Dr. Dibb's Duke Graduation

Two weekends ago we had the opportunity to fly back to our beloved home of North Carolina and impose on our friends the Stewarts...again, and enjoy being with Alan's parents for Alan's graduation ceremonies from Duke. The weather stayed lovely for most of the time but we did get to enjoy the fantastic thunderstorms of NC as they raged outside our window at night. Amelia was definitely a Daddy's girl the entire weekend which was fitting considering that it was his special week. We arrived late Friday night and then Saturday we went up to campus to pick up Alan's robes and hood. Following the pick-up, we meandered through Duke Gardens which will always hold a special place in my heart. They were beautiful and some of the lily pads were even blooming. Then, that night we left Amelia with the Stewarts so that we could attend the hooding ceremony and reception. Roger braved the crowds to get some great photos.
  Sunday morning we opted out of the big commencement ceremony which was being held at the outdoor stadium under threat of rain, and instead had a wonderful breakfast with some friends...courtesy of Connie and Chad. Then we took Amelia to the degree presentation for Engineering which was held in the Duke Chapel-the coveted venue. Amelia slept through the whole thing in Grandpa Dibb's arms. Then we attended church and were able to see so many great friends before heading home to dinner with friends and family...again courtesy of Connie and Chad. That night the Stewarts taught us a new game-Fresco. It was quite fun.
 Monday morning we returned the gown and while Alan took Amelia to visit his lab, Roger, Ann and I went to the library to see the first edition copy of the Book of Mormon. Something I had always wanted to do but never had. We flew out later that night and returned to AZ just in time to settle in before Amelia's illness set in (see Birthday post for details). It was a great trip. I get a little sentimental whenever I hear James Taylor sing "in my mind I'm going to Carolina".

A well deserved airport shoeshine. The shoes needed it, and I just wanted to see the shoe shiner in action.

The flowers at Duke Gardens were in full bloom.

Crossing the bridge. Very symbolic!

Amelia was enamored by the ducks.

The PhD hard at work. Doesn't he look great.

The Hooding ceremony.

Just before he was hooded.

Alan with Roger, his advisor.

At the conferring of the degree in Duke Chapel.

This is how she spent the ceremony.

Dr. Dibb

You may wonder how we got these great pictures among all the crowds of graduation? Well, in full  disclosure, the camera battery died right before Alan got his degree, so his lab mate who was sitting with us took all those pictures, and we took these after time had elapsed to allow the battery to recharge! The secrets of missing the crowds.

Proud parents and the graduate.

Proud family and the graduate.

No one knows why this camel is on Duke campus, but it is. No, really someone does know, but just not us.