Austin, TX - Part 1

As you can tell from this blog, I've slowed down my travel.  It's an unusual feeling, as I've logged well over 100,000 each year, for the last decade.  Part of the reason is reduced travel by my company.  I believe the other part of it is a need for me to stay home a bit more.  It's not about my family - they are super-troopers when it comes to adjusting to Dad being out-of-town.  I strongly believe that it's because of my calling at Church.  I feel that the Lord needed me to be more available to the young men that I work with, and to accept my latest calling - Stake Young Men's President.  Either way, I get to spend time with my family, as well as attempt to have an impact in the lives of the young men in this area.

While reviewing some trips, I discovered that I forgot one blog entry.  It was a really special family gathering, and I didn't want to let it go without documenting the event!

Over Labor Day weekend, my folks came to visit Austin.  They traveled all the way from Winnipeg, Canada, where they now live.  In addition, my son and his family traveled from Dallas to be here.  This would be the first time that my folks had a chance to meet my grandson (L), face-to-face.

The weekend started with the arrival of my son, his wife, and Baby L.  We decided to take them to yet another awesome restaurant here in town.  Called Pieous, it's a pizza restaurant with a real twist.  They make their mozzarella cheese fresh every day.  The pizzas are Neapolitan in style, but with fantastic and unique flavors.  We've dined there several times and have never been disappointed.

Dessert included a cookie that was about as big as your head.  Yup, you read that right.  Rest assured, we shared that giant cookie:

We awaited the arrival of the Canadians, and brought them directly to the house to meet their newest great-grandson:

That evening, we took everyone to one of our favorite places to eat - Rudy's.  Here, they specialize in Texas BBQ, which essentially means briskette.  It's one of Dad's favorites in Austin, so it was a treat to go with him ; )

I'm apparently explaining something very important about BBQ...

We ate a disgusting amount of beef briskette there...but boy was it good.  The smile on my Dad's face was totally worth it ; )

Afterwards, we took everyone to a place that Austin is known for.  This is something that my Dad asked specifically to see.  It's the Congress Street Bridge, where millions of Mexican fruit bats live underneath.  Each night in the summer, all of these bats emerge around sunset to gorge themselves on insects and return to the bridge to sleep during the day.  It's an amazing sight and it's a big cultural tradition for Austin - and the tourists.

While we were waiting, G-Man was playing with his nephew L.  G is so good with little kids and I loved watching him playing with the baby:

Fortunately, Mom took some great shots of the bats as they emerged.  Usually, it's really dark, so it's hard to capture them.  This night, they came out a little early, so you could photograph them against a brighter sky.

People lined up on the bridge, just before it started getting dark.

Here, the start to emerge, right from under the bridge...

 Soon, the sky fills with bats...

It was so cool to be able to see all of them for once.  We have to remember to take friends to see the bats toward the end of the summer, as this was the best experience that we've had with this truly Austin experience.

The next day was Sunday.  We all went to Church together, which is such a treat for me, personally.  Little L was dressed in a shirt and tie...I just about died when I saw him:

We took the time at Church, while we were all dressed-up, to take some family pictures.  There are a few...but I love looking at them over-and-over ; )

 Before this trip, I don't have too many recent pictures of just my father and I...

Same goes for Mom...so I made sure we took one this time.

That's one good-looking family! ; )

Proud grandparents...yeah, still not used to saying that...

A special four-generation picture

It's always a struggle to get the two-year old to sit still long enough for a photo.  Here, she appears to be levitating, as we caught her in mid-jump ; )

"The Boys"

That afternoon was a very special event.  While everyone was in Austin, we took the opportunity to give Baby L a blessing.  My son and his wife were kind enough to allow my father to perform the priesthood ordinance, while I joined him.  I can't even begin to explain how special that was to me.  Taking the infant into our arms and giving him a blessing is something I'll never, ever forget.

We finished the day with one of my wife's legendary desserts. This one is freshly-frozen berries, covered in a delectable melted white-chocolate mixture.  The combination of flavors, temperatures and textures was truly amazing:

I'll save the rest for a second post, as I've put quite a few pictures in this one...stay tuned for the close of the family gathering....