As with previous birthdays, Mike's 35th began with a bundt from Nothing Bundt Cakes...I always get marble for the birthday boy, but I really think he would eat any of the flavors as long as that delicious cream cheese frosting covers the top!!! "WE" (but really the birthday boy) decided that even though his birthday was not until Saturday, that cake and candles should be early...just so we would have time to eat the cake over the weekend! Pretty sneaky way to get birthday cake two days early - that cake was gone by his real birthday, HA!
DAY 2 - Friday
Anyway, Mike had Friday off, and began his birthday weekend with a pilgrimage that started with a 6:50am metro ride into downtown, to get in line at Franklin BBQ. For those in the know, Franklin's is quite a popular joint; a hipster, foodie, and BBQ lovers dream, attracting long lines that begin hours before the place even opens! Mike arrived a little before 8am to a line of about 50 tailgaters who arrived even earlier! Made friends with a great couple from Chicago...and enjoyed some tailgating himself before the kids and I arrived around noon, just as the line was entering the inside of the building - great timing I would say! Was it worth it one might ask? The answer to us is simple, YES. Brisket was hands down the best I have ever had, we even got to meet the legendary owner Aaron Franklin who happened to be out greeting folks and talking to tables as we ate (check out the selfie he took with Mike & Luke, who was obviously not impressed!)...I even came prepared with sparkler candles, and lit the tray of BBQ while our table and surrounding tables sang happy birthday to Mike! DELICIOUS and very memorable meal, so lucky to live only 20-30 minutes north of downtown Austin, Southbound 35 indeed...
A little bit farther down 35 was our second destination, Barton Springs! I remember going as a child and knew the water was "refreshing" but man, it was bone-chilling cold, even for a hot August afternoon in Texas! We still enjoyed some family fun in the sun, Luke and I played in the shallows, while Mike and Hannah braved the deeper, colder, and slippery water. Then we took a break and sat under the oak trees, enjoying the breeze and were entertained by all the swimmers and divers, (and hilarious people who kept slipping!) Still full from our meat-apolooza lunch, we grabbed some cold drinks and snacks (chips & queso is what our kids want anywhere we go, it is how they rate restaurants) at Shady Grove, before heading back home on 35 for the night...
DAY 3 - Saturday (Mike's actual birthday)
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Happy Birthday to you!
Kids were up and ready to go early, excited to finally give daddy his gifts! (We have tried hard to make birthdays more about time together and experiences, and memories...but they still like presents!) Hannah took some of the pics, including the amazing pic of Mike and I, what talent! Mike really wanted to hit up the East Side Kings food truck for lunch, alas, it was closed until 4pm and access is only through a bar (21 and up) so no kiddos! Bummer! Luckily, this is Austin, and around the corner we found Takoba, and enjoyed a yummy Mexican brunch (my chilaquiles and white peach sangria were muy delicioso!) We then headed to So Co (South Congress St) to walk around (it was way too hot), relax and eat some Amy's Ice Cream (we ate on the way to the car as everything melted) and headed home for naps! We did rally for most of the day...but crashed hard that night! Lots of memories, lots of experiences, and lots of FOOD on this birthday weekend! Need to detox for the next few days, whew! Happy happy birthday babe! We love you so much and loved celebrating with you!
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