William O'Brien State Park.....

Vacation with all the kids and grandkids was a fun time! This year Cassie got to pick the campgrounds and she picked WIlliam O'Brien State Park It is located just northeast of the cities along the Saint Croix River. Since we booked a year ahead of time we all had campsites right next to each other. It was nice to be close. Everyone got there on Thursday afternoon except Cassie. She got a new job so she could not come until Friday.  We did a lot of hiking on the trails which were very family friendly. We did not go on the river as it was pretty high from all the rain they have had over the past few weeks. The lake was very weedy but had a nice swimming area.

Eli and Oliver had a great time together. They discovered the burs that were all over. They spent a lot of time studying them and then sticking them to everything.

                                                           On our way to our first hike

                                                  Christa was in charge of the map.

                                                       Yes she found the trail!

                              Nick was not so sure Christa knew where she was going.

                                                                  Oliver is just excited!

                                                                        Selfie time

                                                                       Josie found a toad

                 Day two of hiking. We actually had a plan this time and got right on the trail.

                                                     Amy and Liam. Liam is getting so old!

                                                      Morgan is everyones best friend

We all excited to find black raspberries  along the trail.  When Eli started to get tired we told him they were energy bullets and that was all it took to keep him walking.

                                              They had a few of these shelters along the trails

                             Eli took my camera and took a few pictures. Pretty good for a 5 year old

                       We managed to get a picture with all the grandkids and the dogs.

                                         Liam thought we needed a selfie of him too!

                                       Saturday was beach day! Larina loved the water.

                                             Josie showing us how to do a handstand.

                                                  A short video of Larina in the lake.

Rick, Christa, Liam and I went for a walk Friday night and were excited to see a beaver dam and two swans sitting on it. They were very pretty.

                                                                Marshmallow time

                                       
                                               Studying a bog that landing on Amy's phone

                                                    Otis has had enough of camping.

The Olympics started while we were camping and Christa and Rick kept making up excuses to go to the camper to watch them....

The weekend went by so fast. We had a lot of fun. The kid all get along so good and have fun playing. They did a great job when we went on a 4 mile hike with them.

Next year we are leaving Minnesota and going to South Dakota to the Black Hills area. We have a year of planing to do.....

Sharon