Papa & Brady's Family B-day Celebration!

Brady got himself a cool tool bag with his own tools! Hopefully we wont find the house torn down!

Another birthday, another blow! Happy Birthday Brady and Papa!

Christmas Tree goes up!

Seems that every year the kids get more and more into the whole decorating thing! Which is awesome! Brady tended to want to set them up at first, then Drew got in on the action!

Brady the "Elf!"

"What this one Daddy? What this one Mommy? Whats this one Daddy!?!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Who doesn'e love some In & Out once in a while?!

This pic goes out to Stephanie! We love you very much, but don't hate because you're in some cold place where ice storms occur, and where you cant ride a bike because it's frozen too, and where there isn't an In & Out for you to spoil yourself once in a while! Yes, we still love you!

Soccer season comes to an end!

The 2010 Soccer season is now a part of history! Brady and Drew both had a good time out there. Brady's team, Scorpions, had some down games but they also had some great times! It was great to see the kids understanding the concept of forwards, defenders, passing and using the open spaces on the field rather than play "bunch ball!"

Drew's team, Red Devils, had great and exciting games. Drew enjoyed playing forward and making her best effort to score. She came close several times, by next year she will get the concept of taking the ball all the way to goal. we look forward to seeing the progression next year!

Thanks to all of those who came out and watched the games: Nana & Papa, Didi, Uncle Jim and Auntie Sis, Ryley & Sean. We know how hard it can be to take a morning to watch the kids!

Brady's Award Ceremy!

A weekly thing now, Awards Ceremonies This week it was Brady's First Grade Ceremony!

A Math award! Big surprise huh?! Brady earned 100% on both of his math end of units tests! He works really hard at math all day, everyday, its all about numbers!

Little man just chillin' with his friends during the ceremony.

Reading has also kicked into gear! Holy cow he can read! He loves for one of us to read to him at night, so that has been our nightly tradition around here for some time now. He has also been reading signs around town when in the car, books, magazines, newspapers and TV! Its awesome and we're all super proud of him!

Ice Cream in November?!

Seems pretty crazy, but its life in California! This was a burrrr-fect opportunity for a cute shot!

Drew's Kinder Awards Ceremony

First off, DREW IN KINDERGARTEN already!?! Now she's getting awards too?! Amazing how time just passes us like the wind! We're super proud of this girl, we thought she'd be trouble in class, but come to find out, we were wrong!

Not only did she get awards for knowing her "High Frequency Words," she also received a "Perfect Attendance Award!"

Some of Drew's High Frequency Words include: I, and, an, is, this, here, a, we, what, has etc!

Now here's the shocker of them all! "Great Behavior!" Not in a million years did I think this would happen, let alone in her first year of school! I just hope this lasts and we carry some momentum as times go!

Girlfriend did not miss one day of school, she went even when not feeling so good! She's a trooper and a hard worker and a great classmate! You go girl, don't miss a thing!

Three Reasons why I wake up!

What the heck else does one need after these three awesome people?!

PS. Sorry for the lack of updates, issues with getting the pics off the card reader!

Boys Night Out!

This past Saturday night Brady and I had the night to ourselves! We have Mongolian BBQ...did not eat the whole thing! Then watched "Megamind on 3D," which was suuuper cool! The best 3D effects I have seen! Brady kept trying to touch whatever was in the air! After the move we went to frozen yogurt! Great times!

Drew the Artist?

Look at what our little girl produced for us! Drew has a little desk in her room which she loves; it has all the art tools she needs: pencils, paper, scissors, crayon etc! She can spend up to an hour in there busting out the coolest of things! Expect more in the near future!

The Family Dressed up for the 2010 Fall Charity Ball

This was our second time attending the Fall Charity Fall hosted by Laurie Lane. The Ball brings a few dollars into a couple of charities in town and its a fun excuse to dress up. The kids loved dressing up, especially Drew. Brady looked super cool in his tie with tennis shoes! Both kids we're complimented and had a great time! Melissa of course looked awesome as usual! I am the luckiest guy in the world.

Last year we won the raffle for the two free nights at a hotel in Tahoe City, had a blast..that's where we watched the first Brasil Cup game...in Tahoe at a Mexican restaurant! Ohhh and had a free shot of a $40 shot of tequila..muito bom! Anyways...

We tried hard to win the room again, but instead we...I mean Melissa, won a bag of hair products. At least we didn't go home empty handed!

Great time, and we'll see you all dressed up next year! Thanks for the fun!

An Exclusive Interview with Drew!

This is will be even funnier in 10 years! Cant wait! Enjoy the laugh!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuB_lNDSA2Q&feature=feedu

Another full weekend of Futebol!

Drew keeps getting closer and closer to putting it in, but seems gun shy at the very last second. But she's still my "Camisa 10," so it will come sooner than later! Maybe a party for her first goal!

Soccer Mom?!?! Humm, not really...see...she doesnt have a minivan, she's super hot and isn't a coach who hasn't the slightest clue about soccer! She's our Mommy!

Brady has been wanting to play keeper for a few weeks, and he got his chance! He had a couple of saves, let a couple by, but he can sure kick the ball! So maybe we have a football punter instead of a soccer play!

Rio Strada Racing in Folsom, Ca.

Team Rio - Elite 3's rippin' the first turn in Folsom's Cyclebration last weekend!

2010 Soccer Season has begun!

Drew is still on a 6 & Under co-ed team called the Red Devils, no it was not named after her! She seems to have made some progress with the concept of the game! Maybe it was the month long World Cup games, with the exception of one game...cala boca!

Brady has moved up to the 8 & Under Boys team, Scorpions! Just like Drew, Brady has also figured some things out! Derek has been helping the coach. Derek's biggest goal with the kids, to not play just the ball. So far, the team gets it and it showed in their first game! 2-2 tie but last year it took some 8 games to score just one goal!

Kid's & Bikes go hand in hand!

First Day of School - 2010

Finally the two awesome ones are attending the same school! Pretty exciting times for both!

The family drive to school! Everyone is happy and ready for the first day!

Guess who has been ready for school for a VERY long time!?!?

Drew scoping out the kids in her class! She knew a few from her pre-school days!

Brady was also excited to attend his first day as a First Grader! Time to step up and be a big boy

Summer coming to an end...

For some reason I always get a laugh out of these silly things!
We spent the afternoon at Funderland, a place that offers a bunch
of fun rides for kids!

Kids can ride all day long as many times as they'd like and they rode and rode and rode!

Then the day was followed by some yummy frozen yogurt!

Kids have had a great summer too by the way, from long bike rides, to trips, their first gymnastics summer camp, playing with cousins, swimming like there was no tomorrow, eating yummy food, playing with loads of friends!

Now we're just in the process of getting school supplies, uniforms, day care and after school programs ironed out, soccer practice begins this week as well, plus a few road races for Derek to finish off the season!

Family Training!

Who said that training wasn't a family affair? With thousands of miles logged in, one of my favorite rides are the ones where my family comes out and offers support for a big race! Derek W., I still love my kit as you can see!

Nothing like getting water sprayed in your face while hitting a lil bitty hill! Thanks Brady, Drew and Melissa for the efforts and time! Lets hope it all pays off in the end right?!

Another summer trip to Dillon Beach!

Sorry for the huge gap in posting pics and updates! Just been busy watching the Tour de France, kids, World Cup and riding bikes in the area etc. More pics to come in the very near future!

Happy 4th of July 2010

Whats a 4th of July without fireworks right?!

In keeping with tradition, those are hard to break here, we hit up our freinds, Bruce & Kim's house, as we have been for the past 4 years. For Drew, taking the plunge in the pool from the wall was her goal before getting to the party, goal met! She it not once, but several times! CRAZY GIRL!

While lil sister Drew was busy jumping in the pool, Brady was just excited to get to drink a WHOLE can of soda!

On the 3rd of July, the city of Colfax celebrated their festivities! Tia Dani took Drew to get her face painted, which lasted a good 24hrs! Thanks Tia Dani!

We'll miss you Forrest

In February of 1997 Forrest was born in our apartment, he then lost his buddy Pepper, then got in a new house, saw Melis and Derek get real jobs, got a new buddy in Minka. Then later came these lil people who eventually turned into Brady and Drew! Lost his buddy Minka, but innately Forrest knew where to find Minka. Now they're together! We'll miss you Forrest!

Summer time!

So the past few days has been hotter than two rats humpin' in a wool sock! How to stay cool? Many different options: Gym pool, Rec Center, Slip & Slid and a water hose at the front of the house.

These options arent the super special option of a pool in our backyard, which isnt a financial option. However, these options work, the kids have fun and laugh, so what else do we need? A $50,000 pool???? Naaaaahhhh!

Untitled by dereknovaes at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by dereknovaes at Garmin Connect - Details

From broke to dope!

Here she is, the new frame! Looks like a new bike doesnt it?!

Our Kinder Kirl & First Krader!

This is by far one of the cutest pictures I have taken of Brady in a long time! Dude just doesnt like cameras nor pictures! So this one is ultra rare and worth the wait!


Then there's Drew, camera whore basically! She loves to have Daddy take pics and can pose really well! One thing is for sure, they are getting bigger and are growing at rapid speed!