Birthday in the Mountains

It was Katt's 29th birthday again, so we treated ourselves to a visit with friends up on Beech Mtn. It was tremendous weather, and we were able to hike to nearby Elk River Falls. Off the beaten path, these falls aren't near any of the other ones, but it was a nice semi-hike and the sound of the crushing water below was breathtaking. Charlie seemed to enjoy himself as well!

Little man was packed up in a hike-pack that our good friend Rick gave us to use with the lad. Really, he LOVED it! More hikes are in the near future.



These are Charlie's girlfriends from near Hickory. Meghan with the ball cap on, and Ashley is the older sister of the two. Charlie was on his best behavior with them around...go figure.
Good times with good friends. What else can a birthday have?? To my lovely wife,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

ST PATRICK'S DAY!

We hope everyone had a blast, as Charlie had a great one...it was the first day that his mom had seen him crawl!! He had gone a couple of feet once or twice before, but today was the day!! He officially started crawling!

Grandma likes to see he is starting to be more musical!

This is his first love, Miss Safi at daycare...he's a sucker for a pretty face already.

Just the boys in our jerseys. Oh, by the way, the Irish Rugby team is on the verge of sweeping the 6 Nations tournament...we'll see how it goes against Wales on Saturday.


Post feeding of the animals, er uh, babies.

Slainte!!!!!
Hope all of you had a great day yesterday.

fitness meets the Charlie blog

Below is my great Aunt Blanche, my grandma Hazel's sister. She is 92, and still sharp as a tack, and just as feisty. Since my Grandma can't be here to join in the CHarlie adventure, her sister, and brother Rayvon, who was there is as well, will just have to help teach Charlie the Curran way.
Oh, did I mention 92? Yep, that's her underneath the kitchen table, putting in the leaf to accommodate for the guests...she certainly doesn't think she's 92. Maybe that's what fitness is all about?

sweet emotion

Charlie is beginning to show lots of emotions, from temper, to this fake shy thing he does. Becoming more and more like a little boy. It's hard for us to take a step back and just watch what he does, but we try. Watching him learn motor skills, for me, is like watching someone learn how to climb a tree again. This is gonna be fun!

"What kind of walking stick is this?

"What do you mean we can't play out in the rain?"

"Change the channel, the Heels are losing."
and after a long weekend visiting with family...

Happy Birthday!!

Our last snow of the year, and he wanted to leave his mark...

Yes he likes his bottle!



No, not for Charlie, but our good friend Donna. She's 39 this year (again). ;-)
Charlie had a good time with her even though it wasn't quite her birthday yet. Though, it was such a good time, that all of us (Katt, me, Donna, Michele, and Charlie) were all sick this week!!

I've never longed for Spring as I do this year. This weekend it will be in the 70's, and the WINDOWS WILL BE OPEN!!!!

Slainte, to our good friend Donna and her birthday...may there be many more.

oh , I don't know, you tell me...

it's been a long time since we rock and rolled....

WOW. This may be the longest delay of a post there's been. Sorry folks. Stomach bugs, ear infections, a beach trip, and some firsts are to talk about. I'll not go into detail on the stomach bugs, but Charlie did receive great news from the Doc on the 15th that he had two ear infections. His first, might as well make it a doozy. Complications occur, but at least HIS stomach problems we knew were coming. Anyway...Charlie liked the beach, his second trip to the Carolina Coast.
AND there were many firsts, including Grandpa changing his diaper (I didn't include that picture, although it IS documented). Here is a GREAT first! He took his first steps!!!! Now, as you can see, Mom was holding his hands, but we weren't guiding his legs at all...he just startled us, and began to walk toward her!! (Well, I did to, May 29th 2004.)

Here, Charlie just HAD to take in a local breakfast joint. Eggs, grits, bacon, and a bit of toast was on the menu for that morning. Then he gave us some...

Did I mention he LOVED the beach? His eyes say "big bath tub. Lots of splashes..." He did have that faraway look. Don't worry, bud, you'll fly across the big bathtub in due time.

The weekend was a bit of a fiasco, with sickness all around. Charlie didn't seem to mind, as he took in the beach, and all it's powerful glory with tethered anticipation. Jump in my boy, the water's fine.

Happy Valentine's Day!

We hope all of you feel the sting of Cupid's arrow...

Love,
Chad, Katt, and Charlie.

Mum's visit is way too short

Mum Bonner came to see us...well...Charlie, that is. Katt and I just happened to be here as well. Charlie got to know his Grandma Bonner a bit better, and I must say he smiles when he sees her--or hears her one, could be the lovely Donegal brogue. Charlie is lucky to have two grandmas who are the salt of the Earth.

We will miss her, until the 3 of us go visiting Ireland for Katt's oldest brother's wedding...oh and to congratulate Katt's Granny Bonner, who will see 100 years this summer.

Bye Mum Bonner...until September! (When Charlie is wearing 2 year old clothes, at the rate he is going!)


Below, our neighbor, who is quite the artist, painted a wonderful scene in the nursery. The quote is Irish for "Sweet dreams, precious child." It is hard to make out, but the stone in the middle of the glen reads "Charlie" in old ogham writing. If you double click on the picture, it is bigger. Yep, and that's Charlie, sleeping on the moon.

"conjunction junction whats..........

.....your function?" Apparently for the young lad, it's making mom smile!
Grandma's outfit for him fits like a glove--well after trying a couple sizes. The one he is wearing is an 18 month size!! (aka thunder thighs size)

Who needs a toy when you've got a basket?!?! After pulling him around, mom and I decided to eat dinner, while watching him try to figure out how to get out...he tried to climb out, flipped the basket, and was trying to crawl out! At-a-boy!
Guinness all around!

Granna Bonner comes to town tomorrow, we hope her flights miss the winter weather!!