Minnesota Twins honoring our Troops!

On Sunday, July 1st, our entire family attended the Minnesota Twins game! My dad had contacted the MN Twins and inquired about Bruce (my brother-in-law) raising the American Flag before the game. Unfortunately, they already had a Veteran to raise the flag, but because my dad is a Season Ticket holder, Bruce was able to raise the Twins Territory Flag. It was such a fun moment to watch him raise it so proudly! At the end, when he saluted the flag, I got very emotional - which is why the camera started shaking more towards the end!!!

 

Meet the Bredlow Family!

The crew waiting for Bruce's debut!

The McRae family - all 5 of us - made it to the Twins game! We were HOT, sweaty, crabby and stinky! Callie threw up TWICE on our way to the game (Cottage Grove-Minneapolis...not a far drive)...

Josh was quick to purchase a DELICIOUS beer!

WHAT?! Where's mine!?

AH! Thanks for sharing honey! Nice face by the way :)

Colleen & Herold made it...Herold was smart to bring a towel - although I would have wanted it soaked in ice cold water!

This was the furthest I have ever sat at a Twins game! Since Josh and I bought out the two seats of the Twins season tickets (row 3 on first baseline) I've never sat anywhere further than row 3...this was crazy!

Carter and Collin were both super chill during the game - it was really cute to see!

My Diva enjoying the game - man was she well behaved! She kept yelling "Go Twins" and cheering for Joe Mauer, which is strange - because we never mentioned his name...she did that on her own :)

Great Grandma & Great Grandpa Schwartz sat in front of us - Collin was hanging out with Great Grandma...even claimed her as his by spitting up on her :)

Our handsome "Twins" at the Twins game!

We made it to the 7th inning. We could have gone longer but it was so hot and we didn't want Callie to "lose" it while we were there! So we took off! I drove home, considering I had a LARGE Diet Coke to accompany me :) When we got home, Callie took her babies for a walk around the block in her new double stroller from Gramma & Grampa. This girl has so much American Girl stuff already and she's only 2! That's okay, because I love it :) She loves her new double American Girl stroller with her American Girl bitty twin boys...

Bruce, thank you for your service! We love you and are so proud of you! Heidi, thank you for your service and for your support with your loving family! Dad - thank you for your service as well...I'll always remember how excited I would be when you would come home from your two week trainings! I love you all very much!

 

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Minnesota Zoo and Family Friendly Competitions

On Saturday, we went to the MN Zoo with my bestie Alyssa! She wanted to take Josh and I and Callie and we were so thankful for a break away :) First of all, THANK YOU Mom, Heidi & Bruce for taking the boys on while we spent some MUCH NEEDED quality time with Callie! Thank you Alyssa for taking us to the zoo!

Callie had a blast and LOVED the animals :) Yes it was VERY hot, but luckily they had a water park area to cool off in :)

Daddy and Callie did a lot of exploring! I love her giraffe dress for the zoo - so appropriate! Sharon bought this for Callie last summer, and I am so happy that it still fits her :)

Mommy & Callie being silly :-)

Sharing ice cream with Daddy! These two are two of a kind :) She's just as much a daddy's girl as he is a Callie's Dad! If that makes any sense! In other words - she has him wrapped around her perfect little finger! But if you've spent any time with her, you'd be wrapped too :)

Checking out the penguins - this display was AWESOME!

It was so hot, and of course we walked past the water area...and of course we didn't have a suit. I was about to have her run around naked until we noticed they were selling swim suits for really cheap! Only $12.00 at the ZOO! It was hilarious - Josh was walking around with Callie - clearly fully dressed and a little boy stepped on a sprayer just the right way and DRENCHED Josh - it was HILARIOUS!

Here's the proof we have that Callie was naked at the MN Zoo! Haha - good girl crossing your legs!

We brought Callie over to the Little Hands Farm - something Callie was very excited about! She wanted to see Old McDonald's Cows! Haha - well, she went in to feed the goats with her daddy, but the goats all came after her at once and scared the living daylights out of her...I figured she'd want nothing to do with them anymore, but she watched Alyssa and I feed them from the outside and seemed okay with it! I just don't want her to be afraid of them from this one experience!

YEAH - the cow! I told her to turn around and I'd take her picture with the cow - well, the cow turned around and showed us his best side! Haha :)

Leaving the Little Hands Farm, Callie ZONKED out - this was her only nap of the day and it only lasted 15-20 minutes...but that was enough for this energetic girl :)

When we got back to my mom and dad's house, this is what I found :) Carter and Grampa snuggling and napping on the couch!!!

Callie and her cousin Trygg were quick to have a snack at Gramma's counter and play the iPad! Callie was teaching Trygg how to play her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse game - even though Trygg has his OWN iPad!

Uncle Josh and Tyler were playing on Tyler's iPad I'm pretty sure it was an intense competition! Shortly after, Josh & Tyler went to the store for my mom and came back with a new wiffle ball & bat & fireworks :)

We all headed over to the park near my mom and dad's house! And by "we all" I mean - WE ALL! The only family members that were not there was Heather & her family - but they were home and this was a quick impromtu FIERCE competition - don't worry Sandkuhlers we will do this again :)

The boys had fun hanging out during the competition!

Some of the family warming up and taking their practice round of our Home Run Derby!

Callie and I went and played on the playground while the other's were batting!

The family playing :)

Even Callie got to bat! She did so good and hit the ball!!!

The boys made their way out of their carseats to enjoy the evening air :)

Auntie Heidi played with the boys for a while - they sure love their bonding time with her and are glad to have her back in MN - okay, so that's mom talking...but we are glad to have you back :)

Callie kept calling Auntie Colleen over to sit with her :) You two kind of look alike here :) Which is no surprise considering how much Colleen & I looked alike growing up!

So my mom and dad have 10 extra people staying with them right now...this is what their basement looks like with all of the Bredlow's stuff (they were traveling remember) and our stuff (there's a lot with two babies)...poor mom...how did you manage :)

Such a fun day...I love having family time - the Home Run Derby - which was won by Uncle Bruce...I came in 2nd and would have won had it not been for the stupid tree....was a BLAST!

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McRae's meet the Bredlow's

As I stated in a previous post, my sister & her family moved back from Okinawa, Japan :-) They are currently bunking up with my mom and dad while they wait for their house to be ready & their items moved in :)

Callie was 3 months old when they moved to Japan, so it was like a first time meeting for her as well. I didn't get as many pictures of their first meeting, but the ones I got are sweet! There will be more pictures to come in a later post of our weekend with the Bredlow Family!

Like Tyler, Trey & Trygg, Callie was most excited to see Trooper! Mom, you may have to get a dog...Callie won't know what to think when she comes to visit and "Pooper" isn't there... She really does love this dog :)

We bought Callie a cot for traveling - and she loves it! She slept the first night in my mom's sewing/computer/pageant room...Her cousin Trey read her a bedtime story - that was fun and special :) Trey had the door closed, but I was able to sneak a picture :) I was yelled at shortly after too! "CLOSE THE DOOR!"

The next morning, Callie enjoyed a gourmet breakfast with her cousin Trygg! Cherrios with strawberries and blueberries :) YUMMY! You can tell from their faces that were enjoying each other :)

 

I love this picture!

Friday, after her gourmet breakfast, Callie went to her Grandpa Don's house to hang out with him and Sharon all day while mommy, daddy and the boys went to have our car serviced. When we were finished, we joined Callie in the pool and waited for Aunty Kayla & Uncle Mike to arrive!

 

Grandpa snuggled Collin pool side :) Grandpa was in the pool all afternoon with Callie! He was ready to feed Collin with a new bottle. On our way to their house, we swung through Target and picked up "Tommee Tippee" bottles - -they are supposed to help with "fussy, gassy & spit up"...we have all 3, so hopefully they work!

 

PS - Grandpa did great introducing this new bottle to Collin!! He took it right away and it's been successful so far :)

Sharon, also having just gotten out of the pool, snuggled Carter and fed him with his new bottle! Thankfully this brand has white and blue bottles...PERFECT - we can identify which bottle goes with which boy :)

While Grandpa & Sharon took a break from swimming, Daddy took over and got a workout! Don't be blinded by these photos - we haven't gotten outside much this summer to catch a tan :)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture! Everything about it is PERFECT!

Uncle Mike has a motorcycle, so Callie was trying on his helmet for future rides :) He also sold us his scooter! Yup, we are now owners of a scooter to putz around Austin :) I was afraid to ride it for the first time, but holy shit, this thing is FUN! I drove to Walmart to pick up a few things and had a blast! I told Josh that I want my own, only pink :) It's red and loud, but our neighbor thinks he can help fix that problem :)

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My very own Picasso!

Now that our boys are a little bit older and Josh and I have figured out how to handle them both at the same time...crying, spitting up, gassy, fussy and poopy...we are doing more individual things with Callie!

When I was growing up, my dad would let me sit on the bathroom counter and shave his face with his electric shaver! My heart melted the moment I heard Josh say, "Callie, want to help daddy shave his face!" PRECIOUS!!!

She did a mighty fine job too!

Later that day I took Callie to the CLC (her school) because she had painting class! Oh boy was she excited to go to school. Her teacher was Miss Amy (whom I LOVE)... Callie had a blast painting with so many different materials. She did a great job of following the rules and sharing the materials. I think she would have stayed there all day had I let her :-)

Here are some pictures of Callie in action! I can't wait to hang all of her paintings!!

I'm remodeling my living room (or redecorating my walls)...I'm finally going to have my "Masterpiece" wall that I have been imagining :) Callie - your beautiful artwork will soon be displayed for all to see :)

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