Ben's Birthday Bash

Ben's birthday was a little crazy this year. All 3 of us got the flu that week, so we were a little worn out by the time the big day came, but we still had fun.

Obvious grad-student presents: dress clothes and Duke gear :)

Ben was done with classes early so we ventured out for his lunch freebies.

Red Robin birthday burger a few days later

 Then he had time for a few snuggles before we headed to Fuqua Friday

Starting at 6:30 that night Ben had a consulting competition. They worked all through the night, without any sleep, and presented the next day. Their team did awesome, (I even got to see part of it) making it to the finals out of all Duke and UNC teams. Unfortunately by the time his competition was over he had about an hour before his party I threw for him. So the poor birthday boy was awake for about 40 hours straight.

All credit goes to the Busbys for helping me/making everything!

We had some of our MBA friends over for "Ben's Basketball Birthday Bash". Everyone came in Duke or basketball gear and we played Duke trivia jeopardy, mixed with mini-basketball and a little acting. We had mini brownies with icing to look like basketballs, mini red-velvet cupcakes (Ben's favorite) and fruit shish kabobs. So much fun!
Afterwards our friends, Ian and Chase, presented Ben with his gift. They are all such dorks together, it was cute.

 After the party. Excuse how absolutely haggard we both look.

My cute little birthday boy after his party....passed out while watching Minnesota basketball. It was a slightly exhausting birthday, but we had fun. Happy birthday Ben!

Autumn Mix

Just like a delicious autumn mix bag of candy corn....here's a mix of pictures from the past few weeks.

-Ben and I went to our very first Duke game at Cameron Indoor. It was a pre-season game, so not quite as crowded, but so much fun. It was surreal to be so close to Coach K! We felt like little freshmen, still trying to learn the cheers and just in awe at the whole thing. I also didn't realize there aren't even seats in the grad-student section, you just stand the entire game. My feet were a little tired and Ben was blocking poor short people's views, but we can't wait for the next game!

(No zoom, we were that close)

 -We voted in a swing state! And got to vote on Duke campus.

We also all dressed abnormally patriotic to church to encourage voting. (Too bad our efforts didn't really work)

-We got creative. Who knew pipe cleaners and cardboard with holes could be so fun!

I love her focus

-We got sick. The 24 hour flu hit all of us and it wasn't pretty.

 Love this. I came home from running an errand to find Paige passed out on the hardwood floor next to Ben studying. Anything to spend time with daddy :)

She slept a lot (demanding 2 blankets to snuggle)

 and had to bathe a lot

I had the "puke bowl" out for me and Paige decided it looked like the perfect chair. Thankfully I hadn't "used" it yet.

-We celebrated a gorgeous 70 degree day by playing with flour and baby oil on the deck

-And finally, Paige decided diapers are for suckers

Halloween!

Once Paige and I got back from WA, it was full-fledged Halloween celebrating in our house. For family night we carved our pumpkin. If you knew how small the artistic ability is at our house, you would really appreciate how awesome our Duke pumpkin turned out! Ben showed some skills on that D! Paige is a true girl and was mortified at the thought of touching the pumpkin guts.

Halloween morning we went to Paige's music makers class at the library in costume. Then we rocked her cow outfit through Target.

 I then had one sleepy cow.

Then we headed to the scary library downtown, thinking we could hit up their Halloween party, but apparently we were supposed to sign up. Oh well, the kids liked running around outside.

As soon as Ben got home we headed to the mall for trick-or-treating to the stores. Then we we went to a neighborhood by our house to do some real trick-or-treating.

"Mooing"

Chick-fil-a Cow

Our fun group.

They got pretty into it, grabbing multiple candies and sometimes trying to go into the people's house

The little triplets. They're hilarious together.

After a few houses we came home and Paige sorted her candy for a good hour. A very successful Halloween!

Fall trip to WA

Ben had his first round of finals in mid-October, and a company visit to Dallas, so it sounded like the perfect time for Paige and I to leave and visit my family :) I was pretty nervous about this flight since we now live so far away from Seattle and we can't even get a direct flight. Between all 4 flights/12 hours of flying, Paige only got a seat 2 hours. This made for some long travel days, but it was totally worth it. 

As soon as we got to WA we headed with my mom to the big Albertson close-out sale. We thought we would grab a few great deals, got in line, and then realized some people had been in line over 4 hours....so not worth it, but totally worth the experience of seeing the madness and all the crazies that came out for it.

The next day was supposed to be the only "dry" day while I was there, so we headed to the pumpkin patch.

She squealed feeding the goats

Love this

Cousins

One main reason we went when we did was to be at my nephew, Evan's baptism. So glad we got to be there for his special day!

Another reason we stayed so long (and my sweet husband went along with it) was to be at my cousin Mike and his wife, Susie's, sealing. So happy for them!

Beautiful Portland Temple

Other highlights:

Family Home Evening Halloween Bingo

Watching the presidential debates with grandma. Grandma also taught her to roll her arms...so funny.

Seeing great-grandparents and great-aunts & uncles. She was cute giving hugs, and Aunt Gayle helped her perfect her kisses.

Playing with all the fun things at grandma & grandpa's house

 Time with cousins (Grace was on constant poop patrol. "Aunt Katie, Paige is poopy")

High School football game (before Paige puked ALL over)

Playing with Leo (the dog was a saint for putting up with all of her "hugs")

Paige getting her first hair cut. I love her curls in the back.

And a lot of skyping with daddy

Then we finally made the long flight back. On our layover (we stayed on the same plane), the pilot let Paige and I go in the cock-pit. So exciting!

We loved our trip. Paige loved all the attention from grandma and grandpa and I loved getting to relax and play with my family....and go to Panera 5 times :) Thanks mom & dad!