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.