Beautiful Sounds

 X-man has decided to try his hand at cello as well as tuba this year. He is loving them both.

This was his first orchestra concert of the year. He was excited because he was in the front row and we could actually see him. When he plays his tuba at band concerts he is way in the back and all we see is his tuba!

Speaking of hearing nice sounds...

My hearing has been getting worse and my ear drum had some problems so last week I had a mastoidectomy/typanoplasty surgery. Say what??  The doctor went in through my mastoid bone (behind your ear) and worked around in there as well as replaced my titanium middle bone implants and my ear drum. I guess there was a cyst in there as well.    This is the 2nd time for a typanoplasty and I'm hopeful it'll take this time. 

I'm not a  huge fan of surgery. I felt rather nauseous, dizzy, and unclear and really tired.  I am now feeling much, much better other than having lovely stitches that look like my ear was almost chopped off. I still am tired, but I am up. Hurray!!  My wonderful family, friends, and neighbors took good care of me.

School Daze

School has been in session for a few days weeks. These folks seem to have their feet under them and their brains steadily growing with all the knowledge being poured into them.  I can't believe how fast the school year has gone. Slow dooowwwnnn! My children are growing up, my mind is spinning, my heart is squeezing, and I'm left wondering where the years have gone--school DAZE!

My BABY!!

(though he does  NOT care for me gushing about his baby status!)

L's last year of elementary, 5th grade.

 X-man working his way through 7th grade!

Miss A. is already a junior, 11th grade. 

The year of the ACT/SAT!

She wishes I wouldn't remind her.

B--a SENIOR! What?!  I know! Crazy!

Many good things are in store for her.

 My handsome T on his b-day.

One year older, one year wiser.

 A kiss on our 19th anniversary!  

Too eternity and beyond!

 Xman got to play Tub-ah-ka (think Chewbacca) with the high school band. He met some high school band tuba players who excelled in middle school band and have inspired him. 

 Toot your horn, Xman!

 B. made her very own Homecoming mum in her floral design class. 

She looked classy and she could still hold her head up. Many mums are so large its hard to find the girl behind them!

B at the Homecoming game. There were lots of crickets flying around landing on people's backs, heads, feet, everywhere! Girls were screeching while manly boys were stomping the little black fiends. There was more entertainment in the stands than on the field.  B was glad the crickets didn't find a home in her hair! 

Summer Fun!

This summer we went to visit my folks. B. went out early, so we had to catch up with her.

 We stopped at the falls I always say we will stop at "someday" on our way.

L, X, and A.

 "Hey!" we finally got there. 

We did our yearly camp trip fishing, canoeing, and roasting s'mores.

 Posing for a selfie with her mom. 

A. and me.

 Resting and chatting under the trees. 

 Fisherman X. Waiting for the big one!

 A. biding her time.

 L and Bumpa taking the canoe for a spin.

 "Hey!" again! Xman and Bumpa canoeing.

B. posing like she is Queen of the Mountain!  

She was going to take a canoe ride, but while getting in the canoe, it went one way with one foot while her other foot stayed firmly planted onshore, making her do the splits and topple into the icy mountain lake. Brrrr!

 Campers!

Tuckered out!

 Playing in the mountains.

 Resting. 

And Yes! That's T. He was able to come out and meet us. 

Hurray for family time!

L. lounging. 

 Look at those young folks!

X and L washing off the sand in nice cold water. 

 Cool guys.

 X, L, A, Bumpa, Bumma, and B.

Family.