Invention Convention

Originally scheduled for Sept. 10th, however due to Hurricane Ike school was cancelled and the convention rescheduled for Sept. 17th. Good ole Ike!

The 5th and 6th graders at our school welcomed us to their "Invention Convention." Thomas' partner was Ruben. The two invented a double sided clothes pin. They made them in two different sizes and as you can see their teacher has used them to display papers in her room. Some of the other inventions are noted as well. Adam and Matthew converted a koozie to a pen holder/water bottle holder so you could write/drink while Grace and Sierra invented the "i bike" abling you to ride and listen to your ipod! Great job inventors!

We had refreshments (that was Laynie's favorite part) and then we made our long journey home.

Lauren's First Communion

Lauren's first communion was Wednesday September 10th, 2008 at St. Theresa's. As a baby Lauren was baptised August 21, 1999 a day before Hurricane Brett and we are 3 days away from Hurricane Ike.

4-H Banquet 08

Getting ready for interviews! Don't we look nice.

Thomas lead the 4-H motto, pledge and prayer! Receiving our 1 year pins.

Our first 4-H banquet - and I hope many more to come. Both Keith and I were active in 4-H. After we'd been married, one day at my in-laws I was browsing through photo albums and found a picture of the day Keith received the 4-H Gold Star and I saw my mom and dad in the picture. Yep, we received the Gold Star award from different counties the same year and stood a couple of people away from each other. So we've waited until this year to start the kids. Thomas showed his steer and Lauren made items for the Home economics division. She had two division winners! I know this is the beginning of a really big adventure for the Bowman family.

1st day of School 08

Jun 29th - our first day of school. Thomas is a 6th grader, Lauren a 4th grader and Laynie is in Kinder. Our school goes year round so starting during the summer is a little hard, but the 2 weeks we have off every 9 weeks is GREAT! Laynie is the most anxious. She will have the same teachers as last year. After her first day of Kinder - she announced that this would be her last year of school. She didn't need to go on to first grade, she will help her daddy! I hope Mrs. Gonzalez teachers her everything she needs to know. Thomas is taking Pre Algebra (7th grade math) in the 6th grade. He is very excited. Lauren is glad to be in a new room and she will be changing teachers. Her homeroom teacher, Mrs. Hester has many pets in her room. Lauren was chosen to be the janitor in homeroom. Anyone who knows her, knows this is the perfect job for Lauren. She is very organized! Next year we should be moving into a brand new school. WOW!

Frio Record Book Trip

This year Lauren and Thomas both entered 4-H record books. Anyone who has entered or helped with one knows the amount of work that goes into one by who else than Mom or Dad. It is a great way to keep track of your many accomplishments throughout your youth that comes in very handy for resumes/scholarships/etc. Anyway, the kids were not very enthused about helping until they went on the Frio Record Book Trip. I know that next year they will be typing and making sure Mom doesn't wait until the last minute so they can go on next years trip! Thanks Barbie for keeping them safe. Mom actually had to accompany them (so Laynie could go!). I was able to get the cabin next door to the 4-H group (how lucky) and Keith's sister Kristin came along with Samantha, Sarah and Caleb. We had a great time. It wasn't much fun walking the river with 4 kids. Kristin and I came up with many shirt logos that would have sold for lots of $$$$. The most fun was spent watching others and the kids jumping off the rope swings. We made snowcones (raspas) and had great fun cooking and being together. I hope we can all do it again next year!

Auction raising funds for Driscoll's Childrens Hospital

This year we participated in the Cattleman's Roundup raising money for Driscoll's Childrens hospital. Thomas make Grandma Dorothy's sourdough bread (yummy), Laynie helped with Brownies and we made Carmel Corn for Lauren (she was spending time with Grandma Dorothy). Each child that donated items was asked to go into the auction ring and "sell" their baked good. Thomas did a great job, looking really nice in his cowboy hat! Laynie on the other hand was a little nervous. I sat in the audience to capture photos. As you can see from the pics, Laynie was not about to smile, but when she did she sold cookies for over $200.00. It was fun and for a great cause.

A game with Nolan Ryan 08

We feed cattle that can qualify for Nolan Ryan's Beef product that is sold in Super S stores and Krogers. As a perk we were invited to a Corpus Christi Hooks Game with Nolan Ryan. The kids were able to purchase items at the gift shop and have him sign them. I think the adults ended up more excited than the kids! This year Keith's dad, David, and Dorothy were able to join us. David, an avid baseball fan, has his very own signed ball by Nolan Ryan. The Hooks stadium is very kid friendly and we had a great time.