Wait, there's MORE to unpack?

We've hit a bit of a wall in terms of unpacking, painting, and settling in. The rooms that we really live in are all done, but it was inevitable that we would need to take a break. We had tickets to a Brewers game last weekend and instead of giving them away, as we've been doing a lot so far this season, we decided to all head out and hang at Miller Park. GG probably has no recollection of going to any Brewers games last year so she was super pumped. Especially now that she got to bust out her pink 'Booers' hat that Santa brought. As we got closer to the stadium her eyes just kept getting bigger, and once we were in our seats and she took in the action, it really was as if she had never seen anything like it. Super cute, and very fun.

Let's go, Booers!


She went nuts for the music, the clapping, and the cheering. Pretty sure she thought it was all for her.

We lasted approximately half an inning before she needed to go potty. And another one and a half innings before she really got antsy and we decided to take a trip to the Kid Zone for her to burn off some crazy.

A unique batting stance


Coach Dad steps in to help


Ready for action!


Zooming down Bernie Brewer's slide


In the dugout


Mandatory family Giant Glove shot

The next day was Smoke Fest 2011. Apparently Matt and his colleagues have decided that this is going to be a bi-annual event (because the left overs that are still sitting in my freezer from 6 months ago weren't quite enough) which I suppose is fine, but would be even more fine if the host told the hostess somewhere more than one week out that Smoke Fest was forthcoming. Enter giant sigh and significant eye rolling. So Saturday morning half a dozen yahoos showed up in Elm Grove to stand in the F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G cold rain and compete once again for smoking pride. With their wives. And their kids. And Matt's intern and her boyfriend (by the by, when she showed up I asked Matt "who's kid is that?" Could not feel older if I tried) all in the name of smoked meat.

Yes, that is Dan's recliner in my garage, which he brought *just* for the occasion. It's still sitting in my garage.

GG and Ben hanging out during a rain break

The intern is in the black & gray fleece. Seriously, can you even drive by yourself?

The judging started at 7 and I won't lie, this year's competition was stiff. Matt's entry last year burned the skin off my lips but this year I voted his first in the pack. He ended up losing by the slimmest of margins, and spent the rest of the night demanding recounts. Revenge was promised for the next event.

Insightful commentary


A few of the kids take refuge inside. Nothing says smoke fest like a tea party.

The really super fun part of this all was after all the wives, kids, and interns had gone home, the men stayed out in the rain to continue drinking and trashing our yard. Oh. My. God. Matt's friend Dan actually slept in his van in our driveway that night, which I'm pretty sure has never happened before in Elm Grove. Howdy, neighbors!! We're here!!

Matt tackles Dan in the recliner. Hey, have another.

Perhaps next time we host we'll invite the neighbors so that the morning after I don't have to hear, "how was that party last night?" from them as I walk the dog the next morning. But one thing is certain, and that is that Matt is already scheming his rub for Smoke Fest 2011 part II. At someone else's house.