So this is Christmas...

2007 was one of the tougher ones I’ve had in my life, yet I find myself looking very optimistically towards 2008. This was the first year we spent Christmas day alone. And when I say alone, I mean as just our immediate family: Catherine, myself, and the boys. Although I guess technically we actually did have an honorary guest: Jackson, a beautiful and big mutt who we looked after for James (the gym Manager where Catherine trains). We figured short of actually owning a dog, we could enjoy some of the benefits without all the hassle by just having them for a little while every now an then. So when James asked us if we could watch Jackson for a few days while he traveled for Christmas, it was a no-brainer. The boys are obsessed with Man’s four legged best friend, and Jackson is a strapping mix with a monstrous noggin’ and as sweet as they come. Just picture me sounding astonishingly similar to Dad saying “Bless your little heart” over and over to the pup throughout Jackson’s stay with us. We reminded Bair repeatedly that he has a cousin named Jackson to avoid any confusion later on.

J-Dawg and Catherine hit it off immediately. Catherine has a way of making any creature quite comfortable in her presence and they spent a good deal of time cuddling.

You knew I was gonna get mine too. It is true what they say about how far a good pup will go towards relieving stress. Jackson was a welcome and extremely pleasant guest and we’d have him back any time.

We hit the Trail of Lights this year again, which has become a good tradition. It’s basically just a mile long trail through a big park lined with light display after light display and various Christmas figurines and music. It’s free and as you can see from the electrified looks of excitement here, the boys love it, and thus: so do we.

Christmas Eve and Christmas itself were both sunny and bright, so Cal did his best Bret Favre impersonations while Bair worked on his canine training skills much of the time.

“Blue! Forty-Two! Hut…Hut…Hike!”

“SIT!!! Jackson…SIT!” And occasionally: “SIT! Benny…SIT! Good dog.”

Auntie Jen was out-and bravely at that-again just shortly after her emergency appendectomy and took a break from studying for the Boards. Despite the frigid sub 50 degree temperatures, Bair insisted he show her his biking prowess. So wearing a wonderfully coordinated outfit he did an impromptu show at night and wowed the cul-de-sac with his rapid pedaling and suave smirks that can only be interpreted to say “Ciao!”

Christmas morning stockings and presents were subdued but, incredibly, stickers, a weird talking-learning-caterpillar thingy, and Thomas the Train was all it took to make the boys realize it was a day unlike any other.

But the real prize went to Catherine; as you can see right here. (Thanks Kevinda!)

A walk along the lake with Jackson, Auntie Jen, and a near perfect day warm and breezy capped off a great holiday and a much needed break for all of us to just hang out and look forward to another year.

Without Catherine-who does more than she could possibly know to keep me sane when I would otherwise have gone off the deep end long ago-and coming home to Bair and Cal every day, 2007 might not have been such a pleasant memory, and 2008 might look that much more daunting. But 2007 seemed good to me and 2008 does not seem so scary anymore these days. As the wise Cederic said awaiting his fate as a top 10 finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance” (where so much of my inspiration comes from): "I’m at peace."

Happy Holidays!

Nostalgic November

My posts are certainly not as fluid as others tend to be, but I just like certain pictures. And really, let's face it: you do too, as evidenced by you viewing this blog now. Something about this one of Catherine I just liked. She's clearly giving me grief about photographing her, probably mad because she was unable to primp and prep and ham it up. But she doesn't need to. That day was a crisp, clear Novemember day and we had gone to a favorite cafe on Lake Austin, and she just seemed to glow. Such a pretty gal and such a pretty day! There's juts something nostalgic for me about November.

We spent Thankgiving in Albuquerque with Jen & Co - Lexie, Ellie and Trixie. Which was perfect because the boys LOVE dogs. L-O-V-E. Obsessively...Bair and Lexie are two peas in a pod and spent a good deal of time harrassing each other or staring out the window at the snow (something Bair has not seen much of between San Diego and Austin).He also discovered doggy doors, and has a particular affinity for them as well. Go figure...

Cal is a thumb sucker, and loves dogs - none more than his dog blanket he's holding here.

Don't know who was originally behind it, but a huge debt of gratitude is owed to the creator of Elf Yourself. Awesome. Truly awesome.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1179062391

I accidentally hit a cone...

SCENE: Driving along a Utah Interstate en route to McCall in the '84 Chevy van which, from an aesthetic view point, I am incapable of easily categorizing. Still, I'll try: It was a big beast of a thing; maroon with a horizontal white stripe a couple feet thick running its length. I once got out of parking ticket at Doherty by questioning the professionalism of the attendant. In the field on the ticket for vehicle description he had simply written "ugly" (true story). Had they actually checked, I would have lost my case because that van was indeed ugly. You get the idea.

A teen aged Aryn is driving the beast at highway speeds through a stretch of road under construction, I'm riding shotgun, the rest of the gang in various states of bored consciousness in the back seats. Dad was asleep in the very back. Aryn and I (not sure which one) decided to break up the monotony a bit by seeing how close she could get to those traffic cones lining the right lane which, of course, cars normally try to avoid. As a teenager, it always sounds like a good idea.

Aryn inches over in her lane.

Aryn: "Did I get it?"
Me: "No"

She straightens the van again, and begins to inch back over as we approach the next cone.

Aryn: "I get that one?"
Me: "No, another few feet over."

Again, she inches over.

"Did I get it?"
"No. A little more."

And on it went for several cones. Each time we were a good few feet away, and I was getting frustrated at the lack of effort. Aryn would veer over only slightly, never really giving us a fair shot at hitting a cone.

Me: "You're not even close. A few more feet over - you're only going a few inches."

And then all of a sudden, with a resolute and textbook Fitzwater grimace of determination she veered in a major way to the right.

SHWUUUMP! BGUUUMP! BUMP! SCRATCH! BUUUMP! The beast plowed over that poor cone which was a thick plastic and a good 2-3 feet tall making all kinds of thuds and bumping noises as it bounced and smashed its way straight down the middle of the van's undercarriage.

Silence from Aryn and I as we looked at each other for a moment and at the mangled cone bouncing out on the highway behind us...then came the inevitable.

Dad (rustling up from his slumber in the back and peering forward with hair looking like it'd just been flow-bee'd and the textbook Dad grimace on his face): "WHAT WAS THAT!?"

Aryn (after a long pause): "I...uh...accidentally hit a cone."

Thanks for the memory (and sorry to tarnish your previously unblemished record)! It was great to have you visit - you are ALWAYS fun to be around, and we miss you. Happy Birthday, Sister!

Bubbles

Thank you to my siblings who have sent a wide array of toys, clothing, candy, etc. to Bair & Cal. After some extensive trial and error, we have determined that the favorite item is bubbles. And why wouldn't they be? I think I might love them more today than when I was a kid myself. Bair was absolutely horrified the first time he encountered bubbles. He would get that look of sheer terror that only a child can seem to pull off every time I pulled out a bottle of bubbles. Then one time I surprised Bair with a slew of bubbles before he knew what hit him, and he soon began to grasp the concept. They are light, fluffy, floaty, soft, almost invisible, and certainly seem to do you no harm when they pop on you. Now he love bubbles, and insists we blow some on a fairly regular basis. Bair catches them, blows them back into the air, tries to bite them, and sometimes just does a funky spin-jump-dance thingy while the bubbles swirl around him. He does not have the vocabulary yet to intelligibly explain what the purpose of this motion is, but it seems to bring him a great deal of satisfaction. Cal was never afraid of bubbles, and pretty much just stands there wide-eyed and says "OH!" which is 1/4 of his collective vocabulary (he also says "dg" for dog, and of course, the babbling "mamamamamama..." and "dadadadadadada..." The "OH!" - as far as we can tell - is for awe and excitement, and it sounds kinda like the surprised grunt an adult might make who has just been tagged in the groin by a soft football unexpectedly. Not totally in pain, but a bit surprised and mildly anxious at the same time. He smiles after each "OH!"

Brothers and Prayers

Younger brothers...

Older brothers Brothers...

And prayers...

I believe in the power of prayer. Now, I have had plenty of experiences that might have made me sway one way or the other on the subject. But to this day, there are just two times that always stand out and make me a believer. One I don’t remember, but am reminded of it daily when I think about my brother. The other I will never forget.

When I came into this world I had three older sisters (whom I love dearly) and a little while later came yet another sister (also, dearly loved). People still gasp sometimes when I tell them I have four sisters. But this post is about brothers and prayers. I’ve been told the first following story, one I that I don’t remember, but like to believe is true.

As a 5 year old little boy, when my mother was pregnant with number 6, someone walked in on me in my room one night. I was down on my knees and praying fervently for this child to be a boy. I loved and still do all my four sisters and have no doubt it was by divine design that I have them. But the Heavens knew that I needed my baby brother, and I needed that prayer to be answered. So I believed, and I got my brother. And thank God for Schuyler, who Heaven knows, 25 years later and now states away, I still need.

The second prayer that I know was answered was a while later, but again, at a time when I needed my little brother. I was playing in our basement when I heard the commotion upstairs. I vividly recall the look of panic in a friend of my brother, Gary’s eyes as he frantically looked for help. Then my memory takes me to an unfamiliar old woman coming to our front door solemnly telling someone to call 911. And just as vividly I recall running out onto our front lawn to see the commotion at the intersection next to our house. A car stopped in the road with a shattered passenger window; a bike with a twisted frame; and people huddled around the kid lying in the street. No, no, no! Not Schuyler...My heart sank to a deep place where it has been only a few times in my life. "I need my brother," was all I could think. I remember much of the rest of that day well: the firemen first to arrive, and the look in Schuyler’s eyes as he was attended to by the medics, by then on the floor in our house.

Schuyler would be fine in the end as it would turn out – some pretty bad gashes, stitches, broken bones and just pretty banged up all around. His collar bone had broken and fortunately in just such a way as to avoid much more serious consequences. But I did not yet know how bad this was going to be.

My last and strongest memory of that day is after Schuyler had been taken to the hospital, and I could not get the impression of him and his face lying there hurting, and me feeling helpless to do anything. I was scared. I knelt down, remembering that heaven had once known I needed my brother. I thought if I could just remind God that I still needed him then he would be OK. He would have to be. I was terrified and crying as I offerred up another prayer. I still needed my brother. That prayer was answered. So I believe.

Now I have two little guys of my own. We were secretly hoping Cal might be a girl. But when he was born, I was taken back a bit at my joy at him being a boy, because I know as well as anyone ever could that in some cases a big brother just needs a little brother.

I can’t possibly fit the great things about Schuyler into a post, and don’t think he could ever understand anyway why I need him and look up to him as much as anyone I’ve ever known.

So I thank God for brothers and prayers, and today, as every day, for Schuyler. Happy birthday, little brother, I love you.

I miss her.

Just don't feel like writing.

I can't muster up much to get me through these posts. But I always love pictures, and that's really why I started this thing - so my extended family can see my family. We just got back from a trip to home. No matter how long I am away, I can't help but still think of Colorado Springs as home. I guess I always will. It was good to be home for a few days. Really, really good.

Spotlight: AUSTIN TEXAS ("Baybee!")

All right you Squares! We thought in light of Aryn and Schuyler's fast approaching visit to Austin, we'd spotlight a bit of what this fine city has to offer. No one ever seems quite content where they are, and we've always gone to great lengths to pick fabulous places to live and experience. I was interviewing the other day, and the lady looked at my resume and said "Wow: Colorado Springs, San Diego, and Austin! Could you have possibly picked greater places to live?" Indeed, she was a wise one, and I don't know that we could have. So here's a BRIEF (yes, it is a big post, but doesn't even begin to do this place justice) sampling of one of America's finest cities. Enjoy!Above is the downtown sky line as seen across Lake Lady Bird (formerly Town Lake: Named after the late former First Lady: Lady Bird Johnson - R.I.P). Yes, this town has a rich political history. The "Lake" is actually part of the Colorado River, and a series of dams for regulation and flood control create a system of 7 lakes within minutes of Austin where you can swim, ski, boat, relax and otherwise just play away to your heart's content. Below is a view from a popular hiking spot of Lake Ausin, just up the way from Lake Lady Bird and within Austin's city limits.In addition to the lakes and rivers, the area is ripe with streams, creeks, and natural springs. The next couple photos are of Barton Springs pool - a public swimming hole naturally spring fed. It is set nicely just outside downtown Austin and features rolling grassy hills and a 2 meter diving board as well as some natural and rock areas for sun bathing.

Next we have Krause Springs, another spring fed water playground just outside of town (there are tons of places like this one). Privately owned, you can get in for just a couple bucks a person and enjoy the picnic grounds, spring fed pools, and rope swings. Or just grab a tube and float your cares away!Kayaking and canoeing are quite popular on Lake Lady Bird. And if you are wondering, yes, Austin is in Central Texas and yes it IS this green and vibrant. Cacti and desert are hard to find. Lush greenery and water, however, is everywhere! And the climate is much more moderate than say, for example...um, I don't know, let's just throw out random places like Colorado, Las Vegas, or Sacramento. And while I can't and won't argue Southern California's climate, the cost of living and air quality here is superb.Waterskiing on Lake Travis - the largest of the lake systems (and a 15 minute drive from our house!) is a recreational hot bed - over 60 miles long the lake weaves and bends through scenic Texas Hill Country and features some of the ritzyest vacation homes around. A lazy day of tubing in the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers between Austin and San Antonio is yet another great way to spend a day on the water. Kids in tow and everything. (Depending on the timing, this could be a sweet spot for young single guys and gals (eh, hem: Schuyler & Aryn) later there is a photo for Schuyler, so keep reading to the end, Bro.Runners, families, pet owners: Lake Lady Bird trails downtown are always filled with walkers, runners, kids and pets enjoying the great climate. Free watering stops and launch pads for Dogs to swim out fetching balls are abundant.Anyone like to bike? Hike? Explore? There is so much more than this, but just a taste of what life on this planet can be. Again, you'll note the dry, bland, remote dusty landscape...oh, wait, nevermind. It's not here.Like sighting celebrities? Well here are just a few who frequent Austin or call it home. Of course we all know Mr. Armstrong and his buddy Matthew.

Sandra, ah yes, Sandra. We just watched Two Weeks notice again last night - good show. Sandra recently opened a quaint little restaurant in town with her sister. Austin has a rather large and growing film and music industry - all the glitz and glamour without the drama and shenanegans of Hollywood. G.W. 'Nuff said. Love him or hate him, like I said, there is a rich political and cultural history here - a great environment for enrichening and challenging minds - like for example those of our children.Ever heard of Andy Roddick, Aryn? One of Austin's most proud residents and eligible bachelors. And you can play tennis outside year round here. Austin is also the Live Music Capitol of the world. When I flew in to meet with my company before we moved here, I stepped off the plane and was pleasantly surprised to walk right into a live performance of a local band. Yeah, in the airport in the middle of the day during the week. Music is king in Austin. Below is Wilco playing the Austin City Limits festival (just held last weekend). A three day festival featuring hundreds of bands - would anyone like to see them live?Maybe you prefer this guy? He plays here often too. Mmmmm.Sorry, Oliver, had to do it for Tiffany. If football is your thing, well you might be interested in one of the nations premier programs located here. Some of you might remember this little college football moment. And Barrett, don't worry - you guys are looking great this year, even if your QB's name is Booty.Which brings us full circle to the tubing - one last ditch effort to motivate Schuyler!We hope you've enjoyed this little picture tour. And a shout out to Aryn and Schuyler for finally heading this way (although Dad & Linda take first prize for having visited long ago. Bair still asks about Banjo, Maud, and Cowboy!) Now, we haven't even begun to touch on so many of the great things around here, like the Domain (high end shopping district), IKEA, outlet malls, and South Congress eclectic shopping district. Or how much house $200K, $300K, and $400K or even $100K can get you in the area (hint: it's probabbly a LOT more than where you are). Or maybe we should mention the award winning public school systems, or the solid growing economy? And on and on. But I've spent so long typing and its the weekend so I think I'll leave you with a list of how Austin ranks while I go enjoy some of the great things you've seen in this post. How does your city rank?

How Austin Ranks as Best Place to Live:
Rank* - List - By
1 - Best Big City Places to Live -MSN House & Home
2 - Best Large City for Relocating Families - Worldwide ERC & Primacy Relocation
3 - Cool Cities - Kiplinger
3 - Top Growth Cities - U-Haul
3 - Great Places to Live - Life 2.0
4 - Fastest Growing Cities - Men's Journal
4 - Smartest Cities - Men's Journal
5 - Most Educated Cities - MSN Encarta
10 - Interesting Neighborhoods - Travel-Leisure, America's Favorite Cities
11 - Best Places for Singles - Forbes
18 - Top US Destination Cities - U-Haul
22 - Top Rated Cities - Cities Ranked & Rated
26 - Brainiest Cities - American City Business Journals
27 - Best Cities for Families - Child.com
27 - Best Cities for Seniors - Bankers Life and Casualty
28 - Large Kid-Friendly Cities - Population Connection
32 - Fiscally Fit Places - Sperling's
35 - Best Places to Live -Men's Journal

Love,

The Fitzwaters

Austin, TX, U.S.A., Earth