Well, our first Friendsgiving was an absolute success!
Our group of 21 adults and kiddos got together late Saturday afternoon for a festive Thanksgiving potluck dinner and it was just such a great time. My how our gatherings have changed over the years!
Shortly after we arrived, I was greeted with one of the most delicious drinks I’ve ever had, made courtesy of our master mixologist friend, Steve (the one who managed to get Sarah and I semi-wasted on watermelon margaritas a couple of years ago…).
This drink, however, didn’t even taste like alcohol. It was basically like drinking the most delicious apple cider ever. I’m not sure how exactly he made it, but all I know is that it included these three ingredients…
I can promise you that we WILL be attempting to recreate these at home. OMG so good.
So while the adults (responsibly) enjoyed their beverages and chatted away, the kiddos and the babies were doing their thing running around and having a grand old time.
Eventually, it was time to eat! Andrea and Brook did such a great job setting up the tables all festive and whatnot. They’re just too cute.
We had all sorts of amazing stuff, including the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, broccoli and cheese casserole, cranberry sauce, salad, and more.
I stocked up on a little bit of everything…
And so did Lucas.
“CHEERS to great friends and family!”
Shortly after dinner, there was dessert. Because, of course, you can’t have Thanksgiving without dessert.
There was apple pie, Andrea made another one of her famous ice cream cakes for Jeff’s birthday (which was on Friday), Mal made her pumpkin apple cobber, and I made some the pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting.
Everything was absolutely delicious and we certainly did not leave hungry that night!
After spending Sunday morning and the early afternoon at home, we packed it up and headed over to my inlaws’ house for dinner and to celebrate my father in-law’s birthday.
For dinner, we had our absolute favorite crockot pulled pork (<—that recipe uses chicken but it’s easy interchangeable), along with some homemade sweet potato fries and grilled asparagus.
For dessert, we all had some fun chocolate bars waiting for us on our plates. I haven’t opened it yet, but I plan on digging into it later tonight (it’s Sunday right now!).
And, of course, since it was a birthday celebration, there had to be cake! Ice cream cupcakes, to be exact. Mmm mmmm.
We all hung out for a bit after dinner having a grand old time and showing off new tricks, but we couldn’t stay too late since someone didn’t want to take his afternoon nap and was making it quite obvious that he was sleepy and needed to get to bed. I’m not naming names, buuuut…
So those were some of our weekend highlights! How about you guys? What was happening with you? Anything fun??
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Sears Brings More To You Giveaway Winners
Thanks to everyone who entered! The two lucky winners of a $50 Sears gift card are…entry #224 and #110:
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Jenn@Mark My Miles! says
Looks a great Friendsgiving and a great mix of friends and family to make for a wonderful weekend! Have a great week!
Torry @ A World Without Wheat says
It looks like your friendsgiving was a huge success – my girlfriends and I have one planned for next weekend. I have some scheduling issues right now so I am hoping I get to go!!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
that is quite the friendsgiving celebration!! well done – everything looks delicious!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Looks like a blast! Good friends, good food, awesome ;)
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Desserts look epic!!! Lucas looks so long in that last photo!!!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Looks like a great success! Enjoy that chocolate. :-)
Brynn says
I love Friendsgivings! Such a great idea to spend time with your best friends. We have a holiday party that I look forward to every year. And please share the drink recipe if you can! Yum!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
What a fun time! We started a (short lived) tradition of doing a Friendsgiving when we lived in Utah, and it was always a great time. I would love to start something up again like that. Mmmm, the drink sure does sound yummy. Sounds a little dangerous too… ;)
Jenn says
Nice cider glass! I love(d) the Pump Station!! Haven’t been in awhile, haha. I went to the Albany College of Pharmacy and just came across your blog today after someone posted a link to your pumpkin custard oats on Toneitup.com! Small world, looking forward to browsing your blog! And yes, the oats were DELISH. :)
Lizzie @ The Magic Tree says
I am obsessed with Stonewall Kitchen products. I always find them at TJ Maxx. I must find that Caramel Apple Butter – sounds like it would be good on/in everything haha
Ashley Pitt @ A Lady Goes West says
Fun! I’ve actually never done a Friendsgiving before, somehow my husband and I are never able to make the ones we’re invited to, but it looks like a great time. I’m glad kids are part of the show now. And those drinks sound delish!
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
The food looks amazing! And that apple cocktail sounds delicious – but dangerous!
Rachel says
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Omg, I’m SO EXCITED, but now I really don’t want to buy bras. POUT. I want to buy boots!!! But I really need the bras. The 2 I love are both missing a hookie thing so they are hanging on by one hook. I keep waiting for it to break while I’m at work! LOL! THANK YOU COURTNEY for your great giveaways. This is the first blog giveaway that I’ve ever won anywhere! :)
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Looks like a fun weekend! Any excuse to have more than one Thanksgiving dinner is a good excuse in my mind!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
How fun! I’m going to my first Friendsgiving this weekend and am so excited. I mean, who doesn’t want an excuse to eat Thanksgiving food more than once?
Ashley @ Sweet Carolina Belle says
Oh my goodness he looks so grown up in his button up shirt. Looks so much like a toddler!
Julie @ Better Life with Burgers says
What a fun weekend! So much delicious food. I’m so excited for the holidays to officially get started. This weekend was a good one but I slept terribly so I’m just eager to get some rest this week! Super easy with a five-month-old. :-)
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Aren’t Friendsgivings SO fun? I went to one this weekend, too, and had a blast! I defnitely stuffed myself to the brim with good food and drinks.
And speaking of drinks… that apple drink sounds amazing! The drinks that don’t even taste like alcohol are always the most dangerous ;)
Kay @ Kay Bueno says
Looks like so much fun. I love the idea of ice cream cupcakes. I’m going to have to scout some out for our holidays. :)
I should totally get some friends in on a friendsgiving next year, it looks like so much fun.
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers says
What fun! It sounds like such a great group of friends. :)
Courtney says
We really DO have an amazing group. We consider ourselves SUPER lucky!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
Wow Lucas has gotten so big! It’s so funny how gatherings change from when no one had babies to when most do! So fun! Glad you had a successful Friendsgiving..such a special time!
Courtney says
Yes, it’s so funny to see pictures as the years have gone on and the group has grown bigger and bigger. :)
Annette@FitnessPerks says
Lucas is looking so big lately! Wow, he’s totally a toddler now. Crazy how time flies!
I love that you guys did this with friends, what a fun celebration & tradition :) And those pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting? I’d be all over those for sure!
Courtney says
Isn’t it crazy?! I was thinking the same thing looking at those pictures…it’s like he’s just all boy now. No more baby!
Danica @ It's Progression says
This makes me really excited for the holidays. That chocolate bar is awesome, by the way.
Glad you had such a great weekend!
Courtney says
Yes, it IS awesome! Haha, I was super impressed ;)
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