post Christmas...and there's New Year's to go?

There's a pattern of sleep...I still need to catch up. But funny how everyone seems to like to fall asleep with Charlie in their arms. I think it's just an excuse.

Of course, this could be why some extra sleep is needed! That's me, my pop, and bro in law Niall. Christmas on my mom's side of the fam tends to be robust, or boisterous, take your pick. We've been doing an oyster roast, or fish fry since '88. Not your typical Christmas day flare, but we love it. Followed of course by the yearly showing of "Christmas Vacation."
"...next year she hopes to be barking for the yak woman..."
I posted this one above, because of how he likes to pull things over his head to sleep. Kind of interesting in how I like to do the same thing...Katt calls it "camping."

That is, WHEN I have something to pull over my head. But here Charlie is with me, in the hammock, on Dec 28th, in 70 degrees. What a day!

The first Christmas for Charlie Byron Lefler was all I hoped for. Lots of family, lots of good times, and leaving all the problems of the world alone for a while. Isn't that part of what Christmas is about?
I hope yours was as delightful as mine. See you in the New Year...

Christmas at Charlie's

Sounds like a great place to hang out...Charlie's. Well, pictures speak louder than words, so here:

"Mom is this how you drive?"

"Grandma, I wanna play with the train!!"


"I don't think this stocking is gonna fit, Santa..."

"Can I have more paper to play with?"

Charlie had fun, and so did we! The parents couldn't have had a better Christmas!

Here comes younger brother Niall...

and his girlfriend Lisa!
I think they saw just how hard a job it is to take care of an almost 6 month old baby! However, they got to see the fun parts--and they GREATLY outweigh the small problems that arise...




And yes, we did go out to watch the Heels lose a close one to a pre season top 10 team. But boy did they BLOW IT! Charlie didn't care though...he was just having fun taking it all in...even when dad got upset and yelled at the tv.

First, the O'Neills came to visit!

Katt's sister Aisling, her hubby Connor, and their 5 yr old girl Kelly came over from Westport, County Mayo. Their stay was filled with the sights and sounds of things to come for Charlie when he is 5!

Here is his first ever picture with Santa!
Aisling and Kelly, "cheesing" for the camera.
WOW! Another picture with Kelly, this time with dad Connor in there as well.
Needless to say we had a blast. Seeing Katt's family is always fun, and we wish we had more time with them.
But wait, there is more Irish contingent foming in!!

"Here comes Santa Claus, Here Comes...

"So, Pop, is this the meaning of life?"


"While you contemplate, I'll just hang out in my favorite chair and wait for Santa."



"I thought you said he would come down the chimney!!"



"I hope Santa likes my reindeer butt."



"RIGHT DOWN SANTA CLAUSE LANE!"

You sing it loud Charlie...

"Christmas, Christmas time is here..."

Sitting up more and more each week. Of course, he'll sit up for a couple of minutes, then decide to face-plant onto the floor. Getting used to falling down...but at this point, he can't 'get back up again.' Think turtle.

The Chipmunks' Christmas song comes to mind..........
Santa who?

Later.

Yep, Charlie is getting BIGGER...

but he remains a happy kid! I can only hope he is this happy most of his life.

"Why does Uncle Jeremy like to use me as a barbell?"

"I'll just wait here until the game comes on! GO HEELS!"

"Thanks for picking me up Michele!! You are just plain sweet!"

"Dad, stop taking pictures...can"t you see Aunt Karen is tired?"

"well, maybe I am too, Dad..."

Christmas season is upon us. Good luck to all!

Thanksgiving approaches, and he likes his bath!

As we come closer to Thanksgiving, I can't help but state how lucky I am to have such a good son. We have been blessed, surely.

Below, Charlie is already looking in the rugby mag, trying to make his list for Santa...

Katt spoon feeds the lad for the first time. He seemed to take to it pretty easily. Imagine that, he likes food...he is a Lefler.

I give Thanks for...one growing boy, and one lovely lady.


Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

what a weekend, and week so far!!

Above Christy, Katt, and Charlie have fun at the Alumni Ctr before the game against G Tech Saturday!


Before we went to the game, Charlie shows us how happy he is to wear the "blue."

Above, Papa Clyde Davis shows Charlie how to nonchalantly impress first class ladies!


Every day it seems that little Charlie is doin' something that is a FIRST!!

First time playing with a toy that he MEANT to hit, and make it play its song!
First time he gave this HUGE belly laugh, like he'd been listening to his mom explain football ;-)
First time hearing music and he ALMOST looked like he wanted to dance!

His list will grow for sure, but so many things have happened this week it makes us keep looking for the next first event...

Have a safe week!

happy boy

I couldn't help it, it's just a nice picture. He's got his mom's cheekbones, nose, and chin for sure...

going the to moun-tains

We had a wedding to go to last weekend. Some friends, Anna and Jon, who we bike with sometimes were getting married near Hickory. It was Charlie's first wedding and it couldn't have been with more deserving folks.

We stayed with some other friends who are some great people. Here is Rick and Karen with Charlie. Charlie is teaching them how to use his toys...

These are their girls, Meghan and Ashley. Ashley has ridden the CNC by herself MORE THAN ONCE!! She, and her sister, are courageous young girls, and they have their parents to thank for that.

Charlie is ready for cold weather!! He just wishes, like many of us, that the weather would stay one way or the other!! It's just confusing what to wear!!!!

Charlie LOVES Grandpa...somewhere soft to sit. ;-)

Here is my cousin Courtney with Charlie, and I am holding Maggie, her daughter. Which one is heavier? Tough call...Maggie is 4 months older than "little" Charlie, by the way.

it's been 3 weeks!!

BUT, I wanted to wait til I had Charlie's halloween outfit.
Remember Olaf?


Yep, Katt made little Olaf's garb, as well as mine!

She is taking orders for next year, by the way... (yes he is holding a fake ax)

So, King Olaf of Sweden was a real person. We have traced our lineage on my Grandma Curran's side to him. There were actually two Olafs who were king, one, then his grandson. After the first Olaf was basically thrown out of the land, he cleared some of the land he fled to, and called it "Vermeland" and named himself king. Since he cleared the land, he was then called "Olaf the Woodcutter" as he was laughed at by the Swedes. The second Olaf "the Humble" laughed later as he took control of Sweden again!

So, there we were...family vikings this year! It was fun, and I am sure we will make a reprise again, when Charlie can better appreciate being a viking!!!

UNC vs ND--for those that miss Kenan

At the top is BMFD, getting the players ready to go.
Third video is the--what I call--the "D-Line Pump Up Shuffle." At least once before every game, Marvin Austin dance a bit, and gets all the DLine pumped up and ready to go.
At bottom, Charlie is looking to see who is seated behind us for the ND game!

Fun day to be at Kenan...just ask Draughn!

The Bonner visit '08

Granda and mom hang out with Charlie on the back deck.
My favorite picture of the Bonner family...all looking at Charlie!

Of course, a trip to the states wouldn't be complete without a snake spotting...meet "Barbara".

Thomas meets Finn McCool...the Irish version of Paul Bunyan.

Thomas is a natural! He came in first on the track! Uncle Niall, watch out!!!!!!

Was a great visit, and a short one surely. We wish they could have stayed longer, but we all had a good time with each other and we were sad to see them fly off back to Ireland.