Swiftly Along

Thank You Uncle Chuck and Aunt Kelly!

Chaley — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:43:00 GMT

Chuck and Kelly send the boys some really cool birthday gifts! Jimmie got a plane, runway and airport. He has been playing with it non-stop. He even takes it to bed. Thank you guys, you really know what the boys enjoy!

Richie got a camera so we can video conference with them. Yeah. Coolest gift ever. Too cool for us. We had to have Richie's cousin Joel install it. So we are that far. When we first got it we were going to be all cool and video them to tell them thank you. We suck. How the heck do you do this? Chuck and Kelly....do you Skype? Cause Joel set that up for us too....but we've yet to figure that out!

There was a picture of both boys opening their gift....but poor Richie looked a mess with squinty eyes and a goofy look on his face. So as he's a teenager now, I spared him.

Thanks again guys...they really appreciate their gifts. And I promise we'll figure Richie's gift out soon!

On a Roll

Chaley — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:10:00 GMT

I can't believe I've updated two days in a row now. Today makes three!! This may just be a record.

I am off of work until Tuesday. I am probably more excited about this than I should be. Tomorrow Mom, Richie, Jesse,
Jimmie and I are going to Genesee Country Museum to see the Spring Fling Salamander Shenanigans. Info is here http://www.gcv.org/programsAndEvents/calendar.shtml. Yeah!!

The rest of the weekend is devoted to Chuck. We are all so excited for his arrival. Jimmie has been talking about it for weeks. I think he might self destruct before Saturday actually gets here. Truth be told, I might too!

Happy Earth Day

Chaley — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:12:00 GMT

It's Earth Day. I've been reflecting on what we've done here at home to be more earth friendly. Here are a few of the things we do:

Recycle all that we can
Turn lights off when we leave a room
Use florescent bulbs
Pay bills online
Wash in cold water instead of hot or warm
Turn of water when brushing our teeth
Load the dishwasher fully before running it
Switched to propane from oil heat
Installed all energy efficient appliances
Use on demand hot water tank instead of traditional
Installed new triple pane windows
Take reusable bags when grocery shopping
Keep heat at no higher than 65 degrees
Purchase as few single serve items as possible (ex yogurt in large containers instead of many small)

We have a couple more things to work on this year:

Start a compost pile - really why haven't we done this yet?
Switch to all natural cleaning products
Get the pool on a dependable timer

What things are you doing to be more earth friendly?

Some Assembly Required

Chaley — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:32:00 GMT

Anyone that knows me knows that as a rule, I love to cook. I especially love to cook healthy meals for my family. A funny thing has happened lately. Life. Most of you also know that I work roughly 8-4:30 while Chris is 10-6:30. This means evenings are on me to get the boys picked up (one from Hamlin and one from Kendall), homework done, dinner on the table, and baths started. On good days, the boys and I would arrive home around 5:35 or 5:40. Add to the mix that Richie now has baseball practice that starts at 6pm in Hamlin (20 minutes away)....it's a sure recipe for dinners on the fly.

Until our life got this crazy, I could never understand why people stopped at drive thrus to feed their family. It's just NOT.REAL.FOOD!! I didn't get it. Now, before you think I've gone off the deep end, I haven't resorted to that, yet. Instead, I've had to plan WAY ahead to get a good meal in the boys. We've been having meals like rice and beans on the weekend, and beans, rice and cheese stuffed tortillas on the weeknight. We've also had quite a few salads and sandwiches. I never thought much about sandwiches for dinner. I'm changing my mind, QUICKLY!

So now for the fun part...what types of things can you recommend that I can make ahead for dinner that can be heated in a flash or stored in my work fridge until I leave to pick up the boys?

Flex Family

Chaley — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:33:00 GMT

Our family has had a switch up in our normal fare. Don't tell my family, but they have become Flexitarians. The wheres and hows can be found in a book that Mom gave me for Christmas. Basically, our meals are plant based with very little, if any, meat. In fact, last week we have five of seven completely meat free meals. No one noticed.

There have been many times in my life where I have been totally vegetarian. I have had 'issues' with meat my whole life. I go on and off being able to stomach it. I went about it differently this time. I didn't tell anyone. Instead, I just started making more and more meatless meals for the whole family. Those meals that warranted meat, I did so and just found a protein substitute for myself. Except on big salad night. I even had turkey bacon that night. Somehow super processed meat doesn't seem like meat. Wrong? Yes. Good? Heck yes!

I think it's time to investigate substitutes for those processed meats I love. In the meantime, here is an example of how we are mixing it up. This is our dinner from tonight. I made homemade veggie burgers, rice and beans, and a generous salad with peaches. Yummy!

I actually made grilled bbq chicken to go with this. Richie ate it, but Chris has one small piece and THREE veggie burgers. I don't have any plans to make the family vegetarian. I had a violent stomach bug about a month after Chris and I married. For the next six months, I couldn't stomach meat. I did cook meat for Chris and Richie the whole time. Chuck even threatened me one day. He said "you know, if you don't feed Chris meat, he WILL leave you." I did. I will this time too...just not as much

Winter 2008-9 Update

Chaley — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 17:24:00 GMT

We are all healthy. This is huge since from the time of the last post until now SOMEONE in our household has been sick. We have been through a stomach bug (over Christmas, thank you very much), pink eye, cold, pneumonia, mono, THE FLU, and more. Poor Jimmie had every one of those and is our most likely culprit for infecting us all. Chris and Richie were out of commission for a full week with the flu alone. Just awful. Richie thought he was dying. He couldn’t even go to the bathroom unassisted…Chris had to hold him up.

We are hopeful that it is all behind us now and we are moving on. We have aired the house out every time the temperature even approached 32 degrees. The whole day on Saturday we turned off the heat and had all the windows open. We’ve shampooed the rugs, bleached countertops and bathrooms, and Lysoled the heck out of anything that doesn’t move or breathe (some in our house breathe, but don’t move much).

We are hopeful that spring will bring a bout of good health for us and everyone else around us. We have unfortunately also infected Mom and Dad during all of this because they have been kind enough to watch kids while we worked. I’m not sure we’ll ever get over THAT guilt.

I promise to update more regularly. I’ve got big plans to change up the format and add more than just general family activities….so stay tuned!

The Day After the Day Before the Night Before Christmas

Chaley — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:05:00 GMT

In the Scroger household we had a record that had the song "The Day Before the Night Before Christmas." Chuck and I believe that means the day BEFORE Christmas Eve. JJ thinks it means the day OF Christmas Eve. Any thoughts on that?

As usual, Jimmie was up at the crack of dawn this morning. He gets that from my Dad. Fortunately, so do I so it works out OK. Here he is having breakfast. Notice the candy cane in the Cheerios...

And poor Teddy...he has resorted to laying on a blanket in the living room. We had to move his bed out to fit in the Christmas tree.

Here are Jimmie and Jesse making Christmas cookies on their snow day on Monday.

Merry Christmas!

A view from our house...

Chaley — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:33:00 GMT

So this...

Is why we have an artificial tree this year that still looks like this...

Titanic Mom

Chaley — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:13:00 GMT

How cool is that? Chuck made this from a photo taken of Mom last April in a poppy field in California. WOW!

On Being 40...

Chaley — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:28:00 GMT

"Who am I now?

That has been an ongoing question in my brain. Who am I now? What is going
to happen now? What do I want out of life now? How much time do I really
have now? How do I plan to live now?

The way I used to see the world and the way I used to live in it has changed
for me. It's kind of hard to explain, you see life unfolding around you but
the way you perceive it, interact with it, and relate to the events are so
different from the way you used to. It's hard for family and friends to
understand that, as you "look" like the person they knew. They can't "see"
these profound changes within you.

I have this ongoing chatter in my head... what's the most important thing
you need to learn "today"? How's that going to happen? What actions will you
take? And so on...

I feel a little bit like a preschooler asking myself all these questions
that I don't have the answers to. Right now I am a "seeker of life." I am
looking to make the best choices for me. I am seeking a better me, a better
quality of life, better relationships with others, etc.

I know that this is a significant period of change for me, because I am
questioning so many things that surround me.

Hmm... Let me ask you, what can you live with in your life? What do you need
to enhance? What do you need to let go of? So many questions... so many
questions. "

I found this on besthealthmag.ca. Funny to have just stumbled upon something that captures EXACTLY how I feel.

The Swifts do Disney

Chaley — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:16:00 GMT

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!

I know....about time!

Chaley — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:02:00 GMT

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.

August Update

Chaley — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:12:00 GMT

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.

Healing

Chaley — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:15:00 GMT

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.

Karen, Mom, Grandma...

Chaley — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:43:00 GMT

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...

Kendall's Carnival

Chaley — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:57:00 GMT

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...

Baseball & Birthdays

Chaley — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:42:00 GMT

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!

Fourth of July Weekend

Chaley — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:14:00 GMT

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!!

Graduation and the Championship

Chaley — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:14:00 GMT

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.

Happy Birthday Chuck!!

Chaley — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:57:00 GMT

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