Barber Bustlings

We had a wonderful time in Utah this past week. Friday we left about 4:30am, thinking we would have the kids sleep for a few hours of the trip. We were sorely mistaken! The kids were wide awake, even though it was dark and Scott and I didn't even talk. Myles took about an hour nap during the 12-hour trip. Fortunately the kids were so good in the car. We even made it to Page without putting a DVD on; that is four and a half hours of just singing and talking, quite a feat in the media-dependent age. That night we were able to meet with all the sisters who served with me in Venezuela (who live in Utah) for a fun pizza/pool party. Saturday we spent the day with Tyler and Shelley before they left on their vacation. Arycca was able to give up her Saturday to be with us, too. Sunday was a Barnes family reunion of sorts. We loved seeing Aunt Shae from Texas and visiting with my dad's family. My cousins' kids are so cute. Myles had a good time with their boys and I enjoyed seeing my

Whenever I can get Bailey to sit still long enough I try to have her read a few books to Myles. I am so proud of her for reading. She says she doesn't like it but if she actually concentrates then she does a great job. Scott and I love to read so we are hoping she will one day pick up this love, too. Myles likes to sit with his books all day long; I love when he entertains himself! I can't wait to share good books with Bailey and watch her get lost in the new worlds that books will open up to her. I think she will really enjoy the Harry Potter series one day. Unfortunately, we are at the Junie B. Jones level. Enough said!

Bailey and Myles are in swim lessons and the stark differences in their personalities are entertaining, to say the least. Bailey has always loved the water and has a natural propensity for swimming. In her class she is always the first to volunteer. She loves to try new things. She is very confident and does really well in the water. Myles, on the other hand, does not like to do what is expected of him. He will not do what the other kids are doing, but shouts, "No!" the whole time. An example of this: the teacher asks the kids to blow bubbles. Myles refuses and cries. The rest of the kids comply and blow their bubbles. When the teacher moves on to back floats, (which is like death to Myles-he detests being on his back) then Myles quietly blows bubbles to himself, after thrashing around and screaming to get out of me forcing him to float on his back. Swim lessons are over tomorrow and I am glad! I don't like having to be somewhere at a certain time every day. It is at 10:1

Last night we took the kids to see the fireworks. We weren't really planning on it since it was so hot and we are going to see some fireworks in Utah for Pioneer Day. About 8 o'clock it was still 101 outside and we were trying to convince Bailey to settle for fireworks on TV (lame, but it's hot outside!) Out of nowhere it started raining across different parts of the valley and the temperature dropped 10 degrees in 2 minutes. We made a mad dash to get the kids ready and headed away from the storms to a little town called Apache Junction. We found a great parking spot behind the high school there and watched in the baseball field. The city had planned for the fireworks to shoot directly over the stadium, where all the people had been waiting, but with our great luck the wind blew all the fireworks southeast, directly over where we were sitting. By the time the fireworks started it was only 85 degrees. The weather was perfect, we weren't bombarded with people and my kids

We had a great weekend that involved good friends I made on my mission to Venezuela. Friday we went to Jill and Jeremy Wright's home. They have three adorable little boys and our kids got along really well. Just watching our husbands and kids together I could not help but remember when Jill and I were out on the streets knocking doors and reminiscing about America. I never really could have imagined what life would be like, eight years later, with our own little families and living in Arizona of all places! Saturday night we went to Marci and Carlos Hernandez' home and I experienced the same nostalgia. Marci made the best Venezuelan meal and I loved being with her cute family, too. She and I never served together, but we lived together in Merida, too, and our love for our missions and the gospel sealed our friendship. I am so blessed to have served with these amazing women and to now be able to live so close to them. Another friend from our mission, Janene Wirthlin, posted on h