Duke gardens

The kids and I spent the day at Duke today enjoying the gardens, playing some soccer, climbing some trees and watching a women's basketball game. Jeff was still away on his work trip but that didn't stop us from enjoying his alma mater. Emily's friend came with us as well. 

Some monkeys in a tree

Our tree. Jeff and I had a tree while we were in college that we carved in the gardens. We have been unable to locate that tree and the carving through we do acknowledge that 17+ years of tree growth would likely cover it up. Our old one said JB+KB inside a heart. And now we have a new one. 

Duke basketball game

Jeff was home from Salt Lake City for the weekend and as luck would have it, we were given two tickets to a Duke Men's basketball game! This has been on our Raleigh bucket list since we arrived (and before). We had tried getting tickets to previous games, but they are so expensive. Last time Jeff was at a game was when he was a student at Duke where tickets don't cost an insane amount, just some camping outside the stadium. He even took me to a game when I visited him at Duke in college. Anyhow, it was an amazing experience to be back inside Cameron for a men's game (against Maine). 

There is a lot of construction going on on the walk to the stadium from parking and the diggers, especially this daddy and son digger, were just too cute to not take a picture. 

NU v Duke football game

Duke was playing Northwestern at Duke this year. Being a divided house for this game, we went to the game to support both teams. Aaron and I had on both NU & Duke gear. Kyle and Em don't have NU gear that currently fits them so they were decked out in Duke. And Jeff was in Duke gear of course. The game was loads of fun despite the blazing temperatures and zero shade. Northwestern pulled off a great win though Duke did look good. 

Family football game selfie

Aaron with his NU shirt and 5 Duke hats. Because you need 5 hats. 

Duke game

Today was a beautiful day so we headed up to Duke. We enjoyed hanging out around campus and even took in a women's basketball game at Cameron Indoor! It was cool to be in Cameron especially after the men's team had a great game the evening before against Notre Dame. Anyhow, Aaron was especially into the game clapping along, cheering and following the crowd for free throws.

Friends and a Duke game

Moving to a new city is difficult. Not knowing anyone is difficult. Kari helped change that for us. She had some friends who had just moved from Illinois to Raleigh with kids similar in age and connected us. Long story short, they are awesome and we have all become fast friends. 

Being so close to Duke, Jeff's alma matter, we took in a Duke football game together. Jeff had taken Kyle & Emily the previous weekend (Aaron desperately needed a nap) and raved about how much fun it was so we all went this weekend. 

Afterwards, the kids cooled off at the apartment complex swimming pool. 

The kids climbing trees at their house. 

They also let Aaron borrow some train tracks as he took a huge interest in them at their house. Aaron is just loving trains these days now!!