A Very Merry BarrChristmas Letter 2006

Welcome to this year’s annual Christmas letter. Some of you might be commenting, “Annual? Since when, bub?” Skepticism aside, let’s take a pictorial look at the year in review.1

1Just like Mr. Twain said, “The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

SamiVisiting the “Best Preserved” meteor on earth, ca. 20 miles west of Winslow, Arizona.

December 2006

Sami: Payson, ArizonaAdventuring at Kohl’s Ranch in Rim County Arizona. Payson, and the ranch, is a terrific get away

spot to escape the desert and have fun. February 2006

Sami – “I didn’t do it, really dad!”Sami and Noah are often known to make forts, secret plans, and performances. Here, they’re caught

in the act. Totally innocent, I’m assured.March 2006

Her Future’s so bright…Just before Ben started chemotherapy, the family had fun at Disneyland.

April 2006.

“The Beach is like not Always so Totally Hip, Dad”

After Disneyland, it was off to the beach. April 2006

NoahIn the snow-challenged land of Arizona, Noah seized upon the rare opportunity to

make a dwarven snowman in Williams, Arizona.December 2006

Brr, WyomingApparently, Laramie, Wyoming is much better for making snowmen, especially at Grandma and

Grandpa’s house.November 2005

He Should’a Been a CowboyNoah loves Payson too. Taken at Kohl’s Ranch.

February 2006

Trapped in DisneylandRun for your lives, children! Caution: Don’t pet.

April 2006

KatrinaKatrina is a fully licensed (and insured) driver this year. Way to go hun!

February 2006

Master of the House(the lady in green)…

The lady on the right is the angelic caregiver for the slightly crooked fellow seated in the picture. You can’t see her wings because they’re fluttering so quickly.

December 2006

Trust MeDid I mention her sainthood? If anyone has connections with the Pope, we should speak.

November 2006

Ben“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it, misdiagnosing it, and then

misapplying the wrong remedies.” Groucho Marx.January and December 2006

Well I’m a standin’ on a corner…

In Winslow, Arizona.December 2006

Annie“First Lieutenant Guarding Against the Shadow-People”

We adopted Annie, our ever-adorable Golden Retriever, in July 2006.Her favorite pastime is to guard against shadows, whose constant goal is to usurp

her dominion in the doggy kingdom.

I’m a Happy Dog!July 2006

The Year in ReviewThe stoic among you have made it through 18 pages of pictures.

Congratulations. In the words of the celebrated Jimmy Buffet, “This year gone by ain’t been a piece of cake.” – Ben survived his dance with Hodgkin’s lymphoma after completing 6

months of chemotherapy and 3 weeks of radiation treatment. We’re looking forward to life post-cancer.

– Ben’s produced several studies about constitutional issues, given interviews, and written op-eds – all while fighting cancer. He’s excited about what the future holds for his evolving role in the law and politics. =)

– Samantha continues to excel in her practice of the viola. She also went on a super-neat trip with Katrina to Prescott, Arizona this year for Science Camp. She’s now the resident expert on owl pellets.

– Noah and Ben are working on electronic kits and robots. Noah’s goal is to someday build a life-size robot to take over the world, but we’re sticking with small models for now.

– Katrina helped Ben make it to all of his million appointments, kept the kids in clean clothes (with a little help from Mom King and Mom Barr), and helped out at school when possible. Thanks moms!

Wishing “You and Yours”Grand Canyon, Arizona. December 2006.

This is it – “just” 19 pages. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!