3rd Week of July

Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of July.  I worked Monday and Tuesday in the office (our week), then took of Wed-Friday to be home w/ Carter and Hudson while Steve took Nyles to YM Camp up at Bear Lake.

On Monday, Hudson and Carter started swim lessons at Alta Canyon.  It's Hudson first year of swim lessons and he's loving it! The boys cut more firewood.  They saw a deer coming back from a birthday party Nyles went to.

Tuesday, they went to see Despicable Me 4, along w/ several of Nyles' classmates.

That night, Nyles went to help another kid complete his black belt.  It was 2 hours long again.  

Silly Nyles making faces on Steve's phone.

On Wednesday, Steve and Nyles took off to Young Men's Camp up at Bear Lake.

They gathered at the circle, said a prayer, then took off.

I took Hudson and Carter their swim lessons.  They're both doing great!

We played at the playground for a few minutes afterwards.

That afternoon we went to the Draper Library for a magic show and class. The magician showed us several "tricks," which the kids loved, especially Hudson!  He clapped so big after every trick!  The magician then had the kids ages 6-11 sit around the tables and learn more "tricks" from him.  Hudson and I went into the main library and did puzzles.  Carter got to keep a pack of cards from the magician.  We stopped by the Draper Park afterwards for a few minutes to play. 

Hudson clapping big for the magic tricks.  At Draper Park.

Steve and Nyles set up camp, got lunch w/ the group, then they headed over to Garden City to a ropes course.  They had a lot of fun and did many activities!

Facing their fears on the ropes course.

Good work boys!

They then got a milkshake and LaBeau's, then went back to camp.

After dinner, they had a campfire, then got to bed.

The next morning they went out on the lake to wakeboard and surf.

Nyles gave it a try with a little help from our bishop, Bishop Awerkamp (he does this all the time!)

Hudson and Carter at swim lessons.  Hudson wanted to wear Nyles' swim goggles.

Nyles and Steve at the beach, then making rockets out of paper and duct tape.

Shooting off their rockets.  The embers from the fire, after testimonies that evening.

Thursday afternoon, we met Pauline at the Curiosity Museum and let the kids play.

Hudson and Lincoln playing in the water.

Then playing in the jungle area.

And another area.  Carter and Ezra played soccer w/ some kids.

We then took a ride on the carousel.

Ezra came home with us to spend the night.  After dinner we went over to a church building to see the float that our stake has been working on for the Days of '47 Parade coming up.  Nyles helped one night during YM.  He helped make the sprinkles out of pvc pipes.  Our neighbor Kyle and her daughter Kaitlyn rode over w/ us. 

Checking out the float, and getting a root beer float.  

They even show cased our float on the front news on KSL here.

Friday morning, Nyles helping w/ breakfast.

It was hot, even in the morning, so we got the hose out.  Hudson had fun spraying Carter and Ezra on the trampoline.  Pauline came and got Ezra about 10:30am, as they had to pack up to go to their ward campout that night.

Nyles and the YM did a little hike at the top of the canyon.

Cool trees.  Steve at the beach.

I ordered some smaller "kid" size goggles for Hudson and Carter.  We cleaned the rest of the day Friday.  Carter and Hudson were big helpers.  We even took a load to donate to Savers from downstairs.

Steve and Nyles got home Saturday morning.  Steve and I did some grocery shopping, then we all went and played pickleball in the evening.  Hudson decided to roll down the hill.

Sunday afternoon, we went up to Silver Lake to enjoy some "cooler" temps.  Instead of 97 degrees it was 79 degrees.  It was still warm, but the views were breathtaking!

Pretty flowers and view.

So pretty.  Trying to get a family picture.

More pretty flowers and views.

A nice ranger lady offered to take our picture.  Our silly boys.

Great quotes:

2nd Week of July - Carter's baptism

I worked from home on Wednesday, then went into the office on Thursday and Friday.  It's our team's week to go in next week, but since I'm taking it off so Steve and Nyles can go to YM Camp at Bear Lake, I am trying to make it up.  Steve and the boys drove me in on Thursday, then I took the Frontrunner on Friday since the Trax train is having construction, and I didn't want to take a bus bridge, which takes even longer. 

Steve and the boys cut more firewood.  Hudson helping to cut up strawberries.  Cute Hudson at the library.  Ya, it's definitely HOT!

Steve and the boys dropped me off at work on Thursday, then went up to Lagoon.  They played for several hours, had lunch, then picked me up at 2:30pm.  I then worked the rest of the day at home.

The boys' score from Primordial.  Getting lunch.  Tea-cups.

Friday evening, we had Dave/Joann and Pauline's family over for dinner.  We ordered Papa John's pizza.  We then had Instructor Thomas over to present Nyles his black belt.  My parents were planning to come, but my mom's heart is acting up, so they stayed home.  She's going to see her heart Dr tomorrow.

Instructor Thomas telling about Nyles and his hard work getting to his black belt.

Nyles officially earned his black belt.

Instructor Thomas and Nyles.  Good work Nyles!  

He's worked so hard over these past 3 years!  We are so proud of him!

Saturday morning we had Carter's baptism at 11am.

Family pictures.

Here was a copy of the program.  We started in the Relief Society room, then after the baptism, we went over to the YW room.  Steve's brother Jeff ran the Zoom so my parents and Stacie could watch (she was home w/ Claire who just got her wisdom teeth out the day before).  Unfortunately the Zoom stopped after 30 minutes, so Jeff created another one, but both my parents and Stacie missed Phill's talk on the Holy Ghost.  It was a great talk.

Picture with Dave, Joann, and Grandma LuDean. 

Our neighbor Kaitlyn Moreton came w/ her mom Kyle.

A family from Argentina came w/ Melanie and Brandon.  Brandon baptized the dad Pablo 27 years ago.  Melanie/Brandon and the family went to visit them in Argentina 10 years ago, then they were finally able to come visit them here in the USA.  They're staying for 2 weeks.

Group picture- left to right in the back: The Argentinian family, Kaitlyn and Kyle Moreton, Charlotte, Pauline and Chris Grayson, Alexa McGrath, me, Olivia Lake, Dave McGrath, Chandler Lake, Nyles, Sophia and Rose VanMoorlehem, Megan Lake (Chandler's wife), Conor and Phill Monson, Brandon and Melanie Lake, Bishop Blaine Awerkamp, Isaac and Diane McGrath and Rob Daniels.

Left to right front: Lincoln and Ezra Grayson, Cameron, Joann, Carter, Steve, Hudson and LuDean McGrath.  Jeff and Kim were cleaning up the Zoom equipment so we missed them.  And Ryan and Lynsie Hammett left before we could catch them (Carrie was at work).

After the baptism, we had most everyone over to our house for lunch.  Steve smoked pulled pork to serve.  We had rolls to make a sandwich, along with salad, fruit, veggies, chips, and Aunt Diane's Texas Sheet Cake.  Everything was yummy.  Thanks everyone for coming and showing your love and support for Carter.  We really appreciate it.

Steve then took the boys to his uncle Mike McGrath's 80th birthday party.  While they were gone I worked on my Relief Society Lesson.  I taught "Be Still and Know that I Am God," from Elder Bednar.  It's a great talk about finding stillness/quiet in our lives, building our foundation on Christ, and finding holy places, including our homes.  Everyone should re-read it.

It's been a year since Steve's surgery (June 26, 2023).  He met w/ his Dr. to see how he is doing.  Steve has lost more weight than they expected in 1 year, and his bowels/digestive system are working great.  He's still learning what not to eat at times, but has a pretty good handle on it.

Here are his progress pictures.  Good work Steve!

We can finally get rid of these clothes!  We were saving them for his final 1 year pictures.

The boys in a tent they put up inside, getting ready for YM camp this next week.  Great quotes.

Bear Lake - McGrath side

On Sunday, July 7th, we went to church a little early.  Carter got to meet w/ the bishop to get interviewed for his baptism coming up, and I made copies of his baptismal program.  Steve taught his primary class, which ended up being just Carter, so they talked about baptism.  I was supposed to help in nursery, but no kids came, so I went to Sunday School.  After church, we packed up the last few things, then drove up to bear lake.  We met Stacie/Phill up there, and Kim/Jeff up there.  Jeff stayed for dinner, then drove home.

We thankfully were able to reserve 2 campsites, next to the lake.  Since the lake was high this year, we could simply walk to the beach from our campsite, instead of having to drive over to the day use area.  It made it much easier to play at the beach, then come back to the campsite when we needed food or to use the bathroom.  Since they let you put 2 tents in each campsite (or a tent and a camper), Kim stayed in Stacie/Phill's site, and the next night Carrie stayed in ours in our tent.  They were right next to each other which was nice.  There's had more shade and trees for hammocks, and ours had a large fire pit, so it worked out great!

The boys playing in the water.  Having tacos for dinner.

The boys digging a big hole in the sand, while Jeff "supervises."  Then playing on the hammocks.  

Beautiful sunset by the river.  This was the campsite we stayed last year in our tent by the river, which we loved, and why we wanted to go back.  Big Creek Campground is nice for the shade.

Hudson digging in the sand in our campsite.  Beautiful sunset.

Hudson found some ash and didn't know it, and got it on around his eye; silly kid.  

It was a nice big firepit area.

Making a fire to make s'mores.  More of the pretty sunset.

A Mexican family next to us made ribs and bbq corn.  They were kind enough to share with us.  They were both super yummy!  Sitting around the campfire and enjoying the beauty around us.

The next morning getting breakfast.

After cleaning up, we were on the lake.

Claire, Alexa, and Carter soaking in the sun.  We brought the little kayak for Hudson to try.  

He figured it out pretty quickly and was able to paddle on his own!

Piper couldn't help herself.  She kept trying to bite the waves.  Conor and Nyles playing.  Kim and Cameron trying the innertubes.  Carter giving Conor a back massage.  Hudson pretending to float on the paddle board (they forgot the connector to blow it up).

Hudson eating some gummy worms.  Phill's battery died, so we had to jump it a couple times.  

Fun at the lake.  The weather was great in that it wasn't cold, nor crazy windy or stormy.

Silly Piper.  Nyles and Conor swam to the buoy several times playing a rescue game.  

Amazingly they had enough energy for it.  Steve and Phill on kayaks.

One time we went out on the lake, and Phill had Carter behind him on the same kayak.  They both reached to touch the buoy, and then they both fell in.  Stacie and I had to help to flip the kayak back over and get them back on the kayaks.

We all rode down the river as well, just to explore.  It was hot over there, and we couldn't go very far, but it was still fun.  Piper tried going on the kayak, but she couldn't leave the waves alone, so she almost went in and took Steve w/ her, so he brought her back to shore.  Phill and Steve going to flip Kim over in the innertube.  She jumped off before they got to her.

Me, Phill, Kim and Stacie at the beach.  Hudson on the kayak w/ Isaac swimming by him.

Hudson spotted a butterfly in the water.  We then saved it and brought it back to shore.

Conor and Carter playing in the hammocks, then w/ Hudson by the campfire.  We had spaghetti for dinner.  We were all pretty hungry from swimming/kayaking all day.  Carter drinking a lemonade in the hammock.

Phill then went and picked up ice cream shakes for everyone after dinner.  Carrie/Lynsie showed up around 4pm that evening.  They slept in our tent we set up for them.  Conor and Nyles getting the fire going, then enjoying their shake.

Fun around the campfire and enjoying the beautiful sunset.

Enjoying s'mores and microwave popcorn (from our camper since we had full hookups).

It was a short, but fun trip.  We packed up and left by 9:30am the next morning.  I had a Dr appt w/ the Rheumatologist at 1:45pm, so we wanted to make sure we got back in time.  The Dr. ran some more tests to rule a few more things out.  Ultimately she's thinking it's psoriatic arthritis.  I'm going to meet w/ her in 6 weeks to see how I'm going and what the next course of action is.  

Great quotes: