A Rare Martha Moment

My "Martha" moments used to occur much more frequently. Nowadays, they have to be prompted. Before a post-Thanksgiving party, String suggested "Why don't you make marshmallows? You haven't done that in years." So, I hopped online to find the Barefoot Contessa recipe I'd used in the past. But instead stumbled upon this one from Alton Brown that I like much better.

And who doesn't love a s'more? So I broke up some squares of graham crackers and Hershey bars and viola! S'more in a cupcake cup.

Sous Chef/Taste Tester

Fall Firsts

Recently Sofia experienced a couple of very important milestones. Well, one very important (at least in Steve's family) and the other not that important unless she decides to become an equestrian (highly unlikely considering mommy's aversion to manure). But both very cute.

She has attended her fair share of Stanford pre-game tailgates over the past two seasons, but for the Stanford vs. Arizona game on November 4th she actually was allowed into the stadium. For about an 1/8th of the first quarter, but still...Once the novelty of everyone cheering wore off, she was content to make her way back and forth in our row for about 10 minutes. Then it was time for mommy and Sofia to make the trek back to the car and San Jose where we could watch Stanford pummel Arizona in the comfort of the living room.

Visiting with Noni, Andrea & Marissa.

Cheering on the Cardinal with Grammy.

Earlier that same day we attended our friend Emma's 3rd birthday party in her grandparent's backyard. The company Once Upon a Pony brought Blue, the very old and gentle pony for the kids to ride as well as a pen full of cool looking chickens, rabbits and a pigmy goat. Sofia was very tentative towards Blue in the beginning, but warmed up and started following him. It took a couple of tries, but finally she sat and rode around the driveway and then refused to dismount.

It certainly wasn't a look of pure joy, but it wasn't terror!

Don't Hurry Down the Chimney

Despite visiting Santa (from the stroller) earlier in the week to try to "warm up" to him,
this is exactly what I was expecting. Needless to say, she forgot to tell him what she wanted for Christmas.

Compare to last year when she was blissfully unaware of the dude behind her.
Didn't realize until now (comparing to cool mall Santa above) how fake his beard looks.
The lawn chair doesn't help!

Pumpkin Cutie Pie

Back before Halloween Sofia and I made the trek down to Morgan Hill and Uesugi Farm to check out their HUGE pumpkin patch extravaganza. It's only a few blocks from Grandma Peg's work, so she met us on her lunch hour. Just a handful of pics from the outing...

Pumpkin carving contest winners. WOW.

The queens of the patch.

Our new favorite thing: Kissing stuff. Anything. Pumpkins, pictures in books, daddy's slippers.

Perspective.

Ready to roll.

"Hey you, horse. Where are you taking me?"

For Safe Keeping...

Back when Sofia was just a child of 15 months (September) she had a brief period of infatuation with the diaper pail. One evening while we were hanging out in the living room, she kept disappearing into her bedroom. She'd be playing with a toy, then leave, and come back without the toy. I went into her room and looked for the toys and they were nowhere to be found. Finally, it dawned on me. I opened the diaper pail to find 6 toys stuffed in there with the dirty diapers. I quickly figured out there is a lock on the pail!

Caught in the act.

Where else would I keep my pumpkin?

The Cupcake Wears Converse

Keeping with the food Halloween costume tradition (if you can call two years in a row tradition), we decided to go a little sweeter this year. Last year the chili pepper sleeping bag was the costume of choice, but this year I looked for something a little more "girly." I think I succeeded. Next year I may not have a say in the costume, so I'm exerting my authority for as long as possible. Luckily she had many occasions to wear it.

The Halloween season was kicked off with my mom's group (Las Madres Willow Glen '09) party on October 24th. We rented out a space at Emma Prusch Farm Park which is an oasis of preserved farmland at the intersection of highways 280/680/101. I've lived here nearly my entire life and never knew it existed until this year! It was so fun to see all the kids in their costumes and watch them chase after chickens.

Cupcake and Kitty harass the chickens.

Las Madres Halloween chaos.

Another "Mom's Group" that I'm a part of is known to Steve as the "Yoga Girls" because we all met while taking pre-natal yoga. The difference with this group is that our kids rarely see each other, instead we meet every couple months for mom's nights out. It's such a treat to see the little ones, especially all dressed up in their adorable costumes. Thanks to Sara, Manny & Payton for hosting!

Dads and the menagerie.

Dominic and Sofia practicing for adolescence by texting each other while 2 feet apart.

Sofia missed the "animal" memo.

Game 4 of the World Series fell on Halloween, so Auntie Jen and Uncle Nick came over to watch the game and help pass out candy. Jen and I took Sofia for a quick loop of trick or treating, which consisted of dragging Sofia around in the wagon and gently pushing her up to front doors so we could ask the score of the game.

Cutest Cupcake.

Auntie Jen with roadie and cupcake.

While Nono tries to explain the albino pumpkin, Sofia decides that she can get everything she needs at this house. No need to travel further.

VERY skeptical of the whiskers on Mom.

The Gooch is Loose.

This October marked the return of one of our favorite events: the nearly annual Hockey Party/Bring-Your-Own-Wheels pub crawl. Almost every year since 2002 our friend Erin has been organizing this event which begins at her place in downtown San Jose and hits 3-4 bars before ending up in glass seats at the Sharks game. I've been told that once we arrive at the Shark Tank there is, in fact, a professional hockey game taking place. However, I'm unable to even tell you the name of the Sharks opponent this year. Nonetheless, a great time is always had!

Pre-party at Erin's with Mark & Claire. Mark grew a felt mustache just for the day.

E-Rac incognito.

Every year our shirts pay homage to a different up & coming Sharks player.
This year Devin Setoguchi earned the honor: The Gooch is Loose...Hands of the Gooch!

Katie, Claire and me at Teske's Germania. Katie missed the memo.

FLASHBACK: The very first hockey party crawl - January 2002!

Happy Birthday to Mommy

To celebrate my 34th, String and I headed up to one of our favorite spots in the North Bay for lunch and then onto Napa for an overnight at Silverado Resort, wine tasting at Del Dotto Caves and a yummy dinner at Celedon. Gorgeous weather, great food, too many cocktails = a fabulous birthday! Thanks Sucker!

Crossing the bridge on a beautiful day.

Sam's Anchor Cafe in Tiburon. Scene of our wedding post-party debauchery.

Best "Pink Lemonade" around!

Silverado Resort in Napa. Only picture I got of the place. The room was nothing to write home about, but we didn't really care, it was just nice to be away!

Thanks to Grandma Peg, Grammy Marcia, Auntie Jen and Uncle Nick for making our overnight possible. It takes a village!

I got them ALL cut!

We've been talking about taking Sofia to get her first haircut for many months now. My issue was: bangs or no bangs? I decided in the car on the way to Balloon Cuts. No bangs. I just wasn't ready for that yet. I think I'm worried they will make her look like a three year old.

We hopped in the car and Sofia was in a great mood after a super long nap and a snack. I had her bag packed with all things of comfort: paci, baby doll, milk sippy, Cheerios. She appeared vaguely interested in the cute yellow car we sat her in. But as soon as the stylist to the kids appeared with comb and scissors, you would have thought she was cutting off Sofia's fingers and not her hair. In the end, not even the coveted iPhone or car keys would comfort her.

Before: Scraggly haired and very dubious.

During: Pacifier and iPhone are not saving her from the trauma.
Thankfully the stylist was quick. The whole ordeal was over in under 10 minutes.

After: Cuteness!
While we're digging the new 'do, the curly ribbon they tied in her hair kinda makes her look like we just picked her up from the groomer.

Yes, those are locks of her hair. And yes, I find it a little creepy. Too much CSI:?

Tutu much fun

Check out Sofia's latest photo shoot with photog extraordinaire, Andrea Heyfron. Our last session of the "Watch Me Grow" package (a gift from my parents, thanks Peg & Dick!) was supposed to be around Sofia's 1st birthday, but I wanted to wait until she was walking to capture cute shots like this:

We've referred Andrea to lots of friends, like the Imelli Family. Check out their shoot that was the same day as ours at the beach in SF. Too cute.

It doesn't mean she can't enjoy Led Zeppelin too

Well, I think it's obvious. She's inherited my love for hip hop.

Last night while I was showing String the fabulous history of rap performed by Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots on Jimmy's show, Sofia got her groove on.

She seems to have a special affinity for Eminem.

For the full video from the Jimmy Fallon show, click here.

Skipping Ahead. Literally.

Lots of other events to catch up on, but thought I'd skip to the most notable change in our lives:

We witnessed the first couple of steps, but when we returned from our 5 day trip to Seattle and Omak, Washington there was a full fledged walker in the house.

I've got wheels, they're multiplyin'

You would think Sofia had just turned 16. Why does a one year old need so many modes of transportation? Because she has places to be, people to see.

Grammy and Nono's birthday gift to Sofia was this awesome take on the old school Radio Flyer.

These wheels are best for trips to Grammy's when she needs to bring lots of "stuff." (i.e. Mom and Dad need to cart alcohol somewhere)

Uncle Michael had this special speedster on the radar for many months before Sofia's birthday and he unveiled it at her party. It's so stylish and retro, we're sure Sofia will love it...as soon as her feet touch the ground.

The current favorite mode of transport is the Push Around car. This was a gift from Sofia's buddy Meghan. The best part was that Meghan came over and put the car together! Sofia assisted.
Everyday, multiple times a day, Sofia makes the sign for "car" and points out the back door. Sometimes we can get away with just wheeling her around the yard, but most days it's a full lap around the block.
She keeps her hat in the boot.

Then there is the iconic Cozy Coupe that I bought on sale at Toys R Us many months ago. It sat in its box in the garage until the Cozy Coupe Engineer/Angel arrived from Denver last week. Uncle Jim spotted the box and offered. And who am I to turn down free labor?

Steve practically did cartwheels when he came home from work.

He Loves LA

We said farewell to our buddy Mike Braun as he ditches Nor Cal to head back to LA. It was a good few years Mike had working for JVC (Jesuit Volunteer Corps) in San Jose, but he's moving on to bigger and better things. He hopes. But first, a European vacation that includes Oktoberfest in Germany "because I was already going to be in Amsterdam... and isn't that what they do over there?"

Mike met us for lunch at one of Steve's favorite hole in the wall noodle joints, Dalat. It was also Sofia's first time. I think she liked the combo pho the best.

A Park With a View

July 24th we headed up for Sofia's first trip to San Francisco to visit the Keane and Thompson families. It was a full-fledged SF playdate - complete with views of the city and no sun to speak of. We had a great time playing at the Alta Plaza playground in Pac Heights and then enjoyed a chaotic and fun lunch at the Keane's place nearby.

Baby Constantine (3 months) all snuggly.

Golden locks blowing in the wind.

Steph rockin' the Uppa Baby w/ rumble seat.

Alexia (2), pro slider.

Bryan gets taken for a ride by Savvy (2). Certainly won't be the last time.

Jen & Juliana (7 months) hangin' in the sand.