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The Way Home

Traveling through life documenting what matters most to our home.

Categories: Uncategorized

The Next Ten Years

Around this time of year, I always reflect back on this compilation of Holiday Cards I produced for my parents over the years and thought it was time I started a new post to house the next 10 years of life at Arkadelphia Acres for my parents. Each year we continue the tradition of incorporating the next project or happening from around their land. As the years march forward the kids have become more agreeable with helping come up with the next portrait idea that we can capture together at Thanksgiving.

2024

This year we wanted to highlight and tell the story of The Bethesda House that was restored and opened for public gatherings. Before my parents purchased the land and built their house on Arkadelphia Acres, they acquired a church building that sits next to their property. For years it was used to store extra belongings, but my mom and sister always had a vision for repurposing the building for gatherings, classes, and events. We pulled out some of Grandma Sauter‘s Christmas china to adorn our Thanksgiving table and capture this year’s moment with the grandkids. The girls wore these matching velvet dresses.

2023

My dad is always cutting and clearing new trails through the back woods of their property, so we thought it would be fun to incorporate the Bad Boy in their group photo. The kids love and are always up for taking joy rides through the woods on the Bad Boy. The beloved dog, Sandy, and Simba the cat made it on the card this year as well.

2022

In 2022 a stacked stone fire pit was added to the backyard. This meant lots of Summer hot dog and marshmallow roasts for the kids. It made for a fun picture taking experience.

Check back next year for the next chapter of the story!

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Categories: Family, Life, Photography, Travel, Uncategorized

A Salt Wonderland

When you think of Utah, you may think of snow covered mountains, but do you think of salt filled lakes? I have always wanted to drive out to the Bonneville Salt Flats and take pictures, and it wasn’t until our recent Utah family trip I was able to experience this mysterious salt wonderland.

We flew into Salt Lake City, Utah and had 2 days to explore before we started our Utah National Park tour in Moab. We packed white dresses to take portraits with the girls and as a family. When we arrived in Salt Lake City, I mentioned to the girls… “What if we could find some colorful flowy dresses at a thrift store that you could wear on the salt flats?” They were on board with that idea, so Friday morning we stopped by a local Deseret Industries Thrift Store (One of the nicest thrift stores I have been in!) and they they just happened to have 2 pretty dresses that fit the girls perfectly. Best $20 I’ve spent for portrait clothing!

The Bonneville Salt Flats recreation area is about an hour and a half drive West on I-80, almost to the Nevada border. When we got there we saw cars pulled out onto the flat and people were taking pictures, and playing on the hard packed salt flats. We had a 4×4 rental SUV so it was easy enough to drive out and pick a spot. You would not want to drive onto the salt flats if there is standing water on the ground. When we arrived, we had a couple hours before sunset. The sun was still a little high in the sky making for harsh conditions for squinty eyes and reading the back of a camera.

We drove around to the backside and found a magical puddle of water being illuminated by the setting sun and Sarah Beth hopped out and we were able to capture some final magical images.

We made a local friend who decided to follow us around on all our adventures for the rest of the week.

A note of caution

If you drive out on the Salt Flats be prepared to get salt from shoes in your car and swing by a carwash when you get back to town to rinse off the salt that will pack into the wheel frame of your vehicle.

A salt wonderland was a fun experience to begin our Utah Family Adventure. The girls were excited to try In-N-Out Burger when we made it back to town.

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The Bailey Family

The Bailey Family

Traveling through life documenting what matters most to our home.

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Recent Posts

  • Stepping Out
  • My Blue Eyed Baby
  • The Next Ten Years
  • Boston to Bar Harbor
  • She Will Be Missed

Popular Posts

Stepping Out

It is hard to believe we are already coming up on Sarah Beth’s senior year of high school! She is ready to soak in all the last memories and get ready to step out into her next phase of life. This Summer is the perfect time to get a start on a collection of Senior […]

My Blue Eyed Baby

The girls and I took the opportunity to check out the houses on The Highland Lakes Garden Club Home Tour today. We saw some amazing ridge views and meticulously maintained gardens. All very inspiring! On the tour we got to stop at the Aldridge family home who has beautiful lake views, gorgeous hydrangeas flanking the […]

✨ Chasing Stars in Sedona! 🌌⭐️ Sedona’s Dark Sky ✨ Chasing Stars in Sedona! 🌌⭐️

Sedona’s Dark Sky status made it the perfect place to photograph Cathedral Rock beneath the stars. 📸

Our first attempt began at 4 AM, but without scouting Baldwin Trail in daylight, we spent most of the time wandering in the dark trying to find the right view! 😂

We returned before sunset, explored the trail, and stayed around until it got dark on the trail. This time, we found the perfect spots, and captured Cathedral Rock silhouetted against the starry sky! ✨

The best part? Having Jonathan by my side to help me chase the shot, avoid cacti, and laugh through the misadventures. ❤️

Sometimes the best travel memories come from the unexpected detours. 🌵

Have you ever photographed the stars or visited a place with an unforgettable night sky? 🌌

#SedonaArizona #DarkSkyCommunity #CathedralRock #Astrophotography #thewayhomelife
🎈✨ A bucket list dream come true! I’ve always dre 🎈✨ A bucket list dream come true!

I’ve always dreamed of floating over a beautiful landscape in a hot air balloon, and I can’t imagine a more magical place to experience it for the first time than Sedona, Arizona! ❤️

Jonathan and I got to check this adventure off our bucket list together, and WOW… what an unforgettable experience!

There’s something truly breathtaking about watching the sun rise over Sedona’s stunning red rock mountains while peacefully floating high above the desert. 🌄 The views, the stillness, and the beauty of it all gave us a whole new perspective on this incredible landscape!

A big shoutout to @redrockballoonssedona for making the entire experience so easy, enjoyable, and memorable!

🎈 Tell me… is a hot air balloon ride on YOUR bucket list, or have you already experienced one?

#redrockballoonssedona #hotairballoon #sedona #bucketlist #arialphotography
🍂✨ Chasing golden leaves in Flagstaff! 🍁 Just a l 🍂✨ Chasing golden leaves in Flagstaff! 🍁

Just a little over an hour from Sedona, Arizona Snowbowl is absolutely worth the scenic drive when the aspens begin showing off their brilliant golden-yellow leaves! 💛

Wednesday felt like pure magic as we wandered through the breathtaking aspen grove at Aspen Corner. The golden leaves, crisp mountain air, and stunning scenery were everything we hoped for!

And as a fun little bonus, our timing couldn’t have been more perfect! We actually got to meet the mysterious young man who hung the now-iconic swing at Aspen Corner back in 2021! 🍂

Fall is putting on quite a show in Arizona! 🍁

Are the leaves starting to change where you live? I’d love to hear what fall is looking like in your corner of the country! 🍁💛

#aspentrees #aspencorner #snowbowl #aspenswing #flagstaff
The one hike we knew we wanted to do this trip was The one hike we knew we wanted to do this trip was the Subway Cave off the Boynton Canyon Trail. 

We grabbed the last parking spot in the lot just before 8 am and headed out to find this hidden wonder. We mostly had the trail to ourself until we reach the bottom of the Subway Cave. It is an area you want to stop and spend some time. Whether you take the harder or easier route up to the top, the views are incredible! 

Have you hiked to the Subway Cave or do you plan to on your next trip to Sedona? 

#subwaycave #subwaycavesedona #sedona #boyntoncanyon
This same week in October 2021 I passed through Se This same week in October 2021 I passed through Sedona, AZ for the first time and fell in love with its beauty. 

This week Jonathan and I were able to spend time exploring and experiencing all that Sedona and the surrounding area offers this time of year. 

Sedona is a magical place to visit any time of year, but especially in October! 

#Sedona #fallinAZ #subwaycave #flagstaff #bucketlist
Our last first day of school! @sarah_beth_bailey, Our last first day of school! @sarah_beth_bailey, keep being uniquely you and enjoy all this year has to offer as you work to become the nurse you want to be. I can’t think of a better soul to “fix up” the world around you.

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