It began as a tradition in college... we would get together the Sunday before Thanksgiving and make our very own Friends Thanksgiving! Back then, we were all eager to try family favorite recipes and share with our friends.
Now... it's even better! We've changed the day to the Saturday before Thanksgiving... but it's still- Friends Only. Thanksgiving Favorites. Come HUNGRY! And now we not only share family favs- but we are practicing cooking them. So when we have to go to the "in-laws" and bring a dish, we're not so nervous!
Also there was a discussion at the main table about how this will be the best holiday meal they eat because it's just friends and not family. And not that there is anything wrong with family, but families tend to fight at holidays. and friends do not. at least not at dinner parties. And now with everyone getting married, they have to chose where to go, or go to 2 places in 6 hours. and there can be some tension. and sometimes inlaws are weird or do things "differently." so everyone was excited about our party. and it was fun.
And this is our 3rd annual as the Sawyer Family! It's a blast! I even break out our good china!! This year the invite list got so big, we had to borrow some of Ty's mom's china. It was great! Here's the set up....
the mantle
lots of white flowers (borrowed from a fancy church dinner the night before)
the main dining room table
a close up of the centerpiece and place settings. (those are mini pumpkins in the hurricane glasses)
The "card table" - this was set up where we have our "library" and two big leather chairs. So we just pulled the leather chairs up and added a table! It was fit for a king!
I loved that each table was kinda different. All were fancy. But each had its own centerpiece, napkins, etc. I love the napkins on this table! Wish I had bought more when they were out!
And the Round Table
added a gold table runner (borrowed from my Christmas collection) added vintage napkins (from MIL) and voila!
the TURKEY! (yes I should have taken the picture NOT in the bag- but I was a bit chaotic- and this is what you get)
Covered the Washer and Dryer with a table cloth and placemats- INSTANT Drink Area!
We had soda, sweet tea, water, hot apple cider, and fresh decaf coffee. I was smart and set the coffee timer to start brewing during dinner, so it was just perfect for dessert! of course, I did forget to put out the creamer- how embarrassing! didn't realize until I was cleaning up- but did notice how everyone was drinking their coffee "black" and couldn't understand why nobody wanted creamer. duh!
close up. because I am a nerd. please notice my freshly cut lime and lemon slices in cute little glass jars. thank you.
More flowers. love my pumpkin plate! hobby Lobby 80% off last year! (does anybody buy full price at Hobby Lobby? Why do they even start at full price?)
The Feast Begins!!
Ben and Parris
Brittany and Jake
Thomas and Kendra
Aline and Elias
Cari, Kim, and Jason
Julia and Robert (he loves pictures)
Me and Ty
The Dessert Table!!
I should have gotten a picture of all the food before we devoured it. But I didn't. It was good. We ate A LOT!!
creamed corn
broccoli casserole
cheesy hashbrowns
green bean casserole
chicken and dressing
sweet potato and cranberry delight
broccoli and cauliflower salad
rolls
gravy
turkey
you get the picture
And then the games began!! Oh how I enjoyed this part!
Can you tell I'm into it?? I was. I was ruthless. When I started winning, people threatened to not come back. I stopped winning then. On purpose.
Not really on purpose. but I did lose and I don't want to admit that I wasn't good enough to win, so I"ll pretend it was on purpose.
And then the kitchen fairies came and cleaned up my kitchen and hand washed all the dishes! and I thank them forever and ever! And they are invited back next year! thanks Cari, Kim and Jason!
Eric through the napkin ring.
dad not too sure about turning a year older
eric through the wine glasses 
Dayna. Darling Dayna 
Ty-- avoiding a picture
Joey asleep on the couch under a blanket of pillows 
Ty avoiding another photo (seeing a theme here?)
Dad through the wine glass
Eric close up
Wednesday night we went to hear my Uncle Brian sing. He is awesome and super fun!
Joey and I bonding. He also loves having his picture taken. 
Thanksgiving Day... tradition is to get up and go to the zoo. It's free, it's fun, and you get to walk around a lot before eating 3,000 calories in one meal.
Dad and daughter.
Ty clearly loved the cold weather.
In case you didn't get the full effect of his lovely ensemble.
Eric, Joey, Me, and Ty with the Penquins.
TURKEY's DONE
Dad trying to carve the turkey, save the juice, important things.
The table all set and lovely (I set the table, thank you)
Dinner is served!
Joey opted for a different angle.
YUM!
Thanksgiving was also Dad's birthday- so we sang Happy Birthday, blew out candles, and ate chocolate pie. YUM.
Favorite Cousin Alison came over! I miss her so much! I don't get to see her enough!! 
Oh, back at the table... another meal. Friday morning brunch. French toast casserole, egg casserole, lots of food. we ate a lot, can you tell?
Breakfast is served. Wow.
Then we walked outside to see my brother Eric had nicely parked the car sideways. Thank you Eric. That is very nice of you. Why is it that no matter how smart or successful you are, you always revert back to being a kid when you go home for the Holidays?
Friday night .... PCH class of 1999- 10 year reunion!
And that's the end of our pictures. 
lots of white flowers (borrowed from a fancy church dinner the night before)
the main dining room table 
a close up of the centerpiece and place settings. (those are mini pumpkins in the hurricane glasses)
The "card table" - this was set up where we have our "library" and two big leather chairs. So we just pulled the leather chairs up and added a table! It was fit for a king!
I loved that each table was kinda different. All were fancy. But each had its own centerpiece, napkins, etc. I love the napkins on this table! Wish I had bought more when they were out!
And the Round Table
added a gold table runner (borrowed from my Christmas collection) added vintage napkins (from MIL) and voila!
the TURKEY! (yes I should have taken the picture NOT in the bag- but I was a bit chaotic- and this is what you get)
Covered the Washer and Dryer with a table cloth and placemats- INSTANT Drink Area!
close up. because I am a nerd. please notice my freshly cut lime and lemon slices in cute little glass jars. thank you.
More flowers. love my pumpkin plate! hobby Lobby 80% off last year! (does anybody buy full price at Hobby Lobby? Why do they even start at full price?) 
The Feast Begins!! 
Brittany and Jake
Thomas and Kendra 
Aline and Elias
Cari, Kim, and Jason
Julia and Robert (he loves pictures)
Me and Ty
I should have gotten a picture of all the food before we devoured it. But I didn't. It was good. We ate A LOT!!
Can you tell I'm into it?? I was. I was ruthless. When I started winning, people threatened to not come back. I stopped winning then. On purpose. 
And then the kitchen fairies came and cleaned up my kitchen and hand washed all the dishes! and I thank them forever and ever! And they are invited back next year! thanks Cari, Kim and Jason!