Labor Day weekend is the close to an AMAZING summer!

On Sunday, August 29th, my mom and dad celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary! 40 years! I mean, I think of someone turning 40 and thinking - oh they're not old...but then I think about a couple, still madly in love with each other - married together and celebrating their love after 40 years of committing their lives together and I can't do anything but tear up :)

Mom and Dad, you have set an amazing example of what I want my marriage and family to be like :) You have stood by each other's side through SO MUCH! You have been more than supportive of your children and your grandchildren. You have given up so much just to be a HUGE part of all of our lives! If we need you, you are there - no questions asked. If I call you late at night, you answer and talk as if you were wide awake-and it's never a problem. The love that spills out of your hearts for your family is the exact love I hope my children are able to recognize one day.

I remember growing up and seeing dad come home on his lunch break to "hang out"-and he didn't work that close! I remember watching the two of you stop and hug each other often - giving each other a kiss :) I love all of the times that I'm walking behind the two of you and you are holding hands! You've been doing this ever since I was a child...and to this day - it melts my heart :)

I don't think you realize how truly amazing the two of you are! We will consider our marriage successful if we can be half as happy as you! Thank you for being such an amazing part of our lives! You are such good role models to all of us...Thank you and I LOVE YOU!

We had such an amazing weekend celebrating life together as a family of 3 :) It was fun filled and packed...no time to stop and retie our shoes or finish that last sip of wine before the waiter was taking it away.

Friday began with our trip up to the cities for the beginning of our fun filled, packed weekend together! We arrived at my mom and dad's house at 4:15 pm. We immediately got ready to head out to Josh and my FINAL Season Ticket game at Target Field. Auntie Colleen was so excited to hang out with Callie for the night :)

Josh and I enjoyed celebrating the "50 best MN Twins baseball players through the years" with my mom and dad (we split season tickets with them). The weather was crisp and delightful! We were able to see Matthew Fox pitch his FIRST major league baseball start...and he lasted 6 wonderful innings! We also saw a great win :) Colleen informed me of the fun filled evening her and Callie had together! She tuckered her out, because Callie was out cold when we got home. Thank you Auntie Colleen for playing with Callie!! I know how much she loved it :) And you for teaching her new tricks ;)

Saturday morning we woke up and headed to Heather's for AJ's 4th Birthday Party! I can't believe Andrew is 4 years old :) He was very excited about the gift that Callie gave him! Callie loves fun books, so she figured her cousin closest in age would too! Andrew received a fun "Bus" from Auntie Heidi! The box had Japanese writing all over it, and when you push the buttons, it speaks in Japanese - it was HILARIOUS...Herold thought they were mentioning "Beef Fried Rice"...hahahaha!!

Immediately after celebrating with AJ, we headed back to my mom and dad's house to get ready for Matt & Beth Pawlikowski's BEAUTIFUL outdoor wedding! It was a gorgeous day and two beautiful people were united together in love :) They wrote their own vows, and I have to tell you, Matt's vows to Beth were by far the BEST vows Josh and myself have ever heard :) He took lines from different songs and combined them to create his vows! Then in Beth's vows to Matt, she vowed to accept his video gaming and vowed to play along side him! Josh said we should have added that to our vows...darn, too bad we didn't (wink wink)!

Callie had a BLAST at the wedding. She enjoyed looking at all of the pretty dresses and people. She was a huge hit there too! She was so well behaved (are we surprised by this...no!) and was so observant of everyone and everything! She was able to see Blake & Britt too - who are expecting their first child November 12th - Stay in there until then Blueberry!!

Thank you mom and dad for coming to pick up Callie from the reception so we could stay and continue to have a good time past her bedtime :) I just love watching Josh and Blake together...you two are gems :)

Sunday morning we literally woke up, packed, and walked out the door! It was the day I had been waiting for for 365 days! Yes my friends, the MINNESOTA STATE FAIR! If you know me, and you know my family, you know how important this day is! Most families have their traditions where they get together on a certain holiday (Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July, etc...), but not us...we get together at the Great MN Get Together! This year was a little different because my parents went earlier in the week (celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary and all!), so we changed things up this year.

Callie LOVED it! She loved the people, the smells, the atmosphere, everything! I think she was PISSED at me because I wouldn't let her have any of the World Famous French Fries...but next year for sure :) They are by far the BEST Fries in the entire world! I look forward to them! Lynn met up with us this year (I still can't believe you haven't been there since you were a teenager) and was able to experience the "Best Of's" according to a 'Shellum'. Dad-you'd be proud, I had her eat all of the bests! I did skip out on several foods this year, but we had Callie along and needed to get her home...so we didn't stay as long as we typically do.

Our first stop was at the "Little Hands Adventure". Claire was volunteering for her Girl Scouts so we HAD to stop and visit and see her...I'm so proud of you Claire :) She had her brother, Jeffrey volunteering too - they were working so hard! Heather saw Callie and immediately snatched her up to show her around :) Callie LOVED it there! A place we will be going back EVERY YEAR I am sure :)

We were lucky enough to meet up with Cousin Michele, Donney, Uncle Don & others! She was able to meet Callie for the first time - YEAH :) Yes Michele, all babies are this good, you should have one :) Wink Wink! About 10 minutes after seeing Michele, we met up with Cousin Steve and his beautiful girlfriend Rachel-but Callie was asleep when we finally found them :( Looks like an excuse to get together again :)

I wanted so badly to meet up with Colleen & Herold, but we were on opposite ends of the fair every time a text would actually go through! But we'll see you again soon anyway :)

Our time at the fair was extremely short this year, but I won't complain...I was able to experience my daughter's first time at the fair and watching her initial reactions to everyone and everything AND I was able to have my Fries!

Next year we will do it the way "Shellum's" do it! (Don't worry Josh, I know I'm a McRae - but the Shellum's do the fair totally different than any normal human being!)

Today was also the VERY FIRST DAY that we have NOT wiped ANYTHING from Callie's eyes :) WHOA WHO! Could it be? Is her goop going away? I don't know, but it's exciting!

I'm feeling about 100 times better about sending her to day care tomorrow too! I needed one week to get through work...I'm going to be okay! That and I have something to look forward to - SWIMMING LESSONS! Yup - Josh and I are taking her to swimming lessons on Tuesday's and Thursday's for 4 weeks :) She loves swimming, so this will be fun!

6 months...just around the corner...