Upgrade Advice

I have 2 Canon bodies (a Rebel and a 30D) and 2 lenses that I mostly use (a 17-55 and a 55-250). I mostly take picture of my grandchildren, their dog, and nature.
I'm thinking of an upgrade and I'm unsure if I should upgrade a body or get a better Telephoto lens. I'm thinking of a 7D or a 60D or a 70-200L. my goal being better photographs. I'm an avid amatuer (I started with a Canon FT back in 1967) and I understand the importance of really good glass. But the bodies I have are pretty old and so I wonder if I would benefit from an upgrade. If I went to a better telephoto lens should I 2.8 or 4.0? Thanks for your input...

I would suggest the 70-200 F/4 L IS...
it is better quality than your 55-250... the IS version is more useful (like your 55-250 IS)
the only problem is that to get the best out of a sharp lens, you do also need more megapixels, but the lens is usually more important...
I am still using my 10mp Xti Rebel and an increase in megapixels would be useful to me as I occasionally print to A2 and A3 size posters...
unless you make large prints, or want to crop your photo, then an 8mp 30D will still be fine!

i'm not reading you're limited by your 30D, why upgrade the body? Look into good glass, you'll be better off.

I'm considering a body upgrade for better/faster autofocus, more megapixels, and possible better/advanced metering... now would a newer body do that much better than my 30D ...I just don't know.

Im not sure what your budget is but that 17-55 that you have is excellent for indoors & outdoors. At this point, I would look into the 7D. It is a wonderful body, great AF and should last you for years to come. And always go (for the most part) the faster glass if you can afford it.
Bodies will come and go but the glass can last a long long time if taken care of.