that we would spend our Christmas mornings at home, in Missouri. I must admit I really enjoyed lounging around our house Christmas morning and not getting out of our pj's all day. Yulia played with her new Wii and Paul with his new I-Pod Touch.

But, the first thing Friday morning, we were on a plane to TEXAS!!!







Kevin and his girls! Courtney's 14 now. Julie graduated LSU and starts a new job after the first of the year.


Debbie and Larry's kids Troy(the one many of you have been voting for) and Britney(Josh is the beau.)


Note the Sonic cups, front and center!