Instagram Recap { June }

Welcome to my monthly Instagram Recap!  These pictures tend to fill in the blanks when I don't pick up the big girl camera to capture some of those everyday moments.  Check out the corresponding picture with the number and click on the pink colored text link to get more of the story.

If you missed my post on why there were no posts or pictures from the month of June you can check it our here.  Thankfully the use of Instagram came in handy this month to fill in! 

1. A bird flew into our house and it was pretty entertaining trying to get him out!

2. Beautiful morning sunrise on June 2nd.

3. Always fun when I get the chance to do my hair!

4. Flooding again.

5. Finally able to have the windows open and a gentle breeze blowing my curtains.

6. A "just because" gift now that we finally both drink coffee together.  It only took me 7 years to convert him!

7. Saturday morning reading.  I love that my kids love books!

8. Janessa Belle rocking my sunglasses.

9. $4 score for this big bag from Hobby Lobby.

10. Absolutely adore this little guy.  He melts my heart! 

11. Most adorable baby card ever!

12. Making faces.

13. "Take our picture because we are cute too!" Why, yes!  Yes you are!

14. 'Belly Button Barf' Yep, he's a spitter.

15. June 14.  10:50 PM  Summers in the North.

16. Happy Father's Day/ Birthday weekend.  First camping trip of the year was a success!

17. Happy Father's Day to such an incredible Dad!

18. Night time Father and son snuggles and chats.

19. Happy Birthday Nathan!

20. Revamped swing set with a pretty awesome view!

21. This happened without him being asked, just a willing heart to serve.

22. Janessa Belle's favorite sitting position.

23. Love this little girl who is growing up right before my eyes. My sweet little Jewel!

24. Family camp at the Sips Farm!

25. June 24th, first night sleeping in his big baby bed... the crib.

26. Tornado warning. Severe thunderstorm warning.  Flash flood watch.  And a river flood warning.  North Dakota weather...

27. A little 'Father Abraham' dancing and singing with Daddy.

28. Awesome helpers on laundry day.

29. Papa and Grandma arrived and it's like Christmas!

30. June 29th, Elijah got his first haircut. 

Janessa Turns Two: A Day at the Lake

June ended with an early celebration for Janessa Belle's second birthday! 

My baby girl is two!

Could someone please just stop that darn clock.

Enough is enough with my kiddos growing up so fast.

But I do love it, I love watching them grow and learn and see their little personalities develop. 

And now our sweet, full of life, exuberant little girl is two.

Tear.  Smile.

We celebrated her birthday with Papa and Grandma who drove up to visit us for a week.  The day after they arrived we headed to Lake Sakakawea, rented a boat for the day and celebrated Janessa's birthday out on the lake.  The kids had a blast playing in the water, riding on the pontoon boat and spending time with their best buddies, Papa and Grandma. 

Outtakes

If you have the misconception that I get great photos of my kids and that my kids are just fabulous models all the time, this post is to prove that misconception wrong! 

I take hundreds of photos most every time I get my camera out, literally!

And I take hundreds in hopes that there are one or two good ones in the mix.

Then there's the dynamic of my models, the kiddos. 

My explanation... they are kids.

End of story. 

Oh, right, and we bribe them with treats when I really, really want a "cute" photo of them. 

There. I said it.  I'm glad I got that off my chest.

And to fill in for the rest there are blurry photos, awkward photos, silly photos, photo bombers and random photos that make you wonder what you were doing when you pushed the shutter button.

Most are deleted, and some I save and never edit and they are not really usable, and I have no idea why I still save them.  Probably because they are still pictures of my kids, precious memories, but ones I chose not to share.

And sometimes I share photos that aren't great but when it comes down to it who cares if the composition of a photo is perfect.  If it shares a story of my family then it's worthwhile to me. 

Sooo, here are some recent outtakes.  Enjoy! 

What Happened to June?

I know I went missing in action for the month of June.  But I just couldn't write after my Grandma passed away.  And as Nathan and I looked back we realized that not only could I not write for a time, I didn't even pick up the camera to take pictures.  It seemed like it all was just put on hold during my time of grieving.  Thankfully I joined Instagram shortly after my Grandma's memorial service and it filled in a little where I totally lacked in pictures from my regular camera.  But I also missed capturing a lot of fun memories along the way.  Like our first camping trip of the year which included out sweet little Elijah who was only 3 months old.  The kids had a blast, and I did as well but I don't have pictures to show for it.  It was Nathan's birthday and Father's Day celebration after all. 

Boo! 

Complete fail! 

For Nathan's birthday, which also turned out to be Father's Day weekend, we decided to head back down to Bismarck and camp in our tent for the first time this year.  We also spent the day at their outdoor water park and had a great time!  The kids had a blast camping and we couldn't have asked for a better weekend.

We also took a trip to Minnesota for a family camp.  I happened to grab my camera and snap a couple pictures as an afterthought.  Again, it was another great weekend.  My Zeke was totally in his element, with lots of people and kids to play with.  It was a wonderful weekend filled with lots of fellowship and fun.

There were a couple little projects worked on around the house but mostly life was just happening. 

And the last weekend of June my parents arrived after two long days of driving to get here and we filled our time with lots of celebrations, fun and projects. 

So the month flew by and before we knew it, it was over.  With few pictures to show for it.  And that makes me sad.  But thankful for all the fun we enjoyed together!