Our own Emeril Lagasse

...does Emeril even bake? Do you think he would approve of Sam baking brownies using a box mix?

Sam was quite disappointed when all of the baking (and licking the spoon) was over.

After we told him there would be more baking tomorrow

Savoring the last bit of brownie batter from his bottom lip

Believe it or not this is the same Sam just moments later

Hugs until next time...

Where to begin?

I know, I know...creative title, huh. So much has happened since May 13.

(You know me and my lists.)

• I turned a year older. Ugh.
• Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.
• I stopped running and started eating crap.
• We took two trips to the OKC Zoo and became official Oklahoma Zoological Members. We have a card. Like I said, it's official.
• We met Uncle G., Aunt C., and Cousin R. in Tyler, TX for a little vacation and a lot of swimming. I think our boys grew fins.
• Wade turned a year older. He, he, he.
• I started a new position at the Foundation. It was purely a lateral move from Director of Donor Relations to Director of Gift & Scholarship Administration. More on this later.
• We've become serious about budgeting...or are attempting to at least move in that direction. We're ready for more square feet and are determined to be debt free before we upgrade.
• Sam started school. Farewell to nannies who came to us M-F, 8-5. And hello school bells. Sam LOVES it. But we certainly miss our friends and pray they'll stay in touch.
• I started running again and signed up to run the Dirty 30 later this summer. It's basically a 5K mud race. Should be a good time. And I get a new pair of sneakers out of the deal. Not bad.
• Sam turned a year older. Sniffle, sniffle.
• Potty training is...um...underway.

Some random shenanigans in pictures from the past month:

Flying kites with Papa

At the CDL/RISE open house. Henry loved showing off his classroom and enjoyed seeing all of the critters up close and personal.

Zoo trip #2

Sam LOVED watching the sea lions swim underwater

The new elephant exhibit was AMAZING. Henry had a ball climbing on the bronze elephants at the entrance.

I think Henry would have preferred to spend his time with the bronze elephants than to waste time on the real one.

Welcome to the world, baby elephant

More to come tomorrow...

The hardest I've laughed since cancer

I'm not sure if it's because today is Friday, or if they are really THAT funny, but these had me laughing out loud. Thank you to my friends who know and understand my sense of humor all too well.

And yes, I'm admittedly poking fun. But we are all guilty of having at least one of these in our living room growing up.

These glasses came free with a purchase of Brut cologne.

Thoughtful Lance. Mirthful Lance. Two sides of a delightful coin.

Drake won Best Senior Mullet by a landslide.

That dude wore a tie for nothing.

The Purvis family made several stops along the Oregon Trail to document their six-month journey. 

I wanted a shot like this for our wedding. Wade said no.

It's called a leisure suit, ladies and germs, and if you didn't have one in the early 70s, you were a big fat loser. My dad's was teal. He wore it with a silk floral shirt and a long necklace with a football player pendant that he got at that year's team banquet. He was THE MAN. (I'm such a lier...or at least I hope and pray I am.)

Once they had two or three, how did they ever find enough time to make more?

Olan Mills backdrop #4: Bucolic Meadow with Split Rail Fence. Is that an animal carcass behind her?

Bobbi isn't the first waitress to fall for her manager, but she and Dale both got fired from Shoney's.

Just a typical afternoon down on the plantation. In a business suit.

Dawn and her recently exhumed sister, Gorgotha, pose with Scraps.

This photo isn't discolored. The 70's really were that Orange...or so they tell me.

No comment.

Olan Mills Backdrop #11: The Library, one of their most popular themes, as seen in this photo of the young unabomber and his wife.

The Library might be more believable if the shelves weren't sloping downhill.

Olan Mills is all about versatility. The simple addition of a column turns this generic plantation into Tara, where apparently, someone opened a Hair Cuttery.

You'd think Pearle Vision would throw in another two pairs for free.

I got a $20 that says he drives a Camaro.

Yes. Someone spent money on this.

It's so cute when couples have matching hairdos.

B-52's, the early years.

Ever wonder what they were all looking at?