Gilleland Creek Park

Now that we've moved, we've been checking out all the parks in our new neighborhood. Luckily, there are a bunch! We checked this one out this morning:

Just chillin'

The creek

The Fallen Warrior Memorial

Owen really liked the little boy statue and referred to it as "My Boy"

First Day of School!

Mom messed up and forgot to take pictures before school, so here are their disheveled, end-of-the day photos:

Kindergarten

1st Grade

 Meanwhile, Mom and the boys had a picnic at Prete Main Street Plaza in Downtown Round Rock...

And bought William this cool Bumbo chair at a kids' consignment store:

Trip to San Antonio

Since it's our last weekend before school starts, we decided to go to San Antonio. Scott has rewards points, so we booked a free hotel stay and spent the night downtown.

San Fernando Cathedral

We watched San Antonio: The Saga. It was a 25-minute show with music and visuals projected on the façade of the cathedral. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Dad stayed in this really cool hotel for one of his trainings a while back, so he was showing us this old bank vault in the basement. The hotel used to be the Alamo National Bank.

Swimming at our hotel

At the temple

Back to School

Lizzie is a 1st Grader in Mrs. Sims's class.

Heidi's kindergarten teacher is Ms. Lagunero. Rose from church is also in her class, as well as the principal's daughter. (Ms Lagunero must be a great teacher if the principal trusts her with her own daughter!)

Scott Mentzer Pool

Today the fam checked out this cool pool, just a few minutes from our new house. It was built with kids in mind:

The kids loved this kid-size water slide. They also enjoyed going on the big slide (in the background) with Dad. There was also a little river and several fun fountains to play in.

William was a little overwhelmed, so he just closed his eyes and took a nap.

These puddle jumpers are pretty much the best invention ever!

Birthday Girl

Breakfast of birthday champions

Birthday tea party with friends

With her "soup cake." Because it was soupy. (Mom used a dairy-free cake mix and subbed applesauace for the eggs. It was very moist. But good!)

Feet!

This little guy recently discovered his feet. I even found him trying to suck on his big toe the other day. Lol.

And here's a bonus pic of all four kids. It's not their best picture, but they're all looking at the camera. (That's kind of a big deal.)

Four Months Old

Burnt orange. Longhorns fan.

Heidi's First Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Pease Park and Splash Pad

Buds

I foresee that these two will be great friends:

The Thinkery

 

Released

A new executive secretary was called last Sunday, and a new Relief Society secretary was called this Sunday, so we are now officially released from the Walnut Creek Ward.

I have been serving in Relief Society presidencies pretty much non-stop since before Heidi was born, so for six years now. I have served under four different Relief Society presidents--as a 1st counselor, as a 2nd counselor, and twice as a secretary. Each president I served with had different strengths and they all did things a little differently, but they all did a great job and I enjoyed serving with all of them. (I have to say that I have loved serving in Relief Society presidencies in a supportive role, but I have no aspirations to be a Relief Society president. They do a lot of hard work!)

Here's a picture of the most recent presidency that I served in, in the Walnut Creek Ward here in Austin:

Fun story about Susan [black dress]... Scott and I met her on our first Sunday in the ward, and she knew Scott's great-grandparents back in Arizona. Both she and Tonia [blue shirt] have been very kind to me and our family. Tonia made my birthday special and also brought gifts when William was born. Susan also gave gifts to William and the kids and had our entire family over to her home at least three different times in the past year and a half. And she always went above and beyond to accommodate Lizzie's allergies. These are some amazing women--always using their talents and resources to serve others!

Brushy Creek Lake Park

William's Baby Blessing

Uncle Steven (Miller) and Grandma and Grandpa Ellsworth got to be there today for William's baby blessing:

Some notes that I took were:

• He is blessed with a supportive and loving family.
• He will be prepared and have opportunities to learn and grow and make covenants.
• He will serve others.
• He will gain wisdom.
• He will engage in the work of the Lord, share his testimony, and gain blessings as a result.
• He will seek out his ancestors and engage in the work of salvation.
• He will serve faithfully.
• He will keep his heart and mind open and know the difference between right and wrong.