After the plow

The plows came through around 9 AM this morning. Joe had just finished snowblowing for the third time. The sidewalk got covered up again and it took probably an hour for us to dig out the end of our driveway and we didn't even dig out the whole driveway. Just enough that we could get our cars out.

At some points the snow was up to my hip at the end of the driveway

The sidewalk had been cleared and thanks to the plows, we can't find it. :)

Also, no Vikings game today because the roof of the metrodome collapsed. They don't know when or where they'll play so on a happy note, I now get to see the Packers play today!! GO PACK GO!!

Lambeau Field

When I posted last week, I promised more about our trip to Lambeau so here it finally is. You may wonder (for those of you who know Joe) why on earth he'd want to see Lambeau when he's a big Vikings fan. The truth is that Joe is an even BIGGER football fan. He would never, ever turn down a chance to see anything that is related to football.

We had a wedding to attend in Green Bay on June 26 and the 25 is Joe's birthday so I thought we could make a little trip of it and stay both Friday and Saturday in Green Bay. Plus, I'm not a fan of driving four hours the morning of anyone's wedding.

So we left the cities Friday morning, made it to Lambeau Field around 11:15ish, just in time for the 11:30 tour. There were probably about 20 or so people waiting for that tour to begin and they start it off by asking where everyone is from. At that point I made the decision to claim WI once again as my home while Joe proudly claimed MN and immediately started getting razzed by the group (and me too).

The first part of the tour spent time recounting the history of the Packers, Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi. I know the Packers are a fabulous team but until Ron (the tour guide) started bringing up all the history, does one realize just how fabulous the Packers really are.

The next stop was up to the 6th floor to sit in the suites. The one we sat in only went for $59,000 per season as opposed to the one across the field that went for $104,600 per season. Also, there is a ridiculously long waiting list for season tickets - like 84,000 people are on that list and I think the wait is something like 1,200 years. It was crazy when he was explaining it.

Finally, it was down to the lower level to the players tunnel and the entrance to the field. We got to walk onto the field through the tunnel the players come out of and to add a little "something" they turned on a recording of the crowd from a Packers game and the announcers announcing the "Green Bay Packers." Joe was super cute and turned to me as he held up his arm and said "Look! I have goosebumps!"

So, out on the field (or rather the green rubber track that surrounds the field) we were. It was super cool and the acoustics were amazing. Lambeau is built in a bowl shape so the actual field is below ground level (or something like that) so the echo is crazy. As I said earlier, there were probably 20 of us on the tour and Ron had us stand together on the field (or rather the green rubber track) and yell Go Pack Go. The echo from the 20 of us was unbelievable and I can only imagine what it must sound like on a game day. Ron also pointed out the visiting players tunnel and it's only about 1/4 (if that) of the width of the Packer's tunnel. Poor, poor Brett.

After the tour we went to the Packer Pro shop in the stadium which was huge and then ate at Curly's Pub and then headed downstairs to the Packer Hall of Fame. Joe thought that was going to be some "rinky dink" exhibit but we wandered around for probably close to an hour and I swear he took pictures of everything and he was really impressed with it.

Being at Lambeau made me super excited for football season and all of the cute little Packer stuff I can dress Baby Bo in!! My first lesson will be to teach him how to say "Go Pack Go" followed by "the Pack rules and the Vikings drool."

View from the $59,000/season suite

View on the field

The visiting teams entrance to the field

(I think the players have to come out single file)

The Packer's entrance to the field

Really??

I'm sure by now you've all heard that Mr. Favre will be gracing Minnesotans with his presence as the fearless leader of our (Joe's) Minnesota Vikings.

I'm a little irritated with this and Brett has definitely fallen from grace in my eyes. Don't get me wrong, I loved him in the green 'n gold and even in the green 'n white last year. However, I have an issue with how he became purple 'n gold.

Yes, I was not at all thrilled when he "retired" from the Packers to then turn around and sign with the Jets. Was it all Brett's fault? Did the suits in the Packer organization force Brett out? Who knows. But last year's constant will he/won't as far as his retirement was concerned really pissed me off (sorry mom). But hey, he went to the Jets, I cheered and all was well. That is until he "retired" again.

And then the rumors swirled in the Land of 10,000 Lakes (ponds is more like it) that Mr. Favre would wear purple 'n gold. For months that was all anyone talked about until the end of July when it became official, Brett would stay "retired" or at least until training camp was over.

So, for 12 million dollars, we get to put up with Brett for a year until he decides to "retire" at the end of this season. The lines have been drawn and on one side stand Viking fans that say "good riddance" to Brett and on the other side stand Viking fans welcoming their long lost son.

I'm smack dab in the middle. At this point, I could take 'em or leave 'em.

Will I cheer for the Vikings? After being here 6 years, yes, but not because Brett is the QB. I was actually looking forward to watching what Sage could do. That's the guy I feel the worst for.

Will I still be cheering for the Pack? You bet your ass! And on game day when it's Vikings vs. Packers, you bet your ass I'll be cheering green 'n gold all the way.

Oh and to the Viking fans who think I'm "scorned" by Brett's "betrayal," good luck this season. And if by chance the Vikings do make it to the Superbowl and win (because you know that's what the team and fans think will happen), savor it because it won't be the Vikings that win the Superbowl, it will be Brett. And frankly, if the Vikings are going to win a Superbowl, I'd prefer it they win it on their own, without Brett.