We joined Grandpa Mike, Aunt Denise, Uncle Dan, Debbie, and Caitlin in Disney in September. On Sunday of our trip Uncle Rick, Aunt Debbie, Rick, Carolyn, and Maggie joined us too. We had a blast. It was great to be all together, having fun.

Unfortunately, I didn't get many picture, let alone pictures of all of us together. Here is what I do have...

Here is Jimmie, King of the Playground.



And Chris - proving he's a big kid.



Here are Jimmie, Maggie, and Richie at Animal Kingdom. Could they be any cuter?



We went to see the Nemo show at Animal Kingdom. Carolyn's cousin played Nemo. We got to meet her after the show. How cool is that?





On our last day Chris, Richie, Jimmie, and I went to Cinderella's Table inside the castle. It was cooler than I can even express. As part of dinner, you get your photo taken with Cinderella, they gave the boys swords. Actually, Jimmie flirted with the lady giving away the swords, so we left there with three swords and two magic wands. I swear, he is JUST like his father. Here are the boys at the castle.



We had a great time. I just wish we had more photos of all of us together. I think we were concentrating on each other so much, I forgot the camera. Go figure!

Sorry for the long time between updates. I would say we were really busy, but we are always really busy - so that is not an excuse. Since our last update JJ and Steve had a Labor Day party...

Here is our friend Mark and his son Devyn



I blame Mark for Chris' behavior that day. If you don't know what I am talking about, consider yourself lucky. He was overheard saying things like 'My wife is going to kill me...want to do a shot?" He was very pretty later that night!


That same weekend Heather and Jeffrey were here to visit. We got to meet lil K for the first time too!




Later that night we had a fire on the beach. Chris lost a bet with Richie and suddenly this happened



I hear it was quite cold!

Jesse & Jimmie had the right idea.




Richie and Jesse also started back to school



And lastly here is Jimmie eating corn. This could have been any night this summer. He eats about two or three ears of corn every night. The vast majority was raw too. He also eats leftover corn for breakfast. He's even takes corn as a snack to Richie's soccer games.



We still have our Disney trip to show in photos. I promise that will follow soon.

Our condolences go out to Kelly, Chuck and the whole Kennerknecht family in the loss of Kelly's Dad, Andy.  Our condolences also go out to Rick and Carolyn and their family in the loss of Carolyn's Mom.Our prayers are with you all. Tomorrow (October 13) would have been Karen's birthday. The Swift family all got together at our house today. It was good for us all to get together. It's still so hard.

We've had a great August. We sure have been busy.

Early on we took a walk at Lakeside Beach.



Richie got tired before Jimmie...



Jeff at work gave Jimmie TWO bikes. Here is is trying one out with Richie. Another friend from work, Gary gave him the helmet.



Chuck was in town for a week. I took the day off from work and we went to Old Man Rivers in Tonawanda and on to the naval museum in Buffalo.

Here is Richie...



Richie, Jesse and Chuck.



Jimmie and I went for a walk at Hamlin Beach last weekend. Area 1 has a new play park. Jimmie was in heaven.



We also went to Letchworth State Park last weekend for Chris' birthday celebration. We had a blast walking the trails.



Lastly, Jimmie has been practicing his baseball moves all summer. I think he's gotten it down.

We all have a new appreciation for life now. I know Chris and I are seizing the moment like never before. The house is a lot messier, but we are enjoying each other a lot more! And most of you know, letting the house go a bit is a huge departure from my 'regular' routine.

Here are a few images from this week...

Uncle Kevin came for dinner. We also played in the yard.


Jimmie has made us laugh - lots! He even jumped in his pool fully clothed. He gets that from his Aunt Mary Ellen who, word has it, went into the lake fully clothed just a few weeks ago. I wish I had a picture of that!


Last night we actually got his swimsuit on BEFORE he got in the pool. This time he decided the pool was too cold, so he swam in the bathtub...


The new kitten, Shy,  has made us laugh as well.


We're coming to terms with what happened last week. We know it will be a slow process, but we are finding the joy in our everyday life.

You are missed terribly and loved completely.



Here is the eulogy that Chris gave at the funeral mass:

We love our Mom. We have seen over the past few days how much others loved her as well. That makes sense, because she was such a loving and caring person. She loved passionately and fiercely. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do to protect those she loved, from Mike her "big guy" to Jimmie and Jared, her "little guys."

She also loved life. She loved to laugh and to make others laugh. Her laughter could turn the worst day right around. Since I started working at the college a few years ago, I've been able to have lunch with Mom and Dad a few times each week. Mom had a way of making me feel like I'd been on a mini vacation, rather than a half hour lunch break.

Mom loved to dance. I can still see her pulling in our driveway dancing to a song on the radio - especially her favorite song, "Pump up the Jam."

Even with the large family and extended family we have, Mom made each of us feel special and loved. Her legacy will be the close bonds we all share and the love we all have for each other. Her memory will be kept alive by her children and grandchildren. Mom, we will never forget you. You are a beautiful angel...

Last weekend was the Kendall Carnival. If you live in the area, you really have to go at least once during the weekend. I have always enjoyed the carnival. When I was really young, it was the rides that attracted me. When I was a teenager, it was a time to catch up with friends from school - to see and be seen. Now that I am an adult, I love to see the kids get excited and take the weekend off from cooking.

Richie is the age of see and be seen. Jimmie LOVED the rides. Here are a few photos of both boys.

Cousin Jared and Jimmie



Cousin Joel and Richie




My favorite part about the carnival has always been the parade.

Kendall Royal Blue Band


Dan Gaessar for town council


Firetrucks


And rides galore!


Edit:
Sorry I thought I had included this in the first post - I had planned to...

Richie played his first All Star baseball game on Tuesday. Carolyn, Rick, Maggie, Allie and Kristen all came to watch! They lost, but it was a close game.

Allie & Maggie



Richie playing outfield



Happy Birthday Mike




And Jimmie eating cake.


For the record....red frosting causes RED poop. You've been forewarned!

We had what was probably our best Fourth of July weekend ever. I was off for a full three day weekend over the fourth for the first time in over eleven years (since starting at BASC). We also had the best house guests for the weekend...Chris' cousin Rick, his wife Carolyn and their ADORABLE daughter Maggie. They were just a pleasure to have stay with us.

Our weekend started Thursday night. Rick and family met Chris, Richie and Jimmie at the ballpark where Richie was practicing with the All Star Team. They all came back to our house for dinner about 8pm. We had a low key evening and just enjoyed each other's company and caught up.



Dan, Denise, Mike and Karen joined us after dinner. Jimmie and Denise had some quality time.



The next morning we all slept in, enjoyed a quiet breakfast, got acquainted and took off for the Swift Fourth of July party. This is Jimmie gearing up to kiss Maggie.



Maggie and Carolyn enjoying their first Fourth of July with the Swifts.



Chris and Jimmie with Jimmie's two loves: horses and baseball!



We all gathered at our house later to have a bonfire. JJ, Jesse and Steve joined us. We also had Uncle Kevin and Grandma. JJ was drinking so she was asked to wear protective gear. We all know how she gets when she drinks...




We had quite a crew spend the night on the fourth. We had a blast! The fifth we had our cousin Sam's graduation party. It was on Lake Alice at her Mom's property. It was beautiful, complete with rope swing into the lake. You know Richie, Jesse and Dave took advantage of that!



Jimmie enjoyed his Aunt JJ.



We kept Jesse and Dave with our brood and went to the cottage for the sunset and fireworks. Mike, Karen, Dan, Denise, Rick, Carolyn and Maggie met us there.







Richie and Dave were there to meet up with half of the graduating sixth grade class. This included the 'girlfriend.'



We also figured that Uncle Chuck would be missing cottage sunsets so we captured a photo for him.




Dave spent the night with us and Jimmie made him get up to play with him.




After we had another leisurely breakfast, we went to Jason and Ellen's for lunch. Somehow that didn't get captured in pictures. It may have been because we were all too busy watching Richie throw up in the bushes. (Long story but it involves Dan and Daddy spinning him in circles right after he ate!)

When we got back to our house, Carolyn's sister's Kristen and Allie joined us for dinner. After dinner we went to Point Breeze to look around.



A photo of the Black North and a boat coming in to dock for Chuck.






The cutest family EVER!



Later we watched a movie, had ice cream and let Jimmie work his magic on Carolyn's sisters.



SOME of us had to work on Monday, but the rest of them went to Niagara Falls and had a blast!



Tonight we are off to Richie's first All Start game in Lima. Rick, Carolyn, Maggie, Allie and Kristen are going to meet us there. Richie is quite excited about that! They all leave first thing tomorrow to go home. We are going to miss them terribly. It was so much fun to have them around the past few days. I hear that we may be planning another get together for next year...we can't wait!!

Some photos from the graduation...

Mrs. Klick, Dave and Richie. Mrs. Klick also retires this year. She has been an awesome teacher for Richie.



Richie and his girlfriend of two years, Allie. Allie won a mess of awards, including one for math. We think she should tutor Rich.



Jesse in his uniform.



All the teams in Kendall minor league baseball.

Just a quick post to wish Chuck a Happy Birthday! It is also Richie's sixth grade graduation so we'll post more later.