Derek in Snow?! Say WHAT!?!

Miracles do happen...really! Derek in the snow is about as rare as snow in Maceio in the summer! For someone who likes flip flops, board shorts, a cold cerveja and heat...getting into boots(ouch!), big pants and jackets is just strange!

So what gets us in the snow?! Friends and awesome In-laws caring for awesome children! Thanks to Val & Gabe for pushing the idea, a huge thanks to Nana & Papa for caring for the kids and Brady and Drew for being cool with Mommy and Daddy having some grown-up time! XOXOXO to all!

Where's summer?!?

A weekend in the snow!

Valerie and Melissa looking all cute before heading out in the freezing cold to go down a hill on a piece of plastic! In the end, it was a fun activity for us!
Many more pics to come, this one was too cute not to post!

A few more shots with the iphone!

Maloqueiro Brady e maloqueira Drew!

Olha so pra esses meninos...de sandalha no inverno...com uma camisa do Brasil! So agente mesmo!

Why not right!?!?

A shot of the CALSTRS building in West Sacramento taken this past Sunday while storm river searching with the kids!

Just another day in the house of a Photographer!

When Daddy gets new photo gear, it must be tested! So guess who becomes the subjects? You guessed it, Brady and Drew!

Some moments can't be captured, yet, this moment was captured and will be treasured!

The time to mow!

Thankfully the weather got better, finalmente Pai...que frio do caralho! Quero a minha praia e uma Brahma! So Brady can now help me mow the lawn!

New Art work!

Well, here's the newest piece of art on the body! It was done at High Voltage in West Hollywood by an "artista Brasileira," Camilla Rocha!

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!