The McGraths: 4th of July week

Friday, July 10, 2026

4th of July week

We had an eventful week leading up to the 4th of July. Here are some highlights.

Steve got another fan put in by the formal dining room and living room. Nice work Steve! Silly Piper trying to hide in our room as we go to bed. Pretty Lily in the back yard. The Evans made us a 3D printed hockey stick holder so Steve installed it in the garage. He also installed a handle bar in Dave/Joann's shower.

The boys are selling firewood again this Summer. They went and cut trees down up in the Uintas, then came back and started chopping the wood. Steve actually let Nyles use the chainsaw this time to actually drop and cut the trees down.

We ordered and put up another sunshade as the other one tore. The backyard.

Steve took the boys up to the Uintas. They took a small grill and cooked up hotdogs.

Rob came up as well. They also went fishing.

Friday, July 3rd, I went w/ Pauline up to Burley for Anna's baby shower at my parent's place. Steve stayed home the boys and cleaned and cut firewood. That afternoon Jeff invited them over to go swimming at the pool. Cute Piper chewing on her bone and laying on her bed.

Anna opening gifts after we had lunch and played a few games. Those who came: Anna, Becky, our cousin Angela Buhler Cockrell and our daughter, Barbara, Ava, me, Pauline, Rose, Sophia, mom and Calley.

All 5 of us Sisters and mom.

Pauline and I visited w/ mom and dad a while, then drove home late afternoon.

On Saturday the 4th of July, 4 jets did a flyover across the State of Utah. They went right over our house in the morning. A little later, we then drove down to Lehi to Thanksgiving Point to the gardens. As we were walking in, they flew over again. It was so awesome! The refuel jet was w/ them on their way back, and we only saw 3 jets instead of 4 coming back.

We went to Thanksgiving Point's Imaginaria, celebrating 250 years in America after signing the Declaration of Independence. They went through the history of America w/ fun facts along the walkway. There were also fun statues and replicas of historic places. We're so grateful for the beautiful country we live in. For the freedoms we enjoy, especially religious freedom. We're grateful for those who came before us to make this all possible.

American 250!

Cute Hudson by an Army truck. Flags on the lawn. The Statue of Liberty.

Mount Rushmore, Liberty Bell, Lincoln Memorial.

Then a fun slide. Though it was getting really hot and they weren't sliding very well as the water and bubbles were drying out too fast ;)

Showing gratitude to our veterans. I wrote Dexter's name and put it up, Steve put his mission buddy's name Eric Seamons on the wall. Cool cake.

Cool ship, space, and the boys jumping for a bit.

Arches and pretty flowers.

Then Saturday night, we watched the Sandy Parade, as Nyles was in the marching band w/ Alta High School. He practiced all week from 8am to noon. They allow middle schoolers to join for the week during the Summer, which is awesome. Nyles rode over to the parade earlier w/ our neighbors, the Hamiltons. 3 of their kids were in the parade (Anna on the piccolo, Jacob, who is also in middle school, plays the trombone, and their oldest son James, who helps direct the band). We met up w/ other neighbors the Marcinowskis to watch the parade.

At the parade. They threw out a lot of candy.

Carter, Hudson, and Timbo.

Here comes the marching band. They were basically last, but definitely the biggest and best band!

Anna on the piccolo and Nyles on the flute behind her 2 rows.

Nyles in the marching band, in the Sandy parade.

The kids did a few quick activities right after the parade, then we went to Sam's club to pick up a watermelon for family dinner the next day, and a few other things.

Since it's so dry this year, and we've already had so many fires this year, the state of Utah banned all fireworks, except by organized cities. After getting groceries, we came home. I made sugar cookies in the shape of a star. We then added whip cream and fruit to make mini fruit pizzas.

Star fruit pizzas, yumm!

Sunday was fast Sunday. There was a worldwide fast for religious freedoms.

After church and lunch, we drove up to Silver Lake. A large American flag in the canyon.

Going up beautiful Big Cottonwood Canyon.

It was a beautiful day up at Silver Lake. Pretty flowers along the way.

Steve and I went to Silver Lake when we were dating, so it's extra special to us.

Beautiful views, a duck, and a beaver in the lake.

The beaver was hilarious and HUGE! He came strolling out of the lake w/ moss dragging from his body. He saw people and then turned around and went back in the lake.

Big beaver coming out to Silver Lake.

A hawk and more ducks. Cute Steve.

Butterfly, baby ducks, and the hawk.

The boys just had to climb up the rock wall. After we were done, we drove up Guardman's Pass to go to Midway, since we were having family dinner there.