Days 1-4


I got to take my first solo flight with Aspen & she was FANTASTIC. This girly is the best little traveler, and she definitely made it easy on me! We got to spend some time out in San Diego with my friend Brittany & her family, and we both had the BEST time. Aspen got to play with two buddies, and I got in some much-needed catch-up time with my sweet friend. We explored Old Town, Fiesta Island, La Jolla Cove, and a random little place with the BEST acai bowls (I might be biased as a midwesterner with few opportunities to eat them though lol). I can't wait to go visit again!


Also, woven wraps are the most wonderful things ever, and you can't convince me otherwise.

Days 5 & 6


Day 5 consisted of getting dropped off at the San Diego airport by Brittany, flying into Phoenix to meet up with Ryan, and driving to Flagstaff to meet the rest of the crew! On day 6, we drove to Jerome to check out both the ghost town (that was definitely a tourist trap) & the town museum and had some delicious ice cream! I also discovered The Little Daisy and am DYING to photograph a wedding or elopement there.

Rustic log cabin with angel statue perched on top against bright blue sky at Jack Kerouac's Shrine in Rocky Mountains.
Various pieces of equipment suspended from rustic wooden rafters under a covered outdoor structure.
A young child wearing blue and an adult in a baseball cap stand together outdoors by a rustic wooden structure.
Outdoor scene showing someone holding a small child wearing a sun hat against a rustic backdrop.
Person standing in a rustic wooden tunnel entrance holding a small child, both dressed casually for exploring.
A person in a blue shirt and hat interacts with a white goat through a fence at a petting zoo area.
A speckled chicken walks near the tire of an old rusty vehicle on gravel ground.
Historic buildings and homes dot the rugged hillside in Jerome, a historic mining town in Arizona.
Houses dot the rocky hillside of a desert mountain landscape under bright blue skies in Jerome, Arizona.
Close-up of textured pink and gray rock surface with rough, jagged patterns in natural lighting.
Antique wooden writing desk with an open book sits against a white wall in moody lighting.
A topographical model display shows a mountainous landscape in a wood-framed museum case with maps underneath.
Close-up of sawdust and smoke rising from woodworking machinery in dark atmospheric lighting.
Historic mine buildings and structures nestled into rugged mountain terrain under bright blue skies in the American West.
Dramatic desert landscape with rolling hills and mountains under a blue sky with scattered puffy clouds.

Day 7


A trip into Petrified Forest National Park with the whole crew! The kiddos were all a bit tired by the time we were done exploring.

The entrance sign to Wupatki National Monument stands against a blue desert sky in Arizona.
A scenic view of colorful eroded cliffs and badlands in the Painted Desert under bright blue skies.
Red and orange layered badlands stretch across an arid desert landscape beneath a bright blue sky.
Scenic view of red rock formations and desert landscape under blue sky.
Parent and child stand together against a scenic desert landscape backdrop with blue sky.
Adult and small child enjoy scenic overlook of red desert landscape.
Hiking along desert trail while carrying small child with red rock formations in background.
Parent and child enjoy sunny day against backdrop of red rock desert landscape in Painted Desert, Arizona.
Colorful striped layers of red and white rock formations stretch across a desert landscape under bright blue skies.
A candid indoor moment captured in warm lighting with casual clothing.
A figure stands atop a cliff overlooking a vast desert landscape under blue skies with scattered clouds.
Expansive desert vista featuring layered rock formations and valleys stretching to the horizon.
Scenic desert landscape view of the Painted Desert in Arizona with layered red rocks under bright blue sky and white clouds.
A pair enjoying a sunny day in the desert landscape while wearing sun protection gear.
A child wearing a tan cowboy hat and colorful outfit sits next to someone in sunglasses against a blue sky background.

Day 8


A trip down some lava tubes in the morning, followed by a hike at Walnut Canyon National Monument made for a lot of exercise early in the day! Afterwards, we went to play in some (very cold) water, ate at a brewery, and grabbed some ice cream in downtown Flagstaff.

A hiker stands on a rocky trail surrounded by juniper trees and mountain scenery.
Ancient cliff dwelling ruins with stone walls nestled under a natural rock overhang at an archaeological site.
Two hikers with large backpacks trek along a narrow mountain trail surrounded by pine trees.
A baby smiles while being carried in a hiking backpack carrier on a sunny day.
Ancient stone ruins with a cave-like entrance and stacked rock wall beneath a natural rock overhang formation.
Paved trail winding along ancient cliff dwellings and rock formations in a sunny mountain landscape.
A baby rides along in a black hiking carrier backpack during an outdoor adventure.
A baby peeks out from a child carrier backpack while hiking outdoors on an autumn day.
Ancient pueblo cliff dwellings carved into layered limestone cliffs surrounded by pine trees under blue sky.
Layered limestone cliffs and rock formations with sparse vegetation at Walnut Canyon National Monument.
A small lizard rests on a rocky surface surrounded by leaves and dappled sunlight.
Layered limestone cliffs and rocky terrain form dramatic canyon walls under bright blue sky at Walnut Canyon.
Rocky cliff formations and dense evergreen forest in Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona.

Day 9


A failed morning expedition to find a trailhead NOT filled to the brim in Sedona led to an afternoon hike on the West Fork of Oak Creek Trail.

Chapel of the Holy Cross rises dramatically against red rock formations and blue sky in Sedona, Arizona.
Adult wearing a blue shirt carries a small child in a gray hiking backpack carrier on an outdoor trail.
Rustic stone cabin nestled beneath towering limestone cliffs in a remote mountain valley.
Hiker wearing backpack and cap explores old rustic stone ruins along desert trail in national park.
A brown wooden sign marks the entrance to Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness in Coconino National Forest.
Lone tree perched atop dramatic red sandstone cliff face against bright blue sky.
Massive sandstone cliff face with layered striations and scattered pine trees growing on ledges.
Natural rock arch reflects in still water with dramatic lighting filtering through trees.
A hiker navigates rocky terrain along a river bank near a red sandstone cliff while carrying a child carrier backpack.
Hiker crossing a rocky stream bed with hiking gear and backpack in a wooded area.
A hiker wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans carries a child in a backpack carrier while walking through a wooded trail.
Child in blue shirt and baseball cap walks along a rocky creek bed on a sunny day.
A delicate purple flower blooms among green foliage in a soft-focus nature photograph.
Close-up shot of a light purple wildflower with multiple small blooms clustered on a single stem.
Sun peeks through autumn trees with golden leaves against a dark blue sky creating a moody silhouette effect.

Day 10


The Grand Canyon! We started with an overcast day, moved into a snow storm, and then ended our visit with sunny skies! I have to say...the more sunshine, the more fake it looks.

A plump gray squirrel sits contentedly on a concrete surface with its paws crossed in front of its body.
Dramatic view of the Grand Canyon's layered red rock formations under cloudy skies in Arizona.
Dramatic layered cliffs and deep canyons of the Grand Canyon under a cloudy sky with sunlight illuminating the rock formations.
Scenic view of the Grand Canyon with layered red rock formations and winding river valley under cloudy skies.
Hiker in orange jacket with backpack overlooking Grand Canyon's majestic rock formations in the distance.
Visitors in bright orange and blue jackets stand at a scenic Grand Canyon viewpoint with protective railing on a cloudy day.
Red rock formations and distant mountain ridges stretch across the vast Grand Canyon landscape under cloudy skies.
Dramatic aerial view of the Grand Canyon showing layered rock formations under cloudy skies.
Scenic view of the Grand Canyon's layered red rock formations under dramatic cloudy skies.
Layered rock formations and cliffs at the Grand Canyon with dramatic cloudy skies above.
A dramatic rocky cliff formation rises against a misty mountainous backdrop in moody lighting.
A moody view of the Grand Canyon's rocky cliffs shrouded in storm clouds and fog.
Misty canyon cliff edge with desert vegetation silhouetted against a stormy sky.
Storm clouds gather over the vast Grand Canyon landscape creating a moody atmosphere.
Hazy mountain peaks and ridges of the Grand Canyon stretching into the distance.

Days 11 & 12


A short hike & exploring Flagstaff a bit, learning our baby must be super allergic to juniper, and a quick visit to Montezuma's Well & Castle before catching our flight back home in Phoenix!

Desert plants growing in brown soil, featuring frosted sage-colored succulent leaves and green foliage.
Winter hiking scene showing outdoor adventurers enjoying nature in cold weather.
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoying a hike through a pine forest on a crisp day.
A hiker in a red jacket carries a small passenger in a backpack carrier through a pine forest.
An outdoor adventure scene showing a baby being carried in a hiking backpack on a forest trail.
A winding dirt trail through a serene pine forest with tall tree trunks and filtered sunlight.
Close-up of a small succulent plant with fuzzy gray-green leaves growing among dried pine needles.
Hiker in orange jacket carrying backpack and hiking gear on a sunny mountain trail.
A baby sleeps soundly in a hiking carrier backpack while being carried through a sunny forest.
Cluster of silvery-green succulent plants with rosette formations growing in a garden.
A peaceful moment captured of a baby sleeping in a winter hat while being carried on a hiking trail.
A dirt hiking path winding through a pine forest with mountains visible in the distance.
Someone wearing a white knit sweater fastens an orange sleeping bag next to fox-printed pajama pants.
A sleeping baby bundled in winter clothes rests in a backpack carrier while hiking through a pine forest.
Single orange desert wildflower stalk against a soft brown bokeh background.