Goodbye

SOLD. Papers signed. Money in the bank.

Dear Austin Parkfield,

Thank you for three and a half years of memories. Thank you for teaching us how to be homeowners and how to fix you up. Remember the time that your water heater leaked and I thought it was the toilet and fixed it three times? Good times. ;) Remember when I ripped out the rotted walkway deck and replaced it with paver stones? How about the time we had to raise your foundation or repaint or sit next to your single pane windows? We loved when it rained and would fill the low spot in front of the garage. How about the time you electrocuted me when I installed the new dishwasher. And a ceiling fan. We loved how you let your mailbox get smashed - twice! We learned a lot and grew together. How'd you like a new dog, unraveling some of your carpet going in and out of his doggie door? How'd you like a new baby in the house when we brought Riley home and we didn't know what we were doing? We knew we would hear the pitter-patter of steps inside of your walls. We just knew it. We loved how Riley could run in circles inside you. You met our friends and had them over. You heard a lot of laughs and some crying. You saw our ups and our downs. You saw some of our greatest joys and sorrows. But you stood there for us and kept us warm and safe. We had to move on, to better things and our future life, but know that we'll remember you and what we learned there. It's not you, it's us. Breaking up is hard to do, but we'll both be better for it. We've found someone else. We like her. We hope to raise our kids there. We heard you've found someone else as well. We hope the best for you. Good luck, and goodbye.

Sincerely,

Scot and Becca

Good Luck, Good Night, and Texas Fight!

Well, here we are. We are almost all packed up. The truck comes tomorrow and after it leaves, we will go halfway to Albuquerque and stay the night. We will live out of suitcases for a week and maybe even camp out in our new house once we close next week and wait for our stuff to arrive. These transitions are always a little bittersweet.

I think that leaving Austin has made me the saddest of any place that I have left. I'm pretty sure that it is because of the friends that I have made, the city, what we accomplished here, and how much we grew. We came here barely married less than a year and leave a family, all grown up - selling a house, having two cars, having furniture that we probably will keep for decades, etc. I think that we finally have become adults (quiet, you, in the peanut gallery).

When I left home for college, it was exciting. When I left for Guatemala for my mission, it was exciting and I was doing something great and meaningful. When we left Utah to come to Texas, it was the next big step in our lives. Perhaps part of it is that we've been here for four and a half years. It's the longest I've been in one spot since leaving home after high school.

Of course, we look forward to our future. We look forward to our family growing next month when we adopt a boy. We look forward to a higher salary and a start of our "real" lives, post eduation. We look forward to new oppurtunities to serve and meet people and do great things.

I can't speak for Becca, but I'm not very good at goodbyes. It just kind of ends usually. It's usually like a teenage boy's telephone conversation, "huh? yeah? *grunt*. ok. bye." Maybe it is a coping mechanism so that I don't look girly and get choked up. Or maybe I'm just in a state of surreal limbo, tired from the transition, lost in what is to come, or just socially awkward. So, if I seem(ed) aloof or weird, know that it wasn't because I was trying to get away from you. I just suck at goodbyes.

I know that it will be a seldom chance that I will be back in Austin that much. I think that these blogs will help keep in touch better. I'm sad that I have lost contact with some of my old friends. Sometimes I try to track them down online or cyber-stalk them, but usually it's pretty hard to find them. I did find my high school girlfriend's blog once. Ok, creepy. You know you've done it too. Back to the subject. I hope we can share our joys and progress with you and hope to see how you are doing.

I have a project planned to put all our time together in Austin in one place, but I don't know when I'll have the time to do it. Maybe in the spring if I don't get around to it during this break. It'll take a little getting used to having to actually plan vacation days and time off and working 8-5 every day.

So, until next time, goodbye. We love you.

Carnies Can't Keep Us Down

To save the day from the carnies' injustice and save face with Becca's mom, we headed to Zilker park to play on the playground and ride the Zilker Zephyr (a 25 minute train ride [for about $2]). As always, Riley loved the swings and the slides. Riley liked the train, even though I don't think that she really got that we were on the train. Everytime we went around a bend and she saw the engine, she would exclaim, "a train!"

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BTW, Becca got her hair trimmed and colored on Thursday. The day before, she told me that she was cutting it short again (I'm fine with it now) and coloring it lighter. When I got home, I was a little confused because it was just as long and darker. I've decided as long as she is happy with her hair, I'm happy with it. I mean, my reason for long hair before was that it was better to run my fingers through it, but really, how often does that happen? ;)

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Afterwards, we headed to Flip Happy for some savory and sweet crepes. I had a Cuban (pork, cheddar, pickle, tobasco). Becca had the roasted chicken with goat cheese and garlic aoili and the lemon curd with blueberry sauce. Eilene had the chicken, gruyere, mushrooms, and carmalized onions and the whipped peanut butter with chocolate sauce and chantilly cream. For the first time, I got Bev's Brownie Crepe, a fudgy brownie inside of a chocolate crepe with chocolate sauce and chantilly cream. WOW.

Haines in Texas: Day 3

For Paul and I, Saturday was football day. In the morning, we headed down to campus to experience ESPN College Gameday. The crowd was rowdy and it was fun. There were a couple of clever signs that we enjoyed. If you have the chance, it's fun to check it out if you happen to be in a town with a #1 team in the nation (ok, really, it's usually one of the best matchups for the week, so you don't have to be #1 [even though Texas is!]).

Becca, Riley, Tami, Camden, and Parker went to the Austin Children's Musuem. The kids seemed to have had a good time. Paul and I rode the crazy bus downtown from campus (route #1 has, well, and interesting crowd - I used to take it most days to school). We headed to the BBQ capital of Texas, Lockhart, to give the Haines a real Texas BBQ experience. We downed a pound of brisket, 6 ribs, two slices of prime rib, some cheese, big reds, and almost a loaf of bread. We were pretty full for the rest of the day.

After returning from Lockhart, Paul and I got dropped off downtown again and we roamed around the various tailgates. I knew tailgating was big, but even I was surprised by the extent and skill of these tailgaters. There were tailgaters everywhere. There isn't one lot like a lot of places, but many lots. I saw at least 50-100 smokers, most built into a trailer. Here's an example of one of the tailgating vehicles. There were enough big (some BIG) screen flat panels and satellite dishes everywhere that we got in more football watching than we could have at home.

Around 6, Paul and I headed to the stadium to take in all the pregame festivities and see Texas dominate Missouri. The score doesn't do the game justice: 56 - 31. The first half score: 35-3 better exemplifies the smackdown. The offense was crisp and the defense was spectacular. It was LOUD. It gave me goosebumps. And no voice. I've been to about a dozen games, but I don't think I've heard it louder. It helps that they enclosed one side of the stadium and that we set a new attendence record (98,363). Paul enjoyed his Big XII football experience and likened it to ACC basketball in atmosphere (that's some HUGE props from him) and can now check it off his sports to do list.

Football + Best BBQ in Texas + Football = Great day.

Haines in Texas: Day 2

Since Thursday was San Antonio day, Friday was Austin day. We headed to the state capital, which is slightly taller than the U.S. Capital (on purpose, of course). We tried to convince Camden to count all the stars, but they are everywhere (thousands just on the fences alone). Camden loved the cannons out front. After the capital, it was lunchtime so we headed to Flip Happy, which we have mentioned before. Everyone loved their crepes. After lunch, we showed off the Whole Foods world headquarters. One might ask what is so special about a grocery store. Anyone who has been to a Whole Foods might wonder why this store is special. Trust us, they put more into their headquarters and you just have to experience it to appreciate it. At night, we just hung out. Becca and Tami headed to the Round Rock outlets and Paul and I played three games of Madden.

Birthday Activity

With my birthday on Monday, I decided that I wanted to pull my trump card and pick an activity to do today. For four years, I've wanted to go to a Texas marching band competition. Yes, I'm the guy that stays in the heat at a football game to see the band halftime show. Whenever we had competitions in New Mexico, a Texas band or two would come and blow us all away. Of course, these were west Texas bands with 300-400 people and big props. Their volume and size dominated our 100-150 person bands. So, I wanted to see a bunch of them in one competition. I've been too lazy before to find out when a competition was, but I found one here in Austin - The Westlake Festival.

We headed down this afternoon after Riley napped to see the AAAAA bands (why go for the smaller ones?). We stayed for all 9 bands and it was pretty fun. Riley loved it. She especially liked the color guard (dancing. dancing. dancing) and the music (she would dance and shake her bum). We were worried she would get bored, but she was fine the whole time. She loved the show called "Things that pop", especially the balloon props. She also liked all the school buses.

Texas Football with the Fam

Today, we decided to see how Riley would handle a live football game. When I'm watching football on TV, she likes to sit on my lap and she pushes forward with her hand (like a stiff arm) and says, "up-ball". She just made up her own sign for it. We were worried that she would hate when the crowd got really loud or when the cannon goes off (kickoffs, touchdowns, end of quarters, etc.). She did great. She was a little intimidated at first and held on pretty tight while staring at the guy behind us with a look on her face like, "why are you yelling?". We also anticipated almost every cannon boom and warned her just before and she seemed fine with it (she freaked out at fireworks after home runs at the baseball games). After a little while, she got more used to it and started getting more squirmy and wanted to run around. Of course, it's still hot here and was about 94 degrees with the sun high up in the sky. Maybe we should have done a better burnt orange coordination, but oh well.
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The stadium expansion is pretty amazing. 98,000+ attended the first game. They expect the stadium attendance record to be broken (again) in three weeks at the next home game when Missouri comes to town (#6). Hopefully, Texas will make it through Colorado and Oklahoma (#2 now, but probably #1 tomorrow) the next two weeks. Texas is currently ranked #7, but will move up since #1 and #4 already lost this week and #3 is getting beat pretty bad when I'm writing this. It's possible that OU, Missouri, and UT could be #1, #3, and #4 this next week or somewhere around there. Anyway, some of that was just to get my brother-in-law even more excited since he will be going to the Missouri game with me. He wanted a Big 12 football experience and to visit Texas before we moved away. Remember, it's always bigger in Texas (check out the flag below and one of the largest LCD screens in the world above).

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A Variation on My Glory Days

My love of live music began during my freshman year of college. Ska was big in southern Utah (for all I know, it still is) and I dated a guitar player. I had been to a couple of stadium concerts in high school (Reba McEntire was my first), but they weren't nearly as appealing as the novice bands who put you on the guest list, the smaller venues, dancing as the crowd pressed closer and closer to the stage.

I moved on, from that school, that guy, and most of those friends. But I became more involved in this "hobby" when I moved to Salt Lake City. With live outdoor concerts two nights a week every summer and lots of free concert tickets through Alicia, who had connections in "the business," we saw a lot of different bands for free (Sam Bush, Len, Zebrahead, Shawn Mullins, Buckcherry, Jerry Douglas, Old 97's, Eagle Eye Cherry, The Bacon Brothers, and Tim O'Brien are the ones I can remember) and expanded my musical interests. Alicia and I even went to an Nine Inch Nails concert because she got free tickets and we were morbidly curious about the concert-goers. After less than 15 minutes of people-watching we left.

I paid for my share of concerts too: Collective Soul, George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars, Bela Fleck, Dave Matthews Band (twice), Reel Big Fish, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Insatiable, Peter Paul & Mary, Nikka Costa, Alison Krauss, Counting Crows, and Tony Furtado (at least four times). And I won tickets through a radio station contest to see BB King.

I have many good memories of going to concerts with friends that I haven't been good about keeping in touch with: Macy Gray with Travis, Clint Black & Wynona Judd with Rianne, Tony Furtado with Adam, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd with Steve. I had friends in common with Peter Breinholt and Ryan Shupe. I met my future brother-in-law when he and Jess joined me at an Aquabats concert.

So the surprising thing is that after living in Austin, the “Live Music Capital of the World,” for nearly four years, I haven’t experienced much live music here at all. Now, months away from leaving Austin, I’ve found a musician that I could really become a loyal fan of. I’ve seen him play twice this summer and have another of his concerts on my calendar in August.

Joe McDermott is a Parent’s Choice Award winning children’s songwriter and musician. And Riley and I are huge fans. She’ll actually sing along with the hook in “Ride, Ride, Ride” and we frequently rock out at home to “Everybody Plays Air Guitar.” So yes, I've gone from live music at clubs and outdoor festivals to concerts at the library and Pottery Barn Kids. My most recent favorite musician to see live is a guy who plays a guitar and sings songs about pet skunks and an inner galactic ice cream ship. I guess this is a good example of how my life has changed. But hey, I’m just glad I have an excuse to go to live shows again.

Lazy Saturday Morning

This is the first Saturday in a while that we haven't had something firmly planned. Riley cooperated and slept in until 8:45. We had some breakfast and then went on a bike ride around the neighborhood and to a park. After coming home, I filled up a pool that our friends let us borrow. Since it was just Riley, we decided that she could just swim in the buff. She really likes water (baths, pools, rivers) except when her face gets wet.

Here's a good shot of how skinny she is. Look at those ribs! We've always thought it was funny how she has dimples on the cheeks on her face and bum.

Family Find

Today, Becca and Riley went with me to find a cache at Walnut Creek park. We went on a little nature walk to find it. It would've only been 0.14 miles if we could fly, but with the crazy trails, it was probably 0.5 miles there and back. We had to bushwack the last 100 feet. I even found a new trail to ride that looks pretty fun. This cache had a cheerleading skirt and pom-pom in it, so I took a picture to log my find.

Central Texas Tradition

There are certain things that you do in central Texas. In late March/early Spring, you take your young child out and find a patch of bluebonnets (the state flower) and you take pictures. If you don't do this, you are a horrible, horrible, person. Ok, just kidding. To echo this sentiment, yesterday, I had a meeting and was going to meet Riley and Becca afterwards to perform said ritual. I didn't want to leave my camera in the car, so I brought it in, and one of my friends asked, "why the camera?" I told him that I was meeting up to take pictures of Riley with the bluebonnets and he said, "oh yeah, she's about 1, you have to do that". There is a nice patch at IBM (thanks Kent), which is much safer than pulling over on the side of a state highway, which most people do. Texas has seeded wildflowers along many of the highways and it is really pretty to drive along some of them this time of year. By the way, if it's on state property, it's illegal to pick the bluebonnets. Well, on to the pictures.

Gardening

It feels good to get your hands into the dirt and smell the soil and the plants. I wouldn't say that I have a green thumb, but I enjoy plants and gardens. I worked a summer at a plant nursery and although it was hot and hard work, it was gratifying and somewhat relaxing. I like seeing the plants growand like the look of a well kept lawn and garden.

Yesterday, I finished preparing the bed for the garden and we planted some vegetables. We planted large tomotoes, grape tomatoes, anaheim peppers, bell peppers, lettuce, carrots, and onions. We'll see how they turn out. We also planted some flowers in pots. When I was preparing the bed in the morning, Riley went in and out the back door to play and played with her ride-on/push toy and even walked it to the back of the yard. Later, when we were planting, she helped out by quality controlling the dirt and petunias by taste-testing them. She also shook up some of the seeds in their envelopes so they were well mixed for us to plant. She loved playing with the water. By the end, she was soaked and dirty, just the way to end a good time gardening.

Flying High

It was such a nice day that I decided to come home early and we went to the park and flew a kite. Ah, Feb 25th and flying kites on a 92 degree afternoon.

Hail to Shorts!

This is what I love about Texas. In the fall, there's always that day that comes where you tell yourself with sadness, "well, this is the last day to wear shorts." In Texas this happens, but a few weeks later, you get to wear shorts again and then say it all over again. This has happened at least three times this year. Today is one, with the temperature getting to 75, but with a dip tomorrow in the 60s. This keeps happening, and before long, it's late Feb or early March and you can wear shorts everyday. Becca misses the seasons and snow, but if all the snow I saw (and shoveled and drove on) was during winter trips to Albuquerque or Utah, that's fine with me. Here's to shorts!

Good Day Sunshine

She'll rise, and most of the time she'll shine. But not yesterday. Riley is usually so happy when she wakes up in the morning, or from a nap. I'll hear her moving around and making noise so I'll go in her room to get her out of bed. As soon as she sees me she gives me a fantastic smile and starts bouncing up and down while holding on to the rails of her crib. But then there are other times . . . . like yesterday. She woke up crying, and nothing I could do would console her. All I wanted was a cute photo of her in her new eskimo PJs from Alicia. But these are the best I could get.

And speaking of eskimos, now that we're well into December, you'd think we could get a little cold weather around here. But the expected high today and tomorrow is 84 degrees. It's crazy! I can just hear my Mom in Utah telling me to stop complaining. She hates winters up there. So just for you, Mom, I'll quit wishing for cold weather and enjoy the warmth while it lasts.

Flip Happy

On Saturday, we headed out to find Flip Happy, which was featured on Throwdown with Bobby Flay (food network). They serve savory and sweet crepes. The reason I say "find" is because they serve you out of an Airstream trailer, but you have to find it first. It used to be in a parking lot behind some building, but the location we had was out of date so we had to stop and Becca's hair salon and found out that they had moved (not too far, but pretty cool that a whole restaurant can move). This place is probably the most "Austin" we've found - open, relaxed, a little weird, but good and fun. It's pretty popular, since I stood in line for about 30 minutes to order and then we waited 20 minutes for our crepes to get made (it seems like we went at the busiest time), but it was a nice day and nice to just sit and relax and make it an experience.

I had the "cuban" - pulled pork, cheddar, pickles, mustard and tobasco crepe and a lemon curd with berry sauce crepe for dessert and Becca had a ham, gruyere, morney, and scallions crepe with a vanilla pastry cream and berries crepe for dessert. Yummy!