I’m not sure how it happened, but I have challenged Sonia’s shoe collection in recent years. My buddy Matt would call me half a fruit, but it is what it is. The majority of my collection is made up of Gucci. So, it’s only fitting that I’d buy a pair in Firenze where the brand was founded in 1921. But it couldn’t be any…

Today we learned that hot chocolate in Italy is actually hot melted chocolate.

Florence From Above

View from the Piazzale Michelangelo.

Nightcap at the Four Seasons

The Four Seasons in Florence is hands down the best hotel we have ever stayed at.

My favorite tie was one bought for me by my Aunt Ona that depicted Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. Today we went to the Uffizi Museum in Florence where we viewed the original.

Day 3. Florence.

Churches Of Florence

Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore Basilica di Santa Croce Galileo’s Tomb Michelangelo’s Tomb

#16 Done

Finished up, A Bitter Brew, the rise and fall of Anheuser Busch.

Off to Florence.

Dinner at Antico Arco

17 and champagne at dinner. When in Rome. The three of us enjoyed the tasting menu at Anico Arco on one of the seven hills overlooking Rome. Delicioso.

More Rome. Day 2.

Santa Maria della Vittoria Bridge over the Tiber River The Capitol The Pantheon Piazza Navona Trastevere

Vatican, Sistine Chapel And St. Peter’s Basilica

Rome Day One.

We visited the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain before the Jet Lag set it. We’ll hit the ground running in the morning.

#85 Done

Hawaii is the natural choice for our Christmas vacation, but #85 made me think outside of the box. Just being out here in the crisp air made me realize there is no “best time” to travel abroad.

Just passing through.

Sorry Hemingway, we’ll be back soon enough.

#78 Done

Being prepared is no less painful, so this goal will not return in 2013.

Christmas 2012

Brittany got an early Christmas present today when she was accepted by her top choice, the University of Seattle.

Christmas Eve In Living Color

Monochromatic Christmas Eve

Brittany and her cousin having fun with their grandpa.

#93 Done

Vallartas is a grocery store that caters to the latin population in California. We love their selection of meats, so we like to shop here when we’re able to convince Sonia to cook dinner. The lines always move because no one’s basket is ever overflowing with food, which is why we chose a random Vallartas to spread some Christmas cheer. We wanted to anonymously…

A good unconventional romantic comedy.

3rd Annual LAFI X-Mas Party

Brittany got her first early admission acceptance letter today from the University of San Francisco and she did it without the aid of soccer.

X-Mas shopping is now finished.

Brittany was named top 45 seniors to watch by the Los Angeles Daily News.

Office party for all of the sewers at Basically Me.

#16 in Progress

Meh.

Having two girls in the house is hard on my boy.

Finally left Vegas with more money than we came with. Close to even for the year.

Enjoyed dinner at three michelin star awardee Peter Gagnaire’s restaurant, Twist.

Last Vegas Weekend of the Year.

Nothing is official until signing day, but Brittany has decided to commit to the University of California, Riverside. Her High School soccer coach probably jumped the gun with the announcement on the website because things can change between now and February.

#18 Done

Aggressive may not be the right word, but the creation of our 401k is the third pillar in our retirement plan.

#66 Done

X-mas cards are on their way. Hopefully they’ll never be as awkward as these.

Free at Last!

Sonia endured three years of torture for this moment.

6th Annual Marquette Dinner in Chicago

Burgers at Bills in Evanston. Might have to add another weight class to the weight loss goals in 2013.

A most excellent Chicago brunch.

#72 Done

Hope to repeat this goal in 2013. Here are the places I needed to adjust my watch. 1. Pacific (California, Washington) 2. Mountain (Utah, Idaho) 3. Central (Chicago) 4. Alaska 5. Eastern (New York City, Atlanta) 6. Europe (Spain)

Chi-town

Gene and Judes straight from the airport for a couple of dogs.

I won the luggage lottery. First bag out.

In addition to the above, Brit’s High School team played their first match (pre-season) on the new field. They won 3-1. Brit scored two.

#53 Done

Fast food, mediocre scenery, lots of cows and road trip karaoke. Best parts… 1. The beginning. Brittany discovers she’s being recorded. 2. At 48 seconds, Sonia is unfazed by me singing over her question.

Brit was offered a significant scholarship to join the current Big Sky champs, Idaho State Bengals. She’s got a tough decision brewing.

Full day at Idaho State today.

Road Trip

Salt Lake to Pocatello, Idaho.

#60 Done

Applications are in. Brit’s future plans are starting to crystalize.