Tuesday, December 27, 2016

New Shirts for Christmas

Daddy John:  Both Benjamin Roy and Pete Dakota received new shirts from Daddy Steve for Christmas and were very excited  to try them on and show them off.


Pete is sporting a white T-shirt with the Doctor Who logo; one of Daddy John's favorite TV shows.


BR's t-shirt has maroon sleeves and features the Bulldog mascot of Daddy John's alma mater, the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD's colors are maroon & gold).
Benjamin Roy:   Let's go, 'Dogs!


They also drew each other's names for exchanging presents.  Looks like great minds think alike!
Pete Dakota:  I like what you got me, BR!
Benjamin Roy:  I do too, Pete.  The others will call us twins!


Thank you, Daddy Steve!

Saturday, December 24, 2016

...All Through The House

Daddy John:  Christmas Eve!  All the hustle & bustle of the week has subsided and a calm reigns in our house.  Most of the boys have gone to sleep; dreaming of Santa and presents.  A few are still up, however...

Anthony and Sasha are having one last mug of hot chocolate before bed.

Sasha:  I wonder what our friends in New Zealand are doing tonight?
Anthony:  It's already Christmas Day there.  They've probably opened their presents by now.


Kaveh and Giancarlo are playing train.

Giancarlo:  Toot! Toot!  The Christmas Express is bringing our presents from Santa!

Patrick is setting out apples and carrots for Santa's reindeer, while Miguel has treats for the jolly old elf himself.


Miguel:  Do you think Santa will like milk with his cookies?
Daddy John:  I think 'Santa' would rather have a cold beer.
Daddy Steve:  You're getting coal in your stocking, Daddy John

Benjamin Roy and Pete Dakota are snuggled up in front of the tree; admiring the lights and quietly sharing Christmases past and their hopes for Christmases future.



Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth from Gregoropolis






Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Cupcakes!

Daddy Steve:  This weekend I baked some holiday cupcakes for my co-workers.  Frank was very keen to help.  Initially, the idea of letting Frank help me bake cupcakes seemed as wise as recruiting a fox to guard the hen house.  I wondered if we would have anything to show for our efforts.  However, when he turned those big brown puppy dog eyes on me...well, how I could say no?  Turns out he was an excellent little helper.  He even reminded me to add a critical ingredient that I forgot (Daddy Steve can be scatter-brained this time of year).

Frank:  May I lick the beater when we're done?

Frank:  I want to give each one a yummy coat of frosting.

Daddy Steve:  We finished the cupcakes off with some decorative pixies I found online.  They have a very 1950's retro look.  Frank calls them the "Christmas Goblins."


Frank:  Don't you go hoppin' off!

Frank:  All done, Daddy!  I can have one now, right?

Sunday, December 18, 2016

It's A Wrap

Daddy Steve:  Patrick, our holiday dynamo, is relieved to have all of the Christmas wrapping done.

Patrick:  >Whew<  Now I can relax...right after I bake some Christmas cookies.





Friday, December 16, 2016

Home For Christmas (Holiday for Emilie, Part 2)

Sunday, December 11, 2016

La Vie En Rose (Holiday for Emile, Part 1)

Daddy Steve:  Emile has sent us a couple of selfies from his spa-vacation to Florida.

Emile:  Ahhhhh.  Zis is just like ze Côte d'Azur

Emile:  Zis is ze life I am meant to live




Thursday, December 8, 2016

A Christmas Mystery

Anthony:  <grumble, grumble>  Daddy Steve, how is it that the Christmas lights can get so tangled up after just sitting in a box all year?  <grumble, grumble>


Sunday, December 4, 2016

Deck The Halls

Daddy Steve:  Here in Gregoropolis, some of the boys approach the holidays with a greater sense of urgency than others.

Patrick: What are you guys doing?!
Tyler: Mikko and I are reading comics.
Frank: I was thinking about eating this cupcake
Patrick: Guys, it's December 4th!  Christmas is only 21 days away!  We have to get busy!

Patrick: There's lots of decorating to do: wreaths and garlands and red bows to put up.
Frank: Red bows.  Check.

Patrick: We need to send Christmas cards to all of our friends.
Frank: Christmas cards.  Check.

Patrick: And the wrapping!  We have so much to wrap!
Frank: Wrap, wrap, wrap.  Check.
Patrick: You guys get started while I make a list of ingredients we need for all the holiday baking.
Frank: Baking.  Check.

Mikko: Wow, I never realized how hectic the holidays can be.
Frank:  What was Patrick talking about?