They Say It's Your Birthday!

Welcome back to the ramblings of team Thompson. Just in case you forgot who were were...having left Arkansas in the dust, we're a twenty-something couple living our dreams in Portland Oregon. While the boy spends his days in a vegan bakery and getting tattoos, the gal works in the field of nutrition and watches way too much Food Network, and the pup is a wonder lust blond bombshell who would rather spend time with her mom than with you-no offense. Rest easy, our posts aren't that important or life changing-but like most blogs, they make our everyday sound pretty pimp. Since the blog has been on hiatus let's bring you up to speed picture style.

My big sis got married on July 3, but we celebrated in style the weekend before

That's right, we showed up pole dancing novices, and left with enough

tip money to cover the trip.

Adel and I spent a month studying for the RD exam. Hooray we passed.

New credentials = mo monay!

Dustin and I don't eat animals, and we celebrated this at the 2010 Vegan Prom

that brought Try Vegan Week PDX to a close.

Dustin got a tattoo. Then he got another one. Then he got another one.

Then he got another one.

Now that we are all caught up, I would like to take this opportunity to shout "Happy Birthday" to my better half! This is the 3rd birthday Dustin and I have spent together, and they keep getting better and better. Can't wait to see what the next 365 hold. Hopefully more opportunities for blue wigs and hair green-those moments are always the best to share.

much love, the thompsons

Shannon and Robert are engaged!!!

I am so excited to report that my lovely sister and her sweet boyfriend Robert are now engaged! The big day is planned for July 3 which is truly fantastic considering we will be able to fly home for the entire week before the big day! I can't wait to welcome Robert into our family (not that he doesn't already hold a special place!) Love you both!

Just an Update

We finally have our computer back-woo hoo! I feel as though my thumbs have been returned to me. It looks like new too, which is a definite plus. Just thought I would give everyone an update as to what has been going on here in rainy Portland.

I am currently in my diabetes rotation with my favorite preceptor and it is going really well. I've also been able to see eating disorder patients which I'm finding energizing and draining all at once. After this rotation it's all hospital for a while. Eeek! In other news, I am so excited to report that yesterday morning I had the VNUS procedure on my right leg. After years of dealing with chronic leg pain I am hoping that this will fix it right up (at least for a few years!). It went really well-had some painful moments, but all in all I'm good to go. My leg is all wrapped up and I can't take the bandages off for 48 hours. I'm looking forward to tomorrow when I can take a gander at my battle wounds. Thank you for the prayers and texts (and flowers, Mom!) they all made a big difference in settling my nervous tummy.

Dustin has been so helpful, taking me to breakfast, bringing me water, fixing my plate, fluffing my pillows, calling me a gimp-he's such a sweetie. Other than taking care of me, he has been working hard and is still enjoying Le Hana. Speaking of...sushi sounds pretty good for lunch or dinner. Hmmm...

No Computer = Sad Thompsons

After all of the take downs, spills, drops, and oops-a-daisy moments, our laptop finally had to go in for repair. The repair man looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if he could get the spaghetti sauce out from under the mousepad. I guess he doesn't realize what we Thompsons are capable of! So this is my excuse for the lack of posts, and this one is coming from the OHSU library, hence the lack of pictures.

Just to update, we had a lovely trip home to Texas and Arkansas, and were able to spend much needed time with friends and family. We were sad to go, but have plans to return next summer for a wedding and hopefully some more time at Jeannie and Joe's new farm! I really hated having to use that soaking tub-I mean who enjoys relaxing like that?! : )

Dustin is back in the swing at Le Hana, and I'm slowly starting to get my act together for school. One term down and two to go. I'm starting to get a bit nervous because this is the part where all of the clinical knowledge that I have long since forgotten comes into play. Say a few prayers for me please!

We are all moved into our new apt and absolutely loving the east side of Portland. It's so much more "us" and we have had so much fun exploring it. All in all we are doing well. The only downside of Portland is the "no sun" policy they have strictly enforced. I don't mind rain too much, you just get used to it-but when there aren't ANY sunny days it starts to wear on you just a bit. Maybe I should invest in a sun lamp? I heard someone refer to the rainless days as those when the "beast is sleeping." Clever. True.

Our family stockings, thanks to our sweet Aunt Helen! That's a dog bone attached to Adel's.

Met up for drinks with Anna, Audrey, and Candace-and if you couldn't tell,

I've gotten fat since moving to Portland. : )

We are super excited to now be in the Belmont district of Portland!

Dustin cut us down a Christmas tree and put it into a planter-ha! It's my very first REAL tree! No Sis around to be allergic, so we took advantage...and it smells fantastic!

Who's that cutie amongst the Christmas trees?

Shauna, me, and Sam after that tree to our right fell on us.

Soaking up the fresh air in the mountains

Christmas carolers! And they even sang "I want a hippopotamus"

My first attempt at meringues. They tasted amazing! Yum Yum!

Happy Tofurkey Day!

Plate #1, using my save the planet napkins (thank you Megan!)

Punkin Pie anyone?

Field Roast (the equivalent of ham, without missing an oink!)

The infamous Tofurkey, stuffed with goodness

Celebrating the new tv by playing with the box while Dustin did set-up

Adel enjoying some time in the dog park

We celebrated Tofurkey Day in style this year. We pot lucked with our neighbors and friends. The food and wine were flowing and had a great time. We took a long walk yesterday (a feeble attempt at working off some of the pumpkin pie calories?) and soaked up some long awaited sun. We hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving break, and of course GO HOGS!!!!

Adel sneaking up for some love while I am blogging, had to add it!

Me, Anna, Audrey, and Candace getting ready to tour Sauvie Island Organics Farm

Picking fresh peppers to snack on!

Farm cat wanted a pepper too!

I couldn't quite reach the ripe pears

Sarah, Jamie, Nicole, Candace, Me, Kelly, and my sweet Brittany at the Food Innovations Center

This week has been lots of fun. Instead of rotations or class we went on field trips to an organic farm, a food innovation center, and P:EAR, a homeless shelter for teenagers. We were able to break into the OHSU kitchen and make the kids at P:EAR vegetarian shepherd's pie with fresh produce from the organic farm. A great way to remember everything Dustin and I have to be thankful for. Even though we won't be with family tomorrow on Turkey Day, we are renaming it Tofurkey Day and pot lucking with a bunch of vegetarians! That's what I'm talking about! Pics of the infamous "tofurkey" to come. : ) Happy Thanksgiving to all! We love you!