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!

...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

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?

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.

Home For Christmas (Holiday for Emilie, Part 2)

Robin:  Welcome back, Emile!  Did you have a pleasant vacation?

Emile:  Merci, mon ami.  Eet was 'eavenly.  Dr. Pat's hospitality eez superb.

Robin:  Hi Giancarlo, did you see that Emile is back from Florida?  He looks great!

Giancarlo:  Oh, he's had work done.

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

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>

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?