All 6 kids

 
3 kids + 3 grand cats.  It was a lovely morning!

(Yesterday, I couldn't get this site to cooperate, so stay tuned for another post today.)

Holiday Card

Happy Holidays to everyone.  

2017 -- We hope to end it smiling -- it was kind of crazy.

Most of the highlights from the year were recorded here on the blog. Bullet points by Judi:

• January -- A broken foot and a very sick kitty.
• February -- Recovery for both of the tall boys and skiing for the girls.
• March -- Almost back to normal -- the first part of the year went by very quickly; a dance show.
• April -- Yosemite! 
• May -- Ballet and more dance!
• June -- More dance! A trip to Philly and NY to see friends and family.
• July -- More ballet! Lots of horse, hanging out, and rock climbing. (Kelly, Gerard, and Kristina visit and a hike with Heather!)
• August -- Seattle, 75, and School -- Happy Birthday Ted. And then a broken leg (poor Tia).
• September -- Sickness, losing Sedona, and a big meeting 
• October -- I (Judi) left my company after 20 years and joined a new one with 7 of the same people--we are having a lot of fun setting up our new research center.
• November -- Trying to get into a new groove, Thanksgiving, friends, family!  (Joe visits)
• December -- more dance -- Nutcracker for Kira and Nat starts tapping with the Company.  Of course it's crazy getting ready for Christmas with lots of baking of cookies.

The girls are working super hard.  Nat is a sophomore, Kira is an 8th grader, and Tia is a 7th grader. Next year, we have to start visiting colleges.  Yikes! 

Thoughts from the rest of the crew...Nick:

I appreciate walking like I never have before.  I celebrated 30 years of programming bliss with the same company.

Natalie:

I started playing Ukulele this fall and am hoping to learn guitar soon!  Tap is super fun--come to my show in March!  I started riding English last winter (after riding Western for many years) and am learning to jump.

Kira:

I'm hoping to see Hamilton in 2018!  (Life goal.)  Lots of ballet all year and high school for me in the fall.

Tia:

I discovered rock climbing this year and really got into it this fall!  I am working hard and hope to join a team next year. 

The Kitties:

Yay, you finally started instagramming us.  About time lazy hoomins. 

Cats and melons

 

26.5 pounds of watermelon!

The boys

 

The two on the left (Nono in front and Coale with the green plate) are getting ready to celebrate their 8th birthday.  Buddy likes to help them celebrate.

Brudders

 

My (Judi) legs are under the two brothers.  They love to snuggle.  I decided to just work from home until they were ready to move rather than disturb them.

Photo by Nick.

Cats and cubes

 

Here you can see Nat taking the same picture as the one I took yesterday.  You can also see Tia's cube obsession.  She loves her cubes (and some not even cube shaped).

Brothers

 

They love each other.

Run as fast as you can!

Coale photobombs as Nono runs.

Meowy Christmas

The two brothers picked their "kitty" on the rug. Each picked a different kitty.

 
Nono

 
Coale

A rare moment

All 3 in one place.  It's rare for the girls and for the boys.

3 in one.

The boys had to go to the vet.  Coale and Noel, the brothers, shared a kitty carrier.  When we got to the vet and let Buddy out he immediately joined the brothers in their carrier--safety in numbers.  The carrier is NOT that big; they are about 45 pounds together.  

Twins?

 

Nat got quite the picture of the boys... I love how much they look alike in this silly pose.

Brothers

 

These two love to snuggle.

Handsome boys

 

Brothers.

All 3

A new spot

One sunny afternoon

The kitties and the girls had an adventure in a crate.

 

 

 
Buddy was kind of amped up and kept climbing all over people.
 

 
Buddy doesn't want to learn to walk on a leash.

The kitties didn't hate it or love it. (Buddy liked the crate the least of the 3 boys; he liked the leash less than the crate.) I thought they would have enjoyed the sun and warmth more, but they were happy to go back inside. The girls had fun.

Brothers

 

The brothers say Happy Valentine's Day.  

She has them eating out of her hands.

 
I'm pretty sure that Coale is the one eating in this shot. There's another picture of Noel doing it. They LOVE kitty treats.

Purrspective

Coale is taller than his brother, but not this much… He is closer to the camera and sitting on a floor mat in the kitchen. No-no is not amused by how tall Coale looks.