Date Night: Porkopolis

Ryan and I decided to go on a date night tonight (woot woot). Ryan has been hearing about this new BBQ place called Porkopolis on his radio station recently, so we decided to try it out. Well, it was amazing. I think we will be going back there frequently! For those living in Arizona, it is off of Arizona Ave and the South 202. They have Happy hours from 3:30-6:30 on weekdays.

We started out with the burnt ends. From my understanding they are the outside crust of the brisket that they smoke. These were freaking amazing! It was a little fatty, but freaking amazing!

For our main courses we both ordered the two meat combo. I got brisket and pulled pork and Ryan has brisket and ribs. Both the pork and the brisket were amazing as well. It goes great with their traditional sauce that they have on the tables. The two sides I got were polenta cakes and garlic mashed potatoes. I cannot say enough good things about the garlic mashed potatoes. I couldn't stop eating them they were so great! The polenta cakes were alright, but not my favorite. Ryan's ribs were fall off the bone amazing. He also got a slice of corn cake big enough to feed Texas and baked beans. The baked beans were spicy, like super hot spicy, we weren't big fans. Here is my plate.

Did I mention the portions were HUGE?!?!?!? Needless to say, we brought about 3/4 of the meat home, plus some potatoes and corn bread. We were so stuffed!

Now on from the food. Austin was being a total cutie tonight and a ham for the camera. He was wearing Ryan's hat and sunglasses and was being really cute about it!

A Busy Monday

We had a very busy Monday yesterday. First, at 11:00 we had our first swim lessons class of the summer. He has been doing really great in the pool, so I wasn't concerned at all. Well I guess public pool was different than Grandma's pool because he had the ninja death grip on me the entire time. He wouldn't do any of the fun things either. I'm hoping that over the next seven classes he lightens up a bit. I'm sure we will do more classes, at least one more session, though.

After swim lessons were over, we had to run home and get changed to make it to art class. Art class started at 12:15, so 45 minutes after swim lessons ended. This was my first week getting to have fun with Austin. This week we made cards for a certain holiday coming up (shhhhh), water colors, and playing with edible play dough. Austin didn't really get the play dough part, but was more than familiar with the edible part. Here are a few pictures I snapped of my little man.

Yummmy!

What do you mean I'm supposed to play with it?

Mom, you're embarrassing me!

Coloring with markers between activities

Taking Charge of the Slide

My parents are out of town, but that didn't stop us from using their pool yesterday! Before they left, Grandpa Jerry moved the slide over to the pool slide. Needless to say, once he realized it was there, Austin was all over it! Obviously we still catch him at the end of the slide, but he had SO much fun. I think he probably went down the slide forty times yesterday.

Weeeeee

Kick, kick to the side

Back up again

And back down!

Oh look at that adorable booty

When we were drying off, he decided to go play with the tee ball set. Oh look at that belly. :-)

We have a lot of swimming in our future, I just signed Austin up for swim lessons starting next week. He loved them last year.

Sunday with the Fishies and Art Class!

Ryan needed to go get some things at Bass Pro Shop this weekend which meant Austin got to see the fish! He loves going up to the tank and just pointing at all the fish, especially the big ones that look right at you. It is so cute. He also thought the stuffed deer was pretty cool. I'm not sure what we actually went there for, but we left with a fishing pole for Austin and sunglasses for mom and dad.

No dad, he doesn't need to learn how to shoot yet.

I signed Austin up for art classes this summer. They are every Monday. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make the class today, but Auntie Cassandra took him for me. They did marble and sponge paintings. Here are some pictures of his beautiful art work. I think we're going to send one to work with daddy.

Cassandra said he had a fun time with the marble painting and was picking up the marbles! I can't wait until next Monday when we have our next class.

Happy 4th Birthday, Emmalee!

Our niece Emmalee had her 4th birthday party this weekend. Her birthday is on the 5th, but we had her party this weekend. 

Austin and Ryan relaxing

Emmalee's Rapunzal cupcakes

Austin was helping with gifts

Trying to open the fruit snacks. He ended up putting them back into the bag like a good  boy

A quick cuddle with mommy

Cupcake time!

Memorial Day 2012

Usually Memorial Day is referred to the unofficial start of summer. Well we have been in 100 degree weather for a bit now, so it was nice that the temps actually DIPPED for Monday's holiday. We had a great time at Cathy and David's house. We ate some good food, had good conversation and took a dip in the pool. Ryan and Austin have been pool regulars, but it was my first time swimming this season. A wee bit chilly, but doable. Austin had a great time playing with Calleigh, like always. It will only be a matter of time before Aidan gets to join in on the fun too.

Trying to get Grandma's camera

Catching the water from the mister system

Mr. Aidan

Corn on the Cob!

Total pro

Holy Blog Update Batman!

I have to admit, not only have I sucked at updating my blog, but I have really sucked at taking pictures anymore. In my defense, two things! 1) Anytime I tried to take pictures of Austin, he grabbed the camera. 2) Austin broke the camera and it vibrates. Yeah, my camera...vibrates! Maybe for my birthday I'll get a new one. Until then I have just been taking pictures on my phone. I check my blog to other friends updating, but I forget to update myself. Well we are in the month of May and May has brought us a lot of fun. To start the month, Ryan and Austin decided they were brave enough to start facing the pool. I think they are nuts, but what can I say? Austin LOVES the pool and I can't wait to get him into swim lessons again. Grandma Barb also bought a fun water mat that Austin had a grand time playing on. It is almost like a hopscotch design and every time you step on it, water squirts up.

My dad's birthday was May 12th and we were planning on going to a baseball game to celebrate. My aunt and uncle from Iowa were going to be coming out to be here for Mother's Day as well. Unfortunately, my dad's aunt passed away the week before. My dad flew back home to go to her funeral and my aunt and uncle decided not to come out until later. We ended up going to the game anyway. It was Ryan Robert's tat sleeve night. Roberts is a baseball player that is known for his tattoos. They refer to him as the Tat-Man. Austin even got his own tatsleeve in kid size!

The following picture doesn't fit into my story, but it is adorable and I had to share. Austin loves to climb in his wagon and while he was in his wagon I told him to go night night. He laid down in his wagon for this picture. He wasn't really sleeping, but cute none the less.

Our May is ending with the end of another school year. The end of THIS school year meant the end of Ryan's youngest sister, Katelyn's, high school career. We were so happy to be able to attend her graduation and help celebrate the wonderful milestone in her life. I don't have any younger siblings, but I have always felt like Kate was my little sister at heart! I can't believe she is a high school graduate, I met the girl when she was in 6th Grade!!! Her graduation party is this weekend, hopefully I'll remind to take pictures and blog. :-)

And finally, Austin got another hair cut. This was hair cut number 5. His hair grows so quickly it is insane. I took a picture yesterday in his new swim suit last night and then TRIED to get a picture of his hair today.