A True Gift

For my birthday...and Thanksgiving... I wanted a get-away with the family.  I didn't want to cook or clean...I just wanted to relax, eat and enjoy the days off.  So we headed back to Lakeway Resort in Austin, Texas...again this year.  But this time we were joined by my sister and her family and Jordan and Chris flew in from Scottsdale, Arizona.  There were 10 of us and it was pure relaxation and fun.

Chuck and I arrived around sunset and the others all arrived a little later. 

After everyone checked in, we grabbed a bite to eat then rearranged the furniture in the lobby for a couple of games of Chicken Feet.  Which, if you don't have Chicken Feet, go out and get it. 

 It's the perfect game for all ages and intellectual abilities.  

 Chuck uses strategy and I don't.

  Sometimes he wins, sometimes I do. 
Let's let Chuck think his strategy works.

We woke up on Thursday morning to a solid wall of fog. 

The fog burned off and the day was gorgeous.  Our dinner reservations were for 12:30...so some in our group...Chuck....hurried down to the All You Can Eat Breakfast buffet...because it was complimentary with our room package.  I slept in and drank coffee and worked up an appetite.

Because it was a 3 room long buffet....appetizers, cheese and bread, salads, vegetables, meats including turkey, ham and prime rib, and desserts....it took a while for all of us to get our first round of food.  We decided to start eating and at some point when all of us were back at the table, we said a blessing.  And in keeping with the Hackney Family tradition, we go around the table and take our turn saying what we are thankful for.  This year I am thankful for adult children....the baby is now 21 so they are all adults.

   

I am thankful for my sister.  And thankful for our husbands...

for their hard work which affords us this trip together. 

Adults.

My nephew was seated directly across from me.

  This is the view I had of him. 

I am thankful for all you can eat dessert buffets...

where the leftovers stayed behind. 

I got my piece of pumpkin pie...

but not the whole pie. 

Which I would have eaten

if I had been at home.

Thankful.

Although I'm sure that guy is a delight.

I'm thankful that these two took time and money to spend Thanksgiving with us.  We are still getting to know Chris and he is still getting to know us.  So with every visit we are bonding more.

We had a little photo op after dinner.  After 20 shots this is the only one where one of us isn't talking, blinking or looking away. And by one of us, I mean me.

After dinner but before the 7:00 kick-off for The Game (Texas A&M and UT...for those of you not from here)...we all headed in different directions.  Some napped, some went to the movie, some played Chicken Feet.  All met back up at 7 in the Sports Bar to watch the game. 

Texas A&M, Class of '07

Texas A&M, Class of '07 joined by Class of '10

I love this photo.  Will is staring at Cameron's moving mouth.  He didn't sit here long.   Like me, we can't really watch football.  Too much movement and somebody always loses.  We didn't make it until halftime before we left the area. 

Apparently, the somebody that lost was our team.  See?  I told you.  Somebody always loses.  yuck.

This 3 day get-away was a true gift.  Thank you, Chuck...and Jordan, Chris, Cameron, Will, Catha, Kim, Jack and Mark.  Hug.