For the Barnes family, life in Ardsley is built around the things that matter most: faith, family, friendship, and finding joy in everyday moments.

Katie and Ward Barnes have called Ardsley home for the past nine years, raising their three children—Louis (5), Edward (3), and six-month-old Bonnie—in a neighborhood they love. Originally from St. Simons Island and Marietta, respectively, the couple has created a life that beautifully blends Southern hospitality, community involvement, and plenty of family fun.

If you spend any time around the Barnes family, one thing becomes immediately clear: they love being together. Whether they're e-biking through town, cheering on a sporting event, or gathering friends for a meal, they embrace every opportunity to make memories.

Katie describes herself as someone who loves sports—and she means all sports. Pickleball, tennis, kickball, bucket golf, frisbee, working out, and mahjong all make the list. She also admits she'll happily settle in to watch nearly any sporting event on television.

"If there's a sport on TV, we're watching it," she laughs. "Tennis, soccer, baseball, golf, football, Formula 1, the Olympics—you name it."

Her competitive spirit even inspired her to host a pickleball tournament at Daffin Park for her birthday last year.

The athletic genes seem to be rubbing off on the next generation as well. Five-year-old Louis has already developed a passion for golf and can often be found practicing his swing in the front yard or putting on a small green set up in the family living room.

While Katie gravitates toward athletics, Ward enjoys a variety of creative and outdoor pursuits. He occasionally spends time painting or drawing and is known as the parent who slips hand-drawn notes and illustrations into the kids' lunch boxes, creating small moments of joy that his children will likely remember for years to come. In recent years, he has also developed a love for golf and rarely passes up an opportunity to take the boys to the course. When he's not golfing, he enjoys working in the family's summer garden, a tradition he and Katie look forward to each year.

The Barnes family's weekends are filled with simple traditions that have become cherished routines. Friday evenings often begin with an e-bike ride to Hop Atomica to pick up pizza dough before returning home to fire up their Ooni pizza oven for a family pizza night and movie.

Saturday mornings are slower-paced, starting with cinnamon rolls before heading to Forsyth Park's farmers market. The family enjoys exploring the city, grabbing favorite treats, visiting the playground, and spending the afternoon working on projects around the house or gathering with friends over a good meal.

Sundays center around worship at Community Bible Church, followed by a day of rest, sports on television, and time spent with their community group.

Service has always been an important part of the Barnes family's story. Ward serves as the Savannah Area Director for Young Life, while Katie recently stepped away from her role as a donor development coach with Young Life International to focus on life at home with Bonnie.

Their involvement with Young Life has led to one of the family's most unique traditions. Nearly every summer, Ward serves at a Young Life camp for several weeks, allowing the family to live alongside staff and volunteers from around the country while helping create meaningful experiences for teenagers.

Last summer brought a particularly memorable adventure when the family spent four weeks in Buena Vista, Colorado.

"We got to experience life as real-life cowboys and cowgirls," Katie shares. "It was an unforgettable season and one we'll always treasure."

Beyond church and Young Life, the Barnes family stays actively involved throughout the community. Their children attend Eli's Place at Wesley Monumental, and Louis and Edward have participated in local baseball and soccer programs through JAC and United.

Perhaps what best captures the spirit of the Barnes family, however, is something much simpler.

When new neighbors recently moved in next door, Katie gathered her sons in the kitchen, baked cookies together, and delivered them as a welcome gift.

It's a small gesture, but one that perfectly reflects who they are—a family that values connection, opens their home and hearts to others, and believes community is built one relationship at a time.

In a neighborhood known for its charm and sense of belonging, the Barnes family feels right at home, creating a life filled with faith, laughter, service, and plenty of homemade cookies along the way.