Cliff Hangers

Yesterday we went rappelling... WE HAD SO MUCH FUN & WE CAN'T WAIT TO GO AGAIN!!!

This is written by Julia... (she is a much better writer than me).

Enjoy...

Luke came home from school and asked on a whim if I wanted to go rappelling down a cliff he found in a recreation area called Coons Bluff. I agreed to come along as the official photographer and dog leash holder. Luke's friend Tyler from dental school and his wife Kristen and their two adorable boys Ryan and Ryder came along with us. We drove out to the recreation area and walked a short distance to the cliff. It was nestled next to a pretty river where people were fishing.

We all hiked up to the top of the cliff...

...and watched Luke unpack his big old backpack full of multi-colored ropes and carabiners while we peeped over the edge of the cliff at the beatiful view below us:

Cute family portrait:

Lola and Ryan liked going up to the edge of the cliff to look over, so we kept both of them on tight leashes!

Luke set up three anchors (so if one failed, you would have two backups); Ryan "helped:"

I gave him a good luck kiss and all of us but brave Luke hiked back down to await him at the bottom...

Truth be told, even though I know Luke has taken classes, read piles of books, and done lots of actual rock climbing, my heart still jumped (and splatted into my tummy) as he descended off over the edge. But all was well and he lived and had a great time:

Tyler and Kristen even followed suit. Mal Hombre took to barking whenever someone rappelled out over the edge. Ryan ran around, throwing stones into the river and kicking up dust through the trees---he reminded me of the character Max in Where The Wild Things Are. Little Ryder was the perfect specimen of a well-behaved and happy baby; he just hung from any one's chest he was strapped to with his bright blue eyes shining and his mouth curling up into smiles whenever you looked at him.

Tyler rappelled second:

Here is Tyler showing off his sexy harness (it is actually mine since Luke forgot the big manly one at home...pretty awesome that both guys could fit into a woman's extra small---haha!):

Here is Kristen making her way down:

It was a really fun afternoon. Thanks for coming with us Tyler and Kristen. We had a blast!

Thank you so much for taking us!!!

As much fun as it was to have the boys with us, next time we'll leave them at home:)!