The Waste Management Room!

Here's the almost final product! Just a few more details and its a wrap! Brady's enthusiasm for Waste Management has turned into a room full of WM gear; trucks, hats, frisbees, posters and of course pictures! The little man is loving it and we're glad to support his passion!

This wall will get its make over with a few framed recycle themed posters that Melissa found online! We're looking for an urban theme and vibe, without being too comical and Brady so far loves it! Note the WM recycle bin on the floor, its a toy bin, of course full of garbage trucks and cans.

A fun Day at the park with friends!

Although we had 8 of us hanging out at the park, we only took a few silly pics! This pic was only gonna be Melis and I, then some crazy red head just jumped in and got in the pic! Since then, we decided that her family needed some friends, so we've kept em around! HA HA! Jusss kidding, love ya all!

Val took this pic of Drew, I played with and here is the end result! Pretty cool shot! Its my desktop wallpaper at work and home! Neat moment, thanks Val!

Hike up a hill!

Thats the Novaes-Orick Hiking Team! We climbed up a hill in Vacaville, kids and all! The highlight for the kids...Snack! Highlight for the parents...SNACK when we got home, BEER!

Melissa and Val share some words of wisdom, yeah right...all they do is giggle and smirk, but the view in the background was awesome!

The Novaes-Orick Team!

Funny Drew!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
The legend tells that years ago every casino in Las Vegas had a three-piece chicken dinner with a potato and a veggie for $1.79. A standard bet back then was $2, hence when you won a bet you had enough for a chicken dinner. !”

So, the call of glorious victory rang out “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!"

Thanks Valerie for the inspiration!

Been too long!

Oh yeah, dumps are still the important factor in Brady's life!

Once in awhile the kids in the neighborhood will bust our some really cute things, like a picnic!

Estamos vivo!

Yes, we're alive! A cute pic taken in Petaluma while on a date! It was an awesome day to just hangout and be carefree!

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!