Family adorableness and giggles

Lots of great family & nephew time.

FULL SET

Me, my brother, & a green screen.

and look at what was in the Sunday funnies! Apparently Beer Hunts have gone mainstream!

plus bonus Lightsaber battle!

I am so awed by my family.

I am so awed by my family.

For Xmas, I had Matthew Gehrett create a themesong for my nephews. “It’s Caleb! It’s Carter!”

LYRICS:

They like anything with great big teeth

They like dinosaurs, but they hate toy thieves

They like Spiderman and they like to rock

They like Mary Jane, but they hate Doc Ock.

For Xmas, I had Matthew Gehrett create a themesong for my nephews. “It’s Caleb! It’s Carter!”

LYRICS:

They like anything with great big teeth

They like dinosaurs, but they hate toy thieves

They like Spiderman and they like to rock

They like Mary Jane, but they hate Doc Ock.

Dear Santa,
We at the Eggnography Institute for Yuletide Research are dedicated to maximizing the Xmas experience for all good little boys and girls (plus related icons and subsidiaries.)
Due to recent climate change research we can no longer endorse the current “Father Christmas” uniform that has been used consistently in recent decades. (With the noted exception of the “Neon Santa” outfit that was used briefly during the 80’s.)

While the fashion statement is still effective, the world temperatures simply make a full body winter suit to be uncomfortable in 2009, and no doubt dangerously hot in coming years.

So we have had our researchers use the latest in computer simulation technology (as well as cutting edge weather forecasting software) to design the ideal apparel for your future world-wide toy runs.

2009 (Current.)
We know it will be warm, but let’s stick with this look for the time being.

2010
Starting next year, let’s take the obvious steps towards shorts and lighter fabrics.

2020
By this time, any fabric will be mostly symbolic. But we think it will be important to wear the red speedo to maintain brand consistency (and avoid scaring toddlers.)

2030
By 2030 we plan to have our genetic fashion modifications deployed and see Santa Inc. a leader in underwater dwelling. The webbed fingers, gills, and merman tail are all shown in figure 4.

We hope you are as excited as we are about our aquatic Yuletide future! Thanks for everything and enjoy the rest of your night!

Merry Xmas,
Jimmy & Johnny, Eggnography Institute for Yuletide Research.

p.s. Please leave some spit, sweat or semen in the glass so we can begin working on your genetic modifications.

********* SANTA’S RESPONSE *********

Dear Jimmy and Johnny,
Boy, you researchers are really on top of things. I like next year’s fashion statement, but I’m a little concerned after that. As your illustration shows, I’m not exactly svelte.
Now your 2030 idea of genetic modification shows some real promise. Can you work out some super power to go with the new Santa MerMan image? I think the world is ready for a new Super Hero. I’m ready to give up my one day a year gig and start saving the world. The “Naughty List” I’ve been keeping should give me plenty of bad guys to annihilate.
I appreciate the Eggnography Institute for Yuletide Research being so far-sighted.
Here’s my specimen.
This is SO exciting!

Have a Merry Christmas and be nice to your mother.

s

It’s that time of year to be counting down the 12 days of wacky Styn-family traditions! Below is last year’s letter (and Santa Response.) For the all archives, check out Eggnography.com or the Eggnography Facebook page.

(letter & gift out on Xmas eve 2008)
Dear Santa,
The economic downturn has been tough on all of us. And while we’re not privy to your financial statements, the number of kids asking for ipods and cell phones can NOT be making things any easier for you.
But not to worry!
We have been tossing around some ideas and we think we have some rock-solid ideas to help you maximize profits and avoid any Elfin layoffs.

We’ve come up with 2 new revenue streams for you:

1) Leverage your good name.
(Not in a tacky way, of course.) We have a couple suggestions right off the bat and have initiated talks with Procter and Gamble (for a “Candy Cane” scented line of hair and beard grooming products) as well as the Nestle corporation (see prototype candy packaging attached to this note.)

2) Hire out the Elf workforce during the off season.
There are hundreds of options, but the obvious one to start with are as stunt men for children (duh! Maybe you are already doing this?) We also have some interested parties who would like to get started on some miniature re-enactments of Civil War battles.

Look, we love you and don’t mean to tell you how to do your business. But times are tough and we hate to see you (or any Elf families) suffer.

Humbly,
Jimmy & Johnny

AWESOME Reply from Mom…er…Santa after the cut

Dear Jimmy and Johnny,

I appreciate your concern. The economy has really tanked all over the world. At least the North Pole is not as affected by the downturn since no one seems to know in which country it’s located. Pretty cagey, huh?

Our biggest problem has been trying to keep the reindeer out of sight. That Sarah Palin is a wicked sharpershooter.

Actually Mrs. Claus has been taking correspondence courses for her MBA and has come up with some ideas of her own.

1) Since sequels have been so popular in Hollywood, she’s trying to peddle the idea of a Wizard of Oz-Part 2. This could get the elves some off-season work and cut down on our unemployment costs.

2) She’s suggested I write a children’s book. I’m one of the few “strangers” that kids are encouraged to know and trust. I could warn them about “bad” strangers or tell them things to really warp their minds. We could go either way.

I like your suggestions and Mrs. Claus and I will discuss them. I just need to get this night over with first. You know, there are a lot more kids around now than there used to be. You’d think some people had never heard of birth control. It’s becoming a really difficult job.

I guess I shouldn’t complain. I really only work one night a year.

Be good to your mother and continue to care for the planet and its inhabitants.

Santa

It’s that time of year to be counting down the 12 days of wacky Styn-family traditions! Below is last year’s letter (and Santa Response.) For the all archives, check out Eggnography.com or the Eggnography Facebook page.

(letter & gift out on Xmas eve 2008)
Dear Santa,
The economic downturn has been tough on all of us. And while we’re not privy to your financial statements, the number of kids asking for ipods and cell phones can NOT be making things any easier for you.
But not to worry!
We have been tossing around some ideas and we think we have some rock-solid ideas to help you maximize profits and avoid any Elfin layoffs.

We’ve come up with 2 new revenue streams for you:

1) Leverage your good name.
(Not in a tacky way, of course.) We have a couple suggestions right off the bat and have initiated talks with Procter and Gamble (for a “Candy Cane” scented line of hair and beard grooming products) as well as the Nestle corporation (see prototype candy packaging attached to this note.)

2) Hire out the Elf workforce during the off season.
There are hundreds of options, but the obvious one to start with are as stunt men for children (duh! Maybe you are already doing this?) We also have some interested parties who would like to get started on some miniature re-enactments of Civil War battles.

Look, we love you and don’t mean to tell you how to do your business. But times are tough and we hate to see you (or any Elf families) suffer.

Humbly,
Jimmy & Johnny

AWESOME Reply from Mom…er…Santa after the cut

Dear Jimmy and Johnny,

I appreciate your concern. The economy has really tanked all over the world. At least the North Pole is not as affected by the downturn since no one seems to know in which country it’s located. Pretty cagey, huh?

Our biggest problem has been trying to keep the reindeer out of sight. That Sarah Palin is a wicked sharpershooter.

Actually Mrs. Claus has been taking correspondence courses for her MBA and has come up with some ideas of her own.

1) Since sequels have been so popular in Hollywood, she’s trying to peddle the idea of a Wizard of Oz-Part 2. This could get the elves some off-season work and cut down on our unemployment costs.

2) She’s suggested I write a children’s book. I’m one of the few “strangers” that kids are encouraged to know and trust. I could warn them about “bad” strangers or tell them things to really warp their minds. We could go either way.

I like your suggestions and Mrs. Claus and I will discuss them. I just need to get this night over with first. You know, there are a lot more kids around now than there used to be. You’d think some people had never heard of birth control. It’s becoming a really difficult job.

I guess I shouldn’t complain. I really only work one night a year.

Be good to your mother and continue to care for the planet and its inhabitants.

Santa

My brother shot this amazing video: It shows his youngest’s first steps and his oldest’s potty training victory – all within 90 seconds.

more pics from the day

I used to loooove catching lizards when I was a kid. This weekend I helped Caleb catch his first lizard. (And helped show him how to be verrry gentle.)

more pics of lizard play and mud pies.

Today was my brother’s birthday. I stopped by to see him as he worked from home. While I was there, I got to see him being such an awesome dad. He & Jen are parenting superheroes. (Or super-reptiles)

Today was my brother’s birthday. I stopped by to see him as he worked from home. While I was there, I got to see him being such an awesome dad. He & Jen are parenting superheroes. (Or super-reptiles)

ohmygoodness…

this video is more than 90 secs (101 secs) and I wasn’t there. But it give a glimpse of life with 2 young kids that I think is hilarious.
I bet it’s hard to take a step back while it is all going on…but man, this is 90+ seconds of family awesome.

During HugNation today, I read the letter my brother and I left for Santa last year on Xmas eve.

I LOVE our xmas eve tradition.

“I don’t mean to brag, but we have plans to rock out with our blocks out, gyrate and lactate, and party hearty till the break of 11pm.”

-my brother’s response to a New Year’s Eve invite.

It wasn’t a bad day.
Nothing that happened was particularly bad.
But I did have a bad attitude.
Or I should say, My inner “Bad Attitude Dragon” was particularly feisty.
I had to remind myself all day to refocus and remember what was important.
Not a work setback.
Not a situation with the storage unit.
Not zits. (Or picking at them)
Not fictional fears about something that has yet to happen.
What is important is all the love I know to be a part of my life…RIGHT NOW.
My amazing girlfriend Andi.
My parents. My brother & his growing family.
My friends and campmates.
My digital family.

Ahhhh. That is better.
That is why I watched a video of my nephew running around in his Halloween costume 8 times today.
And then, to fully secure a more grounded headspace, I spent my evening re-mixing the video.
Today, “Huggable Monster” was my digital Prozac.

The Burning Man theme (“The American Dream”) + Feeling a surge in political process love = I feel extra patriotic this year.

And my Flickr stream shows it.

I call this one of my brother, “Wearing Your Heart On Your Sleeves”

Two gorgeous pieces of clothing lived in same closet , collecting dust… but it wasn’t until my brother put them together did they become…Art.

The Burning Man theme (“The American Dream”) + Feeling a surge in political process love = I feel extra patriotic this year.

And my Flickr stream shows it.

I call this one of my brother, “Wearing Your Heart On Your Sleeves”

Two gorgeous pieces of clothing lived in same closet , collecting dust… but it wasn’t until my brother put them together did they become…Art.