Awesome BBQ? Check.

In my quest to knock another item off the list, we went down to Nashville to sniff out some high-quality, finger-lickin', lip-smackin', slap-your-mama-good bbq. (For the record, I don't condone smacking your lips at the dinner table, nor slapping your mother in any situation. Licking your fingers is totally acceptable in the odd case you find yourself in the most horrible end-of-world scenario-- NO NAPKINS.)

We met up with The Godfather, who just so happened to be living it up in Music City this weekend.

After picking up Uncle Dan, we drove downtown with a screaming baby who had only taken a 30-minute nap all day (and was awakened so that we could go to church on time). Obviously he fell asleep five minutes before we parked the car. We stuck him in the stroller and started making our way to Jack's BBQ in the sweltering 100 degree heat. He slept in the stroller until we got on Broadway, where a 4th of July street fair was taking place. Also, there were lots of random homeless people playing guitars and singing loudly on the sidewalks, so that made it slightly difficult for him to sleep peacefully. We made our way to Jack's and arrived to find 1) a line out the door and 2) no shade or breeze to speak of. We finally got inside and immediately started drooling like rabid dogs upon smelling the bbq and deeeelicious sides.

I got a bbq pulled pork sandwich with macaroni and cheese and baked beans. (We all regretted my baked beans choice on the ride home.) Also, a big glass of sweet tea.

YUM.

Daniel shared his cornbread with us, and I'm pretty sure it was the best corn bread I've ever tasted in my life. (No offense Mama and Jiffy Mix.)

We had a fun time catching up with Daniel and going downtown (Steve and I have not been since we moved here!). And now we know a tried-and-true spot to get some amazingly delicious Southern bbq.

After getting back from Nashville and putting the small person down for a MUCH-NEEDED nap, we decided to go check out the 4-day Freedom Fest out on post. We have been hearing on the radio about fireworks and rides and concerts. We packed everything up and were ready to go. Our main mission was to keep Sam up past 6pm. Everything else would just be gravy.

We went and discovered.... There would be no fireworks. Or concerts. Just carnie rides. And rednecks. So we walked around for a bit (until we had a good sweat going) and then drove home. Sam managed to stay up (happily!) until 8pm. So any way you look at it- total success.

Hope y'all have a safe and happy 4th of July!