State Park Day!

State Park Day is a super fun day where the parks are celebrated and they give tons of stuff away! It started out with donoughts in the morning, thanks to Jenette, Millie, and Royetta.
And of course Lorraine!

Joanne and Barry were nice enough to show up for the special event, and Sharon (right) was one of the many volunteers.

Lisa and family managed to compile together and make it out!

JR Beaver even stopped by! JR and Hailey.

Maya in her stroller.

Jennifer, Santos and Tony also stopped by for the barbeque.

Rhyson being a goofball.

JR Beaver, Santos and Jennifer. Santos would not give JR Beaver the time of day, it was really funny. JR Beaver hugging Trace and Hailey. This is a big advancement for Trace, last year he was scared to death of JR Beaver, so it was nice that they came to an understanding (very adorable!).

Tony, looking as uncomfortable as a little boy could be, hugging JR Beaver. He was a little cranky though.....:)

JR Beaver with his stick hot dog. Also a very cute little girl in the background.

There was a little fiddle and guitar band playing all the while inside of the woodbin, because of course, it is sprinkling the entire time and they needed to keep their instruments dry. But they added to the greatness of the festivities this year. Kate and JR sure seemed to like it!!

Hailey and Trace got to try out cooking some hamburgers and hot dogs. They look so super impressed.

Oh, wait, now Trace is having fun!

Gavin is sneaking a hot dog while Hailey is hard at work!

Pete is giving Trace further instructions on the art of "burger flipping."

Trace then becomes board and eats a boat full of yogurt covered animal crackers. It should be an interesting afternoon.

At the end of the barbecue the last of the hot dogs were poked to death by Trace, Hailey, Gavin, and Melina, but it was all in good fun.

They cleaned up their mess anyway! What good kids!

The clean up was quickly followed up by a water balloon game in the day use area. Very good thing that I did not bring my camera to that event!

Although this may have been the smallest overall turn out that I have seen (in 4 years) for the park activities, I think this one was very special. There was a really fun vibe in the air, there were tons of people I care about there, weather working, volunteering, or just hanging out. JR beaver was awesome! The music rocked as well, it was a great idea. Events like this one are always a little stressful in planning and performing, but well worth it when it is as fun as it was today. Days like today I have to stop and go, "I can't believe I get paid to do this!!"