Second Thanksgiving in Oregon

I ate THREE times this year and each dinner represented a very important part of my time in Oregon so far.

Dinner #1:  Ruggers

The Sunday before Thanksgiving, I met the ruggers of the Eugene Reign for some holiday festivities.  Lauren hosted us at her parent's large and lovely house.  We needed a big house to hold the entire team.  We each brought a dish to share, mine being the corn casserole.  One of the few dishes I know how to make. I always have an amazing time with the ladies and am so lucky to have this team as my family.  We played pool, told stories and ate a LOT of yummy food.

Me with ruggers Brittany and Amber.  Yes, I'm wearing a kitty cat Christmas Vest.  Thanks Janice!

Dinner #2:  Roommate

Steve and Kevin are probably my (Oregon) Best Friends and now roommates.  Steve and I had a very festive Thanksgiving day.

First we woke up to cheer on Whitney while she ran the Turkey Trot 10k since the route went right by our house.  We sat in the front yard and cheered for everyone who ran by.  Many runners detoured a bit to give us high fives.  We were the most entertaining fans on the route.  Lauren and her friend Neil joined us since they were wanting to cheer on their friend Kate who was running the 5k.  We have started a new tradition to cheer on Turkey Trotters.  I'd rather do that than run in the race.  Whitney is very inspirational though.  She was 2nd place in the women's division.  GO WHITNEY!!!

Whitney running past our house.

Shun, me, Steve, Lauren and Neil cheering on the Turkey Trotters.

We all napped after a long day of cheering on runners.

That evening Steve invited me to have dinner at his parents' house.  Jose, Clarissa and little Alonzo also joined us.  Steve's Mother made a delicious meal.  I don't know who ate more mashed potatoes though, me or Alonzo.

After dinner, Steve and his parents taught me how to play Mah Jong.  I don't know if it was beginner's luck or if I am a STAR at Mah Jong, but I won quite frequently.  I love playing board games and wished my family had played more when I was younger.  If I ever end up with a collection of small humans, I will play board games with them.  They will be Mah Jong masters too!

Dinner #3:  Manor Reunion

After my weekly Tysabri infusion on Wednesday, I stopped by the Corvallis Manor to say hello to the nurses, PTs and OTs.  While there, Mindy invited me to her house for dinner on Friday.  I was very excited to be able to catch up with them at her house.

It was a Manor Reunion!  Alex an OT and her husband were there as well as Shawn a CNA and his girlfriend.  Mindy's friends and family were there too.  Her kids are adorable.  Her daughter is a Mindy mini me and so very sweer,  Her son taught us all about Pokemon and beat us at a Pokemon game.  He may have cheated making up the rules as he went, but it was still fun.  I'm going to get some Pokemon games of my own and practice so that I can take him on someday.  All I need is my own Torterra card and I will dominate!!!

It was an amazing Thanksgiving and I am lucky to have been able to share it with so many different people.  The three Thanksgivings truly represented my 2011.  Although the majority of the year was pretty crappy, I do have amazing people in my life out here in Oregon.