one more before we go

On the way to the game. Sun was bright...


Charlie points up to the bird above the stadium.


Now he is looking for the big ram mascot.


Charlie and Davis having fun tailgating!


Charlie overwhelmed by the crowds!


Katt's coming up on almost half-way point with her treatments. Number 5 is coming up this Wed. and we leave for Ireland next Monday. We are counting on the white blood cells to be up, her treatment to go like it has the 4 previous times, and we will be off to the motherland.

We've been doing a lot recently, as Charlie past the 14month threshold this past week. In case I didn't post them, his measurements of the first year are good. 60% weight, 75% height, and 90% head...big headed boy he is.

We also yesterday attended Carolina's first home game. Had a blast as always, tailgating with good friends and family.

Treatment day

We'll see how today goes. If the WBC's are up enough to have treatment, it's full-go. I will post later to let you all know how things went.

White Blood Cells

Well, first hiccup in treatment. Katt ran into some issues with a little stomach problem, feeling ill the last two days. Unfortunately, her white blood cell count was too low to do a chemo treatment today. The big problem is that this may put a figurative wrench into our Ireland trip schedule. We will see on Friday, when she goes back to check again.

Fingers crossed, prayers tossed, positive thoughts...etc.

Be safe everyone.

"Was I speeding?"

At the Dog, one of our old haunts when we lived in Chapel Hill.


Climbing, one of his new past times, onto his favorite chair!

Uncle Niall is back to Ireland

Katt and I have had the best time with her youngest brother Niall. As Katt said, he was all of 13 when she left home to move to America, which meant she didn't know her brother very well. I have to say it's come full circle. She knows him well now. As do I, and let's just say I would trust Charlie in his hands whole heartedly. A good guy, even changes diapers (hint hint to other males out there), and has the right amount of craic (look it up) mixed with concern and care.

What takes the sting out of him leaving, is that we will see him, and all the Bonner family in a month's time...and we can't wait to take Charlie to his Irish roots.

Here's to all the help you gave us, Uncle Niall! Cheers!

Goin' walkabout with Charlie!

The 3 stooges...or my brother Jeremy, Niall, and me, in front of Biltmore.

Two sly grins on these lads, wouldn't you say?

Splashin away!!

It's 99 here in NC today. Think we will be staying in and looking at picture.
Take care all!

Hi all.
Today is Tuesday, and we are getting ready for another Chemo treatment for Katt tomorrow. It's a bit unnerving, as she also has decided to have a port surgically put in. Yep, yet another surgery for her. For many others , it would try their patience, their fortitude...but for Katt, the only consideration, or 'con' to not have it done, was that she has to recover from it, which means not holding the boy for a while. Devastating to say the least, but it's either that, or endure burning pain with every treatment until December.

Her brother Niall is still here, and being a great brother, uncle, and brother-in-law. We will miss him when he leaves this weekend. I think he's gotten used to North Carolina...even the HEAT!

Wish Katt luck and we'll be back in a few days. (This is her several years ago in Beaufort--one of my favorite pictures of her.)


Welcome shoppers!


He likes to try to bark like a dog now. Instead of a 'ruff' it's more like 'ooomph!'


Here he is in front of the classroom in daycare/school. He's learning lots! How to sign, how to wash his hands, how to play nicely (we hope)...this place is great and the teachers there are awesome! Miss Lucy has a spot for everything and it's clean to a T!


These are my 5 Fingers shoes! After watching the boy learn how to walk, and is still using his legs and feet to grab things, I read the book "Born to Run" which is astounding. Reminded me of why I train others...we as humans are meant to do more than what we do, to accomplish more than we do, both with our mind and body. These shoes let me use my feet more than any other shoe. Take that arch support!!

Good night.

Katt's cruisin'!

That was me in 2006 Booty Ride...

Here were friends Gil and his son Henry, helping Katt cheer on the Booty riders a couple years ago.

Just an item of note to update all with my lovely wife Katt. She had her second round of chemo last week, and things are going alright this time around. There are waves of fatigue, pain, stomach upset, and mouth soreness, but overall she's not bed ridden. Actually, we were able to take an impromptu trip to Asheville this past weekend. Thurs night we just decided to go.

On the way we stopped off in Charlotte at the "24 hours of Booty" event...the only official 24 cycling event for the Lance Armstrong foundation. Friends of ours there were "krankin' for Katt" were there riding for those who couldn't ride...my wife being one. It was fun, and Katt and I have had fun in the past riding it. We have promised each other that it is one ride we will do every year we can.

I'll have more pics up later, but here is one for now. Heading down that lonesome road Hwy 12...

(yes we normally wear our helmets, but this was less than a mile on the road ;-) )

Love to all!

More pictures from recent events...

The boy just keeps going and going. He had his first 'fit' the other day at the park, when he didn't want to get off the swing...he was enjoying it, to say the least!

Below he is playing int he sand with a godson, Peyton...wh thankfully didn't teach Charlie how to pee at the beach in front of everyone!

Holding Charlie is David West. I've seen him the last 3 off seasons train hard enough to get better each 3 seasons. He helped New Orleans get into the playoffs by taking some heat off of Chris Paul.

His first wagon!!

Katt is doing well. Yesterday she had her best day yet after her first chemo treatment. Seond treatment is next Wed.

Oh, and her brother Niall is in Key West...making stories to tell his lads back in Ireland!

The battle starts

Katt's chemo started yesterday. It's amazing what medicine has done in recent years. They've dialed the treatments in so well, she MAY not lose her hair due to the chemo. She MAY not get so sick that she feels like she was hit by a truck. Time will tell.

But she is a fighter, and we have a great team on our side. Doctors, family, and friends. Seems it's a small world...the doc I used to slink drinks to while I was bartending years ago. She also has a new baby, and like the same type of music that we do. Other acquaintances who we haven't seen in many years, are suddenly popping up. Seems like this was meant to be somehow. Anyway...

Katt's in good spirits, as is Charlie. And I am just here trying to help the best I can.
Here's to my lovely lady!

First Birthday, First beach trip...

Lots of firsts for sure. The beach trip was a perfect timing...a getaway that Katt, and I, needed before her chemo treatments started. (Of which they started yesterday, Wed the 8th--more on that later.)

Charlie has begun to walk. Not much, but a few steps just the same. Watch out world...the boy is about to take off! He also was taught how to watch birds by his uncle Niall (his uncle Jeremy called it watching the girls, guess it depends on the country!!)

We all had a blast watching Charlie begin his beach bum life. If he is like his Mom and Pop, he'll enjoy a salt air therapy getaway once in a while.
Here's the boy!

pre birthday cake!

Charlie is almost one, and we thought we'd have the family get involved with a little party at granpa and grandma's. Of course he was spoiled, he had a blast, and he can't wait for more CAKE (there goes our keeping sugar away from him.) One picture says it all...