Trudy

I just spent a week traveling through Colorado and New Mexico visiting children and grandkiddles.  Growing up I guess I always thought I would move away from my hometown, but now I find myself frustrated that the next generation lives so far away.   You want them to excel at their jobs wherever that leads, but part of me wants to keep them all close by.  Needless to say, David and I were excited to meet our newest addition - little Trudy.  She is a little doll, strong and healthy, and cute as a button (well, actually a LOT cuter than a button).  After 5 sons, David was thrilled to cuddle this little lady.

Beckham takes his first steps

I spent three days at Matt and Jessica's on my way to New Mexico and then returned for a pitstop on the way back.  Jessica relented and let the boys get up to play with Nana B that evening and I got a clip of Beckham's first steps at 22 months old.  He has been in physical therapy for about 10 months for hypotonia, so this was an exciting progression.

Untitled from Traci Barnes on Vimeo.

 Jessica joins other moms from her ward once a week for river rafting and picnic lunch with all the kids.

Clo and Diann Visit

Aunt Diann and Uncle Michael came to town with their four children a couple of weeks ago to take Nathan to the MTC (No. Carolina mission).  Grandma Clo joined them so we planned some fun things.  I got tickets for a Concerto that Michele and Sterling were performing in with their AZ choir in the Abravanal Hall in SLC, but I was a bit nervous about a rather classical performance of original pieces which put 3 Nephi to musical form.  We instructed our company to dress casual, so as not to discourage them from coming, after all we planned to end the evening with a hot dog roast up American Fork Canyon.  The orchestra began, and the 600 member choir began to sing, and our seats on the 3rd row allowed us all to to pulled into the most touching and inspiring music.  KBYU was there to film and somehow managed to pan our row several times.  I was beginning to feel uncomfortable in our causal attire, but the music was so powerful that we were all swept up in the message.  Rarely do I endorse things, but when this comes out in the fall....  well maybe Christmas gifts,

We left our musical feast to visit "This is the place monument" and a stop at the home that Grandma Clo lived in while attending college.  The current occupant was more than happy to let us wander into the back yard.  The place was full of good memories for Grandma.


Grandma Barnes SLC house from Traci Barnes on Vimeo.

 Back row:  Matthew, Gabe, Connor, David, Diann, Sydney,Nathan  

Front:  Shanel, Grandma Clo, Traci, Michael

 Shanel decided to go on a mission a few weeks before this and the stars aligned for her to complete everything in a miracle week and get it sent in.  She received a call to Chili 2 weeks later! 

Connor Graduates

 Connor sings with his choir for the last time at graduation in the Marriott Center.