A few weeks ago, our cat
Gimlee (a.k.a. Mow Mow), ran away. He's an indoor cat, for the most part. But it is his goal in life to run out any door that is opened to the outside before anyone can grab him. He has done this fairly often since we moved into our new house, so when he escaped one night, Brian and I didn't think much about it. He always comes back around 5 a.m. and cries at our window to let him in. Well, he didn't come back that night, and the next morning I was a bit worried, but I figured he'd be home that afternoon. He wasn't, and he was still gone the next night, and the next. We were so worried by then, and
truly suspected he a) was eaten by a fox/hawk/or dog, all of which we see outside our backyard on a regular basis; b) was stolen by a neighbor kid because he's the friendliest cat in the world; or c) ran away with a neighborhood gang of cats, and went off
gallivanting in the fields killing all
vermin and fowl that crossed their paths. Luckily, we believe it was 'c' because he came home on the fourth night at 5 a.m., screaming at our back door. You know when you take something for granted until it's almost gone? That's how I felt about Mow
Mow's great escape. He's the most friendly cat in the world (he insists on sitting on a perfect stranger's lap if they sit on our couch, especially if they are allergic), he has claws sharp as blades, but would never use them to harm a human (even a crazy toddler who pulls his tail and hauls him around the house) or a dog (who also hauls him around the yard), he loves to be petted and held, and is just a perfect pet! But only when I thought he was gone forever did I
truly appreciate was a great cat he is! But lesson learned. We do not allow him anywhere near the outside world, for fear he will leave for good. And believe me, he wants to go! He cries and cries and cries at the windows and doors all day and all night! Wherever he went, he had the time of his life!
Cousins!
Who sleeps like this, really?
Brian rode 100 miles in the MS Bike Race in Logan. It was so much fun to be back in USU territory. The Malouf's let us stay in their posh house. Thank you, thank you! We had so much fun!
Classic skating! Brian had a great time reliving the good old days (he was a speed skater and also worked at Classic). Kaia couldn't quite get the hang of roller skating (the skates were way too big), but she had a grand time running around the rink and getting in the way of all the skaters.
Kaia loved the inflatable slides! Most of the toys were way too big for her, but she loved the huge slides once we got her to the top. She's an adrenaline addict already!
Swimming! Kaia absolutely loves swimming! She is a child with no fear. She likes to hang out in the shallow part of the pool, but eventually makes her way deeper laughing the whole way knowing I'm going to have to save her from going under. Although, she doesn't have much fear of that either. She is getting the hang of going under by herself and jumping out of the water. But she doesn't last too long if the water is not very warm. She gets cold really easy and then says, "Towel? Towel?"
