A Novogradac-sponsored weekend

This weekend felt all about Matt's company, Novogradac. On Friday night, we left Reagan home with a sitter and went to a Giants game that his company had bought tickets for. Even though, they got killed by the Dodgers, we were entertained by the rolling fog that came in over the stadium. It was hard to capture on film, but the Savage family has a nice camera and it did a pretty good job. We actually had some good seats--we were situated so that the cold air was blocked and high enough up that you could see the entire field. Although they were starting to sound good towards the seventh inning, I held myself back and didn't indulge in any Garlic Fries. I wore my Barry Bonds shirt (Lori--I still have it and wear it!!), but you know how July weather in San Francisco is--sometimes it can feel like Utah in January. So I gave in before the game even started and put my jacket on. Which wasn't very warm, either.
Saturday we went to a company picnic. The location was the managing partners home in Orinda, which wasn't really a home, more like a humongous mansion-ous estate. This place was amazing. His company went all out for this; it turned out really nice. This guy, who does all their picnics, came in and barbequed. He is so good. Two years ago, he made this awesome tri-tip that melted in my mouth. This year, he barbequed hamburgers (the best one I have ever had) hot dogs, large portabellos, and chicken sausages (for the healthy ones). The salads were a little loco, though. I can't even tell you what they were--I think one was supposed to be a potato salad. Who cares, though, right? It is all about the meat.

Matt was the first at the batting cages. He pretty much ran there all the way from Concord. He proved, with many at-bats, that he still has it on the b-ball field. I even took a turn at bat and surprised myself, since it has been years since I have even picked up a bat.
Reagan crawled all over the tennis courts and played with the stray baseballs.
A Hawaiian shaved ice truck was there for most of the time, serving up the best shaved ice I ever had. That isn't saying much since all I have had is probably a snow-cone at a local carnival, but it was pretty dang good. Matt had cherry and Reg's and I shared watermelon-banana. This stuff was top-notch. I could have easily had another one.
They had two swimming pools-an indoor one with a deep end and an outdoor kiddie/wading pool that was perfect for Reagan. We love her handy-dandy float thing. This has been my best investment all summer, by far. Check out Reagan's hair--this is what happens when your child refuses to wear a hat (yes, I have tried the ones that tie under the chin) and has fair skin and not much hair. Sunscreen suddenly becomes hair gel.
There was a waterfall at the home--this place was pretty much a scenic park.
The games are always a riot each year. Matt and I had to try and redeem ourselves from last picnic, when I tripped during the potato sack race, taking Matt along with me and Matt and Warren broke their egg in the toss. This year was better. Matt and Warren ended up winning the egg toss and 50 bucks each to Amazon.

The tug of war was fun to watch because Matt was yelling "PULL PULL" the entire time. I tried to catch him on video, but I was too late.
The sack race was a flop for us both. We got whooped this year.

Matt still has hops, thats for sure.

On Friday afternoon, Reagan went to a pirate birthday party for her friend Echo. Echo's parents went all out for this and it was so fantastic-complete with a pirate ship cake that strongly resembled the Black Pearl. Click here for the details and photos, including one of Reagan dressed as a pirate--ahoy matey!