Airport security

If you're going to drop off your parents at the airport, be sure to take security with you, preferrably the world's littlest girl with the world's biggest umbrella.

Goodbye

We had to say goodbye to our families, so we had one last breakfast together. Mia enjoyed "serving coffee" to everyone. And tearing apart the restaurant.

Coppernoll Christmas

OK, first of all, let me say this: I'm still getting used to my camera. Therefore, I only have two photos from Christmas. I swear there were lots of relatives there, I just have no proof. But it was so much fun!

The Coppernolls

After driving across the southwest for the past two Christmases, we are hosting the Coppernolls for the holidays this year. Exciting! In retrospect, it might be easier to drive out of town than to get your house ready for company. Nevertheless, you know it's a party with a bunch of Coppernolls. This will be the first time Leigh's parents have met my extended family.

I love this picture of my grandparents. We went out to supper, and this woman at the bar started talking to Nancy while she was getting drinks. "Are you with that lady in the hat over there?" she asked. Nancy said yes. "She's one classy broad." So true, drunk lady. So true.

Chicken-fried amazing

I feel obligated to introduce my in-laws to America culture, which, to me, means American food. Come to Oklahoma for Christmas? We're going to Ann's Chicken Fry, a Route 66 landmark that offers chicken-fried steak in two sizes: a pound and a half a pound. At least you get to choose from a variety of gravies.

Sarah Soles

We lost one of our friends this week. Leigh met Sarah Soles through LOYAL. She had a blood clot in her lung, the result of a brain tumor that had been treated but recently returned. We didn't know she had a tumor at all. Her passing was a shock. She was a smart attorney who specialized in being snarky and hilarious. She always supported us and Vilakazi. We will miss her for sure. I wrote this blog about her.

I confirmed the obvious

I wrote a column about the state-mandated end-of-instruction exams that Oklahoma high school students have to pass before graduating. I decided to take four of them, and I confirmed the obvious: I'm good at English. The rest: meh. So, for all my teachers who wondered if I learned anything, the answer is yes.

Click here to read it.

Bow, please

Today was an exciting day, people. Mia requested a bow. She asked for it. Why of course you can have a bow!

We made it home

After just a day in Mountain Home, we had to turn right around and come back to Oklahoma City.

We survived the drive with Mia, who is still thankfully an angel in the car.

Christmas - Round 1

We celebrated our first of several Christmases this year in Mountain Home. We woke up and opened presents like it was Christmas morning. Mia found it all super amazingly wonderful. She helped my mom pass out presents and she helped pretty much everybody open presents.


After that, we had a chance to go see the Baxter County Library, which is absolutely beautiful. I haven't been able to see it since it was rebuilt across town. It's wonderful.


For supper, my mom invited over lots of family friends that we haven't seen for two years. It was so nice to see everyone: Jackie and Carol, the Bergmans and Bobbi Burchard.