 Well, its been 10 months since our First Annual "BarryBoys" Retreat and alot has happened since then. First , and above all, we lost our Oldest Brother "MIKE".. He was the one that started all of this.This Retreat and all others will be in his memory. We held our heads high, as Mike would have wanted, and carried on with the 2nd Annual Retreat in Georgia , so called " The Barry Boy's Georgia Retreat". Mark decided that his place would be the Ideal location this year, since some of us have never been to his place" ( Charlie , Mathew and Mickey ). Mickey , however could not be with us this year because of his work. The Navy just didnt see the Retreat as a possible reason to get out of his duty to his country...so he was stuck in that drab old part of the U.S called "KeyWest". We all felt so bad for him being stuck down there...haha. Actually, we really wanted him and his family to be with us, but we understood the circumstances. Maybe next year !! Charlie and Norma rode down with Mat, Sarah and little Dublin , from Washington D.C to Duluth and Tim , Paula , Christopher and Nicholas took out on their own ( in another direction and a day later) . They actually started out at the same time, but chose to stay overnight along the way... Oh, by the way. Charlie and Norma took their little Yorkie with them, Riley. He kept them entertained in the pool the entire time. But, thats later on in the story. First of all.. we came down on Georgia like a rain of locusts.....once the doors were open on the Jeep , in the drive way.......BAM !!! The weekend started. Mark gave us a tour of the house ( and what a house ) and directed us to our rooms....The place was so big I was looking around for the front desk to sign in. Actually, the house is pretty modest, they kept it down to 9000 sq feet. That just barely accomodated all of us. ( yeah , right ). It didnt take Mark long to have two pitchers of Margarita's sitting on the bar to wet our whistles and the Pool and Hot tub were open 24/7 for our convenience. We hung out in the game room most of the night talking Barry stuff ...so we saved the pool until morning... Charlie and Mat made up framed pictures for everyone, of Mike. It was a very solemn moment..but, we CANT Forget Mike....he will always be with us....NO MATTER WHAT !!! We also made up a Framed logo of this Monumental Occasion to present to Mark for being the Host of this years event.
Well, the first morning arrived........Mark was downstairs looking mighty dapper in his golf visor..cleaning the bottles and shelfs at the bar..and as soon as he saw me..it was off to the hot tub....WOW was that Hot !! We hung in there for about 20 minutes until it got a little over the top and decided to take the plunge into the pool...now mind you...We just opened EVERY pore in our body and some.....and then jumped into what seemed like ice water.....WHOOOOOAAAaaaa !!! That got the blood flowing and the shrinkage started...After we were all settled in ...here came Norma Dawn and Riley. Welllll ...we arent the type to irritate the animal folk in the family..but Riley was looking awlful promising to try out the "BarryBoy School of Doggie Dunking". Well...we lured him in close enough to snatch him..and took him out on his first lesson. I gradually dipped him into the water..and as I am a firm believer of " If you love em..let em go"....and thats exactly what I did...let him go...and Splash !! he was across that pool and on to the patio lickety split. He shook himself off and turned and let out a bark that would have created a Tsunami if 'n the water was a bit deeper. Well Old Rye Man got himself pretty well dried off about the time the rest of the family came down....it was time for EVERYONE in the Pool....and since he does like to be considered part of the family....that meant Ol Rye himself...back in..but this time wasnt too bad...we had a huge turtle float for him...he loved it ..after he quit shaking....and he realized he wasnt coming to shore anytime soon...Now its time for a few illustrations.
 Now this is a picture of our Aquatic Yorkshire Terrier, Riley. He likes to be referred to as " The Yorkle with the Snorkle". I believe he was growing gills after this weekend. Now he just sits in front of the bathtub at home...waiting for another lesson.
 This is Mark..making sure the water is safe for Man and Dogs....Notice the turtle just about ready to bite.....OUCH !!! And notice the golf course in the background.... hmmm hmmm hmmm I dont golf but sure loved calling those guys that hit balls in the backyard.."HACKERS" !!!
 Everybody in the Pool !!!!! I believe we have Norma Dawn, Mathew, Dublin, Sarah , Megan and Old Rye Boy there on top of the turtle float. Beautiful day....nice pool...cool water...and family...what more could a person ask for?
 There seems to be a Dad and Son meeting going on in the pool next to the waterfall....they both have their "Men in Black" shades on and looking pretty refreshed. That would be Mat and "LiL" Dublin.
 I believe the Bar is Open..and it sure looks like the bar keep ( Mark ) has a few pitchers of Margarita's ready for the pool.....little less Tequila Mark !!!
Back to the story...........by this time...we heard a few HAW LOW'S coming from inside the gameroom..while we were all on the back porch.....Here comes another Barry Family. Tim , Paula , Christopher and Nicholas finally made it and the boys were probably there about hmmmm two minutes before they were poolside....haha. We were going to go out for dinner..but we decided with everyone being a bit tired and it being just a tad bit late to beat the crowds...Mark and Dianna made "Taco Rings"... Boy were those Good. This was a first for the rest of us...and we really enjoyed it. I dont know who cut the tomatos and lettuce up..but they knew what they were doing....PurrrrrFect !!! We had a few more drinks by the poolside and retired to the movie theatre....you heard right. They actually have a movie theatre downstairs off the GameRoom....with satellite tv...Xbox...DVD...etc. The Charlie, Mark, Tim and Mat watched the movie " Escanaba in da Moonlight"....strange but funny as can be.What was really nice about it..is that it was one of Mikes movies that Robin gave us.....it was too too funny. If you didnt turn the light on and just watched the movie...you would swear Mike was right there with us....and actually......I think he was. After the Movie...we played a foursome in "Tiger Woods Golf"..on the X Box. That lasted about 4:30 in the morning...cant remember who won..but everytime Tim buzzed off and it was his turn...he always managed to get a double bogey...hmmmm . Off to bed for another big day.
Rise and Shine at 7:30....Mark went out for doughnuts...and had a pot of coffee on...Tim, Caitlin and Megan took Christopher to the waterslide at the country club pool and Mark, Norma, Mat, Sarah , Dublin and me went to Atlanta to see the sights....we saw the olympic park....Cnn...the new Aquarium, TBS and many other sites..especially Old Atlanta..the old plantation houses ...with the streets lined with Magnolias...it was really nice. Then Mark took us to a little southern restaurant for lunch....that was an experience in itself. Dublin couldnt get enough food in his mouth and we couldnt get any food PERIOD. It seems the cook..lost our order..and because of the long wait..the house paid our tab....and Dublin Blew a hole in his diaper ...PEEEEEEuuuuuuuuuuuu !!! I think he was telling them what he thought about their service....haha. But, actually, the food was good once we got it. But then again...tell Dublin that !!.
 Tim, Norma, Dublin, Sarah and Megan enjoying the morning on the back patio...while Dublin eats his breakfast.
 HOTlanta as Sarah refers to it. This picture was taken as Mark drove us into Atlanta for a little Look See.....
 Well...after our run around Atanta , we headed home. Tim had just gotten back from the club pool with the kids and Mark was ready for his Famous "BBQ'd RIBS"...Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm...The same Ribs he served at the first Barryboy Retreat in the Smokies....We can't give you the secret recipe..or it wouldnt be secret anymore ...now would it?....He served Ribs, Hamburgers and Hotdogs for the Kiddies. Along with all the other sides....This was quite the dinner.
 That evening...we sat back at the pool...and enjoyed each others company.....Tim and Paula ran out and picked up a birtday cake for Mat....Mat was "29" on the 5th...so we all thought it would be a good idea to celebrate while we were all together. Mat was downstairs in the Movie Theatre playing XBox with Christopher......we told him that Mark had something he wanted to tell us.....He snatched up his camera and headed upstairs..when he came out on the back porch...it was "SURPRISE"...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.....You could tell by his looks that he was really surprised .....We sang the song..he blew out the candles and Mark poured a very good Port Wine for us to Salute him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAT.
 Sarah got a real Kick out of it.
 Caitlin also had a 16th birthday coming up on the 19th. We could never keep her at home long enough to celebrate with her..."HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAITLIN"... We did find out that she is beginning to get into fishing....there is a BassPro Outdoor World close to their place.. and she wants to, maybe , get a job there...so she thought it best that she knew a little more about fishing. We got her a tackle box with all the fillings , from Bass Pro, for her to practice with....she was really happy with it. CATCH a BIG ONE for us Caitlin. Love you Sweetie. She's gonna kill someone for putting this picture out here..but , hey...she's in Georgia..the rest of us are Wayyyy North...lol.
That Evening...Charlie, Mark , Tim and Norma got into a real battle on the BasketBall court....only it was in the pool..not in a gym. We were playing HORSE....The Younguns...couldnt keep up with the Old man...( charlie )...he won hmmm lets say he only lost once !!!! We left the pool pretty late that night and played Tiger Woods PGA Golf Tournament on the X Box...until 4:30am... give or take a minute.. This time Mark decided to buzz off in the middle of play and it seems his player took alot of unnecessary shots which put him a little down in the field....he got a little agitated with that and went to bed....Tim, Mat and I could not understand WHY his player would have done that to him...Well..needless to say..we revoked his players rights to play on that course again. Hope that makes you feel better Mark....that sure would have ticked us all off. When we all decided to retire for the night ..we turned our players over to Mat and he was doing fairly well..playing with four handsets.....I bet his player won too.....we'll have to talk about that later.
The next morning arrived and Mark had decided that he would make S.O.S ( hamburger gravy) better known as "shit on a shingle"..hence SOS. and Charlie made the Bisquits. Tim just sat back, laughed and was telling us what we were doing wrong...however....He did get the right size glass to cut the bisquits with and set the table....Kudo's to Tim. The gravy was a bit on the wet side and the bisquits were a bit on the little side...but we DARED anyone to say anything. It was a lovely breakfast and everyone had nothing but compliments to the chefs.....hehehe. Mat had to be back to work on monday and since we road with them...we had to be back too..haha. Charlie, Norma, Mat, Sarah, Dublin and Riley all packed up gave our kisses and hugs to everyone within arms reach and headed out the door. Tim, Paula and the boys stayed on a couple more days....They'll have to add on to this experience so that we all will know how things went those additional days. This was the best time..since last october when we all got together at the Cabin. However...No matter how much fun we had ..and things we did....there was still something missing...something Really BIG MISSING.......MIKE !!!! We all decided that we would keep our heads up and not let our emotions get the best of us.and to do this FOR Mike..he would not have wanted us to be down with what he started ,and will hopefully always be, The "BARRYBOYS RETREAT". God Bless you Mike and You are always in our hearts and prayers....every day....every week...every month ...every year to come...you will ALWAYS be in our minds and hearts...and we cant wait until we have that BIGGGG BARRY BOY RETREAT in the sky with ALL of us present again. !!!! Until next Year...we hope all of you have a BarryBoy Retreat of your own....Some added pictures of the Retreat Below.
 Mommy, Sarah, and Dublin.. enjoying a little laid back aquatic excercise....
 Tim had a good time watching Mark stir the gravy...not sure what was so funny....what the heck is going on Tim??
Tim, Norma, Dublin, Sarah and Megan enjoying the morning on the patio....Nice P.J's Norm !! Woo Woo.......
 Norma and Riley taking their evening walk on the golf cart trail....Riley seems to be a bit faster than Norma.....Whats the matter Norm? The little 8" tall yorkie got a little more zip...than you? Shame , Shame , Shame !!!
 Looks like Caitlin is giving the LOW DOWN to Tim , Paula and Mark.....and right in the middle of the Rib Fest it looks like. !!!
 Norma and Dub eating......Whose mouth is the fullest.
 Dublin Float !
 Keep our hands under the table...at least until the food comes !
 Grandpa and Grandma Barry with Dublin .
 Poolside at the Barry House ~~ Sweeeeet !!!
 Some people took it to a higher level . Look'n Gooooood, Mat !!! Just practicing for his day in the sun.
 The Crew....( standing ) Sarah, Dublin, Mat, Charlie, Mark, Dianna,Tim, Paula.( bottom row) Christopher, Norma, Riley, Megan, Abby, Caitlin and Nicholas. ( not pictured) Mickey, Julie and Owen.
 Aunt Barb bought us West Virginia Garb to wear, and wanted a picture of us wearing it. Here you go Barb....It all fit...and looks pretty good. Thanks a bunch !
 The remaining Barry Boys. ( standing) Charlie, Dublin, Mark and Tim. (sitting) Mat, Nicholas and Christopher.There are a couple more Barry Boys , but they couldnt make it due to military obligations...That would be Mickey and Owen
There will be more pics and hopefully, more narration, in the near future...as soon as we get Tim to upload his pics...and add some words. In the mean time...Thanks for visiting..and there should be another page pretty soon on the "Barry Family Reunion" that was held the weekend of July 23rd , in Beckley West Virginia....a good time was HAD by ALL.......TTFN.....
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