Kristofer's First Sleepover!

28 December 2005

Kristofer went over to Joel's house, just eight houses down the street.

Don't ask who's more nervous!

Thanks be to God!

Happy Birthday Kristofer!

26 December 2005

Mama worked all day to make a Big Foot Monster Truck birthday cake for Kristofer, and he loved it! It was a Monster Truck Birthday all around, with two monster trucks: Gravedigger from Gran & Papa and Blue Thunder from Uncle Eric, Auntie Erika, Kiara and Ava, and a radio controlled Jeep from Mama and Daddy.

Joel and his parents came over for the party, and the boys had fun seeing who could make the yuckiest smile with all that blue and black cake icing!

We finished the day with a meal at McDonald's before saying goodbye to Gran, Papa, & Bubba.

Thanks be to God!

Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus!

25 December 2005

We woke up, said prayers, sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus, and then attacked the tree.

Everyone was excited, as Andrew got some new cars and new play set, and Kristofer got a new Rescue Hero (Jake Justice and his trusty robot 10-4), plus Line Chasers and his very own computer!

The boys also got a bowling set and Kristofer got a basketball hoop.

Kristofer and Mama and Daddy all heard Santa and his sleighbells late Christmas Eve, too, right outside Kristofer & Andrew's bedroom window!

Grand, Papa, and Bubba all joined us mid-day for a feast and more presents.

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Crawls For The First Time!

24 December 2005

Andrew gave a bonafide 2 cycle crawl, all four limbs going two times each!

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Sits Up On His Own For The First Time!

19 December 2005

Out of the blue! Mama looked over at him in the living room and there he was, sitting like he was king of the world!

So we laid him down again, and he scooted right back up! Mama got video of that one while Daddy & Kristofer watched. We were all very excited, and he was, too, very happy that he had made all of us smile and be full of joy!

Later, Daddy took the small video with his phone so we could put it on the web right away.

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer has a W-A-T-E-R moment With Numbers!

16 December 2005

Kristofer counted to 200 and then answered, as if it were common knowledge(!), what came after 299, 399, 499, etc, and then had the right answer after 999...then we asked what came after 1999 and he said 2000!

All of this when we hadn't spent much time on numbers lately, and certainly had never gone through those sequences before.

Mama and Daddy looked at each other and said, "He gets it!"

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer Finishes Level 5 (The Last One!) in H.O.P.!

9 December 2005

He's a bonafide reader now! Kristofer has worked hard and dillegently, and when he saw he only had a few more pages to go, he decided to go for it instead of spread the last lessons out over the next few days.

He's reading everything. Home schooling seems to be the perfect fit!

Thanks be to God!

Ice Grips The City!

8 December 2005

In perfect Texas fashion, panic gripped the city and Mama's school had a delayed opening this morning. We had a true freeze overnight with rain prior, so the trees and everything but the roads had an issue.

Of course, you don't want to be out driving in Texas when there's a possibility of frozen bridges. The natives don't know how to drive in these conditions!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer Sings in the Festival of Carols!

7 December 2005

He joined with his kindergarten Religious Education class to sing at the school-wide festival!

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Eats a Donut Seed!

5 December 2005

Aggies call 'em donut seeds, but you probably know them better as Cheerios. Andrew had his first one today.

Don't know if there's a corrolary between that and the three dirty diapers he had the next day...!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer Decides to Join a Band!

4 December 2005

Kristofer decides to play, amongst other things, a Tuba and an Accordion. Along with a guitar and drums, of course!

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Waves Back!

3 December 2005

Daddy came home from his Saturday Accountability Group breakfast and Andrew was in his Bounce & Play. When Daddy waved to Andrew from the kitchen, Andrew waved back!

Thanks be to God!

Operation: Here Comes Santa Claus Begins!

26 November 2005

It may be 80 degrees outside, but it's the first Sunday of Advent and the Cowles household is geared up for the next 43 days!

The furniture is moved, the attic is emptied, and we will be fully decorated in about five days.

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Gets A Tooth!

25 November 2005

Andrew started showing a tooth in the bottom front. He's been teething a little bit, but not enough to comlain so loudly of it, so this tooth was a pleasant though not unexpected surprise!

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Gives Intentonal Kisses!

24 November 2005

Sloppy as they can be, he knows what he's doing now, and is eager to give and receive!

Thanks be to God!

Thanksgiving in San Antonio!

24 November 2005

We had Thanksgiving feastivities (!) with the entire Novak clan at the Henirquez house, along with some of the Henriquez's neighbors. 23 of us in all sat down to a wonderful day and evening of food, family, and football!

Thanks be to God!

The Kleypases Go To Disney World!

24 November 2005

Finally - A VACATION!

Thanks be to God!

Field Trip!

We go see a F-18 Fighter and Its Pilot...UP CLOSE!

23 November 2005

Daddy's friend Bob Holzweiss invited us to come see a real fighter jet and its pilot at the airport. The pilot was in town to be the lead in the formation to fly over Kyle Field at halftime during the Texas - Texas A&M football game the day after Thanksgiving!

Kristofer definitely was in his element with Ted, the pilot!

Thanks be to God!

Rick Toracinta Goes Home!

23 November 2005

Our long-time friend and reader at our wedding, Ernest Richard Toracinta passed away today. He has gone to see the Lord he loves so much!

We are ecstatic for him, and sad for us.

Rick spent 40 years on Earth, and remains eternally in our hearts.

Thanks be to God!

Field Trip!

We go to The George Bush Presidential Library & Museum

22 November 2005

Daddy's friend, Bob Holzweiss, is the Archivist for the Library, and he also headed up the current exhibit, "Trains: Tracks of the Iron Horse," which we went to see. Bob also gave Kristofer an exclusive, personal tour of the Union Pacific caboose on display!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer and Andrew Take a Bath Together!

21 November 2005

This was their first time in the tub together, so we got video and picutres for the eventual incriminating evidence.

No, we won't post them online!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer Finishes Level 4 in H.O.P.!

21 November 2005

Kristofer has finished his fourth of five levels of reading, and is champing at the bit to finish that fifth level by Christmas!

He is an awesome reader!

Thanks be to God!

Mama and Daddy Celebrate Their Ninth Wedding Anniversary!

9 November 2005

Mama and Daddy had a subdued day since Daddy was sick, and made plans to go out in a couple of days. Nine years...and every day a blessing and a gift!

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Holds His Own Bottle and Feeds Himself for the First Time!

6 November 2005

Mama and Daddy were reportedly confused as to what to do with there spare hands with all the extra time while he ate. Turns out we still know how to read, and have been devouring books since this fateful day!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer & Daddy at War!

7 November 2005

Kristofer and Daddy had thier first full-scale Little Green Men army battle in the living room and kitchen. Kristofer was Green, and Daddy was Tan. Despite his veteran status, Daddy's Tan troops fell to the superior imagination of General Kristofer!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer Explains Exactly Why He Knows Gran and Papa Love God!

6 November 2005

Kristofer has a very good sense of the world. And he shared his lesson that has become the title story of a compilation of his philosophy on this trip to the Donut Shop with Daddy.

Thanks be to God!

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet, Give Me Something Good To Eat!

31 October 2005

Andrew had his first Halloween and Superman had his second. We went to St. Andrewsville Haunted Village and then Mama and Andrew dropped off Kristofer and Daddy at the end of our street for some old fashioned Trick-or-Treating!

Thanks be to God!

Pokergeist 2005!

29 October 2005

The First Annual Pokergesit is held at Calvin "The Undertaker" Kleypas' house for the MDM Poker League, of which Daddy is a Charter Member!

A ghoulish time was had by all with lots of friends and family - we saw everyone except Papa at lunch the next day!

Thanks be to God!

interCOM Lands Its Largest Client Yet!

27 October 2005

Our client from our Big Proposal asked us to perform what we do but not provide what the vendors were providing - giving us an opportunity to reduce cost while maintaining the same profit!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer Lights The Fire In The Fireplace For The First Time!

27 October 2005

Using only one match, Kristofer got the fire started and it burned all night! Yep, he lit the match all by himself. Mama and Daddy weren't even standing near him when he did it!!

Thanks be to God!

We Go In Search Of A Pumpkin Patch!

23 October 2005

This town lacks any semblance of a centralized information repository, so we headed out in search of a place to take pictures. We found one, and Jack and Jackie were the result!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer & Daddy Start Their Weekly Donut Day!

23 October 2005

Kristofer suggested last week that he and Daddy have a special time each week to go get donut holes and just hang out.

So we did!

Thanks be to God!

The Long-expected Little Men Punishment is instituted!

19 October 2005

The reasons for the punishment are not a public matter. The effect, however, is as real as it is in the story. In this case, Daddy was Uncle Fritz,

An excerpt from the story is here.

The entire book is online here.

Thanks be to God!

Aunt-Aunt (Mama's Sister Michele) Registers and Launches myspoonfulofsugar.com!

12 October 2005

Aunt-Aunt (Mama's sister Michele) and her business partner plan to open the brick and mortar store in February 2006, and are working with Daddy for some help with their Internet presence and their advertising!

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Gives His First Kiss!

8 October 2005

Andrew gave our adopted Aggie, C. J., a verifiable kiss. Just like his brother, whose first kiss was for his Uncle Denis, Andrew decided to practice before laying one on Mama and Daddy, which he did later this evening.

Now, we all get them!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer Learns To Whistle - Again!

8 October 2005

Kristofer knew how to whistle when he was two years old, teaching himself. Then he lost interest and forgot.

Now, he's done it again!

Thanks be to God!

Daddy Declares Himself Caffeine-Free!

5 October 2005

Daddy spent September weaning himself off regular dietCoke and switching to caffeine-free. One big thing to reduce the stress in his life...though he's always claimed it was the bubbles that he was addicted to. Why is this a big deal?

Well, when you down between 2 and 4 liters of the stuff on a daily basis, it can have some affect on you...especially over the course of 20 years!

And, yes, Daddy still has a regular dietCoke when he's eating out. It's not like he had to go dry!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer Joins the Cowles Pfaltzgraff Tradition!

29 September 2005

Kristofer broke his first Pfaltzgraff plate when clearing the table tonight. It was traumatic for him, until he found out he had joined a very exclusive club in the Cowles Tradition!!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer Finishes Level 3 in H.O.P.!

22 September 2005

Kristofer is reading like a champ, learning with Mama and Daddy teaching using the Hooked On Phonics system.

He's reading chapter books and anything else he can lay his eyes on!

Thanks be to God!

interCOM Formally Proposes a $350,000 Contract!

21 September 2005

Yep.

It's our largest to this point in our history.

We're a little spooked by it, too. We'd appreciate your prayers for our success!

Thanks be to God!

Hurricane Rita Comes a Knockin'!

20 September 2005

We got visited by a lovely meter maid who gave us a wink and made us think of her.

Mom & Dad joined us after they evacuated Orange, Texas. Good idea!

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Eats Something Colorful!

18 September 2005

Andrew had his first vegetables at dinner tonight - green beans. And since he was sitting in his high chair, he had to pray with us at the same time, too! We won't report on what comes out tomorrow...!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer is Complimented in Public on his Home Schooling!

17 September 2005

While checking out after our monthly grocery shopping, the cashier asked Daddy if "they [the boys] are homeschooled?" After saying yes, she replied "I thought so. He's the smartest five year-old I've ever seen!"

Thanks be to God!

Gran & Papa Get a Surprise Retirement Party!

4 September 2005

Perhaps the coup of the generation, this was a load of fun for some very worthy people! So much fun it got it's own web site!

There's also a slideshow of the event(), from pictures by Uncle Mike.

We also produced a slideshow from their pictures through the years (Mama and Daddy culled some 500 out of nearly 30,000 pictures and scanned them! Whew!), which is what you'll get if you click on the journal image on the left when we get it web ready...sometime soon.

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer Starts Daily Classwork in Homeschool!

29 August 2005

Kristofer's schedule involves Reading, History and Geography in the morning, and Math, Science, and Writing in the afternoon. And includes plenty of recess, too! Kristofer's been getting home schooling for about a year, but this is his first formalized instruction.

Thanks be to God!

Father David delivers the shortest homily on record at St. Mary's!

27 August 2005

The air conditioning had gone out in our Texas church, and it was 5:30 in the evening. Father David got up after the Gospel reading and said, "You think it's hot in here? It's hotter in Hell, so straighten up!" And then he was done!

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Rolls Over!

12 August 2005

Though rumored to have done it once before when nobody else was looking (We suspect the dog helped!), Andrew made his first rolling performance...and Mama caught it on tape!

Thanks be to God!

Kristofer Cuts His Own Meat For The First Time!

9 August 2005

Kristofer's entire meal was his of the making and eating! He cut his own hamburger patty, and even tried some Broccoli...that his taste buds did not like. Even after Daddy tried to convince him they were Jelly Bean Trees...

Thanks be to God!

Father Mike's Last Mass at St. Mary's!

31 July 2005

Today we said farewell to our beloved brother and pastor, Father Mike. We tearfully offer our gift of him to the Diocese, wishing Love didn't hurt so much.

Father Mike has changed your world. And God is not finished with him yet!

Thanks be to God!

Independence Day!

4 July 2005

We got home in time to see the fireworks at the George Bush Presidential Library, presented annually by the Lion's Club. They were a little disappointing this year, but Kristofer got another chance to learn about the greatest country on Earth (which is of course refresher material for him since we do it every day!).

Thanks be to God!

Hangin' With The White Boyz!

1 - 4 July 2005

We travelled to Round Rock for one of our thrice-yearly get-togethers with the O'Donnells and The Vriezelaars. Joe and Norma hosted this time, to show off their new window treatment!

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Laughs For The First Time!

1 July 2005

Uncle Joe gets credit for making Andrew laugh for the first time. Andrew had been working on it, but two minutes into our annual Jully soiree with The White Boyz and Joe had him giggling!

Thanks be to God!

Father's Day!

19 June 2005

Daddy got his one day off this year. He got breakfast in bed...which is good because he didn't get out of bed until 3:30 that afternoon, and stayed in his pajamas all day!

Thanks be to God!

Andrew is Baptized!

11 June 2005

We celebrated Mass and Andrew was welcomed into the Church on this Saturday evening. All the Novak families came (We took up three rows of pews!), and we had a reception at the house with 41 people there!

Thanks be to God!

Uncle Bubba Graduates!

27 May 2005

Gran & Papa score a perfect 4.0 when Rob graduates from LCM High School in Orange, TX. And boy did he put the icing on the cake!

Thanks be to God!

School's Out, School's Out, Monkeys let the Teacher OUT!

25 May 2005

Mama gets a reprieve for the summer...sorta.

Thanks be to God!

Retreat!

21 May 2005

Daddy helped roll-out and direct the first ever "Permanent Parishioner Retreat" at St. Mary's Catholic Church in College Station.

Thanks be to God!

Mother's Day !

8 May 2005

Mama got her one day off this year. All the trimmings, including breakfast in bed and yummies at the local ice cream parlor.

Thanks be to God!

Daddy's Birthday!

26 April 2005

Daddy turned older. And celebrated by getting highlights in his hair still!

Thanks be to God!

Habemus Papam!

19 April 2005

We have a Pope!

ANNUNTIO VOBIS GAUDIUM MAGNUM HABEMUS PAPAM!

Thanks be to God!

Day Out With Thomas!

10 April 2005

We went with The Vriezelaars to see Thomas AND to ride on the train pulled by him!

Thanks be to God!

Father Mike Announces He Is Leaving St. Mary's!

2 April 2005

Our Pastoral Shepherd who has celebrated every possible sacrament for Daddy is going on sabbatical and then taking over as Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Austin.

Thanks be to God!

Pope John Paul II Goes Home!

2 April 2005

Our Most Holy Father continued his journey of Eternal Life...

Thanks be to God!

Andrew Comes for a Visit!

27 March 2005

On Easter Day, at 2:32AM, 27 March 2005, Andrew Robert Cowles came home nine months after joining our family! And he did so right on cue - or at least on Daddy's!

Thanks be to God!

Seven Swingin' Ducks!

19 March 2005

There's always time for a little fun, and Daddy hosted the latest session of the MDM Poker League at the house...

Click HERE for the Official Newsletter, The Recap.

Thanks be to God!

We're Moving!

8 March 2005

We culminated 2 years of discernment with a decision to move to Little Elm, Texas.

We'll explain why later. Which means when you see a little book in the column on the left, we've explained it!

Thanks be to God!

Soda Dies!

March 2005

Longtime family Man's Best Friend Soda Vriezelaar died at the age of 15 1/2. She has left us all with a lot of memories.

Thanks be to God!

The Black Claw Trading Company Opens For Business!

March 2005

Daddy launches his automatic game hosting site for the most popular PBEM game in Internet history: VGA Planets.

Thanks be to God!

Mama's Birthday!

4 - 6 February 2005

We celebrated with Uncle Calvin and his family in San Antonio.

Thanks be to God!

Sole Proprietor No More!

3 February 2005

Duck Soup In A Dawg Bowl, LLC has been officially recognized by the Secretary of the State of Texas as a Limited Liability Corporation. Daddy begins the slow withdrawal from his nine years (almost to the day!) with an assumed business name (d/b/a), interCOM.

Thanks be to God!

Thomas Makes His Debut!

31 January 2005

Less than three months after being diagnosed with diabetes, Superman gets his Cozmore Insulin Pump!

Thanks be to God!