Clint and I were not able to attend Colt's Captain pinning since it was out of state. Thankfully, Colt's friend Patrick was able to email us a few pictures of the moment. I happened to have an embroidered label taken off of an old jacket so utilized this on the layout. This was one of the layouts I scrambled to add at days end prior to leaving to see Colt and present him with the album. Glad it was included for the memories:)

This post for Ashley

I couldn't resist posting this layout that was included in Colt's album for Ashley. The challenge was selecting some pictures from Ashley and Chris's wedding that would work for a layout in Colt's album. Needless to say, going from his Officer attire and giving a sentimental speech at the reception to a surprise appearance dancing to the theme movie and song from Napolean Dynamite pretty much fits for a layout in Colt's album. The goal on the layout was to capture the transitions. Ashley and Chris's wedding was such a special moment and memory in our family's life! Clint and I are so blessed with our children!!!

Colt's album from more recent years

Most of these pictures were retrieved from Colt's web pages...so difficult on some as I didn't have originals. I do enjoy as a keepsake for Colt how these layouts portray his lifestyle and activities. When he saw the Fiesta Island it was "oh...thanks mom" but then realized how being clipped and injured at this triathlon did impact him...ahh...the memories. The mud run in the picture below pretty much sums up how Colt participates in an event...to participate fully in all aspects of the event.

Some more of Colt's album pages

A few more in the collection. Of course I am not going to include all 53 pages....but just a variety of some that presented more of a challenge than others. However, I don't want to put you asleep sharing what all the issues were with each.

pages from Colt's album

Some layouts I don't think posted from when Ash and I first started my blog. Each layout as I have mentioned before presented issues because pics were not taken on a digital camera back then:)

Colts' book another page

This layout was put in the book after Colt's birth layout. It was a collection of pics to capture moments through all the years up to shortly before giving him the book. The pics are those not included anywhere else in the book and to me express not only moments in Colt's life but parts of Colt's personality that are captured in his face, etc. I love how you can view one layout which captures a variety of all the years.

I noticed that some pics I wanted to post regarding my son's book never came through on my blog. I have since realized that when you post to your blog from Picassa directly, only a small amount of pictures will actually post. So, I am at this point doing just a few at a time. This particular layout was another specific challenge. For one, the pics were not taken on a digital camera....but 27 years ago! There were also dates on some of the pics. So, the page was created from trying to capture moments of the day. What was special to include on the opposite page (not so much for a layout...but the journaling) was the message my husband and I wrote shortly after our son was born in a baby book. I was able to copy these pages and include them for our son to read. I had his baby book stored away with other keepsake items. Oh my gosh...how the sentiments we wrote then regarding our dreams for Colt have come to be! How special it was to read and reflect after all this time!!