Christmas with extended family

On the Saturday after Christmas we got together with Chris's extended family and had a great time! The kids were elated to play with their cousins AGAIN and open presents AGAIN and even ride the zip line! Brrrr!

Claire


Boys will be boys!



I like to take some pictures of the big people too...I know one day the kids will enjoy laughing at what we looked like back in the old days! Ha!




Mammaw, our matriarch.


Once lunch and presents were done, most of us headed out to the zip line. The grown ups wanted to try too!


Chris's great aunt, who is at least 65 years old, was one of the first to ride. I just knew we would end up in the ER, but she did great!


Here she is starting off...

Closer...


Walking back victorious!


The lanyard was actually too long for her so when she got to the end, she was turned around backwards and her bottom dragged the ground!


We had some distant relatives from AZ visiting. Here is Billy riding the zip line, no harness, just the handlebars. It's really more fun for grown-ups this way.


Here is Aaron riding.


Family friend Michael going for a ride.


Mimi from Arizona riding.


Aaron and Nate got hooked up together for a ride. They thought that was great fun.




Here is Jen Jen with a lap full of kids! They love her iPhone!




Girls in pink and brown...


And that about wraps up Christmas! I can't wait to do it again next year!

The zip line

A few months ago, Chris scored 3 spools of metal cable from work--they were going to throw it away so he brought him home. He didn't have any immediate plans for it, but then his wheels started turning. He and his dad concocted a plan to build a zip line through the woods at his parents' house. His dad is also building an enormous tree house to go along with this. He has plans for a firepole, a rock wall, rustic wood siding, a porch with cedar railing, and lots of other fun stuff. I can't wait to see the finished product. The kids are going to enjoy the treehouse for many many years!

Back to the zip line...last weekend Chris spent the day out there working on it, and I was shocked when he called late in the day and told me it was done! He and his dad had already tested it, and they were hooking up his mom for a ride!

The next day after Sunday naps, we headed out to try it. First Chris demonstrated how to ride it with just the handlebars. This is just for the grownups.



Aaron could hardly wait for his turn. We harnessed him up...



...and he climbed the ladder. The ladder is temporary until the treehouse platform is built. You can see the 4 steel beams that make the perimeter of the playhouse.


Aaron was a bit hesitant at first. He really wanted to do it but he was scared to let go.



When he finally did he had so much fun! I didn't get to video the 1st run, but I did get his 2nd run on video! He freaked out because he turned backwards during the run so he couldn't see where he was headed. I think Chris is going to work that out.

Then it was my turn. Do you know that ladder is TALL?




I insisted on using the harness, as I didn't want to break my leg or anything. It really is fun!


I also turned backwards, which made the end interesting. Pa was at the end to stop me from running into the tree where the zip line ends. They still have some finishing touches to make on the ride...such as a better way to STOP! But for now it's alot of fun! Aaron rode it about 8 times that day and can't wait to try it more!