Catching Up and Family Time

Hi all,
Time to catch up a bit. Wendy and I left from Custer State Park early to attend to health issues with my dad. We drove halfway to Worthington, Minnesota and after nixing the idea of spending the night at Walmart we asked a local resident and found Olson Park, a city park and campground. It was a pretty park on a decent looking lake.
 So arriving back in WI our plan was getting into Ottowa State Park, fairly close (12 mi) to Waukesha where dad is. We have stayed there many times. We pulled in Sunday night and lucked out getting a non reservable site. We had read an article a while back that Wisconsin was struggling with budget issues and had revamped the fees for park use. We got a bit of shock to learn that two weeks ago they implemented the new fees. Campsite prices have went from $19 to $23 not to shocking but then electric for the site jumped from $5 to $10. So $33 a night plus you need a $35 state park pass. I guess like all things what must be done to keep the parks open.
 One nice part of returning to this park is meeting up with the camp hosts here. They have two host and we have become good friends with them. Richard hails from Florida and though his wife still works there he has returned here for four years as this is a good place near a son who has a family close by. Sharon and Mike the other host are from nearby East Troy, WI and they arrive here in April and stay to November. Boy, we can't say enough good things about these hosts, they work way above and beyond of what they could expect. They really feel the cuts the state has made in manning and have taken on more jobs to keep the park in tip top shape. The park is lucky to have them, oh and they are super nice people to.
 As far as my dads health, he recently had a bout of pneumonia and a bladder infection. Dad also is suffering from dementia and looked like his kidneys were beginning to shut down. Since we have returned he has improved some and been able to return to the nursing home. We did have a very good family meeting discussing his health and how things like this usually progress. His dementia does affect his short term memory greatly but we are always encouraged as he always remembers us and our spouses and kids.
 One great thing is my sister Dar and husband Dennis along with my brother Russ and his wife Mary do a great job looking in on dad. They had even been getting him out which we think is great. We can't thank them enough.
 So now back in WI between visits with dad, we are spending some quality time with our kids and grandkids. We got out on Nate's pontoon boat along with Alex and had a good day.

Can't let a little rain spoil the fun

 We have been camping with Colleen and family the last few days and also got in a trip to WI state fair.

No state fair complete without some famous Crème Puffs

Two fisted milk men

Colleen and Isaiah trying out new kayaks

Colleens new doggie- Marshmallow- named by the boys

 We will also get a chance to spend some time with Wendy's folks this week. Her mom is going in for a surgery to reduce some pain that she has been having in her legs and arms. It will be good to help out there for a week or two while she recovers.

Isaiah all wore out from a day at the beach