Forever Friends

Summer 2010 has been both hot and refreshing.Neither the 100 degree heat or Eli's broken elbow has kept us from enjoying spending time together as a family, or spending time with great friends. Eli's cast comes off on Thursday and from July 29 until August 31st, we will then be spending everyday at the pool (or so I have promised Eli). Some of the most memorable moments of the spring and summer have been visits with longtime friends. I am blessed to have childhood and college friends as some of my closest friends on earth, and it is exciting to be able to share motherhood with them as well.
My college roommates my senior year at Auburn (Mary, Kimper and Sarah missing). This was our 2nd year to all get together and this year I hosted. 10 days later and I am still finding pieces of hotdog around my house :). Between the 6 of us, we have 11 kids under the age of 5 and Ansley Caroline in utero!

Addison Crawford and Caroline who won the prize for drinking the most juice boxes. Automatic playmates... Our visit to see Kristin's new baby girl, Lillie Mathis
Eli and Carter Brown giving each other some brotherly love.
Eli and Rylee Reynolds.... gotta love a girl with a John Deere.
Caroline and Kade Reynolds Howdy Partner!

Caroline's LOVES to give Jackson Gibson bear hugs. I don't think Jackson loves it quite as much as she does.

The Stone's lakehouse with Lillie and Jackson Gibson and Robert and Olivia Stone. Pool.... here we come again!!!!!!!

Smokin'

Smoky Mountain Trip 2010: Always" smokin: when you have the whole Kyle clan together- or when you have Scott in the kitchen who graciously won the record for setting the fire alarm off the most number of times. We started our summer off with a wonderful vacation with the fam. Thanks Mom and Dad for lots of memories! Caylen: enjoy the Golden Spatula while you can. It will soon be whisked away......
Abram Falls- and forget about a good family photo after a 2.5 mile hike up....

My favorite little boy

My favorite big boy

1st day of make-up

"I feel pretty, oh so pretty." Now... giddy up.... (Dollywood)

Seriously, does this quack go any faster????

Sisterly love

WAKE UP!

Lovin some Emmy

Caroline, I would be scared too....

We made it!!

Meeps

Peeps

The Chimney's

Cookies.... I see cookies....

Oh yeah... who just hiked 5 miles.....

Watch out lady friends...

Cold daddy.

Blown Away

Literally...... On my birthday in January, Scott surprised me with a special treat. I could choose to go with him to either Chicago or DC after tax season for a long fun weekend. Afraid of running into Obama and his possies, I gladly chose the Windy City. So, on April 14th, I said "hasta la vista baby" to my last tax return and began packing up. We were going to drive to Birmingham Wednesday night and wake up and meet my parents in Clanton at 8:30am to drop off the kiddos. At 9pm Wed. night I tell Scott to check the tickets to make sure we were all set. Scott had made most of the plans for the trip since I was so busy with work. We then discovered that our flight didn't leave at 1pm (in Huntsville) as we originally thought, it left at 11am. At this point I am physically and emotionally drained, and I just tell Scott we might as well cancel the trip because I am not able to drive all throughout the night to drop the kids off with my parents and I hated to make them drive through the night to meet us 1/2 way. (Seriously, am I 90???) I think he at this point wanted to drop me off with my parents and take the kids on a trip.... Anyway, Mom tells me to ditch my pity party and get in the car and meet them 1/2 way. Long story longer, we agree and at 1am we meet mom and dad in a parking lot off the interstate in Prattville. The kids were sound asleep, but Eli woke up as we put him in dad's car. As they pulled off, he sleepily looked at me and blew me a kiss, and I just lost it. Needless to say, Scott is really pumped up about our trip at this point.... We woke up early the next morning to get on the road to head back to the airport in Huntsville. I didn't feel so great, but decided to be in a better mood. That lasted until the Lakeshore exit when I asked Scott to pull over so I could throw up. Nice. Threw up again a little later and thought the trip was over. We rushed home, I popped a nausea pill, rushed back to the airport, hopped on the plane, made it to Memphis without puking, felt better, ate a potato, kissed Scott, flight cancelled to Chicago-- maintenance, got on another flight, made it to Chicago, oops- our luggage didn't, went to dinner, back to hotel, changed into my complimentary Delta t-shirt and brushed teeth with complimentary "toothbrush", went to sleep, woke up next morning, bags in lobby, and the rest is happily ever after.....
Windy day in the windy city...

My most patient friend......

My motto for the trip.....

My kids have the laugh part down on this one---- the others are works in progress...

Tulips were EVERYWHERE. It was beautiful!

Outside our hotel.

Happy Amy.

Happy Scott. (promise)

He Captured it Perfectly....

My mother's day gift from my sweet hubby...... surprise pictures of the best things in my life...

I could not have asked for a better gift that truly captures the joy I get from being a mom.

Thank you Daddy, Eli and Caroline. Love you..... infinity and beyond!!!!