Friends Thanksgiving

Yesterday we celebrated our third annual "Friends Thanksgiving" at Drew and Tina's house.  Friends Thanksgiving was a little event that Max and I started when we moved to Denver.  No one is ever in town for Thanksgiving so we started celebrating Thanksgiving with our Denver friends/family on the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Every year the event seems to get bigger, more delicious, and more fun.  Friends Thanksgiving is quickly becoming one of my favorite weekends and holidays of the year!

We all gathered at Drew and Tina's around 2pm yesterday afternoon.  We spent the afternoon playing games in the backyard and snacking on all of the awesome appetizers that were brought.  Chance got plenty of attention. 

Kevin York made these amazing back yard games. This is my new favorite,  a giant connect four,  in K-State colors of course. 

Katie and I are still the reigning cornhole champs! Cornhole is always a backyard favorite. 

Tina and Callie trying to stay warm!

Nick entertained Chance while Max and I played cornhole.  Nick is the Chance whisperer.  It's amazing. 

Bret, Lauren, Megan, and Chance enjoying the outdoor fire.

Now, enought talk about games.  Let's talk food...Max and Nick began the turkey frying preparations. 

In order to make the perfect Thanksgiving turkey, you must first take your time and marinade it appropriately.  All of the flavor is in the cajun butter marinade.  So delicious! Max has perfected the art of turkey frying. 

Tina is queen of the kitchen.  She is an amazing cook.  I always take cooking notes whenever Tina is around. 

Megan and Katie chatting over what is left of our appetizer bar.  We had shrimp cocktail, a cheese tray, a vergetable tray, cookies, and so long rasberry dip.  All of it was so good.  I wasn't even hungry when it was time for dinner. 

Which is really a shame when the main course is as delicious as this. 

Max about to carve the turkey. 

Megan putting the finishing touches on the garlic mashed potatoes.

Drew feeding Callie.

Tina testing out the ham.

And now we're ready for the main course.  I think our mom's would be proud of us all.  We somehow managed to pull off a real Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, a few veggie casseroles, stuffing, and rolls. 

The table is set, dinner is ready to be served.

Our friends gather in to give thanks!

Tebow style :)

After dinner we all sat around talking and watching Chance and Callie play together in their pajamas.  They are so good together.  I can't get over how cute they are in their little striped pj's.

I wish I could have recorded them babbling to each other.  It's like they have their own little language.

A toast to two beautiful babies and unshakeable friendships.  We have much to be thankful for.