The McGraths

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Nyles starts Kindergarten!

Nyles started Kindergarten on Monday, August 28th. I took the day off work so I could both take Nyles to school and pick him back up. It was fun going together as a family. As I mentioned earlier, Nyles met his teacher, Mrs. Graham the week before during the open house. He also had his Kindergarten assessment. He was super excited to start!

Though Nyles turned 5 only a couple weeks before school started, we have been praying about it and felt its right to send him. We felt he'll do better going to Kindergarten than doing another year of preschool. After we found out his teacher was going to me Mrs. Graham, we felt even more confident in our decision. All the neighborhood parents said she's the best teacher! In just the past 2 weeks we have definitely seen Nyles grow even more. Mrs. Graham is an awesome teacher; we're lucky to have her as his teacher.

Nyles all ready to go to Kindergarten!

A picture in front of our house and one at his school, Sprucewood Elementary.

All lined up and ready to go inside now.

Nyles all done w/ his 1st day of Kindergarten.

His crown said "Class of 2030." That's crazy!

Nyles also finished another session of swim lessons, Level One. He did it the first 2 weeks of August, and finished the day we left to Bear Lake. He is really excelling in his swim lessons. He must take after Steve, who loves the water also. We all got to watch him do his last day of swim where they let them go down the water slide and jump off the diving boards.

Nyles practicing w/ his teacher.

Carter watching Nyles come down the water slide.

Nyles going off a lower diving board (they have them put on life jackets for that part).

Now a higher one w/ the help of a teacher.

All by himself now. Carter just relaxing.

After the first time he wasn't afraid to go by himself.

He's really come along way in both his confidence and swimming ability.

A video.

We're so proud of Nyles in all he's accomplishing and the person he's becoming. He's a great helper and wonderful big brother to Carter. We love his soooo much and are so glad he's part of our family!

Monday, September 4, 2017

Bear Lake Trip 2017

We've been going to Bear Lake every year since Nyles was one. This year we went with our former neighbors from the condos, Dave and Melissa Thomas. They live up in Woods Cross now, but we still see them every so often. We wanted to plan a trip together, so we invited them to come w/ us to Bear Lake this year. We went up Thursday afternoon, and came back Saturday morning. We had PERFECT weather this year, so we lucked out. It was warm enough, and not much wind. From all the rain/snow we had this past year the lake was almost completely full and had come up tremendously from last year! It was crazy to see the difference in the water levels.

After getting up there Thursday afternoon, we unpacked, had dinner, then went to the Lake. We walked the boardwalk, and instead of walking another 200 yards like we normally do to get to the Lake, it was only like 20 yards! It was crazy the amount of water we have this year compared to last year! There wasn't as much beach to play in, but it was still a lot of fun.

Carter playing in the water and eating rocks.

Calvin and Nyles not afraid to jump in the water.

Cute Carter just enjoying the water.

Carter, Dave, Nyles and Calvin in the water.

Steve and Melissa relaxing on the lawn chairs.

Eating the shovel and now a sucker.

Now warming up in the blanket.

So beautiful!

Skipping rocks.

Blue sucker for baby Carter.

Steve, Dave, Nyles, Calvin, and Melissa.

Beautiful place.

We pulled the boats up to the lake as well, which was a great idea.

Friday after breakfast, the boys went up to the North Beach on the Idaho side to get a spot. Since there wasn't much beach this year due to all the water, we wanted to make sure we got a good spot before it filled up. Though it was only Thursday, we knew it still can get busy up there. Melissa and I stayed at the condo in order to allow Carter and Piper time to nap. After they got up we headed over to join them. We had lunch there and enjoyed the lake. We took turns taking the boats out. They sure were a lot of fun, especially since we didn't have as much beach to play in this year.

Surprisingly there weren't many people at the beach when Steve and Dave got there.

Calvin, Dave and Nyles enjoying the wonderful weather!

Steve in his happy spot, on the boat in the water.

Carter and I enjoying the ride, Nyles being our navigator on the bow of the boat. Steve was rowing in the back. It was a lot of fun going together as a family. The boats actually rowed really easily as well. Nyles loved going through the reeds in the water.

Nyles our fearless navigator.

Dave taking a turn w/ Calvin.

Carter playing in the water.

Cute Steve and Carter.

Now my turn to row the boys.

Lots more people now at the beach.

Calvin and Nyles digging in the sand.

After playing at the beach we went back to the condo for naps. Steve stayed w/ Carter while he slept, and the rest of us headed over to the pool to swim. Surprisingly it wasn't too cold. We had a lot of fun swimming again, then came back to the condo for dinner.

Carter and Steve just relaxing on the grass.

We had a beautiful view of the lake from our condo too.