We got the boys pictures from school back this week and Mason’s is probably my favorite of all time…no offense intended towards Cutler.  We let Mason pick out his outfit for pictures and he shocked us with his desire to wear a tie.  We got it for him for Grandma Boo’s funeral last month and he has really taken to looking nice.  Of course his outfit of choice is usually sweats, but at least for photos it was the tie.

We were a bit surprised by the costume selections by the boys this year in that 1) Cutler was not a super hero and 2) Mason went with a “scary” phantom costume that closely resembled the grim reaper minus the bare shins showing under his robe. One disclaimer for Cutler is that he was a super hero for his school’s Halloween using the cape and mask that were given to him by the wonderful people from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

We were fortunate to have grandma and grandpa in town so they agreed to stay home and hand out the candy while Melanie and I both went around with the boys for the first time since Cutler has been out of the hospital. Melanie took the opportunity to steal the cape and mask and be a super hero as well.

Below are a few photos including some from earlier in the day of grandpa working his pumpkin carving skills.

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When Cutler was diagnosed on 9/11/09 with AML he was instantly granted a lifetime membership to the esteemed cancer family and we are really beginning to learn the privileges that come with this membership.  Last night we were fortunate enough for Cutler to be selected to be the Honorary Stick Kid at the Dallas Stars game.  This consisted of us going down to the depths of the arena for a mini tour, allow the boys to bust knuckles with the players as they walked by to the ice, stand by the ice and watch both teams during the pregame warm ups, and for Cutler to be presented a game used stick and have it autographed by one of the players (Brendan Dillon).  It was an incredible experience and one that I am still on a bit of a high from.  Mason told us that it was the best night EVER…especially after he was handed a puck from the ice as one of the players (Rouselle) as he was exiting the ice.  This was all made possible by the wonderful people at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society recommending us when the wonderful people at the Dallas Stars reached out to them asking if they had someone in mind.  Cutler’s early life struggles are turning into blessings for him and our entire family.  Words can’t express how grateful we are for being able to have this incredible experience nor can they express how incredible everyone at the Stars and the LLS are to us as a family.  Don’t worry everyone, I am still a Blues fan first, but the Stars are pushing their way into a close second with their hospitality and giving nature.  Below are some of the pictures and a video of the stick presentation recorded from the video board.  Mason was quick to point out to me that they mispronounced our last name which I told him it is best to just get used to it.  🙂

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While searching for costumes for the boys for Halloween Cutler did his best Werewolf imitation.  I won’t reveal their actual costumes until Halloween, but if you happen by the house I am quite confident you will discover it as they are wearing them nonstop.

Cutler had his first “hockey” practice in full pads and with stick on Saturday.  It was right after Mason’s practice so it was pretty cool seeing them getting ready in the same locker room.  Now I just need to make them tough and mean enough to rival the Hanson brothers.  This was also Cutler’s first attempt at skating with pads and after about 10 minutes I would deem it successful.

Below are a couple photos from the locker room and a video of Cutler passing his way across the ice.

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After Cutler was out of the hospital in 2010 and the day after Father’s Day, four year old Mason asked me, after celebrating both Mothers Day and Fathers Day, when we would celebrate Brothers Day.  And so Brothers’ Day was formed.  Given the bitter memories of the day of Cutler’s diagnosis, among the other bad memories of 9/11, we thought this would be the best day to celebrate it annually.  The first year we went to Disney World, the next year we went to a butterfly exhibition, sadly I can’t remember what we did last year but I am sure it was fun, and this year we decided to go bowling.

Yes, the celebrations have gone down in size over the years, but the important part of this day is being together and the two boys celebrating their love for each other and that love was on full display while bowling.  Despite beating us all in the first game, thanks to the rack system for little ones to bowl, Cutler was very quick to reassure each of us after each roll that “You can get it next time” and Mason was loving helping Cutler line it up before each roll.  He even didn’t mind losing.  Cutler won the first game pretty handily and then Melanie came in and destroyed us all in the second game.  Bowling is clearly not my sport, which will probably bring great shame upon my parents.

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