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The next ornament to be revealed from my sports collectibles Christmas Tree is a great figurine I picked up on a very special road trip. I got the opportunity to visit the hallowed field known as Lambeau Field for a Packer game in October of 2005. The entire weekend was a an experience I will never forget.

We flew into Green Bay on a private jet on a Friday afternoon. We were the guest of then defensive coordinator Jim Bates. After checking in at our hotel in nearby Appleton we met up with Coach at Lambeau and headed out to one of his favorite restaurants for dinner. One of the appetizers we had was something I would have never thought I would have eaten, Smelt. Now being from Texas that seemed like I was eating the minnows we use for bait around here. Anyway, they were very good and I would not hesitate the next time I encounter Smelt.

The next day we met Coach again at Lambeau for a tour of the facilities and the Hall of Fame there at the stadium. We had lunch at one of John Madden’s favorite places in Green Bay, Chili Johns. I had my chili over pasta as the locals recommended and it was fabulous. Also, they have these cookies the size of man hole covers and since my family calls me the Cookie Monster I had to have a few.

By the afternoon we went back to our hotel to get some rest to go out that night. I am not much of a nap person so I took a walk across the street to a shopping center. One of the stores was a Big Lots. I was strolling through all the crap when I came to a section that had several sports related items. I picked up a Milwaukee Brewers bobble head and the Packers Christmas ornament you see above. It is a great piece that shows that familiar touchdown celebration that Brett has with his team mates. Ahman Green and Javon Walker are featured with Favre in a jubilant display that I am sure came on the heels of a touchdown. This figurine will always be special to me because of the circumstances in how I acquired it.

The rest of the weekend was fantastic. We checked out the nightlife around Green Bay and heard a great classic rock cover band. The next day at the game the atmosphere was tremendous. We had Bloody Mary’s outside before the game and took in the tailgating and music around the stadium. The Packers demolished the Saints and we got to meet some of the players after the game. We also met the fighter pilots from the Air Force that did the fly over before the game, that was cool too.

I think of that weekend often especially during the football season and definitely every time I look at my tree and see this ornament. I hope you enjoyed my rambling. For next weeks ornament I haven’t decided which one to feature, so tune in next Friday to check it out. If you missed the first post in my Sports Collectibles Christmas Tree be sure and check it out too.