As many of you know, Instagram is one of my favorite apps and social networks. I use it a lot–mostly because I take most of my kids’ pics there (I also document our trips that way now). But also because I love photography, even though I’m very much an amateur.

Since I’ve been using Instagram now for almost three years, I thought I’d take a look back at some of my favorite shots. My 40 favorite shots, in fact. I’ll be honest, I’m doing this as much for me, as I am for you 🙂

In the top 40 you’ll see a mix of:

* Shots of my kids (the majority, really)

* Shots of our vacations (where I take the bulk of my pics)

* Shots of beer (I like my craft beer, but I rarely drink more than two in one sitting any more, just to be clear)

* Shots of locations around Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Here goes–my 40 favorite Instagram pics. I’d love to see yours, if you’re so inclined. But, since I know 40 pics can be daunting, perhaps we start with something a bit more attainable–like #10BestIGpics.

One of our many trips to the North Shore of Minnesota.

 The camera always comes out at birthdays, and I try to capture more impromptu moments like this.

 This is one of my favorite shots of my kids in recently memory because it just captures their personalities so well (always laughing and smiling).

 This was my screensaver on my big iMac for a while. You can see why.

 I routinely document our pilgrimmage to the Minnesota State Fair each year. One of my faves from our recent trip.

 I had a phase where I’d take random shots of our house/neighborhood two summers ago. This was one of my faves.

 One of the best shots I took at the local pool we frequent in the summer months.

There’s nothing quite like a beautiful summer afternoon at Target Field (THE best stadium in all of baseball).

Used to love to take pics of flowers–and these are right outside our window.

Love me some beer pics! And, nothing says summer like Oberon, quite possibly the best beer ever made.

The views from Lake Harriet near our home in South Minneapolis are near perfect…

The first time my kids saw the ocean–great moment (and I love this shot).

Probably my favorite Pacific Ocean shot of my daughter from that San Diego trip in 2011.

OK, I stand corrected. These sundown shots are off-the-charts good…

Took a lot of shots in the summer of 2011 as I traveled by bike that summer. This was among the best.

Just love the sky in this pic–taken on the Hiawatha bridge in Minneapolis.

Somewhere…on the North Shore…

Wonderful sunset on the shores of Gull Lake, where I play golf with a group of guys each fall.

This one’s even better. Same lake. Same night.

So many pics of sunsets–but this has been one of the best sunrises I’ve captured over the last two years. While walking my kids to school.

I still remember the way the sky looked this night over my son’s soccer field. Incredible.

Mmm….donuts…with gummy worms…and Oreos…and Fruit Loops…

My daughter skating for the first time!

Lots of camping pics on file…

Hate to see my kids in pain, obviously, but this one was just too good to pass up (and, truth be told, his teeth didn’t hurt that badly–he did great!)

My brother and my son on the ice jump. Who looks terrified and who looks like they’re having fun?

In case you haven’t noticed by now, I love mid-air photos…

The iconic sign from our Seattle trip in June of 2012.

I’ve risked destroying my iPhone multiple times getting these pics.

Beer flights anyone? From my favorite micro-brewery in Minnesota (Fitgers in Duluth)

The REAL Pebble Beach (on the North Shore)!

#skygasm

This is why I love my son. Who would have thought of this?

The wonder of turning 5…

The best shot I took on our camping trips last summer (this one from Willow River State Park in Wisc.)

SPLASH (from the wave ride at Valleyfair!)

Great view from just outside Grand Portage on the North Shore.

I’ll always remember this photo: The day I took my daughter to her first Gopher game, and also the day I put a good friend to rest (the range of emotions that day was off the charts)

Boxhead for Halloween (I helped, but it was his idea…)

Just something about this one I love (plus, I love those little Coke bottles).