Packers Versus Favre

No, Packers versus the Vikings, I mean. But really, is anyone even paying attention to anyone else on the Vikings besides Favre? I sure hope the Packers are paying attention to Adrian Peterson. And have been tightening up their offensive line.

Only six hours until kick-off for the grudge match to top all grudge matches. I'm already nervous.

Happy Birthday, Joe!

Today is Joe's birthday, but we celebrated yesterday. Apparently I had too much fun chatting with our families, sipping a New Glarus beer and grumbling about the Packers pathetic performance to take pictures.

I don't know, though, if pictures would have properly captured the relaxed, fun atmosphere of the day. We spent the afternoon with Joe's parents, my dad (poor Diana was sick), Bob, his girlfriend and her daughter and my sister and her fiance munching on cheese and crackers and chips and salsa and sipping beer while cheering the Packers onto victory. Well, most of us anyway. Bob and Blake were brave enough to show up for the birthday celebration wearing their Bears hat and sweatshirt respectively, but after giving them a hard time, the rest of us, all Packer fans, managed to avert our eyes from the offending logos.

I made a couple different kinds of chili over the weekend and reheated them in crock pots before leaving for church in the morning. Before the game I whipped up some easy corn bread and that was the extent of my culinary efforts. I was actually able to sit and relax instead of cooking prior to the meal. It was a nice change of pace. Joe's mom was nice enough to bring down an apple upside down cake (Joe's favorite) and I whipped up a mocha torte so we'd have enough cake with the larger crowd.

And the best part? The birthday boy proclaimed the day a success. Happy birthday, Joe!

Packers Versus Da Bears

The game wasn't the offensive shootout I expected, but still, there's something deliciously fun about beating the Bears at Lambeau.

Hank waiting for kick-off.



Caroline and me waiting for kick-off.



Happy Packer fans after the game.



More than the victory, even, I am beyond thrilled that football season has started again. Joe and I spent the entire drive home this morning discussing the ins and outs of the game. Finally-- new plays to dissect and new players to critique! Why is football season so short anyway?

Favre is Back. Again.

Um, are we all supposed to be shocked by this news? As long as there's a team willing to sign him, Brett Favre will be willing to play, is what I've come to realize.

Personally, I don't really think this does much for the Vikings one way or another. I still think the Packers are a strong contender to win the NFC Central, and I don't think this changes things in that respect in the least.

UPDATE: Packer linebacker Aaron Kampman had the best line regarding Favre signing with the Vikings: The red jersey will be off. I love it.

Packers Versus Cleveland Browns

I am absolutely giddy with excitement-- the Packers play their first football game of the season today! Sure, it's only a preseason game and I won't be as interested in the results as a regular season game but, still, the Packers play their first football game of the new season today!

Favre a Viking--Almost

Remember last year, after Brett Favre's first non-retirement retirement, how I was so upset about seeing him go play for another football team in the NFL?

Well even though the official announcement hasn't been made, it seems clear that Favre's second retirement is also going to end up being a non-retirement, only this time Favre is giving all Packer fans the finger as he does so by choosing to play for one of, if not the biggest, rivals of the Packers. And you know what? I just don't care. I can't wait to see Favre trotting out in his purple number four at Lambeau Field and to hear just how much his desire to exact revenge on the Packer organization has soured Packer fans on the former great one.

Seriously, Brett. Find a hobby.

Viking Fans Don't Want Favre

Heh, heh, heh.

What a coincidence; I don't want him anymore either.

Seriously, I loved Brett Favre. Loved him. But can't he just go away now?

Packer Game!

Last year Joe's aunt was kind enough to enter the Brown County Lottery on our behalf and won us four Packer tickets. They were tickets to a preseason game but still, for someone who had never been to a Packer game in her life, I was excited. Joe and I took the two older kids and we had a fantastic time.

This year Joe's aunt entered the lottery again and was again awarded four tickets. We were about to turn her down because of the new baby but then we discovered that they're regular season game tickets!!!! Oh my goodness, regular season home game tickets priced at face value? I am beyond excited!

I keep staring at the schedule trying to figure out which game we'll be awarded (we'll find out in July). I'm hoping for a later game, like November or December so we can easily leave Baby #4 (she really needs a name, doesn't she!) with my in-laws. One way or another, I am going to that game!

Too bad football season doesn't start for another three and a half months.

Life After Favre

Brett who?

Favre Daze

I'm here, I'm here. Wisconsin has gone Brett Favre crazy and, honestly, so have I. Favre said in his press conference today that he now knows what it would be like if he died. Ain't that the truth!

So, instead of fighting it the mass hysteria here is Wisconsin, I'll add to it. A look back to the glory days.

The End of an Era

If you are not a football fan then there is no way on earth I, or anyone else, will be able to convey to you how huge today's news is that Brett Favre is retiring. Brett Favre is a football icon, and for Packer fans he is even greater than that.

Watching Favre sloppily toss off a precise spiral pass eighty yards down field is so much cooler than watching, say, Peyton Manning, execute his perfect, textbook passes. Quarterbacks with good form are supposed to make big plays; quarterbacks with bad form are supposed to be mediocre, not great.

But Brett Favre was great. Maybe even a football legend. Sure, he had his moments of mediocrity and all Packer fans know that feeling of watching Favre getting rushed in the pocket and the hope that, just once, he would do the smart thing and throw it away, but knowing that he wouldn't and that there would either be a thrown pass worthy of the highlight reel or a heartbreaking interception. The safe route was never Favre's route but it was because of that quality that he played like a legend and made some of the most amazing plays in the NFL.

I am still excited about football season next fall but, I must admit, I will be pretty sad not seeing number four in the huddle.

NFC Championship

It's been more than a decade since the Green Bay Packers have been to the Superbowl and now they're just one victory away from going again. Yep, I'm just a little excited about this weekend's game.

Go Pack!