What's happening at our house in July

New Dining Room Table and Chairs












Lehi, Utah North Stake

Youth Conference

JJ & David and some of their friends





























































This was quite eventful! The huge cement pump truck came at 7 in the morning. We wanted to have cement poured on the East of our house where there was just gravel. We had to take out the air conditioning for a day. True hardship, you know me. I am a baby when it's hot.
So, the guys ran out of cement at the end, so the pump guy said he could run some water up the ginormous tube to bring the cement out that was still in the tube. The only problem was, once the cement started flushing out the tube there was no stopping it, so my poor little pumpkin plant that was doing so well got showered in cement. Oh dear, it was shocking. It took them 4 hours to smooth and manicure the whole cement area perfectly. wow.

more NYC, Mt. Vernon, Annapolis -- 10 fun days with Brooke

Serendipity 3, upper East side, "frozen hot chocolate". wow, a caloric overload! Look at the chandelier that was above our heads. We went there after a day at Central Park.


























Mt. Vernon was amazing, educational and inspiring. It was my first visit ever. The cupola on the roof was a genius way of ventilating and/or cooling the mansion. George is buried on the right and Martha on the left. 25 family members are buried behind the black door there. As you may know, George Washington


lead as President of the U.S. from this house, the white house wasn't built yet. MANY many famous people in history stayed at the mansion. The bedrooms, parlors and furnishings are grandiose--beyond your wildest imagination. Check it out online! The paint colors alone are shocking. If you want to know more, please ask me! ha ha. No, JK!! -- go to the website.









We went to Annapolis, where the Naval Academy is . . . . here are some of the officer's homes. Charming, dontcha think? This is us on a harbor excursion, it was a beautiful and historic place to be, quaint and chariming.
The Welch performers. This was happening on the "mall" one day -- I had to put this pic. on, they were adorable. .... and since the Barlows are Welsh, well, ya know. A bit of trivia....... Q: in the early 1800's how much do you think it cost for one person to come over on a ship (1 way) from Wales to NYC?
A: 6 pounds, which was considered a fortune.

New York City, Washington D.C. Temple

--Central Park East, this has been in a million movies.
This is a typical apartment in the West neighborhood. It's very cute in this neighborhood. I would live in this certain neighborhood if I had a reserved place to park!

This is just a random city picture. Next, (sorry the pic isn't clear) Junior's chocolate mousse cheese cake with whip cream! What? I know, shocking! Next one, Brooklyn Bridge after eating at Grimaldi's Pizza. OMG, thin crust with white, shiny, squeaky mozzarella, sliced in big circles on the pizza. Next, Times' Square. Next, beautiful D.C. temple. We had a great visit at the visitor's center. Very very special.

Maui Memories June 2009

This is N. Kaanapali Beach where we stayed at a new condo/Resort called Honua Kai. It was right on the water and we had a relaxing time.


































































Each night we'd lounge around the pool or beach and watch the sunset. It was a different look and feel every time. We soaked it all in. Along with the sunsets, we enjoyed the flowers, greenery, trees, birds, smells, and warm, moist air. I asked the Tiki Torch-lighter guy if it was fun to light the tikis. .... he said, "not so much". But, ya know, he's prob. been doing it a long time! The boys golfed twice, we went snorkeling at Molokini and a turtle bay and T and I got massages. Other than that we just hung around the pool and beach, went out for dinners and relaxed! Ahhh.

My Best Friend moves

Oh man, there's Di and the family before pulling away to drive to Texas. Jason is so brave to enter into another residency for three years. Who knows if they'll have the chance to come back?

We had good times for the two years you lived here, eh?!!!

That picture of us is prob. the worst ever, but I put it up anyway . . . . it reveals how we were feeling, pretty ugly.

Look at the rig. . . WOW . . . the Penske and the towing gizmo for the jeep. Heaven's Sake! Don't go pulling through the drive-up in that!





OK, Cutest pic of Jason & Jacob ever (look down below).
With Di and me -- do you see the tear coming down my face? Actually, I didn't cry until they pulled away. It was so sad I can't even tell you.

Here's the happy little family. Look at Jimmy! He's scrunching up his shoulders & holding the plastic Orca he loved to play with when he came over.

We'll miss you and we wish you all the best, don'tcha know?

Matt's Mission Call to Honduras, San Pedro, Sula

It seems like yesterday Matt was a little blond-headed boy, riding bikes in the neighborhood, playing out in the yard with his plastic golf clubs and competing in little league. Then, later, the passion of running long distance came along and molded his character and body into a tough, righteous, determined young man. I am telling you, the time flies by. You turn around and he's a two yr. old, then he's 4, then it's his first day of school, then he's 8, 10, then a Deacon, teenager, and now .... all grown up.

We had a beautiful time together. It's not over, I know!!! There'll be many more adventures. Matt, thanks for making me a proud mother. You have been a dream child. You were easy to raise. You rock my world. Now you'll spend the next two years in the northern part of Honduras, sharing the meaning of life with people who's hearts and minds are inquiring: "What is the meaning of life?", "Why am I here?", "Did I exist before I came to earth?", "Where am I going after I die?". . . . (except spoken in Spanish!) You'll be able to convey the message successfully, I am sure of that. We all love you, Matt, and we are fully supportive of your righteous desire to serve the Lord.
All you moms out there with little ones, can I give you some advice? Enjoy the journey, enjoy the days when your kids are young. Hold them tight, smother them with love. Discipline them, teach them. I'm far from perfect, but I'm glad I tried my hardest.