June & July 2025

June is kicking off with some stellar summer vibes. So I decided this was the right time to try my hand at an apple pie from scratch. Overall, not bad. When you pump loads of butter and sugar into any dessert, it tastes great. The crust definitely needs some work but it was a fun first attempt.

We started off cook-out season with two back-to-back cookouts at our cousin Fito's house - conveniently right across the street from us. One of the cookouts celebrated our cousin Charlie's birthday. Burgers, brats, birria and I made a delicious corn, black bean and avacado dip and some tater-tot cups that could be filled with choice toppings like cheese, bacon, sour cream and onions.

Tater-tot cups ready for filling

Cucumber, lime and mint aguafresca

Stellar decorations for Charlie's birthday

Treasures from Savannah

Happy Birthday, Charlie!

The first weekend of June is Pridefest in Milwaukee. We worked all weekend at Club Charlies with some festive crowds and featured a pride themed cheesecake with fruity pebbles. It was as fun and as delicious as it looks.

Stefanique crushes the cheesecake game

Though the only picture captured was of some food, I caught up with a longtime friend for lunch. Makenna and I met the beginning of sophomore year in high school and though we have some distance between us, every time we are together feels like no time has passed. We tied up a table at the restaurant (luckily not that busy) for nearly 3 hours catching up and discussing future plans in life. She also gifted us a beautiful whiskey decanter and glasses with my future last name, Vargas, etched into the glass. 4.5 months to go!

Buffalo chicken mac n cheese from Timothy O'Tools. Yumma!

June continued on with a cycle of long nights at work, projects at home focusing on the garden and enjoying cook outs and patios with friends and family. We added a few new plants to the garden and are excited to see how they grow.

Roses

Hosta

Hibiscus

Hydrenga

Brave Poe watching the squirrels

Added solar lanterns

Summerfest opening night was June 19th. We kicked the music festival off with friends and family to see the rapper Fabolous, and catch the tail end of Genuwine's "Pony". The firework show and the company were the highlights of the evening.

Fuzzpop Workshop

Astral Relics

Summerfest Crew!

Tony, Tato & Kate

Kate, Max & Anita

Summerfest Crew 2!

Floor pictures only from now on. Featuring Gaby & Charlie.

The rest of Summerfest Weekend 1 and 2 we worked at Club Charlies, only blocks away from the Summerfest Grounds. We worked double shifts from 4pm-3:30am most nights. It was long, hot, stressful but lucrative and rewarding. Thanks to all the friends and family who visited us and helped us maintain our sanity!

We ran a late-night, outdoor bar from 10pm-2am selling brats & chips and select beverages during Summerfest

Getting away from downtown and Summerfest for a bit, we joined friends Colin and Mera for all you can eat sushi and seafood at Jin's, which is always fantastic. We checked out a fun spot close by called Holey Mackerel where they had arcade games, a bar, mini-golf and batting cages. The boys batted a bit and the girls played some Guitar Hero. It was a chill vibe, some what pricey drinks but a fun place to check out!

N64 with some games, free to play

The last week of June, leading up to the final weekend of Summerfest, we ducked out to Michigan for some R&R. We joined my family at the Lakehouse in Pentwater, MI and spent our days cooking food, enjoying the pier and lake, taking booze cruises, spending time with family and watching my nephew and nieces grow and learn every day. They are definitely lake babies, though Kassie didn't seem to like getting in the water. They are great on the boat, they are always happy and full of love, and love to snack! This trip was really helpful to get out of Milwaukee and away from the crowds for a bit and to refresh for the rest of a busy summer.

Kennedy & Kate twinning

Lake Babes

Beer Can Chicken feat. extra beer

My mini-me, Kassie

Captain Kassie!

Booze Cruise

Cock on the Dock!

Uncle Bryan's Boat

We returned home from the lake to celebrate Abuelita Cuca's 98th Birthday with Tato's family. Lot of tias, tios and primos from all around came out. It was a hot day but we stayed cool with drinks and enjoyed the traditional mariachi performance. Feliz Cumpleanos, Abuelita!

Pepe & Poncho

Cuca and her babies

A small birthday celebration for Max

July continued with a focus on work and wedding planning. Luckily, we got to do some more research at Josh and Rachel's stunning wedding at the Halverson House in Waterford, Wisconsin. The grounds were immaculate with a lot of different flowers in full bloom, antique farming equipment, a beautiful house and eclectic barn. The ceremony was in a tall, wooded area with abundant nature, light breezes and a delicate drops of sunlight. Kaden commentated on several aspects of the ceremony to heighten the comedic factor. The dinner was delectable and the company delightful with a table arrangement letting us mix and mingle with other guests. We both had the duck for dinner and it was truly fantastic. After more drinks and dancing, the bride and groom executed a sparkler exit that was fun and fantastical. Congratulations, Josh & Rachel!

Tato & Austin

Grandma Diane, Dad & Kate

Austin, Gradma Diane, Tato & Kate

Our neighbor's at Charlies; Susan, Andrew, Kate & Tato

Kaden & Kyle

Kaden

We closed out July with a family outing to a Brewers - Cubs game and a visit to Wisconsin State Fair. The Brewers game was electric, with the Brewers hitting 3 home runs and winning the game 8-4.

State Fair was a fun time with music, sun, friends, pigs, food and as always, some of the best people watching. We caught our friend Tony's dad's band, Livin for the Weekend perform an excellent set of classic rock covers. We tried the 2nd Place Sporkie winner, Brat Rangoon from Wurstbar. It was tasty and well prepared, but light on the brat meat. We walked a lot, ran into some friends, saw some animals, a couple pig races and browsed some shops.