A Day at the Park

The family came to to the office to pick Jon up for lunch. They loved seeing Daddy during a work day! Here they are after arriving in Jon's work.

Here "The J's" are posing in Jon's office.

The five kids sitting on a wall after eating lunch. 
Whatcha pointing at, Josh?

Syndi taking Josh for a spin in the tire swing. 

He doesn't look too sure about this.

Syndi & Jules.

Aren't they cute?!?!

Junior gliding on a mini zip line. He's sure having fun.

Pretty Momma looking after her kids.

Joshua sliding down the slide. He's sure going fast. 
Wheeeeeeee!!!

Smile, everybody!

But, all things have to end, including park trips. 
It was a fun day, especially since Daddy got to come with us.

Disney Vacation ~ Day 1

We took a family vacation at Disney!

We stopped over in Valdosta and stayed (of course) at a Holiday Inn Express.

We hit the road Friday morning and eagerly awaited our arrival at

Walt Disney World.

We were there soon enough.

We stayed at the All Star Sports Resort.

The kids were welcomed with much fanfare.

They had balloon pirate swords and flowers before we'd even made it to our rooms!

Daddy survived the balloon sword fights in our adjoining rooms, and we were eventually able to make our way to our reserved dinner location.

We had to take a bus to the docks, where we caught a boat and traveled across the lake to make our reservation.

The kids were enthralled.

Then they spotted it!

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom!

There it was!

er, wait...

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom!

THERE IT WAS!

OK, that's more like how it really was.

So we enjoyed dinner at

Trail's End Restaurant.

We were joined by Lanette Behiry and her friend Brenda Roseberry.

We left the Restaurant on another boat.

Julia found the boat horns rather loud.

Lanette & Brenda stayed with the kids,

and Sylvia and I went to Treasure Island.

The lights were kinda neat, but it was not our kind of atmosphere.

We walked around a little, but we felt rather uncomfortable.

We made our way home after not too long,

but not before we took a few pictures.

It was a fun evening to start our vacation!

Riding Bikes

Our kids love riding their bikes!

And they took some time before fall arrives...

...to get out and take their wheels for a spin.

Jules isn't yet on a bike, so she rode her fire engine.
With a little little flair!

Syndi and Junior like to zoom up and down the street.

Stephen is still on training wheels.

Goodbye summer...bring on the fall!

The Snot Monster

This is the Snot Monster.
Not very intimidating looking.
But BE AWARE!

Many years ago in Michigan, Syndi and Jon began a flashlight game where they'd turn off all the lights and go from room to room in the house with flashlights, looking and making sure everything was clear and safe.
(Here the Snot Monster makes a mess in Syndi's room and scribbles on her stuff with crayon!)

After we moved to Georgia and as we added kids, we turned it into the Snot Monster game...where we all hunt down the Snot Monster.
(Here the Snot Monster is in Syndi's bed jamming on her microphone!)

The last time we played, in August, The Snot Monster took shape in the form of this innocent-looking stuffed bear-rabbit-thing. He's hideous, simply hideous!
(Here the Snot Monster steals a few sips from Mommy's glass of water!)

We received a secret package in the mail, with information on the suspect...the Snot Monster.
(Here the Snot Monster makes a mess in the bathroom, where he unwinds some toilet paper!)

The packaged detailed crime perpetrated by the Snot Monster.
These pictures were enclosed as evidence.
(Here the Snot Monster squirts toothpaste all over the sink!)

We carefully searched each room, making sure everything was clear.
We eventually found the Snot Monster in the rec room closet, hiding for his pursuers!
(Here the Snot Monster trashes the trash!)
The kids love it and beg to play (far too often).
Even Julia gets into it...or especially gets into.
She loves yelling "ALL CLEAR" as we prepare to enter a room.

Caruvanas ~ Around & About

With 4 kids, a lot goes on around the Caruvana house.
Here Stephen is wearing some foo-foo thing on his head.

Junior helped out by giving Jules a bath one day.
He looks like he's having entirely too much fun.

The Caruvana family went out for a bike ride one day...

...Jules really enjoyed being in the Burley.
Seems like not that long ago Syndi rode in there.

Ah, Cheerios...a family fave. Can't you tell?
Syl came home with a couple of new boxes one night, and I went to put them away and realized we had a whole product line of Cheerios!

The Caruvana Men.

The Caruvana Men looking tough.
It's the Italian.

Syndi & Jules relaxing at Martha Berry's Oak Hill Museum.

Syndi & Junior present their crafty treat...

...yummy and made to like like crayons.

Little Miss Julia.
Jules.
JuJuBee.
...the girl with the chipped tooth...
Julia Grace Caruvana