I had a hard time deciding which way to go for my serenity project this month...I had a couple of choices. But since I shared macro last month, I figured I would do something a bit different this month!

I grew up camping, and I loved every second of it! My favorite place to go was in the nearby mountains--I loved the fresh air, the way the stars glistened at night, cooking dinner over the campfire and eating s’mores for dessert. I loved playing night games with my siblings and playing in the creek. It was magical, and I was so glad I found a man who loved to go camping too! We are a little less rugged campers though, and own a trailer which has all the modern conveniences including a toilet and shower. So we spend many vacations in our trailer, enjoying the many sights of this beautiful world!

We got our trailer out for the first time this year for our spring break trip. We spent 10 days exploring mostly northern Arizona, and it was amazing! My mom said I’ve been there before, but I don’t remember any of it, so basically it was my first time. ;)

When my sister-in-law asked me where my favorite place was we visited, I didn't hesitate even a second and answered "Monument Valley!"  My husband found out that the gate into Monument Valley is closed at night, so he secured a camping spot inside the park with a full view of the famous mittens,  I got to watch sunset, and boy were there a ton of people there taking pictures.  I woke up at 2 am to shoot the stars (which didn't turn out so hot, so I'm not posting that...) and then I woke up early to watch the sun rise at 7 am.  I was exhausted from lack of sleep, but the only other person who was watching the sunrise was my husband and it was such a beautiful sight to behold.  Serenity in it's fullest!

Such a beautiful desert experience!

​The Serenity Project is done with some fellow photography friends. To see what brought them serenity this last month, continue through the circle by visiting my sweet friend, Lori McLellan, Alberta Photographer. 

I am so ready for winter to be done!  Spring is just around the corner, I can feel it in my bones!  But since it's not here yet, and there's a bunch of "lovely dead crap" around my yard, I decided to get my Lensbaby Velvet out and get my macro serenity on this month!  There's something so beautiful and serene I feel as I connect with the small details in this world!  These images are a bit more moody than my normal work, but I think they reflect my current mood about wanting winter to be over! ;)

Winter. It's not my favorite season, but I don't hate it, I think there are some benefits! The magic of a snow fall, cozying up by the fire with some hot chocolate and a good book, and of course baking!  Oh the baking!  We do a lot of it in our home.  So this year when we were hit with a snowstorm just before Valentine's Day, we used that time to make and decorate valentine sugar cookies to eat and deliver to friends and neighbors.  Here's a glimpse into an afternoon & evening of cookie making. 

What do you love to do when it snows?

I pretty much stumbled upon my first birth story film.  This was not planned ahead of time, but just sort of worked out that I was there! And I was so happy I was!

I knew my little sister was going to have her baby any day, and my plan was to get to the hospital within the first 48 hours before they all went home, to do a Fresh 48 session.  As things always work out contrary to what you think may happen, and a field trip for my kids the next day which would have made it harder to drive the 80 minutes away, I ended up at the hospital before baby OakLee made his appearance! 

This was the first time I've attended a birth of a baby other than my own children, and it was quite the experience!  What an awesome experience to witness my little sister bring her second child into the world!