Mount Saint Helens

In July we took a day trip up to Mount Saint Helens with my aunt Sheri and cousin Connor. Basically it was a perfectly beautiful sunny day in the Pacific Northwest so here are a bunch of pictures of our great day!

Ranier Cherries stand at the side of the road? Yes please!

Mt Adams and Mt St. Helens

Puffs of smoke coming off. Connor was afraid she might erupt while we were there.  We assured him she would not.

The Gang. Sheri, Connor, and Dustin

Mt. St. Helens from Coldwater Lake

Just another perfectly sunny day in the Pacific Northwest!

Resolution Check In

Can you believe that it's September already!?! While August felt FOREVER long, I can't believe that we are 2/3 of the way through this year.  It's crazy!

Remember those Resolutions we set at the beginning of the year? Time for a check up!
Let's see how we're doing...

Goal #1: Save Money.
I am happy to say that we are right on track with where we need to be to meet our goal at the end of the year! Also, if things go as planned, my student loan will be paid off next month, meaning it will be paid off in half the time.  I love paying things off in half the time! If only we could say that about Dustin's student loans as well...

Goal #2: Lose 50 lbs.
Ha. Hahaha.   Bahahaha.  In February losing 5 pounds a month was doable. Too bad I didn't really work on it until June.  It's been a slow journey, but we are getting there.  I joined Weight Watchers and I have to say, I love their program.  It's slow.  So very very slow. But I feel like this is a program that I could do for the rest of my life.  You can eat real food.  You can eat whatever you want.  And you can lose weight.  So far I am down 17 pounds.  As long as I can average 2ish pounds a week for the rest of the year, then I can make my goal, but I won't beat myself up if I don't get all the way to 50 pounds.  I'm happy with my progress and with any more to come. 

Goal #3: Dustin pass all his classes.
Well, there was one class he had to retake, but just the final at the end of the next quarter.  And he passed it then, so sure, we can say we're good on this one. :)  This quarter has been rough and next quarter will be even worse.  Fingers crossed and minds a studyin' for the rest of the year!

Goal #4: Brianne read a book a quarter.
YES! I have done this goal. So glad I set it! This year I've read Bossypants, The Great Gatsby, and Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief. Currently working on Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters and next quarter will be The Help.  Any other good book recommendations?


Goal #5: Daily Scripture Reading.
Epic Fail.  Recommitting right now. So far, doing great this week.

Goal #6: Make new friends/hang out with current friends.  We're doing ok.  But I think there is room for improvement.

Goal #7: Brianne piece a quilt a quarter, finishing 2 for the year.  Have I posted any quilting pics lately? Maybe I should do a post on that.  First quarter- yellow/gray chevron, second quarter- baseball quilt, third quarter- pink/green 4 patch for Kendra's baby girl due Thanksgiving, should finish it up this week so I can contemplate quilting it myself or hiring it out, and a cuddle strip quilt (2 quilts this quarter!)

Goal #8: Dustin find a new hobby.  How about studying?  That should be his new hobby.  Oh wait, he DOES have a new hobby- feeding the fish.  He loves our fish, Rambo and Chuck Norris.  Fish are his hobby.  Check.

Goal #9: Go on a vacation.
YES! DC was such a great trip and I'm so glad we got to spend time with family! We've had mini vacations here and there too.  It's been a good year for us!

Closing up this quarter and one more to go! My how time flies!

July Date of the Month

If you've ever watched an episode of The Bachelor/ette, then you will understand this date card... and the concept of date cards in general:

Dustin,

Will you accept this Rose City?

Love,

Brianne

You see, on this hit Monday night show, the one seeking love asks those in competition for their love if they will accept their rose, therefore accepting their love and their continuation in the game.
 Portland conveniently happens to be called Rose City so we were able to spend a great weekend exploring different districts.
Friday night (though this wasn't really officially apart of the date) we visited the Humane Society to look at and play with puppies.  This is a very Portland thing to do.  Oregonians sure do love their pets.  It was a lot of fun and I thought little Twinkie was adorable.

We grabbed some grub in the Alberta Art's District which to me seemed like the Hawthorne District, but even more dread-locky.  So many hippies playing their guitars on the sidewalk.  Oh Portland.

Saturday morning we started our day with breakfast in the Gateway District at the Gateway Breakfast House.   This cute little diner was pretty tasty.  Even Obama ate here when he came through campaigning.  As we were eating I was already planning our next meal there.  Dustin's chicken fried steak was super delicious.

Next stop was the Hollywood District for a quick game of bowling at Hollywood Bowl.  We've had a summer bowling pass there this summer and while Dustin improved his skillz, I think I got worse...

Downtown was our next destination for a few fishy Moonstruck Chocolate truffles and a massage at an underground Spa Sasse.

After relaxing our sore muscles, we hit up the food carts just up the street and ate our gyro and beignets at Pioneer Square where we found a Ben & Jerrry's truck giving away free ice cream! Score! Before leaving downtown we stopped into a soda shop and found some funky flavors.

 We headed home and let Dustin do a little studying/napping before heading out for the evening - stopping in the Kerns neighborhood for some fresh tacos at Ole Ole!

Taking the bull by the horns at Ole Ole!

Our entertainment that evening was in the Pearl/Alphabet District enjoying a hilarious time at Comedy Sportz.

We ended the evening picking up a Portland classic- Voodoo Doughnuts.

Portland, you sure have a lot of crazies but we are having a great time here!

Pinning Ceremony

Dustin has now entered the clinic phase of Chiropractic School. Imagine a residency portion for doctors- this is the residency portion for chiropractors.  They work in the on campus clinic at first treating other students, getting real practice in.  Then they start working on non students.  Like me.  Or other family members.  And then they can go off site and treat even MORE patients.  Then they graduate and make money (if only it was that easy).

So to celebrate becoming chiropractic "residents" they have a pinning ceremony - officially putting on their white coat and receiving a school pin followed by light refreshments.

Not a lot of family/friend support came to the ceremony, so I was glad I could be there to be a part of this transition.  I expected those who were in attendance to clap/cheer/hoot&holler when their loved ones had their names read, much like a graduation ceremony.  Nope.  These people were stone cold silent.  It was sad. So when Dustin's name was called (note, C's aren't that far in so I was able to set a good example for those coming after) I gave a "whoo!" and people laughed.
I'm awesome.  See?

Congrats babe!  One more year til graduation! Whoo!