Instagram at the Cabin

 

My first time taking the boys to the cabin by myself.  They are older now and we survived 2 days without daddy!!  However, we were happy when he joined us.

Every summer we make our way north, to the cabin.  It's a family cabin, built almost 80 years ago by my husband's great-grandfather and it is one of my favorite places in the world.  My husband spent time  there as a child and when we were first married we decided that we would continue the tradition and bring our children.  Little did we know we would end up with 3 boys and this place is a boy's paradise!

I love photography and the cabin is a place I enjoy taking pictures.  It's a place to measure my boy's growth.  We take a traditional family picture each year, in the same spot and it's been neat to see them change.  Usually, I bring my nice DSLR and take 300 pictures per weekend.  The hope is to get some really cool shots.  Click here, here and here to see last summer's pictures.  

This past week I decided to try something different.  I only used my iPhone and uploaded pictures to Instagram.  It was a great way for my family (my mom in particular) to see what we were up to during the week.  Of course, that is what Instagram is all about but the cabin has no electricity (or running water) and we don't get a cell phone signal.  However, 1 mile down the road there is a little resort with free wifi.  Since I had to go there daily anyway to buy ice, I would take an extra few minutes to upload my pictures.  I REALLY love instagram.  I've found it to be my favorite social media option.  I love photography and enjoy seeing glimpses of life in this way.  Below are my Instagram pictures from the weekend.  Enjoy!

We drive a 1/2 mile to get free water from a well.  Reminds me of Ethiopia but for us, it's fun. 

The gravel pit, they were setting off firecrackers.  It's fun to see the dirt go flying. 

The local resort always has festivities on July 4th which includes a little parade.

Unlimited sticks at the cabin.

So thankful for my husband and his cousin, Greg, who worked hard to repair the dock. 

This trip we brought up one of our neighbor friends.  This was definitely a new experience for him.

A couple years ago we purchased wood.  We had about 1/3 of it left and several family members pitched in and we had a cutting party.

Lots more campfires!!

We bought this hammock when we first got married.  I remember being upset that we paid $100 for a hammock.  However, it lasted us 15 summers but on the last day of this trip, it ripped apart.  I almost cried.  So many memories with my boys.

He FINALLY took off riding on his own this weekend.  He was proud of himself and so were we!

One of my favorite things EVER!  Fudge-stripped cookies make awesome smores.  I am proud of myself for only eating maybe 15 all week :-)

Don't worry, I was behind a fence.  We visited an animal sanctuary.  It was neat to see the bears in their natural habitat.

 We had gorgeous weather all week but on the last day, it rained and rained.  We spent most of the day in the cabin and tent.  I read 2 books!  One of them was about the life of George Mueller, what a man of faith.  I was very inspired at his trust in God to provide for the orphans in his care.

A perfect end to summer

We had a fabulous weekend at the cabin.  It was the closure that I needed for the end of summer.  I realize that may sound strange but summer represents something special to me, childhood.  My boys are getting older.  In just 6 years, my oldest will be heading off to college and the other one probably working and super busy.  These summers are special and I am cherishing them.  Each year, I find it harder and harder to send them to school knowing that these years of raising them will pass and a season of life will come to an end.  Boy, I sound pathetic, don't I?  I just really love being a mom, love my boys, love raising them and want to cherish every moment :-)

This weekend we brought along our neighbor friend.  He's 13 and a super fun kid young man.  We love him a lot!  We also spent time with my husband's brother and his family.  They enjoyed the family cabin (that we all share) so much, that they bought their own cabin 4 years ago.  It's just 2 doors down.  I took some pictures for my niece, her senior pictures (sniff, sniff) and also took some family pictures of them.  We had a fish fry, played at the gravel pit, swam, ate LOTS of smores and enjoyed the beauty of Northern Minnesota.  It was a perfect weekend, a perfect end to this summer and as I type this, I'm getting teary-eyed.  OK, time to stop, please enjoy the pictures below!

 

 

My beautiful niece!

Fish fry!  Have you ever had fresh walleye?  Oh my, yummy!

This was my favorite of the family pictures that I took for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Hmmm...

My 2 oldest, their favorite cousin and our neighbor friend.  These guys had so much fun.  I really wish I would have taken video of them on the inner-tube.  They were going about 40 mph across the lake. 

Gravel pit - boy's paradise!

 

I climbed to the top!

So thankful for a wonderful summer!

End of Summer Celebration

We are ending our summer by heading to the cabin.  I love the cabin, love it SO much!  You can go here, here and here to see more pictures from our cabin.  Every year we take a traditional picture.  We started all the way back in 2002 and I intend to take one every year til I die.  I tried to post all the pictures but I was having technical difficulties and just didn't have the time to figure it out.  I think the ones below will give you a good idea of how neat it is to take a yearly traditional picture, especially in a place you love!

 2005

 2006

2007 

2008 

2011

2012