Sundance in the Summer

We decided to try and escape some of the heat and grabbed the Pro Look Sundance passes and headed up the canyon. I was bummed it wasn't as cool as I'd been envisioning, but it was cooler than the 100+ (according to our car thermostat)...

So, we jumped on the Ski Lift and took it as far as we could. The back lift wasn't open, so we just went to the 2nd stop. We had about an hour to hike around, so we looked to the right and realized there was a little "peak" we could climb...we started up one trail that was way too steep (i was slipping) and chose the other (what would Robert Frost say???)

I gotta say, i'm FAT...i was dying on the climb...what was cute was each of the kids had their own unique style of climbing...Tristan was very cautious and worried about bee's (she got stung a few months ago and she thinks bee's are looking for her everywhere)...Paris was in the middle and pointed out steps for us and telling me, "dad - you are doing great...just a little further"...man, i gotta get in shape...Esher was the cutest - he was in front and talked the WHOLE TIME...he kept saying, "it is this way to the top...here we go...we are almost there...oh wait, here is another path...ok, lets go this way..." He didn't stop talking the whole time...SO CUTE...

We'd planned on eating sandwiches lissette made once we reached the top, but we didn't have much time (the lift stops at 7:00) so we grabbed some pics and headed down...when we met the path choices (easy or hard) i wanted to take the easy because i was slipping down the hard part on the way up...but, i was out ruled (who said a family was a Democracy? :-) So, we started down the steep part and the kids slid on their behinds most the way...Lissette and I laughed at them in between our falls...

On the way up...3 cuties and moi

Top of the lift before the hike...

Little Esher showing us the way...our fearless leader!

Here he is (mid-sentence) talking about the path and how far we have left to go...so cute!

We've reached the top (esher, paris and tristan)

The kids sliding down on their backsides...

Sandwiches on the way back down (tristan, paris, esher and my love)

kids!

Well, i realize looking over my blog thus far that it is WAY more fun with pictures :-) i love the pic of the hot dog on my desk...so, i decided to throw a pic on this one and point you to others...we are blessed to know and have as friends a few VERY talented photographers (Sara Staker, Wayne, etc.) -- I also love taking pictures, but ALWAYS forget to bring my camera (or if i do, it usually ends up being forgotten in the car!) So, i will take pictures anyway i can get them (especially of my kids)...



About 2 - 3 months ago Jane posted some pics of Dusty and Sela on her blog that were taken by a girl named Nicole Hill. Well, they were very cool and I asked dusty about them and how much it cost to have them done...he said that Nicole actually takes these shots to turn around and sell as Stock Photography. So, not only did she not charge him but she actually paid him to let her shoot them...



Well, i thought this is a great way to get shots of my kids for free! So, i contacted her and, in true humble daddy fasion, told her my kids are the cutest kids she'd ever see :-). I sent some pics and we wrote back and forth a few times about ages, nationalities, etc...she then asked if i could bring them in for a "casting" shoot to see if they have a cool look for future needs...we didn't get paid, but i don't care at all because she gave me the shots of the kids and now i have some sweet pics of them!!!

I've attached some of the coolest ones here and here is a link to some others on her blog...

NICOLE HILL "A Little Sussy"

rock on,
jared