Four Years & Counting

Today, Nathalie and I are celebrating our four-year anniversary. In honor of us, I shall regurgitate one of my favorite toasts from the late Herb Cain:

Here’s to the roses and lilies in bloom,

You in my arms and I in your room.

A door that is locked, a key that is lost,

A bird and a bottle, and a bed badly tossed,

And a night that is 50 years long.

Proud Parents Heading Back to Work

Still can't believe it's been three months since Charlie was born. Feeling very blessed to have been able to take all that time off to spend every moment with our new little creature, but having a hard time today going back to work...

The below pictures were taken in Yosemite National Park and, of course, our bed during nap time.

Our Daughter - Charlotte Vaughan Allen

Nathalie & I have the great pleasure in announcing the birth of our first child, Charlotte Vaughan Allen. "Charlie" was born on March 10, 2011 at 8:36 a.m. She tipped the scales at 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. She's a Pisces, enjoys being swaddled, eating, pooping and sleeping very much.

Here's a video I put together to welcome her to this strange world. It's a montage of our closest friends and family that were all overjoyed with her arrival. Charlie is one lucky baby to have all these people in her life...

Road to Natty Goes Through Our Watering Hole

The Oregon Duck has been known to make an appearance on any given Saturday at RBAR. That is a fact.

However, no one can tell you exactly why the Duck has chosen this magical place. Perhaps the bar falls square on his migratory path? Perhaps it is because of the host of Oregon faithful that grace the bar's stools? Or perhaps, the Duck just likes to drink beer? Whatever the case, the Duck & RBAR made the front page story in the Register Guard today. Check out the article HERE.

Go Ducks!

Merry F'in Christmas!

Wishing a merry holidays and a happy new year to all.

May the last week of 2010 treat you well and we hope you enjoy all the traditions and festivity that the season brings.

Much love,

Brooks & Nathalie

(and Hairy)

Morgan Allen Marries Brett Dewey

It really makes it easy to approve of my cousin getting married, when she ties the knot with one of my best friends. The result was a very unique wedding in the sense that I knew every single person in attendance. Couple that with the beauty of the wine country, the rich personalities of both the bride and groom and their great families and you got yourself a perfect wedding that people will be talking about for a long, long time.

Morgan and Brett got married at the Beltane Ranch in Glen Ellen, CA.

The Wait is Over

Growing up in San Francisco and being nursed on Giants baseball, this World Series victory tastes extra sweet to me.

I've been waiting a long time for this one, but there are plenty more San Franciscans out there that have been waiting longer than me.

It was fun to watch, fun to be a part of and hopefully we get to do this more often. I have never seen the city like it was on November 1, 2010. Thank you Giants for a memorable season and for the grand celebration and happiness you brought to us all.

Already looking forward to next season...

Morgan Allen & Brett Dewey Engagement

They're kind of old news now that they've been engaged for nine months, but they're getting married in September and they're still kind of fun to hang out with, so I snapped a few more pictures of my cousin and cousin-to-be the other day.

Backdrops were one of my favorite SF murals and a Sunday afternoon cocktail outside Bix.

Brett was instructed to wear jeans to the next shoot...

A Giant 33

Following the tradition of always trying to out-do eachother for our birthday, Nathalie once again set the bar high this year. For my 33rd, she had me convinced that we were headed out of town, but instead somehow landed 16 of the best seats in Pac Bell Park to watch Lincecum battle Zambrano and the Cubs for a chance at the post season. Well, the Giants lost and didn't make the playoffs, but I still got drunk with my wife and a group of my closests friends & family and managed to have a fantasic time. Thank you Nathalie...

1 Year - We made it!

June 23, 2008 marked our one-year wedding anniversary. I can't believe it. It felt like yesterday that Nathalie walked down the aisle to me. We celebrated our first milestone over a long weekend in Tomales Bay at a house built over the water.

The weather was perfect and Ottis Redding's "Sittin' on the dock of the bay" filled the air for most of the weekend. That and we ate our weight in bbq'd oysters.

Caught sleeping with his brother

Sierra would not be happy if he knew I was posting a picture of him snuggling with his brother, Animal. However, after an early morning wake-up, I couldn't resist taking a couple pics to document our son's brotherly love.