You have the exact problem I wish I had. I have three cats. Two of which are lap cats when you're ALONE or with ONE or TWO more people, no more than that. However, in my experience it does seem that the older your cat becomes, the cuddlier they become!
Declawing is horrible and inhumane. It goes all the way up to their knuckle. If you get your cats declawed then you should have a penalty of getting YOUR fingers cut up to the knuckles. Sick psychopaths.