Warning: This post contains lots and lots of cute kitty photos.
We brought them home on June 15, 2014 on Father’s Day. My oldest son, who was a graduate student at the time, lived across from his Resident Director whose parents lived in South Dakota. They had three litters of barn kittens. I had lost my beloved almost 20-year-old cat 10 months previously, and had grieved hard. Though feeling a little reluctant, I decided I was ready to get a kitten. I plain and simply missed having an animal in my house to love and care for. I had love to give and I was ready to give it. Amanda, my son’s resident director, sent me photos of the three litters and my heart melted. How could I decide which one to take when they were all so stinkin’ cute? There were blonde tabbies, orange tabbies, gray tabbies, and calicoes. In the end, I chose two.
My husband was the one who named the little blonde tabby Nugget (he said he was our little gold nugget).
I named the gray tabby Dakota (after his birth place). That quickly got shortened to Cody.

Don’t let the innocent faces fool you!
I’ve enjoyed watching these two grow and can hardly believe that they are already four years old. There’s never a dull moment with these two around! They are as different as night and day. Dakota is shy and scared of strangers and his own shadow. But he’s also very affectionate to my husband and me. He drools when he gets affectionate. He’s also the more playful of the two. Nugget doesn’t know a stranger. He loves to climb in boxes, sacks and odd places. He loves water, especially watching dripping water. Oh, how I love these guys and can’t imagine life without them.
They love to help with the seasonal decorating.

After a hard day of play… Family barbecues on the Fourth of July can be exhausting!
There were the toilet paper parties I was never invited to during their adolescence and the looks of “We have NO idea who possibly could have done this.” Thankfully, those parties stopped as they grew.
They were mesmerized by their first snow.
Nugget has his favorite chair he prefers to nap in. We call him Archie Bunker.
Napping is what they do best. I love to watch napping kitties.

Brotherly love…. hugging brother’s neck and he’s not letting go!

Nugget’s favorite toy (Mr. Weasel)

Did you say something?

Must you rudely interrupt my nap?????

These two can find themselves in some very odd sleeping positions!

Sometimes, there’s some sibling rivalry but most of the time, there’s love
Cats are such funny and curious creatures. That’s what I love about them. Yes, sometimes they can seem aloof, but most of the time, they are very, very loving. They have such fun personalities.

Dakota’s favorite thing…. Ice!!!! He will play with ice for hours.

Just what exactly IS this thing?????
I hope these two are around for many more years to come. They bring me much joy as you can see. They help ease the emptiness of an empty nest. Life is just better with them in it.

Oh, you wanted cake????? Um, about that cake…
I can’t believe they’re that old —
I can’t either!!
It seems like you got them a year ago!! Great photos — I enjoyed every one!
Thank you! It does seem like only a year ago. NOT FOUR!!! Thanks for your comment.
They are adorable! I love the names, too!
Thank you! I think they are adorable too! ❤
They are!😺💖
Aww! So cute! And then they grew up into beautiful cats. They look like they bring a lot of joy and laughter to your house. I don’t know which photo made me chuckle more- the one with the Christmas decorations, or the one where they’re lying down to play with the toy. Hahaha!
Thanks. They do bring a lot of joy and laughter to our home. As I always say with cats…. never a dull moment! They are so entertaining. Thanks for stopping by.
Gail, I thoroughly enjoyed all the pictures of your precious cats. My Mom has two cats and the joy and entertainment they bring is so wonderful. Truly, they are part of the family and have given my Mother such pleasure as she ages. Thanks for sharing your pohots. You have two beautiful babies there.
Thank you Mary! I appreciate your comments. I’m so glad your mom enjoys her two kitties. They are so wonderfully entertaining. My two never cease to make me laugh on a daily basis. 🙂
they’re beautiful
Thanks! I think they are! ❤
Gail I LOVE THIS POST!!!! Oh my goodness, that was cuteness overload and I loved every single photo! I wish my girls (cats) slept together so sweetly but with 6 years age difference, they will only sleep on the same bed, but not snuggled up like yours. I especially love the hug around the neck photo! They are just adorable! Thanks for sharing!! ♥
Thank you Yvonne! They are such typical brothers. Their play fights sometimes escalate into real brawls and occasionally I have to break them up but most of the time, they love each other. Nugget is very territorial over his chair and usually doesn’t let Dakota nap there with him (that’s how he got the nickname Archie Bunker)! LOL!
Thanks for reading and for the kind comments.
Love the Archie Bunker moniker for the kitty! Suits him well! They are just precious Gail! Enjoy every moment with them! ♥
Gail, your babies are beautiful. I have 2 like yours and one who looks like a panda.💞they do bring us joy.💞
Thank you! And yes, they do bring us so much joy, don’t they? I went to you blog and looked at pictures of your babies. They are all so beautiful! Thanks for stopping by.