Merry Christmas from the Barrs!
For the first time in nearly 13 years, we’ve decided not to mail out traditional Christmas cards.  Instead, we’ll save trees and money by posting a little end-of-the-year family update in the blogosphere. Ryan has been with E&J Gallo Winery for more than 13 years.  Currently, he serves as Director of Wine & Grape Supply and […]
Second Thanksgiving
For Ryan’s side of the family, Thanksgiving is a multi-day extravaganza. Â Most of those in attendance travel from hither and yon so the celebration begins as soon as the first faction arrives. Festivities included decorating gingerbread men (because it’s never too early to celebrate Christmas, especially when the cousins won’t be together then)… and a […]
First Thanksgiving 2014
For the first time in a very long time, we were able to spend an entire day with my parents and my brother and his family.  And it was AWESOME!  We chose to celebrate Thanksgiving a bit early to make sure that we’d have plenty of time for cooking, eating, and enjoying each other without having […]
Happy Hallow-IN
The last few months have rolled through our lives like a runaway freight train.  We’ve been surprised by one strange event after another, and at times it seemed as if there was barely enough time or space to take a breath. Amidst the chaos I began asking the boys what they wanted to be for Halloween. […]
Keeping Us in Stitches… And Staples
I didn’t even realize it had happened at first because he didn’t fight back. As he often does, Lobo got a case of the “zoomies,” running back and forth and ’round and ’round and up and over – something Nikki haaaaaaaated.  Most of the time, puppy zoomies are entertaining.  But giant puppy zoomies can be dangerous, and […]
Another Sad Goodbye
Just a few months after we got married, Ryan and I welcomed our first “baby” – who just happened to have four legs and a long tail. Â (Read more about Toby here.) Â He was only six weeks old when we brought him home, and clearly hadn’t been with his littermates long enough to learn proper […]
{LOBO}
Less than two weeks after Toby died, we found ourselves meandering off the freeway on our way home from a trip to IKEA – headed for a local no-kill shelter called Pets ‘n Pals.  Since I’m obsessed with saving every animal on the planet, I knew (by name) that there were a couple dogs in there […]
Rehabilitating Our Broken Hearts
It’s only been 72 hours since we scratched his head for the very last time. Â The tears still threaten to flow every time someone asks “How are you doing?” with that tone of voice that says they already know the answer. Â I still flinch when the doorbell rings, expecting the loud chorus of barks that […]
Saying Goodbye
Six months into our marriage, I had finished school, but didn’t have a job yet. Â I was bored and lonely, so I demanded requested that Ryan either get me pregnant or get me a dog. Â Clearly not ready for a human baby, we began the search for a canine companion. Â After an unsuccessful visit to […]
Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time (in 1999 – I think), a young girl and boy met at a frat party. Â Romantic, right?! A few months later, the girl finally agreed to go out on a date with the boy. Â Three months after that, the boy proposed to the girl at the end of Pier 39 in […]
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