Being diagnosed with a condition called Williams Syndrome means that more surgeries are in his future but I have seen proof time and time again that Daven’s not going to let a couple of doctors and/or procedures get him down. A big Texas hug from our crew to D and his encouragingly strong Momma & Daddy!

via Alister Coyne & Colossal

I should probably do some explaining for things like Beiber and Train but I’ll just ask you to hold your judgement until you’ve had a chance to check them out once or twice.

CreepySanta 2011

Track List
1. Landon Smith & The Real Matt Jones – Christmas Anthem
2. Sufjan Stevens – Come On! Let’s Boogey To The Elf Dance!
3. Meaghan Smith – It Snowed
4. The Maine – Ho Ho Hopefully
5. Zee Avi – No Christmas For Me
6. Dave Barnes & Hillary Scott – Christmas Tonight
7. David Dewese – Silent Night
8. Justin Bieber – Mistletoe
9. Coldplay – Christmas Lights
10. She & Him – The Christmas Waltz
11. John Legend – Let It Snow
12. Barenaked Ladies Feat. Micheal Buble – Elf’s Lament
13. Charles Brown – Merry Christmas Baby
14. Train – Shake Up Christmas
15. Zach Williams & The Bellow – Marshmallow World
16. Fiona Apple – Frosty The Snowman
17. Jack Johnson – In The Morning
18. Michael Bublé – I’ll Be Home for Christmas

I gave them no constraints on what to pick but I did make sure to get a couple of ladies in the mix just to get that perspective. Some of the things on the list you could pick up today and some of them you’ll probably have to wait a little longer before acquiring due to budgetary constraints. I had a good time compiling; I think the participants had a good time collecting; and I hope that you’ll have a good time reading through the list.

See anything we missed? Let me know here or on Twitter. Spread the word.

2011 Collab-mas List – A collaborated Christmas list by Christian Ross & Friends

*If you’re an IE user, it’s not that I don’t dislike you, but you’re gonna have to be happy with what you get. It ain’t pretty but I’ve got other things to get done today.

If you haven’t already, I (and we all on this trip) would be highly encouraged by you visiting and following along on Instagram at the username: christianross or for those without iPhones, following along on my Tumblr blog at christianross.tumblr.com.

One feeds the other so you don’t have to do both but we have been uplifted by the notes, reblogs and mentions from people all over the world.

Gracias y adios.

Note to my wife: I apologize in advance for the abuse your ears are about to receive over the next six months.

Scroll down to add a little audio enjoyment to your Friday.

Nick Waterhouse – Is That Clear

Download

Nick Waterhouse – Is That Clear EP on Rdio

Excerpts from a couple of my favorite letters:

On the Internet:

You will never know a world without the Internet, so let me tell you a little bit about how it was prior to this incredible creation.
    Everything was on paper.
That about sums it up.

On Higher Education:

What I want you to know, though, is that while higher education is respected, it is certainly not expected.

and

College, and the degree that comes with graduation, gets you a foot in the door with many people and places. That is it’s biggest advantage. People respect a degree. People also respect success. Figure out how to do one of the two, and you will do well.

On Old Man Eyebrows:

The travesty in all of this is there is only one thing a man can do to tame those badger bristles: eyebrow waxing. Most men, however, just go about their lives content in knowing their eyebrows look like a spent toothbrush. Waxing, you see, is not manly.

and

What I want you know is that you should be kind to these men. They can’t help it. They had no say in what their eyebrows decided to do one evening while they comfortably slept.

All of his letters are quality reads and I can’t wait to see his future advice.

For other good fatherly advice, see http://rulesformyunbornson.tumblr.com/

Or visit my awesome TinyLetter page at http://tinyletter.com/christianross to see that this whole thing might just potentially be legit.

Yes, it’s pretty much going to be spam. But it will be subscribed spam instead of the kind you get from Nigeria.

Iggy Peck, Architect

Both the illustrations and the story are good in this one. Four thumbs up (Dad and Cohen). Recommended ages 4-8.

Buy on Amazon (affiliate link): http://amzn.to/obJzF4

via Cameron