Let It Rain

It's been a rainy week in SF. Perfect weather for testing out the new rain coats Grandma B bought them for Christmas.

Brett wasn't going to let a little rain stop him from getting some batting practice...
...and some balancing practice.

Donnie and Marie, Part II

Not only do they play duets with their drums and piano, Brett and Maggie like to harmonize on lullabies ("Lola-byes") about ducks.

Berthiaumes Return to Golden Gate Bridge

35 years after their Uncle Dave-O made his first visit to the Golden Gate Bridge...
Brett and Maggie made their maiden visit...

Both Brett and Maggie made frequent requests to "climb all the way to the top." Mags also remarked on how the Golden Gate Bridge was "gleaming in the sun"... a line from one of her favorite books

Christmas 2011

Brett and Maggie just settled down for a long winter's nap after enjoying a wonderful Christmas. Between all the delicious holiday meals prepared by Mommy and all the presents, they might sleep until New Year's Eve.



Click on the photo below to see the Christmas 2011 album:

Christmas 2011

The Cutest Girl Ever

This is my new favorite picture.

Visit with Santa Claus 2011

There were a few less tears than 2010. And unlike 2009 when they had no idea that the WHOLE POINT of visiting Santa is to put in your gift requests, Brett and Mags were a little more explicit this time around. Brett asked Santa for a drum set and drum sticks. Maggie asked him for a piano. I guess Mom and Dad need to decide now if they're willing to raise the next Donny and Marie.

I Have Big Muscles!

Hanz and Franz.

Deck the Halls

We got our Christmas tree today and had fun decorating it tonight. Brett and Maggie are getting very excited about Christmas. "Santa's watching" is the new catchphrase in the house, and the kids are on their best behavior. Maggie sings Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, while Brett favors Jingle Bells. Stockings are still a mystery.

Thanksgiving 2011 in Washington

Wow, what a week! We just returned home from an action-packed Thanksgiving visit to Grandma B's in Washington. Brett and Mags had the time of their lives with a packed schedule of family visits, museum tours and other important social engagements. Here they are in their Thanksgiving best:

From Thanksgiving 2011

Thanks to Aunt Donna and Uncle Tom for hosting us all for dinner. Between all the activities - which included a visit from the Virginia Dunphys, a trip to the Museum of Natural History, dinner with Uncle Dave-O, Aunt LiLi and Nemo, a barbecue at Tio Xavier's house, trips to the National Building Museum and Jefferson Memorial, brunch and a horse stable tour hosted by Mr. Dennis, a visit from Glee and Marty and various adventures in and around Grandma B's house - there are far too many photos to post here on the blog. So we've created a web album instead. Here's a little sneak peek at some of the action, however...

From Thanksgiving 2011

Can you believe Grandma B approved of this activity in her own home?
The web album can be found here:

Thanksgiving 2011

Voices Like Angels

I know we still owe some Halloween pictures (Mickey and Minnie had a great time, and they looked adorable), but here are some really funny videos. Maggie knows about 10 songs and loves to sing loudly. Brett has just one favorite. They love making movies of themselves, especially on Jennie's fancy new iPhone with the front-facing camera so they can watch themselves!

Potrero Hill Festival!

We love living on Potrero Hill. From its great views, to its history, to its status as San Francisco's best neighborhood/best-kept secret, it's been a great place for the twins to grow up. And Saturday might have been the greatest day yet for our two little hill dwellers as they celebrated at the annual Potrero Hill Festival. Where to begin. Where to begin...

The first stop was the open house as SFFD Station 37, right around the corner from our house. Brett sat in a fire truck and sounded the bell while Maggie posed with Daddy inside the house. Thanks to Fireman Mike for the tour and the great hats!

Next we headed down to 20th Street for the Festival. Brett stopped to talk shop with a local policeman:

Then it was off to the petting zoo! There was a Llama, a turkey, bunnies, a turtle, sheep and even a pig. Maggie liked the animals, but chose to keep them at arms length. "Too scary," she said.

After the petting zoo we got even closer to the animals with pony ride!


The food at the festival was excellent. Here are Mommy and Maggie enjoying a hot dog and a pork belly taco.

Any doubt that Brett is a big man was erased when he ventured into the bouncy house with the big kids. This photo is a little out of focus because it was impossible to snap a good picture of Bouncy Bretty as he hopped around.

After all the fun, it was time to make the long walk back up hill to home.



Two best friends enjoying life on Potrero Hill...

Two Years Old!!

Brett and Maggie turned 2 last week!! We had a fun celebration over the weekend. Grandma, Papa, DeeDee and RyRy were in town, and we went to "big park" (Golden Gate) and met Jennie and Brandon, then had a fun dinner at Pauline's Pizza with Gianna. Mommy made a special Mickey and Minnie birthday cake, and Brett and Maggie liked licking chocolate off their feet!

Heat Wave 2011

San Francisco is known for its temperate climate, but once or twice a year it gets hot enough to be uncomfortable. Check out these pictures from last year's hottest day.
Now look at pictures from today, only 13 months later. We enjoyed the weather outside this evening while eating a snack. As I took pictures with the camera, Brett stole my phone and repeatedly told Maggie to smile as he "took her picture" with it.




Let's count the big differences from last year to now:
1) Walking (and running and jumping!) instead of crawling.
2) Hair!
3) Underwear!