Thanks again for the feedback guys. I have tried to grow facial hair, and would love to be able to grow a full goatee but when I do the mustache does not connect with the cheek area and I have this pretty big gap. I rocked a #2 over the summer and had a bit of facial hair and it looked pretty patchy like this:

My hair color is also blonde and when I grow my beard out there is a lot of blonde and red in it. I wish it was darker so it would stand out more.
You know, we all grow facial hair just as diversely as we do the hair, or lack of, on our head. I think you'll be fine. I have a beard, but I feel that it is patchy in some areas and not as full as I would like or as I see on others. The connectors from my mustache to my chin beard took forever to finally grow out, like not until my 30's! But, I've learned to accept whatever flaw, or perceived flaw, my beard may have. It's a little patchy, it's gray, but it works.
That summer photo looks great! Your beard looks fine, and actually you can pull off the buzzed-down look at well as totally bald. Try several different looks. If you don't like them, you can change. Why not keep the dome shaved and try again with a beard?
You look like you've got a pretty good beard from that photo. I always thought that my beard was pretty patchy, too, until I gave it a real chance to come in. Thanks to the encouragement I got here, I forced myself to be patient and I was pleasantly surprised at the results at around the two month mark. Give yourself a chance. The advice I got was to do nothing for three months. I think that was a good suggestion. You should try it.
I was insecure the first five years after going sly but I have embraced the look. I have been shaving my head for almost ten years.
It is a wonderful look for you PERFECT
YOU WEAR IT WELL - - -Keep it and enjoy it.
Lokks great, will look even better bald with beard