We are back from a few days in Austin wherein we gave thanks and ate food and spent some good ole quality time together as a family. This was our third annual go-away Thanksgiving. The trip is important to Sterling and I because it gives us a block of uninterrupted family time. Also, it means we don't have to cook or clean up -- so the trip encourages the lazy. Win/win.
Seeing as how two of our children are heading for a quick exit from Texas for college, we thought it might be fun to soak up a little Texas history -- so we headed to Austin and stayed at the historic Driskill hotel. The hotel is walking distance to just about everything you need...so just park your car and start walking. Parker loved that part -- all of the walking. And no, I'm not being sarcastic.
There are lots of cool stories about the Driskill. The guy who built the Driskill lost his grand hotel in a poker game!! Boy howdy was his wife angry. Also, this is the place where Texas governors (and Texas governors who run for President) await election results. Even Rick Perry. But we stayed there anyway. The rooms were nice...except you could tell it was really historic because the bathrooms were quite tiny. As in you could have fit about 6 of our hotel bathrooms in our current master bathroom. But I'm not complaining because I'm a Texas girl through and through.
The kids thought the place was super fancy anyway.
But back to the walking. Thursday morning Sterling and Parker and I took a walk around while the girls slept in. I was testing out some spots for photos.
As it turns out...those shady trees make taking a pic in front of the capitol building quite difficult. Also, why did I cut off PJ's feet? Why?
After our Thanksgiving brunch at the hotel we went back to the capitol with the girls.
We sat on the capitol lawn.
And Parker, with his ever present football, played a game of catch with his dad.
He really wanted a diving shot. So...here ya go...
I love how his eyes are closed and his mouth is open. Still, super cute kid.
But the best thing we did on Thanksgiving day?
A Segway tour of downtown Austin. Sterling has always wanted to try out a Segway, so when I saw something online about Segway tours of downtown Austin I immediately called. The company I originally spoke with told me that participants needed to be 14 years old and weigh at least 100 pounds. When I pressed them, citing Parker's exceeding maturity and responsibility, they said they'd take as low as 80 pounds...but nothing less. I gave up on the idea because PJ is 70 pounds soaking wet. However, when I saw a Segway group at the capitol building I marched Parker up to the guide and asked his professional opinion. He said Parker was fine. I called up the office and booked us on the next tour.
Parker took to the Segway like a fish to water. He was zooming circles around us before we figured out how to stop the darn thing. In fact, after the tour Parker said that was the best two hours of his life! So there! Also, we've all put Segways at the top of our Christmas lists. Santa? SANTA?
I can't recommend this activity enough. Sterling loved it. Parker loved it. And everyone in between loved it. Now that's rare...Segways and family harmony...discuss amongst yourselves.
Some other highlights of the trip? Walking to Whole Foods (many blocks away) in the pitch dark. Getting a sous chef to make Jordan mashed potatoes when there were none on the buffet. Watching Hugo. Eating movie popcorn for dinner. Seeing the representative and senate chambers. Mormon bridge in the hotel room. Licorice during the A&M/Texas game. Getting Jordan to go on a Chiptole run when we got home.
It was a fantastic trip, and I'm a little freaked thinking Jordan won't be with us next Thanksgiving.
Unless....our Thanksgiving trip takes a little detour to Utah.
It could happen.
I love you trip to Austin. Austin is great, the Driscoll is so fancy and with such cool history, the the capitol complex brings back such sweet memories of my hundreds of trips to the state archives doing genealogy. I've always wanted a Segway. Well, I though I wanted a Segway. Glad to know it was fabulous. Santa? Charlie Theodosis went home to Houston for Thanksgiving just this week. Jordan could do that too. Of course, I'd rather you came here. Maybe I'd get to see you guys. I'd love that.
Happy Thanksgiving Sarah, Aren't you glad you have so much to be thankful for! I love you guys.
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Posted by: Aunt Mary | November 26, 2011 at 10:15 AM