5/9-11 Caturday/Weekend Condo: Busy & Lovin' It! Happy Monday L&LL!

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Good Morning LL!! (LOTS today Elsa! please.....), and Happy Caturday!

LL! It's is I, Elsa, kitteh barista!, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! GUESS WHAT! Bug and Lola are exhausted from I dunno! but they still want to be working today too at PawPrints Pizza, so..... They have decided that today is TURN-AROUND TRIPLE CATURDAY! They are doing triples on everything! Kinda cool huh! They say that they wants to give all kitties some fun times today, triple funs! What will that be.... I dunno! :roll: so. well. anyways. Coffee time! For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and Double shot Breve's, with beans from high in the Brazilian Mountains.... and for my mocha fans: a VENTI Quad Blueberry infused white mocha/mocha blend with white chocolate chips melted within, swirled with a raspberry puree, topped with a strawberry infused whip garnished with caramelized berry sprinkles and white chocolate curls and a caramel drizzle.......SWEET! OH! No worries, a dollop of 4 berry and vanilla and caramel swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, topped with caramel and chocolate drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good!

Bug, Co-CEO, Paw Prints Pizza


I hope everyone has had a great week. We have been.... well, busy again! I just can't imagine not being on the go. It keeps us out of trouble, and makes for great times! I often think back on the weeks happenings, and wonder how in the world did we do all that! It was the same this past week. It has been a good week. The other grandparents are on vacation, so I had the boys Monday thru Friday. They will be gone for three weeks, so it was be a tad bit on the busy side for another week. The word BUSY does not adequately describe the intensity level But... it was FUN! We have finished week number 3, and next week things should return to normal, with me having the boys W-FR. Life is indeed good.

It has been a week in the pool! It has just become the norm for us, we go each week, and just never tire of it. It proves to be such fun for both boys, and their excitement with it all has not wavered. Nicholas's swim classes, on Monday and Wednesday continue, and he is doing well with them. He has discovered that they actually are fun, and he can't wait to get started each lesson. AWESOME! We re-enroll for next session this Monday, and he did receive word last week that he has been promoted to the next level. WOOT, and way to go Nicholas! Outside of class he still is our little energizer fishie, loves swimming in the big pool, and will often forgo the beach area play for the 6 and unders. He'd rather be in deep water. He is so happy to have his Friday night swims back at the Snohomish pool. Me too for that matter! With the other DGP's being gone I have extra get Nicholas to school duty, but with that comes the opportunity to get William more time in the pool than normal as he goes when Nicholas is in school. He too just loves it, never tries of it, so off we go. Our Swim days this week were Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday Night. WHOA.... that is alot of pool time. Crazy, but I am grateful to have the opportunity to be able to take them. GO NICHOLAS! GO WILLIAM!

Nicholas: In Search of Mermaids....

William: Big Fan of the Water Cannons!

We still do the Friday Night Burger Feast. Nicholas just loves that whole experience, so no way will be not continue the tradition. Quite the feast he has: Cheeseburgers with extra pickles, fried with ketchup ranch and tartar sauce, assorted berries, milkshakes, and chocolate cupcakes. After all the spent energy he is one hungry little boy. And yes, he does eat it all.


The week was insanely busy.... five days of adventure after adventure. The weather has been more or less in our favor, so we have been outdoors as much as we could. We were Juanita Beach two days this week: Monday and Thursday. Nicholas was able to even go swimming out in the water there, as the day was in the mid 70's. That was fun! I lost count of the number of sand castles and moats and creeks and lakes we built. Such fun! The rest of the days found us at the Pacific Science Center on one of the questionable weather days, and at the Edmonds City Park (best ever play park), The Snoqualmie RR Museum (where one can actually touch all that makes up a train), and a river trip to the Snoqulamie River at Twin Falls. It was great to be able to give one of our rivers a visit on Friday. Weather was warm at 75, and the river and it's sandy shores were gorgeous. We picnicked along the side of the river, walked the trails, fed ducks,and just had a great time. I could write and write and write on all these places we go, but today I will let the photos speak for them selves. I am grateful that I am able to offer them such diversity in the things we do. Never ever a dull moment. LOL, no wonder I am tired come Saturday.... well DUH! It had indeed been a great week!

Nicholas and William, checking out the trains...

Nicholas and William: Working the river...


For my own personal time, I continue to hike the local trails here when I can. I still haven't made that mountain hike, but all in good time on that one. Right no I am focusing on Eastern Washington, before it gets blazing hot over there... like 95-110 HOT. I also made a few treks to the old favorite Meadowdale last Saturday. I have moved my hike day to Sunday, while the other DGP's are on vacation. Weekend hiking can be trying, as the trails are alwyas so busy, but... figured it was my opportunity, so off we went. This past Sunday I went to Untanum Creek Falls trail, a new hike for me, one I had hoped to do last week after wrapping up the main hike, but ran out of time. The hike is a very nice one. The trail runs parallel to the creek, until it reaches the Falls. Falls are actually rather nice. I did not scale the mountain canyon side to access the Falls basin. That was darn steep and Rock climbing was required. oh no..... not happening! I decided instead to explore the southern canyon ridge. That was an awesome choice. Views for miles, tons of wildflowers, and bitterroot (!!!) and alot of solitude. What an awesome day on the trails. The hike itself is rather short: 1 mile to the Falls, a few more if one hikes the canyon ridge. I did about 4 miles today, climbed maybe 700 feet to the ridge. Since my main hike was a bit on the short side, and I had time, I decided to stop in at Gold Creek Pond, at Snoqualmie Pass, on the way home. I love this hike, as it is such a treat after being on the road for a while. The trail is short, but the views are endless. Absolutely gorgeous! Loop trail is about 1.8 miles. Short sweet and awesome,. What is nice too is that it is an ADA trail, so those with disabilities can enjoy some mountain splendor. What a great day!! All in all, an excellent hiking day!

Umtanum Creek Falls

Gold Creek Pond


Normalcy in Three MusketeerVille! The kitties are doing well. There really isn't much new to write about. Elsa is still holding her own, Bug is still being my cute affectionate Mannie look alike. Lola is still... well, Lola. Still my wild and crazy girl. With the arrival of spring weather she has been in the "LET ME OUT!" mode. This continues this past week too, she is relentless, and getting good: darts out that door faster than a speeding bullet. Crazy cat. So.... we are back to thinking about how we can feasibly build something that will let her get out but still confine her to the yard. If only she would stay in her yard..... NOPE! Hooray for kitty treats, which she can resist. I continue to worry about Elsa. Weight is an issue, She had lost a little more... She seems to feel well however, is very active for her age (19 come 8/1), eats when she wants, just not much. She seems happy, feeling OK, so maybe I just worry too much about her. She is back to sleeping with my at night,we share the pillow. I don't complain, as I will miss it when she is no longer there, whenever that may be. Lola has decided that sleeping under the bed covers at night is cool, so a few times a week she will come and do that, curls up next to my stomach. It is funny how she is so calm when she does, not the wild and crazy kitty she otherwise can be. Other than that, Normalcy in Three MusketeerVille!

For old times sake... Mannie and Nicholas!


Have a great Caturday everyone. Time for me to go relax some.... a local trail hike is in order!

KITTIES!! Remember: BLUE, think GREEN

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Congrats to Nicholas on his swim class promotion. Not a surprise but must be a proud grandma none the less. Good to see that he managed to get out in the ocean - it's still a little cool for me, but those young 'uns are invincible. The weather has been awesome for those outdoor activities. That play park looks so cool, so much more interesting than what I grew up on. The monster tire looks like a blast. Local mountain hiking season is not far off with these temperatures.

Love the pic of Bug - looks like he's smiling. Reminds me, it's time for a frapp.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

How great on Nicholas' promotion in swim class. I'm glad he is enjoying it so much. It's great you have so many places to take the boys. You have such beautiful places to hike. I love the pictures. I'm glad the kitties are doing well. How cute on Lola sleeping under the covers with you. I love the Mannie and Nicholas picture. I think it shows how close they were.

 

[Vyktors Mum]

I don't think that today's mocha is all going to fit in one mug, I'll have mine in a bucket thanks!

I really don't know how you manage to squeeze so much into a week, as always I'm feeling really lazy after visiting here

Love the pic of Gold Creek Pond, very clever and arty with the reflection.

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Good Morning LL! (YUM! I Love coffee!), and Happy Sunday! Happy Mom's Day to all the moms!

LL! It's is I, Elsa, Kitteh Barista!, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! Coffee is on, Lola and Bug , founders of Paw Prints Pizza, are ready to go! Want pizza? it is MEGA GOOD! They are busy getting ready for.... uh.... I dunno! but there sure is a flurry of activity in the kitchen. :shock: so. well. anyways. Coffee time! For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and triple shot espresso, beans from the heart of central Ethiopia. For my mocha fans: Venti Quad orange and vanilla mocha, laced with orange swirls, topped with chocolate whip, garnished with orange zest, slivered vanilla beans and chocolate swirls....... and orange drizzle! SWEET OH! No worries, a dollop of orange and vanilla and chocolate and caramel swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, and a chocolate caramel drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good!

Happy Mother's Day L&LL! I hope all the moms have a good day today. We are having a family brunch here at the house. Should be alot of fun, and.... my son is cooking! YAY! He always does such a great job. Eggs Benedict is on the menu, YUM!! It sure will be nice to have all of us together for a while today. Did everyone have a great Caturday? We were busy, just catching up after a week with the boys. I was able to spend some time out in the afternoon, on a woods walk through Meadowdale with some time spent on a neighborhood walk too. The flowers are really putting on a show right now. Sure was pretty out there. The sun was shining, the temp was 73, and the flowers were a-bloomin'.

Normalcy in MusketeerVille. Bug is running amuck right now, just becasue he can. Lola is camped out on my lap. WooHOO! A quiet Lola! and Elsa is snoozin' away in her kitty bed. When I was out on errands yesterday I saw the most excellent car license plate: NANNERS. I so want the plate for my car. It reminded me so of Mannie. Miss that guy. Nicholas does too. He told me the other day, out of the blue, that he wishes I could bring him back. Wow, what to say to that. I wish I could too.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!



@Wendy&Neko Morning Wendy THX on Nicholas. He was really happy that he passed his class. Me too. I knew he'd do well once he would allow himself to take lessons. And me too on that ocean swimming. He said it was a little cold, but he so wanted to swim in it, so he did. The sun helped with the chill aspect. That and a few good towels afterwards. I agree on the play park, a relatively new one that they redid a few years ago. What a change from what we had as kids. There are a couple here that are on the same level, huge, lots of challenges for the kids, all doable, and they love it. Did you get that frap? I was so close to going for one yesterday.... so agreed too on those mtn hikes! can't wait!!

@carfurby Morning Carla Me too on Nicholas and swim class, he is having fun with it. YAY! I agree too on all the places we have found to take the boys. The outdoors ones are endless here, or so it seems, and the indoor ones are really great. I am glad that they enjoy fungoid to these places as much as they do. THX on the kitty stuff. Once in awhile Lola will do that. love it when she does. Me too on the Nicholas and Mannie photo: best buds!

@Vyktors Mum Morning Serryn LOL in that mocha. I can't imagine what it would take to actually consume one of those. Bucket would work! Sometimes I wonder how we do cram all of that into one week. Just get up and go I guess, figure it all out as we move through the day. The boys are great activities directors! They let me know what they would like, and I see how to make it all work. We have to steer that ship alot, but somehow we get 'er all done, and in a way that is enjoyable for them. Thanks on the Gold Creek Pond pic. that place is gorgeous, one cannot help but take good pics.

 

[Marshmellow & Steve]

Congrats to Nicholas in his promotion. What a busy week you've had! Marshmellow's civie Lizzy actually allows us to put a harness on her and we tie her up and let her come out with us when we are sitting in the yard (she especially likes nighttime around the fire pit). An acquaintance from work accessed a hole in the wall that had been used for an air conditioner and attached a caged walkway into a small caged in area for his cats. Thanks for sharing this condo!

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

This is fun...For your Sunday Morning entertainment.

@Marshmellow & Steve Morning Steve Thanks for the visit. Many thanks no Nicholas and his swim class. It is great to see him enjoying it,a s it has taken sometime to get him to say yes to the idea. How nice that Lizzy will allow a harness. I should try that with Lola, and see how it goes. Maybe one of those escape proof ones.... Nice on your coworker and that cat run/enclosure. Ultimately I hope to dos something like that for Lola, I really think she'd enjoy it, and use it, alot. on the sharing. Somehow I haven't been able to leave LL after Mannie crossed a few years ago.

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Good Morning LL!! (Elsa - lots (!!) please! This bean is so sleepy...), and Happy Cheery Cherry Monday

LL! It's is I, Elsa, kitteh barista , president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! GUESS WHAT! Today is CHEERY CHERRY MONDAY!! Lola and Bug, aka Paw Prints Pizza, are making their cheery cherry pizza pies. It is after all Monday, and that is now tradition! Anybody up for a cherry pizza? so. well. anyways. Coffee time! For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and Double shot espressos, with beans from deep within the mountain slopes of Africa, AND.... for all my Mocha fans: a VENTI Quad cherry infused white mocha/mocha blend with white chocolate chips melted within, topped with a cherry whip garnished with candied cherry sprinkles and white chocolate curls. SWEET! OH! No worries, a dollop of cheery cherry and chocolate swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, topped with crystallized cheery cherries and chocolate drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good! We gots CHEERY CHERRY CHEESECAKE too! as well as cheery cherry frappes! I love cheery cherry Mondays.

Happy Monday everyone! I will hope your week is off to a good start. And that Mom's Day was great. We had a terrific Mom's Day here at home. My sons Anthony and Matt cooked breakfast, Eggs Benedict by tradition. Yum!!! It was nice that all of the family could be here, and spend most of the day. We ate, played and enjoyed each others company. Erin, my DD, and her hubby Jason took the time to "detail" my car. YaHOO! What an awesome mom's day present. It is unreal to me sometimes how cluttered and dirty that car can get after hauling two boys here there and everywhere, consume meals in it when we are out, and just general travel. It is so nice to have it clean, polished and clutter and left-over boys things free. I also managed a short neighborhood walk in the morning before family arrived. Sure was a quiet Sunday morning out in the 'hood.

Nicholas: Master Bubble Blower!

William: More Bubbles, please!


Normalcy in MusketeerVille! Elsa and Bug and Lola are snoozing the morning away. Well Lola has been up and running everywhere in-between mini naps. The birds are chirping and proving to be quite the entertainment factor for her. The other two could care less. Yesterday Lola perfected her escape artist skills. She got out once when Nicholas was attempting to get out and keep her in. I could hear him as he left the house: "Grammie!!!! Missy Lola! She was just too fast!" Yupp, that she was.... SO we gathered her up and brought her back in. It was about 7 last night when I was wrapping things up for the day, just happened to look outside into the deck and what did I see.... Lola! She was sitting on the deck, playing with a leaf. I have no clue how and when she got out.... but she did, and none of us were the wiser. On the plus side, she came back, went to the door where Elsa comes and goes, and stayed there, amusing herself until we noticed she was out. Well, I guess I should be glad that she did come back from her adventure. crazy cat. I have yet to figure out how she did it, escape that is. She is a master.

Enjoy your Monday L&LL! I am off in a few to swim with Nicholas, and get him registered for the next round of swim lessons. I hope this afternoon will be filled with a trip to Seattle to see my friend over a cup of coffee. What with my added boys time over the past three weeks we have not been able to get together. I am looking forward today to the trip into the "big City", aka Seattle.

KITTIES!! Remember: BLUE, think GREEN

 

[carfurby (GA)]

It sounds like you had a great Mother's Day. What a cool present, detailing your car. I bet Lola had a blast with her outside time. It's good she came back and stayed near home. I hope you get to visit your friend today.

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

@carfurby Morning Carla I agree on the car! WOOT! Such a nice thing to do. A big yes on Lola. I am sure she is figuring out how to repeat that outing today. It was great to see that she did stay close to home. A relief! THX on today, I expect to be going. YaHOO!

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Hi Michelle,
I can't believe that I am just now getting to your report, when tomorrow is already Saturday again!! The news of Nicholas's promotion to the next class is great. He is following right in the family footsteps! Before long he'll be doing races.
Your Mothers' Day celebration sounded so nice. Love the bubbles! I heard recently that you can freeze bubbles and they become works of art. Something to think about for the winter. Is your car detailed with hiking- boot motifs?
Great shots of the waterfall at Umtantum. That looks like a wonderful hike.

I hope you find a way to let Lola get outside without getting off your property. But it does sound like she knows where her house is!
Elsa is amazing. As long as she is feeling good and doing all the things she does, you can't worry about weight loss at her advanced age, especially since she eats when she feels like it. Elsa: keep up the good work. And keep up those coffee deliveries. We love your coffee and couldn't get through the day without it.

Have a good week ahead, Michelle. Thanks for visiting us when we were in the city, Elsa, Bug, and Lola!

Ella & Rusty

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

@Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Morning Ella And no worries! We are happy for Nicholas. These lessons are great,and he really is doing very well. A few bits of instruction and he has taken off. He will transition to a new pool next session,so we hope he doesn't have issues with that... he knows it so we hope not. Could be on those races. Already he tries to race us. THX on mom's Day, it was fun, a great family time. I have herd that too on freezing the bubbles. I was telling Nicholas about that as we were blowing bubbles all over the yard, so next winter we we freeze we will give that a shot. They are apparently very cool when they freeze. LOL on my car! I should!! Untanum hike was very pretty, just way too short! I was glad I had another one to do in addition to that one. Really enjoyed the place. I hope so too on Elsa. I try not to worry. She is almost 19, and entitled to do as she wants. She seems happy, still goes out, still jumps when she wants, and can move fast when needed. So... we keep her happy and go from there. Agreed too o Lola, I have to come up with something, but was relieved that she did find her way home...
Auntie Ella! On my way with Ethiopian today! ~~ Elsa, kitteh barista