Blake's Photo Book - August to November 2011

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Blake's Photo Book on Shutterfly

I really like using Shutterfly for making my photo books. They continue to improve the site and have added many new templates and stickers to enhance the books. It takes awhile to create the book (at least for me, since I'm somewhat of a perfectionist), but the time is definitely worth the finished product.

Blake's Photo Book - May to August, 2011

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Our dear Grandson, Blake, has just celebrated his first birthday. This year went by so quickly! What a fun year it has been!

Final Tour

These are photos I took today during a tour of the high school where I graduated. The class of '80 sponsored the tour today, and although I'm a bit older, I was glad they invited others along so that I could see the inside of my high school one last time. The school is now vacant and has been sold to a developer who will be tearing it down soon. The school holds many happy memories and will be missed by many in  the community and alumni all over the country.

Kristin

Today, my thoughts and prayers are with Kristin as she travels from Denver to Cusco, Peru. Her trip with connecting flights and layovers will take about 23 hours. She won't have phone or internet service when she arrives in Peru. I know she will find a way to let us know she has arrived safely.

This photo was sent to me today by my Uncle Dick. Kristin was about 3 years old! He is busy scanning old photos. How wonderful that he sent me this great memory today as I'm holding Kristin in my heart.

By the way, I sent this post to my blog via email for the first time, a trick I learned at ISTE! It works very well! Maybe I'll finally start posting more regularly again.

Blake's photo album February - April

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Day 118 - Golden Birthday

Day 118 - Golden Birthday, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

One of Kristin's roommates contacted me and asked if I could scan some old photos of Kristin growing up so that they could use them during the surprise party they were throwing for her. It is her Golden Birthday this year, 28 on the 28th. These are are just a few of the 90 photos I scanned and sent them. She was VERY surprised. She has awesome friends in Denver!

Day 117 - Playtime!

Day 117 - Playtime!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Blake loves when Grandpa comes over to play!

Day 115 - Bunny

Day 115 - Bunny, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

This is the bunny that Great Grandma gave Blake for Easter.

Day 111 - Pushing!

Day 111 - Pushing!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Blake can walk a bit if he is holding onto his pushcart of blocks!

Day 104 - Grandma's MacBook

Day 104 - Grandma's MacBook, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Blake loves Grandma's computer! Here we are getting ready to take some shots with PhotoBooth.

Day 101 - Visiting

Day 101 - Visiting, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Spending time with Great Grandma is so much fun!

Day 98 - Eight months!

Day 98 - Eight months!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Blake's mommy sent me this photo. I love that she is taking a photo every month with him sitting in the same chair. He has certainly changed a lot in 8 months!

Day 97 - Playtime!

Day 97 - Playtime!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Let's play basketball, Grandpa!

Day 92 - Silver Man

Day 92 - Silver Man, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Today is our last day in California. We had some extra time before heading to the airport, so we walked along the pier in San Diego. We watched this 'statue' perform as he entertained a crowd that had gathered.

Day 91 - Fun in the sun

Day 91 - Fun in the sun, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Today is our last full day in California. We've enjoyed our stay at the Lawrence Welk Resort in Escondido. Blake was up early this morning, so I took him for a walk around the beautiful grounds. This is the outside of our condo. Then we did a little 'photo shoot' with Blake in his White Sox outfit, so we could send a photo to his daddy. Later, we spent some time at the pool.

After lunch and naps, we drove down to Coronado and toured the famous Coronado Hotel and spent some time on the beach.

Day 90 - California Day 5

Day 90 - California Day 5, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Today was a pool day! Blake loves the water and so does his Auntie!

After naps, we drove out to the Oceanside to have dinner with cousin, Denise.

And then after dinner, we walked out to the beach to enjoy a beautiful California sunset!

Day 89 - Giraffe

Day 89 - Giraffe, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

We spent the day today at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. It was a very hot day, but Blake was a real trooper. He got to see many animals with his Mommy, Auntie Kristin, and Grandma.

And before heading back to the resort, a ride on the Merry-Go-Round was a must!

Day 88 - Pool Time!

Day 88 - Pool Time!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

The weather is gorgeous here in Southern California! We spent the morning at the pool.

And then later in the afternoon we visited Seal Beach.

Day 87 - We're here!

Day 87 -, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

I picked Cheryl, Kristin, and Blake up from the airport in San Diego today. On the way to our resort, we stopped to shop at a farmer's market. Auntie Kristin is very happy to see her nephew!

Day 86 - California Cousins!

Day 86 - California Cousins!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Today is the first day of my Spring Break trip with my girls. I arrived in California a day ahead of them, so I got to have a nice visit with my cousins, Michael and Denise who live here in CA.

Day 83 - Favorite Toy

Day 83 - Favorite Toy, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Blake adores playing with balls and this is his favorite!

Day 82 - Bright flowers

Day 82 - Bright flowers, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

It is still pretty dreary outside, but I bought some cut flowers at the grocery story to brighten things up inside.

Day 81 - Spring!

Blake-Spring, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Today I was having some fun with Comic Life 2 using my favorite subject!

Day 80 - Blake's Photo Book November-January

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After a crazy, busy month of February, I finally had time to spend putting together Blake's photo book for the months of November to January. It was so hard to narrow down the hundreds of pictures to just our favorites. The "20-page" photo book ended up 45 pages long! Thank goodness I had a Groupon from Shutterfly.

Day 79 - Happy birthday! #3

Day 79 - Happy birthday!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Blake, Cheryl, and Seth came up today to celebrate Scott's birthday. There is no better gift for a grandpa than spending time with his grandson!

Day 78 - Happy birthday! #2

Day 78 - Happy birthday!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Today is actually Scott's birthday. We are going out for dinner tomorrow night, but I brought him a cupcake tonight.

Day 77 - Sun

Day 77 - Sun, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

This time of year, there is not much sun, and what there is doesn't make it very far into our house. Lucy does manage to find and enjoy a small spot of sun today.

Day 76 - Happy birthday! #1

Day 76 - Happy birthday!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

My husband and and sister-in-law both have birthdays this week. My mother-in-law took us out for dinner to celebrate. It was so sweet of her to carry on the tradition!

Day 75 - Melting

Day 75 - Melting, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

This is the last of the snow we had from our huge snowstorm on February 1st.
It is melting just in time since the daffodils are already starting to come up!

Day 74 - Wondering

Day 74 - Wondering, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Blake actually took this photo of himself! My laptop was sitting on the floor and he click the button to take the picture in Photo Booth. I think he was wondering if it was ok to touch the computer!

Day 72 - Love!

Day 72 - Love!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Kristin came home from Denver for the weekend in order to attend her Grandpa's memorial service. Meeting his Great Grandson was one of his happiest moments. I know he is smiling down from Heaven as he sees the Kristin, Cheryl, and Blake enjoying time together today.

Day 70 - Watching TV

Day 70 - Watching TV, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

When Scott is working in the evening, Lucy keeps me company. Tonight we were watching TV together.

Day 69 - Exploring

Day 69 - Exploring, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

My little buddy is having fun this morning looking at himself on the computer in Photo Booth.

Day 68 - Seven months!

Day 68 - Seven months!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

This is Blake's monthly photo. I love the way my daughter is taking a picture every month with Blake sitting in the same chair. He now thinks it is quite funny to try and rip off the sticker on his t-shirt!

Day 67 - Junk!

Day 67 - Junk!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

I love this junk guy. He drives around on garbage day every week, picking up anything metal that's at the curb, rescuing it from the landfill before the garbage truck arrives.

Day 66 - Dancing

Day 66 - Dancing, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Today is Cheryl's birthday! She and Blake came over before we meet the men for dinner. Blake loves dancing with his mommy!

All dressed up and ready for dinner!

Happy birthday, Cheryl!

Day 64 - Car ride

Day 64 - Car ride, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Lucy loves to ride in the car. Today she was off to the vet for her annual check-up. That's not her favorite place, but now she's done for a year!

Day 63 - Great Grandma!

Day 63 - Great Grandma!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

I love the way Scott's mom gets all dressed up when Blake comes to visit! She is 80 years old and such a beautiful lady. Blake is so lucky to have her as a Great Grandma!

Day 62 - Nap

Day 62 - Nap, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

This is the special education classroom that I often sub in. Don't you wish you could take a nap in the 'clubhouse' when you're having a rough day!?

Day 61 - Rainbow Fish

Day 61 - Rainbow Fish, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

This is one of my favorite children's books. I love the watercolor painting the kids did at this school.

Day 60 - Book club

Day 60 - Book club, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

This is the book we read for book club this month. It is the first book in the Mitford series. I enjoyed it, but can't say that it grabbed me enough to want to read the rest of the series at this time.

I got to babysit for my sweet grandson today, too!

Day 56 - Happy ending

Day 56 - Happy ending, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

I'm home from the ICE Conference. It was an excellent conference and my two workshops went well. I'm happy it is over and to be home. As much as I loved attending and presenting at the conference, I was sad to be away from my family so soon after my father-in-law passed away.

Day 55 - Dinner out!

Day 55 - Dinner out!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

I've been at the ICE Conference all week. Cheryl and Blake liver nearly across the street from Pheasant Run, where the conference is held. They went out for dinner with me tonight. What a nice break from the conference!