Holiday 2011, Act 1: Thanksgiving

(Whantner - Deal with us!)

This year, for whatever reason, the Holidays sped by at a blurry clip. Week after week of three and four day work-weeks ran through like old-school film roll, until I almost forgot what it was to work five days straight. And in maximizing this free time – admittedly spending long periods doing absolutely nothing – the one thing I failed to do was take a break from all the activities (and once again, the nothing) and pen some updates. So here’s my Holiday 2011 season in condensed form, in three quick posts.

Thanksgiving this year was at Dad and Linda’s, and marked the ten-year anniversary of our new family’s inception. Like all merged monarchies of such esteem, our battle-tested unit needed a way to properly represent our ilk to outsiders – so we created a badass Family Crest. If you don’t know us, and even if you sorta do, I’ll offer up a view into the Whantner family peephole:

            The focal point of the crest contains a Georgia Bulldog head, representing the Brantner’s southern roots. It’s angry because get out of our face! Inside the shield lies a veritable a cornucopia of symbols from the White and Brantner past, as well as the Whantner present and future. The blue golf ball is there for the many early-merger putt-putt outings, often more competitive than the family park rules permitted. Wheat for the Wichita Shockers is obvious, though the White family pickle is not. This green gem is hidden in the tree every year, and the lucky child who first spots it, and either averts or Greco-Roman wrestles the other brothers’ to retain it, is awarded a special prize – usually the DVD that we all fall asleep to at 10:15 on Christmas Eve night. The keg with the bow represents hope. Not Obama Hope, but hope that our “Christmas Keg” idea from so many years ago will come to fruition. The banner below cements our established merger in 2001, and you bet your ass that’s bacon framing the shield. Why? If you have to ask, get out of our house!

(This is an amazing picture, other than the fact that I look like a lonely single father)

The awesome family shield and grand opening ceremonies of the new house gave us the confidence to take the most amazing family picture, below. My personal favorite is the family shot in front of the window, where it looks elegant and modern-day inside, and rustic, old-timey outside. I showed this to one of the art directors in my department, and this was his favorite. So that means it’s for real…

And yes…that’s me and my dog; the result of having a girlfriend who works retail and can’t travel during the holidays. Was I glad that she couldn’t be there for the pictures? No. Am I super-stoked that I was able to take serious, seriously ridiculous, pictures with my tiny 12 pound beagle/jack Russell, Mina? You bet. Thanksgiving 2011 = Success. 

(Gorgeous smile, Reagan. You want to tell people that I had to pick up my dog and wave her Elvis-clock style to make you laugh?)

(So tall, blonde and attractive - they must be Whantners)

(The King and Queen of Whantnerdom)

(Dude's camera broke, these girls are so adorable)

(Why say "No", when it feels so right to say "Awesome"?)

And yes…that’s me and my dog; the result of having a girlfriend who works retail and can’t travel during the holidays. Was I glad that she couldn’t be there for the pictures? No. Am I okay with the fact that I was able to take serious, seriously ridiculous, pictures with my tiny 12 pound beagle/jack Russell, Mina? You bet. 

Thanksgiving 2011 = Success.