Happy Holidays!

District 25 Alumni Holiday Luncheon!

Day 327 - Skyping!

Day 327 - Skyping!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

We were a very small group at Thanksgiving today. Cheryl and her family went to Iowa to be with Seth's family. Kristin went to New York with her friend, Allen. It was awesome that Grandma got to 'meet' Allen via Skype today!

Day 325 - Christmas Card

I spent a couple hours tonight designing and ordering our Christmas cards for this year. 

Designing cards online has become so easy!
The hard part is deciding which photos to include from the hundreds I've taken!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Day 243 - Grandboys!

Although it was a long day babysitting for my grandsons today, we couldn't have had a better day. They keep me hopping, but I did have time to practice with my new camera.

 

"Take a picture of my bowling pin guy, Grandma!"

 

Little brother is now a smiling and cooing machine!

Our little landscaper takes his job very seriously!

Day 214 - Chicago!

Finally finished my photo book about our trip to Chicago at the end of March!



***Note: I have discovered that when viewing my blog using Safari, I need to make sure I have the latest version of the Flash Player installed in order to view this book. If you see a blank area, you may need to update flash as well.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Click here to create your own Shutterfly photo book.

Day 172 - New Photo Book

I'm a bit behind in getting my photo books made! These pictures are from January to March. But, I did take advantage of a photo book sale on Shutterfly and free shipping to get this one done!




***Note: I have discovered that when viewing my blog using Safari, I need to make sure I have the latest version of the Flash Player installed in order to view this book. If you see a blank area, you may need to update flash as well.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo Book Tip: Create an adventurous travel photo album at Shutterfly.com.

Day 169 - Father's Day!

This awesome video was given to Scott by Cheryl. Such wonderful memories of our trip to Chicago with the family in March to celebrate Scott's 60th birthday!



***Note: I have discovered that when viewing my blog using Safari, I need to make sure I have the latest version of the Flash Player installed in order to view an Animoto video. If you see a blank area, you may need to update flash as well.

Day 161 - Roses

I walked around our yard to day, photographing the MANY flowers that are in bloom. This rose bush was by far the prettiest! I don't ever remember it being so full of blooms. It must really like the warm spring we've had.

Day 160 - Sunning

It was very sunny and warm today. Scott and I did some yard work while Lucy soaked up the sunshine on the patio!

Day 159 - Waiting

We are patiently waiting for the new grandbaby who is due any day now. I was looking through some old photos today and marveling at how quickly the months have gone since Blake was this baby, enjoying a bath in his duckie tub. He is going to make a wonderful big brother!

Day 158 - Flowers

My friend Sue is hostessing book club at my house tonight. I bought these pretty flowers for the table at Trader Joe's. I love the orange roses!

Day 157 - Draw Something!

My new favorite addiction! Are you playing Draw Something? I'm not a great artist, but I can usually get my point across.

Day 156 - Delicious!

I was subbing today, which is unusual this close to the the last day of school. This little girl was really enjoying her healthy snack!

Day 155 - Coffee

Day 155 - Coffee, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Our old coffee maker bit the dust this morning, so we had to go out and buy a new one. I'm enjoying a good cup of coffee mid-afternoon today!

Day 154 - ABCs

Day 154 - ABCs, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

It is always an extra special day when our grandson comes over for an unexpected visit! At nearly 22 months, he is so fun! He loves to play outside and explore and learn about everything he sees. Here we convinced him to come inside for a bit of a break!

Day 153 - Wall Unit

Day 153 - Wall Unit, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

We are redecorating our family room. We've had this wall unit for many years and even had it adapted a bit when we got a large flat screen TV. Our family room is big, so this wall unit is about 15 feet long. We are trying to decide how to go about finding a new home for it. It is not going to be an easy job to dismantle it and move it out of here. Although it is time to update the furniture in this room, I will miss the storage in this large wall unit.

Day 152 - Rain!

Day 152 - Rain!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

This year, we had the earliest spring weather that I ever remember. Although the temperatures were very spring-like, we have had very little rain, so the ground is rock hard and we've been out watering the gardens daily. We were grateful today, for a gentle spring rain all day and don't mind enjoying the patio from inside the house today!

Day 151 - Fire Station

Day 151 - Fire Station, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

With the new baby coming in about two weeks, I went with my daughter to the fire station to have our car seats inspected and adjusted for safety. Blake loves anything to do with fire trucks, so while the firefighter was checking the car seats, I took Blake into the fire station to check out the trucks!

Day 148 - Married Alive!

Scott and I went to see this cute play this afternoon. We love having a subscription to the shows at The Metropolis, a theatre with professional shows right in our own town.

Day 147 - Jacob

Day 147 - Jacob, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

We got to welcome the newest member of the family today at a baby shower for Jacob and his mommy. What a fun afternoon!

In the photo (from L to R) are: Great Grandma Dyvone, Great Aunt Nancy (holding Jacob), Great Aunt Julie, and Jessica (Jacob's mommy).

Day 146 - Pollmo Poll

Having been a teacher for 35+ years and with my passion for technology, I'm always intrigued by new online tools. This new polling tool is very easy to use and free!

Day 145 - Bike ride

Beautiful spring day! Great day for a bike ride! Blake loves his bike. It has a handle on the back so I can help him steer, but he is learning to push the pedals. Blake loves to be outside and I'm very grateful for the wonderful weather we have had this spring.

Day 144 - Winner!

Winner!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Scott and I took his mom to the new Rivers Casino this afternoon. This lucky lady won $100 at a nickel slot machine!

Day 142 - Friends!

Day 142 - Friends!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

Lovely evening tonight as we celebrated Patty's birthday! These beautiful ladies are some of my teacher friends. Four of us are retired and looking forward to the time when the others join us!

Day 141 - Rooster

Day 141 - Rooster, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

I took my grandson and his mom out for dinner tonight at a local restaurant named Roosters. He was practicing his 'cock-a-doodle-doo' in the car and very happy to talk to the rooster when he got there!

Day 140 - Spring Flowers

Day 140 - Spring Flowers, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

I spent the afternoon enjoying the flowers at the Chicago Botanic Garden with my friend Betsy. We captured many of the colorful spring blooms on our cameras. Such a fun day!

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Day 139 - Blooming

Day 139 - Blooming, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

On my first day home all day in the last two weeks, I took a tour around the yard. I discovered that the white peonies were starting to bloom. The pink and magenta plants will have their blooms opening very soon. These peony plants always make me smile as they are transplanted from my mom's and grandma's yards and have followed our family from house to house for many years.

Day 138 - Collecting!

Day 138 - Collecting!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

It is moments like this that that make me smile from ear to ear as I observe the innocence of childhood. We took a walk to the park with our grandson this afternoon. There was no hurrying him as he found so much to observe and explore. He was bringing along the pail to play in the sand at the park, but it made a great place to stow the pinecones he collected with as much enthusiasm as if he were gathering Easter eggs!

Day 137 - Races!

Day 137 - Races!, a photo by Karin Beil on Flickr.

What a beautiful day at the races! About 30 retirees from my school district gathered at Arlington Park this afternoon to enjoy our friendship as we watched the races. In this photo, the horses are being loaded into the gate at the start of the race. I was cheering for #4, Jilly from Philly, who came in first! I'm not a huge better (usually only betting $2 to show for each race), but it is fun to win even when the wager is small!

Day 134 - Mother's Day

There is no better way to spend Mother's Day than with my girls and grandson! We had a wonderful walk on a beautiful spring day before taking Auntie Kristin to the airport.  Blake cannot get enough of "One, two, threeeeee"!

Day 133 - Shower!

Today we threw a bridal shower for my niece, Jill.

We had a fabulous time!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Day 132 - Animals!

Today I was subbing at the school where I retired from. I stopped in to see one of my favorite teacher....the ART teacher. Before I retired, I started giving her old CDs that we no longer needed. She is a wiz at using recycled materials for artwork with her kids. I LOVE these animals that the kids created this year.

*** Update: Cammy retired in June on the last day of the school year. The kids will miss your talent!

Day 131 - Open wide!

Ha! So many smiles on my face when I spend my day with Blake! Here he is opening wide to eat his apples!

Day 130 - 21 Months

I love the way my daughter takes a monthly photo of Blake. I turned the photos she sent me today into a mosaic that shows his many faces! I think my favorite is when he took the sticker off his t-shirt and put it on his belly!

Day 129 - Shower gift

I went shopping for my niece's shower gift today. I ended up buying her many things on her gift registry that weren't sold in boxes. So, this purple crate became the box and the wrapping!

Day 128 - Train!

I subbed in a preschool class today. I love this art project that the kids did!
What preschooler doesn't love trains?!

Day 127 - Rhubarb

I've never seen the rhubarb so big so early in May!

Day 126 - Daisy

Love the multitude of daisies that are blooming early in my gardens this spring!

Day 125 - ¡Feliz cumpleaños!

It is always a fun evening celebrating a birthday with a friend!
Happy birthday, Dace!

Day 124 - Day with Grandpa!

 

Blake spent a fun day at our house today. He follows Grandpa around and loves doing whatever Grandpa does....mowing the grass, watching the news, or whatever Grandpa has planned for the day!

Day 123 - Jelly Belly

I brought our remaining Jelly Belly beans to bowling tonight for my team to snack on. It is always interesting to watch people look through the batch for their favorite flavors! What is your favorite?

Day 122 - Dells

Scott and I drove up to The Wisconsin Dells to check out some places for our family reunion that will be held in the summer of 2013. It was a very peaceful couple of days since we made the trip before 'the season' starts!

Day 121 - Duck

Another sign of spring today....a pair of ducks have returned to our yard!

Day 118 - Quesadillas

While subbing today, I got to cook with the kids. They had a fun time making their own quesadillas!

Day 117 - Goslings

 

We had a nice walk around the pond today. We got to see a mama and daddy goose and their little goslings take a swim!

Day 116 - Blake's Photo Book 6

Click here to view this photo book larger

***Note: I have discovered that when viewing my blog using Safari, I need to make sure I have the latest version of the Flash Player installed in order to view this book. If you see a blank area, you may need to update flash as well.

Day 114 - Brown Bear

I'm subbing again today and saw another cute project. These kids did an extension of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? I love how each student chose a different creature and drew it themselves on the computer. So cute!

Day 113 - Friends!

 

These are all school friends, five of us are retired and one is still working. Today we went to see Motherhood, The Musical together. What a fun show! Then of course we had to go out for dinner, too. Thank you to Judy for setting up this fun outing!

Day 110 - Fun!

 I spent a fun afternoon at the Stratford Mall with my best little buddy!

First enjoying the play area.

 Then a ride on the train. 

And finally an ice cream cone!