Happy Holidays 2014

It's pink this year to honor the arrival of their new little sister.

Boomer- 7.7 years     Jinx- 21 months     Isabella- 4 months

Baby Girl

Little Baby Isabella testing out the kitty tower.

 Jinx watches from the stairs.

 Then she fell asleep on my lap. :)

Welcome Home!

Well, since she still has the sniffles, so no spaying. Here's my Izzy in the car... She didn't cry, not a peep. She just sat down and rode with no issues. 

 This was pretty much how the evening went. Jinx and Boomer sat far enough away watching her. They were less thrilled than we were. We'll give them a few days.

Jinx vs. TV

Jinx legitimately enjoys watching television. He will sit on his log and watch the television. 

Love this boy!

It's a Girl!

Well, we found a baby! We decided this morning to go to the Animal Control Shelter on Birdneck Road this morning... just to see what they had out there.  We had talked about another tiny ginger baby boy to go with Boomer and Jinx and well, that place was smashed as soon as we got a look at this little girl.

We get to bring her home in a few days.. We have to wait for her to be spayed and she has a cold.. So we'll wait and see. She's so adorable. Can't wait for her to be home with us for real!

ADS Holiday Party 2014

Had a great time at the Holiday Party. Courtesy of Lisa, we were able to get a room at the Hilton Oceanfront for free!! Met Missy and Eli (our dates) pre-party and shared a bottle of Peach Prosecco. 

Here are some of the highlights!

Oh That Jinx!

Sometimes there are moments when his sweet little face is just too cute for words and then there are moments like this. He was on my lap and I grabbed my cell phone because he was so cute and then this happened.  Love this baby. 

Jinx- 21 Months Old 

Twinsies- Part 2!

So, Sarah and I did it again! I don't mind at all! There's something about showing up at work all of the time finding that someone else chose the same outfit as you did.  Love this place.

Goodbye Little Boy

 We had a good run, you and me. I remember the day you were born. February 3rd, 1997 at #91 30th Street Newport News, VA in the Saint James Terrace Apartments.  

You were the tiniest of five, the runt. They were getting ready to move and we needed to take you with us as soon as possible. You came to us at just under 4 weeks old. You couldn't even get into the litter box! We had to put a cookie sheet on the floor and toss some kitty litter inside so you could manage on your own. 

You were very strong willed. No one could make you do anything that you did't want to do. 

From the very beginning though, your big brother Teddy took you under his wing and he took care of you when we weren't home. He carried you around like you were his baby.

We had our first near death experience when you swallowed a needle while I was sewing when you were three causing you to lose your meow for a while.

We had some fun times and you brought a ton pf personality to the table. I don't know when it happened, but you taught yourself to fetch a little ball that's been in the family for going on 15 years. I have the ball and I am going to make sure you keep it with you forever.

You put up with a lot through the years.. moving, getting a new brother, going to the vet every Saturday. 

You gave us an earful when we brought your little ginger brother Boomer home in 2008. You were mad at us for weeks. We weren't sure how you were going to take the new ginger baby when we adopted Jinx last year. You were less concerned.

Tonight, we lost you. We had a good run, you and me.

Spotty Joe

3 Feb 1997 - 5 Nov 2014

Aged 17 years 9 Months and 2 Days

No String is Safe

Unfortunately for me, Jinx has not quite learned that Mommy makes things from string, however, that string is not a Jinx toy. I had to give him a few balls of yarn to get him to leave me alone..

For the most part, it did work.

Hello Stranger!

Our daughter from Germany came back to visit after living with us as an exchange student while she was in High School in 2001-2002. Unfortunately, we only got her for a few days!

These were taken October 5-9th.

At the Beach!

Anke, Me, and Terry at the base of King Neptune

Chrysler Museum

Chrysler Museum had a Harley Davidson exhibit. Anke and I had our pictures taken.. 

Bowling!

Dinner at PF Chang's

Final Day of EOY

This place would definitely NOT be as much fun without these people!

I have to say that I am pretty lucky to have found myself surrounded by some of the most amazing people I have had the pleasure to meet!

Me, Deb, and Jordan..

Christine, Jen, Me, and Deb.. What a Team!

Mimosa Monday

 I love this girl!! Jenni and I having our 10am Mimosa!!

Italy comes to Virginia

Met up with these two ladies!! Blast from the past! I lived near Lupe and Ruby when I lived in Italy!!

Tiki-Friday

Twinsies!!

Gotta love it when you show up at work and realize one of your friends is dressed exactly like you!
Sarah and M!

VA-PA-OH-IN-IL-WV Trip

**We have a passenger with us.. Flat Missy. She wanted to go with us to our final destination in Chicago to see Jordan, but was not able, so we brought her via cardboard cutout so she could be with us in spirit at least!

August 19th

Day 1 of the trip starts out with us in the car on our way towards Richmond via Highway 64.

Flat Missy was pretty excited about going through the tunnel. I can't say I agreed.

New Kent, VA

First Stop along the way was in New Kent, VA to see the Saint Peter's Parish Church built in 1703 and was supposedly the location of the wedding of President George Washington and Martha. 

Flat Missy was impressed!

Washington DC

Well, that took extremely too long to get through DC Traffic! Here's me and Missy stopping for a quick rest stop on the northern side!

Pennsylvania Border

Welcome to PA! Missy is excited!

Everett, PA

Next stop was in Everett, PA at the largest quarter on the East Coast.

St. Mary's PA

Made it to my Mom's house! Missy gave Mom a big hug!!

August 20th

Day 2 enjoying the solace of my mom's house in the country!

DuBois, PA

Went with Mom to a doctor's appointment and then to some lunch. Missy had a great time!

Missy and I stopped at the local Wal Mart.. She had to pee.

Missy made cupcakes for dessert!

August 21st

Day 3 did a little sight-seeing in St. Mary's...

Below is the Decker Chapel.  It seats about 8 people! Missy thought it was kinda neat!

Final evening, we just sat on the porch and enjoyed the evening..

August 22nd

Day 4-- Got up in the morning and said goodbye! Missy says bye to Mom's cat Gabriel.

Hermitage, PA

Stopped at the Avenue of 444 Flags to pay respect to the captives held in Iran from 1979-1981.

Fremont, OH

Oh my goodness this road trip is getting long!

Welcome to Indiana!

CHICAGO

We made it! Here we are crossing the bridge over into Illinois!

Made it to Jordan's! Immediately went to dinner at Lou Malnatti's. Jordan said it was the best Chicago Style Pizza! Missy was excited to finally see Jordan since June!

Love!!

August 23rd

Day 5! Headed into Downtown Chicago to see the Navy Pier. It was almost too foggy to really see much but it was nice! Flat Missy stayed at home since she didn't fit in my purse!

Back to Jordan's where Flat Missy and Jordan made Burgers and salad!

August 24th

Day 6! Headed back into Downtown Chicago.. Terry and I took a pretty decent Selfie..

Chicago Tribune Building

and it just so happened to have my favorite Milton quote on the side...

The Bean

Wrigley Field

August 25th

Day 7! Leaving Chicago in the Morning. Missy says goodbye to Jordan's Building

What a great trip!