And here we are in January, as in 2011. The twins are approaching the six-month-old mark and what a glorious time it is for all of us as they interact and laugh and do funny tricks like roll over and feed themselves -- yet, they can't torment us by crawling or walking yet.

I vow to get in here and record a few more goings-on than I have in the last couple of months. Generally I feel like if I don't have enough time to sit and thoughtfully compose, with photos and such, I don't compose at all, but that's pretty self-defeating. So, here are some bits to start with.

I took the twins-as-Toy Story-aliens to our office Halloween party and they were a hit - we spent two hours there and I think about 40 people got their hands on them. The following Monday it was back to work, and our nanny, Ana, became full-time help. As November rolled into December we got braver and better at taking them out and about and by now they're absolutely stir crazy on the weekends if we don't plan some activity. Who knew that 5-month-olds would find the world outside so much more fun than their cribs and own living room?

Well... apparently they do. They've been to Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, the Grove, the Americana, Old Town, South Pasadena, to see the Rose Parade floats, Target, several car dealerships, Daddy's office, Silverlake, Hollywood, sushi and ramen restaurants, creperies, breakfast/brunch places all over, and even the Long Beach Aquarium, which they LOVED. Weekends are tiring but satisfying. Sometimes, like this morning when we strolled along the Strand in 75-degree, perfectly balmy beach weather, I experience a "life is perfect" moment. Don't know why or how, but these little folks are happiness in spades.

We hosted Thanksgiving for 11: Akhil's parents, aunt, brother's family including SIL's mother - and made all the food including the pies. Christmas was just the four of us, with TONS of gifts from all over the place for the spoiled babes. Fewer presents for us this year but our biggest was having four stockings to hang. I got Akhil tickets to Joe Satriani to go with his present to himself - a new Charvel guitar.

Todd's son Devin was born in mid-December in Denver. I've yet to make it out to meet him. Todd and preggie Leah visited us of course before Devin's arrival and my parents stopped here this past week on their way home from that grandparent meet-and-greet (they were here for the first time in Sept.). Next time we fly ourselves is still a question. Aiming for June: east coast beaches, yeah! If anyone can give me some tips on traveling with twins, I need all the encouragement I can get.