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Holidays
By Margot | December 17, 2012
The above are our Christmas pictures – a combination of two fantastic photographers, Meredith and Deb. I also included one of Andrew’s soccer team after they won their tournament this weekend and one of Sam in his Christmas pajamas and Charlie at the podium before his piano recital telling a bit about himself. We leave on Friday for New Mexico and after Christmas will meet Neil’s family in Colorado. The holidays seemed to have come up so quickly this year. We got our tree up last week and the boys had a great time decorating. They are so cute and always make sure to put Sam ornaments in very prominent positions on the tree. Charlie can play “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” on the piano. He sings along to it and it’s about the best thing ever. Andy is playing Jingle Bells on the guitar and has got “Lucky Man” down pretty well. Both boys finished up soccer. Charlie with an All Star Tournament and Andy with a tournament this weekend in Irvine. We drove up Saturday morning for two soccer games, drove back to San Diego so Andrew could play in his basketball tournament and then woke up Sunday morning at 5am to drive back up to Irvine for an 8am semi-final game and finals games. Andrew did six games in a day and a half and we were all wiped out (him most of all) last night after the end of the season flag football party topped off our day. Neil and I looked at each other tiredly at 5am on Sunday morning and agreed that we are crazy people ;-). Charlie was excited because we would actually get to see the “crack of dawn” as we were driving up for the early game. I think we are all looking forward to a couple of weeks off. Andrew did really well in his tournament this weekend. He had a hat trick in two games. He’s playing some forward now – he’d been playing midfield. I always think of him as my little boy but he is getting big. At one point in the tournament Neil and I had run to get something for him during the game and we were walking back to our chairs behind the goal and Andrew had a break away. He was coming at full speed and it was like a train coming at the one defender and the goalie. It was definitely impressive sight from that angle – probably a scary sight for the goalie :-). Charlie had an end of the season “championship game” for the two teams that were supposed to go to a tournament that got rained out. It ended in penalty kicks with Charlie in the goal. He was “ice cold” as one dad said and they ended up winning by one goal he made some great saves. It was very exciting. Their All Star team didn’t do so well in their tournament because our little league sent three teams and we probably had enough All Stars for one ;-). Charlie played well though and for the first time Andrew was dragged to one of Charlie’s tournaments instead of the other way around. He kept saying “You so owe me for this, Mom.” I had fun teasing him about that one, it was a comment that lent itself to sarcasm so much it was hard to resist. There were some serious politics going on among parents and coaches in that tournament for six and seven year-olds. As we roll into basketball season, I’m thinking I should start a crazy sports mother blog but if the boys burn out by twelve I’d be out of material.:-) I finished my creative writing class and I really loved it. There were so many interesting people in the class and some really good writing. I remember when I was really young and read Sophie’s Choice and I thought to myself that I hadn’t been through enough pain in life to be a “real writer.” Funny how life works out, isn’t it? We are missing Sam as always this Christmas. I think of his little baby voice saying, “Tristen Lights, Mama!” and him in his Santa hat as he put up the ornaments when he was older. I hope that everyone has a safe, family filled holiday. Thinking of those in Connecticut who are having funerals instead of Christmas. Margot
Topics: Progress Reports | 4 Comments »
December 18th, 2012 at 1:53 am
Well, Margs, I start each and every day being grateful. Grateful for so many things that seem so obvious and then seem more obvious when terrible things happen like CT or Samuel Thomas Hutchison’s struggle.
Maybe that is what we should give each other this year..a reminder to be grateful…for every breath.
I know that I am grateful for Warrior Sam’s life lesson to us all..I never saw him cry; he was full of hope and optimism..a true gift for all of us.
December 18th, 2012 at 3:47 am
Looking so forward to seeingyou all on the 26th. I know both boys are going to just grow from now on, and they won’t be little boys anymore, but great kids. Have a safe trip to NM, hi to your folks, and pray for snow AFTER we get there. I’m doing the bunny hill.
Been thinking of Angel Sam and how proud he would be of the excellence in sports for his little bros.
December 27th, 2012 at 2:25 am
Merry Christmas, Hutchisons! Hope the skiing is great in New Mexico and Colorado. Looking forward to getting the boys together upon your return, and to our first post-class writing group, Margot. Better be drafting that first story over the break! No pressure. Each Christmas we have fond memories of all your boys playing with our boys over winter break – toy cars, ninjas, Ben 10, Power Rangers, Bakugan, tech-decks…and we remember how much Sam loved to give gifts. I hope Sam knows how many gifts he really gave us. Lotsa Love to you guys. Want to see video of Charlie’s piano recital – or a reenactment! – The Bonebrakes
March 10th, 2013 at 2:03 am
I missed this entry. Loved the pictures. Miss that sweet Sam. We talk about him a lot in our family 🙂 thinking of you all- Angela (Madison’s Mom)