Family History Photo CD Tin

I've spent the last 4 hours working on a family history photo tin.  It's a project I'm preparing for my family reunion/campout this coming weekend - and I've got to make 35 kits.  I've actually prepared this type of project for another family reunion I did a few years ago and it went over so well, I offered to do it for the Schaub family this year.

In case you're interested, this is a small 4 generation accordion photo album.  My dad helped me with the family group sheet and collecting all the photos.  Fortunately I was born into a family that likes to take photographs and we've been doing it for generations.  Probably one of the most enjoyable parts of this project was going through old (as in 1800s) family photos - it's interesting to see how prevalent some genetic traits are.

Here is a little tutorial if you'd like to make you're own CD Photo Album.  I've also created an instruction sheet with supplies and dimensions. You can download it here - CD Photo Accordion Album Instructions.

Here are the general supplies:

The instruction sheet will give you the dimensions of everything.  First, cut three strips of cardstock each at least 5 inches wide.  I'd recommend using 12x12 cardstock so you can get at least 2 strips out of it; however, if you want to you can use 8 1/2"x11", but you'll only get 1 strip out of each sheet.  Fold the strips at 4.25" (again check out the instruction sheet for details).

Here the strips are folded, and you can see where you'll need to glue them together.  You'll need to attach (glue sticks work great) square "A" to square "A" and square "B" to square "B" making sure that each square is 4.25" tall.

Then you just add your photos and decorate with paper.  I try to stay away from any embellishments that will add bulk (i.e. - pop dots, brads, flowers, etc) because the album is going to have to fit into a CD tin and with too many puffy embellishments the tin will look like an over stuffed suitcase.  Make sure that you do NOT decorate the top and bottom squares.  The bottom square will be adhered to the inside of the tin and the top square will have your "cover page".  Also make sure you check regularly to ensure that your photos are all going in in the right direction.

To adhere the album to the tin you will have to use glue dots -- these are the only things "powerful" enough to hold the paper to the metal.

Pretty simple and straight forward.  Here are a few photos of the finished album.

You should make a tin of your own.  They're a very simple way to share family history and they make great gifts.

Worse than moving in July in Arizona

At the end of February I drove up to Rexburg, Idaho to help my sister and her family move into a temporary rental.  She and her husband were fortunate enough to sell their home relatively quickly (at least in today's current market).  They are planning on moving down to Arizona and are waiting until the kids are done with school.  I offered to help with the moving and cleaning.

I really enjoyed the 17 hour drive, other than the whiteout conditions that existed between Logan, Utah and Rexburg, ID.  I actually look forward to some nice relaxing me time - plug in a good book on tape and the time goes by in a blink of an eye.

My sister had already packed up most of the house.  I just helped to do the final boxing and then the cleaning.  It was the two of us and a 3200 sq ft. home.  We worked like dogs, but we GOT IT DONE!

However, the most impressive part of the move was all the help they got from the ward to actually haul all of their stuff from one house to the other. Check it out...

And I have come to one conclusion after the entire experience...THERE IS ONLY ONE THING WORSE THAN MOVING, IN ARIZONA, IN JULY. THAT WOULD BE MOVING, IN FEBRUARY, IN REXBURG, ID.  It was sooooo stinkin' cold! The high on the day we moved was 17 degrees, everything was covered in snow and ice.   It was so cold that it was painful to run out side with things to load into the car.

** Note to self and others: Don't move in winter in Idaho or summer in Arizona.

Despite all the work to move, I made time to play with Kiki and the kids:

I'll be so happy when they all move down to Arizona...hopefully before it gets too hot.

The Whole Family Together

It was kind of like herding a bunch of wild cats, but we got a family photo. My sister and her family are down from ID for a visit. And since it's been a few years since we took a family photo, we just couldn't pass up this opportunity.

The Whole Dennis Schaub Family