ACL 2011

We had such a great time at the Austin City Limits Music Festival this year.  The weather was cooperative and the music was fab as always.  Going to ACL with a toddler is certainly a different experience for us - we were stocked with plenty of diapers, snacks, and baby wipes to get us through the day.  Little Mister had no interest in wearing ear protection as he promptly pulled it off so we stayed safely back from the loud speakers.  We also had to make the difficult decision not go on the last day of the festival since we still had to drive back to San Antonio and Matt and I had to work on Monday.  We didn't want to push Little Mister too far.  It was a good decision and we're still able to check out the highlights of Arcade Fire on YouTube. 

Austin skyline

watching Foster the People

i haven't seen grass this green in ages.  the grounds were beautiful!

i don't know who these guys were, i just thought their signs were funny

Little Mister managed to nap through all the noise

We had a great time with some good friends and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  Tickets for next year go on sale NEXT WEEK.  Yes, we'll try our hardest to score early bird tickets.  See you all then!

Texas BBQ - A Checklist

A new app came out on the iPhone called the Texas Monthly BBQ Finder.  Not only does it direct you to the nearest BBQ joint (just in case you have a mad craving for a brisket sandwich) but it also lists the top 50 in the state.  I firmly believe that if you live in Texas, it is a prerequisite that BBQ becomes a part of your diet.  Veggies?  Check.  Whole grains?  Check.  Pork Ribs?  Check.

Oh and forgive me, my vegetarian friends - I'm about to talk meat. 

We decided to take the Texas Monthly Top 50 challenge.  This is not an official event, but for us - eating might as well be a sport.  Our goal to is eventually hit every single BBQ joint on the list and space them out enough so we won't suffer from too much heartburn and weight gain.  It also ties in with our love for long road trips and visiting the far reaches of Texas that we've never seen. 

First stop:

While it wasn't the legendary City Market nearby (it was closed the day that we visited), this was a mighty good alternative.  

So much fun!  I prettied up the Texas Monthly list a bit to record our adventure.  We'll probably not hit every joint but this will be fun way to track it!

 

Windy City Part 2

Here it is, the second installment to our trip to Chicago.  We had a blast and can't wait to visit again!  

Windy City Part 1

Happy September everyone!  Excuse the absence - me and the boys decided that it was high time to escape this heat so we headed north to Chicago.  And we had a real blast! We always try to visit the famous ballparks in the cities we visit so we started off the trip with a tour of Wrigley Field.

Do you love the Tom's shoes?  He's so stylin'.  

We spent just about all of our time outdoors while we were there.  I hear Chicago can get really humid and mucky but thankfully, it was just beautiful.  Our favorite part might have been the time we spent at Millenium Park. 

  

Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate was amazing and so interactive.

Yup, Little Mister is in his diaper in the middle of Jaume Plensa'a Crown Fountain.  He got so excited to be in the water that we had stripped him down right there otherwise he'd be soaking wet.  As you can see, he thought it was hilarious. 

August Break - Day 19: SPIRIT

 

Happy Friday, everyone!

August Break - Day 16: DRAGONFRUIT AND MANGOSTEEN

August Break - Day 15: ANOTHER SUNSET

Not that I don't have thousands of photographs under my belt, but another sunset seemed worth sharing.

I missed posting on Friday (bad Michelle!) but I'm back in full force.

Happy Monday to you all!

August Break - Day 11: LOTUS

A Sea of Lotus

August Break - Day 9: ROPE

August Break - Day 8: BOAT

August Break - Day 5: ORANGE

August Break - Day 4: GRASS

I love the texture and color of the grass. 

August Break - Day 3: HYANNIS PORT

Old picture, but it brings back fun memories