
Ten grueling hours, two rental cars and a migraine later, we’ve finally arrived in Denton, North Carolina.
For why?
If you recall, last summer, Hubby graduated from Duke with a PhD in poli sci. But Duke’s so fancy they only have one ceremony a year, ergo, here we are, 9 months later, with two classes under his belt as ‘Professor Walton’, to witness his hooding. So while it’s all a bit anti-climatic, I’m excited as hell ’cause we rented a lake house large enough to accommodate both families! Final headcount, 10… and you know how we kick it. #KeepThePartyGoing
It’ll be quite the trek to Durham, but the distance is worth it for us to all be under one roof. Gia’s in heaven… the spoiling continues.

hubby and brother-in-law Marc

I’ll keep you guys posted with more pics and outtakes added to this post throughout the weekend!
Congrats *again* Dr. Walton!
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and this morning (May 11, 2012)–
catfishin’…

#BreakfastOfChampions. But seriously, sausage is one of the reasons why I’ll never become a vegetarian. The other? Bacon.


The grandmas (my mom, Elaine and hubby’s mom, Paulette)

A text from hubby’s mom two days ago–
‘your mother-in-law is seriously contemplating going natural’
look at me serving up leg… working to embrace these skinny stems

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Cheez-it stash |
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it’s official… |
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Doctor Daddy |
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Friend and fellow curly, Jessica. Congrats boo! |
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Mom and Syl |
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Hubby and Momma Walton |

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Daddy! |
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Gia soliciting for fist bumps… |
More pics tomorrow…
#KeepThePartyGoing
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Turned 29 today…




…feelin’ good though 🙂
and Momma feelin’ fresher than a certs in a gifted Shabby Apple dress-

off to have drinks with the graduates! I’ll check in soon!
xx
nik
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Later that night… before we all hit the airport… 🙁

Peace/Blessings (Bella) Love the pics, what a beautiful family, so good to see a young (BlK) family doing so well.
Loved the dress! Too bad the one in stock is not the same color (tear)
Happy Bday Nik! I turned 30 on May 14th! Enjoy the last leg of your 20s, lol. 🙂
I am so happy for you!
Happy Belated Birthday and Congrats to Dr. CurlyNikki! What a blessing! Oh and you look fab of couse! Enjoy Rio!
Happy Belated Birthday Nik and congrats to your hubby! As always you love FAB darling 🙂
Tree
Congratulations to your husband on receiving his Doctorate and Happy Birthday to you. You two have a beautiful family. I could see and feel the love through those pictures. I know God will continue to bless you both beyond your wildest dreams. 🙂
What a beautiful family! Congrats and blessings to you and your hubby!
Congrats and blessings to you and husband!
Congrats to the Hubs!! Happy birthday to you! What an amazing time you must've had. Plus, it's so beautiful to see both of your families together. You guys are truly blessed, I love this site – so inspiring!
Happy B-Day and Congrats to your hubby. It is always awesome to see our people bonding as a family, becoming accomplished and celebrating it and overall doing so well. Black love is beautiful!!!
Happy Birthday Nikki-and congrats to your husband on his PhD–this is an amazing achievement!
You have a beautiful family–I pray that you all will continue to be blessed!
P.S.–Love your dress and hair!
~caramel curls
Congrats to Your husband Nikki, I know you are proud!
I've never commented on here before and I visit almost daily, but this post is awesome. Congrats to your hubby and I hope you had a great birthday. You have a lovely family.
Happy Birthday!!
Love the fists bumps and Gia with the "hood" if that's what it's called.
Congrats and happy birthday!
Nicol C.
Major congrats!
Congrats Dr. Walton and Happy Birthday Nikki:) You guys look fabulous!
Did you see the that breakfast forget calorie counting, I'm on the seefood diet. When I see food, I eat it, YUM
Congrats to your hubby and all the other grads!! You look great and so does gia ^_^ ….
Happy Brithday Nikki and congrats to Dr. Walton. Love all the pics, you all look fabulous. You have a wonderful family.
Happy birthday Nik! You youngin" 🙂 You and mom look fabulous! I've got to check out Romwe when my duckets are all in a row. 🙂
Congratulations to Dr. Walton!!!!
Flyyyy! I love that gray dress!
Congrats to Dr. Walton! Mommy looks cute in her orange!
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy belated and congrats to Dr. Walton!!!
awwwwwwww. Happy birthday and many happy returns. love your mums hair looks like it's in good nick!
Congratulations to your husband. 'Celebrate good times COME ON!'
Happy Belated Birthday Nikki and congrats to your hubby!!!
HB and Congrats to the Hubby! One of my best friends just did her defend on Monday at UNC Chapel Hill so I know you both are excited that everything is complete, that is a serious process!
Happy Birthday and tell the hubby congratulations! Boogie is looking grown and she's absolutely beautiful. Nikki you are definitely blessed, you have a beautiful family and I love how you all come together on special ocassions. Have a great time, cherish every moment you are a great inspiration to us.
Happy Birthday, Happy Mother's Day, and Congrats to your husband.
Happy birthday Nikki!
I love your mother's dress!
Happy birthday! Live it up! Heyyyyy…party over here!! 🙂 I WISH I could get back 29!
happy b-day and congrats too your little fam. May encounter many more blessings.
www.do-your-thing-girl.blogspot.com
Happy birthday Curly Nikki and congrats to your husband!
Congrats to your Hubby, and Happy Birthday to you! Have a great Mother's Day!
Happy Birthday and Congrats to Dr. Walton what a great accomplishment….your hair and the fam look fabulous:-)
Congrats to your husband! Years in college and have to write a dissertation or mandatory publication of your work; thats motivation right there!!
And Happy Birthday Nikki. 29 is not old, you look good.
P.S. I thought I could be a vegan, but after two weeks of not eating meat I lost so much weight, mind you I'm already slim. i was like nah I can't do this lol. However, I dont eat red meats, so turkey bacon and soy sausage it is lol.
Ashley L.
Girl, please at 29 you SHOULD still feel good! Try 50+2
CONGRATS TO THE WALTON FAMILY–WOW PROFESSOR! Nice fam pix — par-tay!
To your hubby–CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
The pics of the fam are really nice!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIK!!
29? You suck. LOL!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIK!!! Guess what? You share a birthday with my grandmother!!! Love my Mom-mom (but why'd it take your post to remind me it was 5/12 and her birthday;)? LOL!!)!!
You look gorg as usual.
Shelli
Wow! Everyone looks fabulous, Nikki! Your hair is gorgeous, too! I can't wait to see more photos! 🙂
-Foxyrou
Thanks for sharing the fun pictures! Congrats!
Nik, Congratulations, Happy Birthday, and Happy Mother's Day! All the best…so deserving! Keep the pictures coming!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND CONGRATS TO THE HUBS
Beautiful pics. Love the dress, but please give us the deets on the hair. FIYA!!! (fire the said the sista girl way)
Congrats! Congrats! I graduated from Duke ages ago… won't say when, but I recognize that Duke Blue! Welcome to the alum family!
Please tell Gene I said congrats! I am so proud and apply for you guys! And my Boogie! Just beautiful! You are working that dress as usual! Oh and happy birthday love!
Happy Birthday Nik!
Wow, you guys are serious role models. I'm so proud of you both!
Beautiful pictures!
beautiful family!
love the pic of you and hubby…it screams black 'power couple'…
also love that 1st pic of gia!
The photo of you and your husband together is breathtaking. And your hair is beyond beautiful!
So beautiful! I so wish to be in that same position someday!
May God Bless you and your entire family. Wow! Congratulations! You have a beautiful family.
WOWWWW!!! You and your husband were looking EXTRA fierce in that up close picture with just the two of you. Congratulations to the both of you for being educated, successful, and giving back to the world.
Congrats! Hair is rediculous….post please describing what you did!
Congrats Walton Family..
Gia and the fist pump too cute..
Congrats to your hubby!
Nik!
Ur little girl is beautiful!
Greetings,
Dee.
LOL @ anon 10:44!
You guys are the best!
xx
nik
Thanks ladies!!! And hubby says thanks too 🙂
We're just getting back in and tired ain't even the word.
Hair–
Day old Twist-n-curl with AG Fast Food leave-in and Ouidad Hyrdrafusion (sealed ends with pure cosmetic grade mineral oil… more on that soon!). I fluffed upside down using my fingers as a pick and raked through my roots paying no mind to salvaging the curl pattern, lol.
Congratulation Dr. Walton! This gives me hope that I will finish my program one day too!
Nikki what hair style is this, so fly and fab 🙂
Congratulations to Dr. Walton! Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures!
Congrats to your hubby! Such a power couple! Loving the hair and dress!
Awesome Achievemnt to your Hubby!!!…Congratulations!!!
Nikki
Looking beautiful as ever! I'm happy for your hubby's achievement, many congrats to him! Your family is so lovely and I hope that God continues to bless you guys abundantly.
P.S I've been vegan now for almost a year…can you imangine a life wiht no cheese, eggs, ice cream, sour cream, etc?! lol!
Aww Congrats! =)
Congratulations to your hubby, that's another great accomplishment for you guys. Gia is to precious with that pose, she's like I'm cute yall check me out in my outfit. The dress looks good on you as well, durn I can't make out the style of the shoes lol….
Awwwwwww, "Big Ups" to the Hubby for his accomplishment. I love that photo of you two, you guys look great. Nikk, your hair is gorgeous "as usual" fluffy,voluminous,curly (shall I continue?)hahahahahaha. The dress is really cute and looks good on you too, so keep right on serving up the legs girl (big or small, no matter!) smile.
Allnatural1 (Michelle in TX)
HOT MOMMMA!!! lol Congrats Dr. Hubbs!
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Dr. Walton!.. Love the dress ma.. and you didn't even wear leggings this time *tear* so proud!!! Congratulations to hubby on his great achievement.. sky is the limit!
Who cares about the graduation – I need that dress! Joking…congrats!
Congratulations to the hubs!!!! I almost choked at HYFR. LOL
Congrats to your husband. I live in Raleigh and I will be in Chapel Hill on tommorrow for a graduation at UNC.
Congrats to your husband. That is awesome!
I need that dress, but without my hips. Love the hair.
@CurlyNikki Tell your hubby congrats! That is such an accomplishment! You guys look so cute together! Yall are a great example of black love! (Can't wait til I find that for myself!)I'm sure you guys will have an awesome weekend! Your hair looks GREAT by the way! Did you use the Ouidad Hydrafusion?
Natural83
Nikki girl……you look fantastic!!!!!
Congrats! Can feel the excitement in the air. And please resist the pig! Have you tried turkey bacon?
Nik, love the added pictures! Ahhh, who can resist the siren song of the salted and cured swine! LOL!! Everything tastes betters with bacon! Your hair is looking big, full and fabulous!
@anon A 2:09 ditto! 🙂
Nikki if I was you I would be pitching a reality show….Seriously I am soooo addicted to this site. (and don't forget to credit me i can work the camera)Love seeing your family and Gia so cute. aww
Congrats to the hubby! Looks like a FUN time. 🙂
Congrats on all your family's success. And Boog is just beautiful like her mama
Congrats to your hubby and have fun celebrating on that beautiful property!!
Congratulations to your hubby! Enjoy the lovely lakefront!! Beautiful.
Congratulations Dr.Walton! I know we'll get to see hooding pictures!
Congrats Dr.Walton!
Congratulations Dr. Walton!! It is a beautiful thing to see Black people doing the darn thing and having a good time doing it. Have a great time.
Condrats Dr. Walton!
Such an accomplishment!
Awesome!!! My 6 year old son tells us to call him "Professor"…so I do. Claiming it! BTW does hubby "make" you call him doctor? 😉
Congratulations!
Welcome to NC and congratulations to your hubby. The weather will be great this weekend, so hope your hair enjoys it!
Congrats!!! This is a great accomplishment. You guys serves as great role models to our younger generations. I love this!!!
Congrats to your hubby and family on this momentous occasion!!!! =-)
Awww!!!! I love that idea of getting a house for everyone. Congrats again Dr. and Mrs. Walton!!! You guys have a beautiful family.
Congrats to you and your husband, it is really something special when you achieve the top degree and at prestigious university no less. God bless you all.
Black folks are doing it for themselves – Congratulations
Congratulations to your husband!!!! Enjoy the family this weekend!!!! Blessings always!!!!
Congrats! That's amazing!
Congratulations to your hubby. I'm glad the families can witness this great achievement.
Congrats Doc!!!
Comgrats to the hubster. and cool house.
Very heartwarming! Congratulations to you both!
That's awesome… Congrats Dr. Walton
Wow, wow, wow… Congrats to you both. Much love and many blessings to you and your family Nikki.
that is the cutest pic of gia to date! so bright eyed and charming..congrats Dr. Walton and family
Congratulations Dr. Walton!
Enjoy your weekend Nikki : )
You and your Hubby is doing big things..watch out world here come the Walton's. Congratulations!!!!