I hear wedding bells!

Congratulations go out to my brother Joe and his lovely lady Brianna! They got engaged on Christmas morning!

Joe had big plans for New Year's Eve proposal, but, as I'm sure most men can agree with, once you've made a decision and that little ring is in your pocket, you can't wait to just pop the question.

Brianna was surprised and Joe was shaking with anxious excitement as her family watched the proposal -- she said YES!

I'm getting a sister-in-law! I'm excited for another family wedding, bridal showers and engagement celebrations. Not necessarily in that order :) Let the good times roll!

Congratulations, you two!

Team Thompson is thankful for friends!

It might be Christmas Eve, but I'm going to write about Thanksgiving. Finally!

We spent Thanksgiving with our friends Brandon, Heather and 2-year-old Eva Brackett in Santa Clara. As fellow imports from Washington, the Bracketts and the Thompsons have spent a few recent holidays together when we aren’t able to travel to see family.

We’re so grateful for the Brackets and their friendship. What’s funny is that although all four of us attended WSU at the same time, we didn’t know each other – well, we recognized Brandon because he was an RA for the residence halls – but we didn’t know him. I was introduced last year to Heather via Facebook by a mutual WSU Coug friend. This friend, April, knew Heather and I, living only miles apart as complete strangers, were both caught in a simply devastating situation: neither of us had someone with whom we could watch New Moon, the second movie in the Twilight saga. Well, following the fateful Facebook introduction, we met up at the movie theater and thus began a beautiful friendship :)

We went to the WSU vs. Stanford game in October and took our friends, the Elletts, too (far left). I'm sure we'll write about the Elletts soon! Pictured: Travis, Leigh Ann, Justin, Brandon, Heather, Laura and Ben.

Thanksgiving was a marvelous feast. Heather made the turkey, which Justin volunteered to carve, and we and others brought lots of yummy side dishes and desserts. We all ate until we were full to the brim, played tea party and blocks with Eva, watched Christmas cartoons and looked over Black Friday specials in the circulars before it was time to go home.

Thank you, Bracketts, for hosting and taking in those with family far, far away!

Happy Birthday, MOM!!

Happy Birthday, MOM!!

I praise the Lord for all the blessings he's given, especially for my momma and family. Mom - you're inspiring in so many ways. Life, in the last few years, has thrown some rather sizable wrenches in your bike wheels, but you've remained a "glass half full" kinda gal, and that's something I aspire to be myself. Your steadfast faith and continuous thanksgiving for all things shows through in your actions and words, providing me with a frequent reminder that Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).

Happy Birthday, mom! Thank you for all you do :)

Tough as nails

Hello my name is Christine and I’m a nail bitter. Yesterday was roughly my 48th day without (consciously) biting my nails to the nubbins.

However, just this last Wednesday while at work, I noticed part of my nail was rough around the edges. I thought I’d help round it out using my fine-tuned nail biting tooth. Before I knew it, the nail was gone. Then, within minutes, two more disappeared.

I was not happy with myself. Especially because they’re tender now…they’d been grown out long enough that my fingers had become accustomed to having more of a layer of protection at the tips.

I’m ashamed.

I’m even more ashamed as I write this because, as I was preparing pictures for this post, I noticed that the middle finger nail on my right hand has suffered the same fate. When this happened, I don’t know.

Here are pictures of my most recent work. I call them "Digits of Shame."

I’d like to point out that the ring finger of my right hand has a shorter nail because I filed it down after it chipped. I used an actual file! My thumb nails never really came along – I know I bite them during work, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays before my newsletter goes out.

Ah ha! It’s the newsletter’s fault. The newsletter made me do it.

PS - If you have an iPhone, you should download the Retro Camera app. It's awesome. These pics were taken using the FudgeCan option.

Happy Birthday, Joe!!

Happy Birthday, JOE!!

You've had quite a year, what with all this adult business you've taken on...getting a job, coaching a football team and helping out mom and dad as they both recovered from surgeries. I wish we lived closer together so we could take part in celebrating your recent accomplishments, but know that though we're far away, we're so proud of all you're doing and we're celebrating right along with you.


Keep on rockin'!

The Rabes visit their old stompin' grounds

Finally getting around to this post -- November has been a bit nutty for us as Justin started his six-day work weeks about three weeks before Thanksgiving. Also, in all honesty, I spend about 8 hours a day writing articles at work, so when I shut the compy down for the night, I often lack motivation to turn it on and write a blog post. Especially when Justin is at work on Saturdays, leaving me free to sit on the couch with a bowl of mac n' cheese and watch Twilight.

What?

Right, we'll get back to it.

My Aunt Kathy and Uncle Lou Rabe (who live in Illinois) came to visit us in early November. We were part of their travel circuit after they'd spent time with family in Washington celebrating Uncle Lou's retirement from the world of airline piloting. They were also visiting to celebrate Aunt Kathy & Uncle Robert's birthday (they're twins).

The Rabes came to California during the week, so we weren't able to play tourist with them, but we were able to spend the evenings together.

What's fun about the Aunt Kathy and Uncle Lou coming to the Bay Area is that they are quite familiar with this neck of the woods. Aunt Kathy moved down to San Francisco after college and Uncle Lou, retired Navy, used to be stationed at Moffett Field in Mountain View -- which happens to be a stone's throw away from our little place. Small world, eh?

The first night of the trip they came over to our place for dinner and I made Rachael Ray's Winter White Burgers. Now, listen to me when I say this, peeps. This burger is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. You forget how good it us until it touches your lips.

Here's the recipe: Winter White Burger

I use jalapeno jelly, just FYI.

The second night we went to dine at B Street & Vine, a fun little wine and jazz bar in San Mateo, for an evening filled with good conversation, fun appetizers, jazz and wine. We're so grateful the Rabes came to visit us down in California -- it's not often I get to spend 1:1 time with my aunts and uncles so I very much cherish these little moments we spend together.

Happy Birthday, DAD!!!

Happy Birthday, DAD!!!

This isn't just another birthday for you -- well to me it isn't, anyway. In your 63rd year, you have a refurbished heart that I would love to see give you 63 more years :) I don't know how Justin and I would be where we are today without you. We're thankful for your support, knowledge, motorhome, faithfulness, wisdom, encouragement, groundedness and, most of all, for your love.

Here's a birthday hug for you!