Graduation!

Last Friday marked a HUGE milestone for Scott (and me)--graduation!  We wanted to share a few pictures that told a bit of the story of our day.  It was gorgeous outside, sunny and warm!  We really had a fabulous day with friends, professors and others that have been part of our journey.

Enjoy...

On our way to Baccalaureate

Dr. Redmann (seminary dean)

trying to get everyone together for a picture

faculty and seminarians

Add caption

Scott & Dr. Robertson

Scott & his good friend Chris

the Italian thinks a kiss is in order...

the dudes getting ready for Commencement Ceremony

Dr. Lockwood, President of the University

Woo-hoo!!  We did it!

It's official!

 Part 2 starts in August...

Blooms and Unprecedented Sun

The last 5 days have been amazing!  The sun has been shining and the temperatures have been rising since Wednesday from 68 degrees to a forecast of 84 today!!  It has been incredible and we know it's completely abnormal.  This is what we typically see late July into mid August.  We've switched into "summer mode" as the windows get opening at daybreak until we start to feel the warmth, then the windows, blinds and doors close to keep in the cool.  We know it isn't going to continue this way through the summer, but we WILL enjoy as much of it as possible!

Natural vitamin D, gotta love it!  The blooms in our little yard are loving it too, take a look:

all these different colored flowers are on the same bush

one of the many rhododendrons in the yard

azaleas

along the back fence

The Countdown is Underway

The last paper has been turned in.   There's one final to study for and be taken next week.  And next Friday, we walk together across the big stage with fellow students to receive the Masters of Divinity diploma!  This will mark 4 years of schooling, learning, stretching and challenges.

It's starting to feel a bit more real.  We have MUCH to celebrate!  And much to look forward to, as this isn't quite the end of school.  Scott will be continuing and starting his last program in the fall with the Masters of Theology here at Multnomah.  Twenty-four more credits, a thesis and some exciting times are ahead.

So let's get this party started!  10 more days.....

No, this is not the Dread Pirate Roberts robe, silly!  It's called "regalia"

the Cap (to hold in all the brains)

Me & Sharon, my Scottish buddy from my SEP program, we're both graduating with our hubbys!

Nuts?

This afternoon, I caught a glimpse of the sun shining and decided to take advantage of some free vitamin D.  I thought a brisk walk around campus would be nice (and close), so off I went.  Passing through the parking lot, a small critter caught my eye...a squirrel.  But it was holding (yes, HOLDING) something in its little paws that appeared round and white. 

Unfortunately, all I had was my cell phone, so the pictures aren't close up.  This squirrel had a small cup in its mouth that it carried across the parking lot to this tree.  Think "take-out container of sour cream to go with your burrito."  I have no idea what was inside of the cup, but I'm hoping he's not lactose intolerant.

There must be a shortage of nuts....

Inspiration from a 93 year old

Tonight we saw this story on our local news about a 93 year old woman.  Click here for the link and watch the video: http://www.kptv.com/story/20553684/93-year-old-inspriring-others-to-work-out

Many things are possible!

Second Snowshoeing Adventure

It was a cold and frosty fog-filled Saturday morning when we departed Portland for Mount Hood for another day of snowshoeing.  We were among a group of 13 other adventurers.  After a quick stop in Sandy, Oregon for a potty break and some Joe's donuts, we made our way to the SE side of Mt. Hood and the White River trail.  This is a very popular area for snowshoers, cross country skiers, snowboarders and sled riding.  The trail begins at about the 4300 ft level and rises to almost 6000 feet before it ends at the base of the summit of Mt. Hood.

The weather was weird.  It was actually about 20 degrees warmer at the mountain than in the valley in Portland.  Earlier in the week, temperatures on Mt. Hood were reported to be anywhere from 52 - 59 degrees.  Today was no exception.  The warmth was evident as we came across some on the trail, some folks were in t-shirts, another guy was in shorts, and some lady had a tank top!  Now, let us put our meteorologist hat on for you...this weather phenomenon is called an inversion.  What happens is cold air settles in the valley while the warm air stays higher aloft, creating colder foggy days and warmer sunny days on the mountain.

The day was absolutely beautiful; not a cloud in the sky.  Contrasted with the snow and the peak of Mt. Hood, it was a majestic sight to behold.  All in the company of some wonderful friends!  The trail was roughly 5 miles roundtrip with some steep climbs along the way.  We gained about 1200 ft in elevation, which is rather significant and we found ourselves experiencing the effects of the altitude, especially once we got past 5000 ft.

Here are some fun shots we wanted to share and a few videos:

Straight Ahead, people!

Hello Sarah!

Part of our group

Snack time already...thanks Sarah

First-timers

Michal is very excited!

Time to shed some more layers

The 4 trailblazers

Chris is determined to master these skis

They really don't want us to catch up...the tree is the goal

A cute little friend

Gorgeous!

The White River

 

Snowshoeing!

Another thing not on the list of "must-do's".  Snowshoeing.  It sounded like something other people do.  You know, the people who have all the "gear" and know how to use it.  Not only did we never envision we would go snowshoeing, we did not think a trip to Mt. Saint Helens would be in the same visit, let alone same sentence.

Our friend Jodi is quite the adventurer.  She also has adventurous friends.  We've had the privilege of meeting some of them AND they invited us to go SNOWSHOEING on New Year's day.

Chris is Jodi's co-worker and is rather well-versed in all things outdoor-sports.  Also reassuring was his frequenting of this little mountain/volcano he would take us to. Admittedly, I had no idea what we were in for, despite someone mentioning something about a 5 mile loop.  Five is a good number, right.  Not too much, not too little.  Here's the route, sans snow.

Lots of great memories ensued from the moment we left, and there would be no shortage of them throughout the day.  It was a very cold and windy day, however, the sky was bright blue with hardly any clouds.

Here is just a sampling of what we saw:

Gearing Up

First Reaction

Snow Blanket

A BIG snowball on top of a tree....weird!

Our Trail!

Our route for the June Lake Loop.  You Are Here.

We are seriously close.  South side of Mt. Saint Helens.

Gorgeous shot

and another...

Chris getting his mojo on x-country skis

...pictures still don't do this justice...

...God's creation...

Snow troopers

Scott's unplanned "sit-down"

"we're at the top!"

our view at the top--Mt. Saint Helens (south side)

tight zoom.  those black dots are snowmobiles!

the waterfall at June Lake

..."let me fix you a little hot drink.  Coffee, mocha, chai tea?"

Seriously.  Stop.

the 1 mile road back to the parking lot

Chris  (A.K.A. Pack Mule)

this is a real road sign buried in at least 6ft of fallen snow

A beautiful shot to end our day.

What a day!  Great company, a new sport, a landscape that takes your breath away, and a workout like no other. 

When are we going again, anyway?!