Family Reunion!

Lafai, Isaac, Leilani, Marina, Lilliana waiting to get into Water World.

We started the weekend off on Friday with our annual trip to Water World for my brother-in-law, Marcus' birthday. It's a great excuse to get together and have fun all day! We had a blast and we were there ALL day. Open to close. Happy Birthday Bro!

Then on Saturday we got up and packed for the family reunion. We had decided to go through Rocky Mtn. Natl. Park on our way to Estes Park. I know, that's the long way around, but we thought it would be fun for the kids. We walked the boardwalk, shopped, played BINGO, ate ice cream, and stayed in Grand Lake on Saturday.

On Sunday we drove through the park. Did you know it costs $20 to drive through the park even for one day. Yikes! So, much for not breaking the Sabbath. Well, it was still well worth it and lots of fun. We saw huge elk of all shapes, sizes, ages and gender. With little sleep from the night before and little to eat I was feeling the altitude, so we didn't hang around at the top for long. But I think the kids enjoyed it, but even after seeing the elk, they were still disappointed to have not seen the rodents-you know chipmunks, marmots, weasels... So we lucked out on the next stop and found about a dozen chipmunks running around waiting for people to feed them. They came close enough to touch several times. Even when we weren't feeding them.

We walked the shops in Estes Park until we could meet the family at Yogi Bear's Camp. I know, only my mother-in-law would pick a place like that. But we had fun.

Sunday night we played Cranium with Danny's immediate family. We laughed out loud until after 10 pm. Those are the moments you treasure.

Isaac on Jackson

The best part was Monday morning's horseback ride. Isaac has loved horses for as long as I can remember. He has started a horse collection. Much of our shopping adventures the last couple days included looking at horse figurines/statues. He would've been born a cowboy by choice if he could've been. Danny has also had this dream since childhood. Well, Monday he finally got his first real ride" Not a pony ride," he clarifies. There were 19 of us on the ride. It was quite a chore for the stable hands to get all of us matched with and on our horses. He turned to me while we were waiting for our horse, "Mom, I am so excited, and kind of nervous, but good nervous. This is the best day ever." Isn't he cute. When he got up on his horse named Jackson (How fitting-we used to have a dog named Jackson and he remembers him.) I felt that choked up feeling. I don't cry at sad things very often, but it never fails that at some happy moment in my children's lives and I start to cry. What an idiot. Oh well, it was so worth it!!! Isaac was so happy when one of his older cousins told him that he rode like a pro. He will hold that in his memory for quite sometime I am sure. We all rode including Marina. It was so much fun. It was beautiful terrain. It rained a little on us, but for me that made it so much more real. When everyone else started to get "saddlecrotch" as my sister-in-law so nicely put it. I was not ready for it to end. I truly hope that Danny and I can return to the small town environment that we love so much. I don't know if we will ever own land like we want to, but in my dreams it's beautiful. I could ride everyday. I knew that nothing could top that morning's ride, so I was ready to go home after that. We hung around till pictures could be taken in the evening. Then we got back last night...EXHAUSTED!! What fun for our family.

The Cowboy Sandoval Wanna Be's

Isaac and Danny after the ride!
Marina and Isaac intoxicated from the ride!!!
Isaac skinning a rabbit (atleast for pretends)

Marina posing for a picture

ALL of the Sandoval's

Tagged Relectantly

Here's an ABC tag I was hit with...

A: Attached or Single? Attached for over 10 years:)

B: Best Friend? Danny of course.

C: Cake or Pie? chocolate cake or ice cream cake

D: Day of the week? Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon-I could live in that 24 hours forever.

E: Essential Item? a warm sweatshirt

F: Favorite Color? Purple, lots of purple

G: Gummy Bears or Worms? bears-but only on occassion.

H: Hometown? Broomfield, although I hardly recognize it anymore.

I: Indulgence? Reading for luxury uninterrupted for hours, donuts, shopping.

J: January or July? July because it's closer to June. Summer is my favorite time of year. July is too close to school going back.

K: Kids? I have too many to count. Marina and Isaac by birthright, 5 nieces, 6 nephews, umpteen primary kids, and umpteen hundred students, and still counting.

L: Life isn't complete without? True Love

M: Marriage Date? February 6, 1998 eloped:)

N: Number of Brothers and Sisters? 3 brothers, 1 sister.

O: Oranges or Apples? Apples with peanut butter.

P: Phobias or Fears? Snakes, and phone calls in the middle of the night.

Q: Quote? "If someone is determined not to risk pain, then such a person must do without many things: having children, getting married, the ecstasy of sex, the hope of ambition, friendship-all that make life alive, meaningful, and significant. Move out or grow in any dimension and pain as well as joy will be your reward. A full life will be full of pain. But the only alternative is not to live fully or not to live at all." Scott M. Peck M.D.

R: Reasons to smile? Peace, my children.

S: Superman or Wonderwoman? Undoubtedly Wonderwoman (I dressed as Wonderwoman when I was about 1st grade-I started on my feminist path early.)

T: Tag five people: Marisa, Ginette, Mindy, Leisl, Brooke :)

U: Unknown fact about me? My great-grandmother(whom I was very close too) was Danny's mom's visiting teacher and helped reactivate her before Danny was even born. I didn't know Danny or his mom until after my grandmother had been passed away for many years. Do I think she was in on the planning? Oh you bet!!!

V: Vegetables? The ones I don't like? The list would be long. I do like broccoli.

W: Worst Habit? working too much, being critical of myself, always needing to be doing something productive.

X: X-ray or Ultrasound? I would've always said ultrasound, but this last year has made that a little harder to answer.

Y: Your favorite food? cinnamon rolls, donuts, My brother-in-laws terriaki chicken, and of course can't live without MEXICAN FOOD.

Z: Zodiac sign? Leo, the Lion-but I prefer Lioness:)

HOT Saturday!

Colorado Cares Day was today for our stake. All of us Vycci, Danny, Isaac and Marina went and helped build a trail 3" deep be 3' wide. We all had a shovel. It was so incredibly hot that at 9:00am when we were walking down the trail and passing others saying, "Good morning," I replied, "Are you sure it's still morning?" It felt like mid-afternoon. Anyway it was good hardwork for a Saturday morning. When we were finished we were beyond sweaty, hot, thirsty, hungry, and DIRTY!!! We decide to pick-up some food and Glaciers to help cool us down. All we wanted to do was put our faces in front of the air conditioner blowing full blast in the car. So, being tempted by all the garage sale signs, and I(vycci) was driving decided to stop at a few. On our last garage sale stop we found something we had been wanting for a very long time. Thanks to Mark and Tiffany for helping us move it into our home.
We topped the day off by showering, listening to Danny play, and going to a movie and dinner in a very cool theater.

Finally Home!

I had a chance to take the kids to another free movie today, but last night I just couldn't stand the thought of one more thing. I don't even remember the last day I was at home. I know I have a mound of laundy, and many other unfinished chores (although there could be more-my sweet husband did some housework the other night while I was at school completing assignments-Thanks BABE). But I needed to just be home today. My kids have been playing non-stop everyday;Lakeside, swimming, swimming, and more swimming, and don't forget the Butterfly Pavillion and the Zoo. Yikes!!! I think my kids needed to be home even more than me. Marina got up at six this morning and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Where are we going today?" When I told her "NOWHERE!" She was a little disappointed, but it quickly subsided as she curled up next to me and watched cartoons while I dosed back to sleep. I hate to admit when I know that I am on the downhill slide of summer. But I am there. Only a few short weeks and I will be back to work in full swing. So, while I am glad we've had so much fun. I need a few days of quiet and not doing anything before I will be ready to face those days ahead. Here's to the safety, and tranquility of our own homes. Even when it's dirty-it's still ours!!!(Vycci)

Here's a few of the pictures from the zoo yesterday.
As members we got to go in early at 8 am before it got really HOT!

Isaac, Leilani, Marina(center), Lafai, Riyann(front)
Not present in the picture but in attendance: Lilli, Jocelyn, Amry,

Leilani making friends. Look closely to find the cute little monkey.

Have you ever seen Peacock chicks? I've been to the zoo a lot. I've seen baby ducks, geese, rabbits, lions, zebras, water buffaloes, hippos...but never this till yesterday.

My Chauffeur!

For the last week and a half Vycci has been taking a graduate course at Regis. She finally finished yesterday and has greatly anticipated the end. Being the wonderful wife that she is, she drove me to work and picked me up every day she was in class. Vycci does many simple unheralded acts of service and this is but one example of how she shows her love for us. I am used to taking the Light Rail for my commute and was thrown back into that world today. It made me even more grateful for having the opportunity to spend an extra hour with her and the kidlits during our commute. As a family we were able to read talks from the general conference edition of the Ensign, articles from the most recent Ensign and once Isaac picked up on the idea that we were reading in the car every morning started choosing articles from the Friend to be read aloud. Our family loves the church magazines and the recent writings of our prophets and apostles. They are a great resource that help teach us how to incorporate the teachings of Christ into our everyday lives. It was a wonderful week and a half of homework (for Vycci), long driving, good reading and quality time. We ended Vycci's days of class by having lunch together yesterday at my Uncle Paul's resturaunt with my mom who graciously watched Isaac and Mina while I was working and Vycci was in class.

LDS Magazine Website

Dragon, Fairies, and Knights Oh My!

On Saturday, we ventured out to Larkspur to introduce Danny and the kids to the Renaissance Festival. This is something that my step-mom, Cindy, introduced my family to when I had just graduated high school. I have always had a love for the realm of fantasy. Before Danny, I spent many Halloweens dressed as a gypsy. I have most definitely passed this onto my children. In particular, Isaac. If you read my posting about Narnia, then you have had a glimpse into our life and fantasy literature. Anyway, we weren't quite ready for dressing up-I knew it would be very hot and dusty and wanted the kids (and Danny) to be able to focus on the ambiance, not their own costume. Maybe next year we will adorn or own Renaissance costumes.


The 45 minute drive there provided us with a nice opportunity to have a mini history lesson. We had to explain why the period in time was called "mid-evil" and what the Renaissance/Enlightenment time was all about. It actually fit in nicely with discussing how we romanticize these times, because in actuality it was a dark time in the world, without the gospel on the earth. And of course, Isaac had to throw in how people have always had imaginations-you know dragons, fairies, fauns, centaurs....

Isaac Sword Fighting!

Marina and the Fairy

Paint Facing (as Marina calls it)

Well needless to say Danny and I topped off the day by finishing the extended version of "Lord of the Rings-Return of the King." We are starting to make this a summer tradition to watch the movie in its entirety over a period of a week (everynight after the kids go to bed). We never tire of watching.

4th of July Comeback Rally

Fireworks after the game

Isaac and Jose celebrate screaming

Papa Joe sports his rally cap

Isaac shows Rockies spirit with his rally cap

Marina, Isaac and Erica at the game

Mina at the start of the game

This 4th of July our family spent the evening at Coors Field. We were able to go with Grandma Chris who celebrates her birthday on July 4th along with our country (Papa Joe, Jose, Erica and Uncle Ben were also there). We really enjoyed having something planned this year with her and had the ability to watch a GREAT game. The Rockies started off the game by giving up a home run on the first pitch and it looked like we were in for a a poor showing, especially after the score was 5 to 0 by the time the Marlins were finished batting in the 1st inning. At one point the Rockies were down 13 to 4 (which is close to the ten run rule in my softball league). Lucky for us the Rockies were feeling like it was a holiday and kept chipping away at the lead. After a grand slam homerun by "Holliday" to bring the Rockies within 1 run, and good defense in the top of the 9th, the Rockies somehow pulled out a 9th inning victory-with the final score of 18-17!!!!! It was the biggest comeback in Rockies history! Isaac wore his rally cap and was just as excited as the players. The fireworks only topped off the night. This year was a truly memorable 4th of July.

Wet KIDS!

Isaac, Leilani, Lafai's bum, Marina, Tristan

Tristan, Marina, Leilani, Lafai, Lilli, Isaac

My sister actually beat me to posting these pictures from yesterdays afternoon of trampoline excitement. Marisa and I got to have our nephew Tristan this week. We love any time we can get him. Before the backyard fun, we all went to the free movie in Arvada and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. The kids of course had seen it at least 20 times, but loved seeing it again. It was my first time watching it, and I have to admit it was very cute. There is something about sitting in a movie "vader" (as Marina would call it) with more children than adults. They quote the movie and sing the songs throughout the entire show. And while on other occassions it would normally make you want to run out screaming. It is actually kind of endearing, hearing and watching the kids have such a good time. One of my favorite's was from a previous summer and the free movie was Madagascar. The entire movie theater of kids all stood up at the end, danced, and sang "We like to move it, move it. We like to...." and they all in unison shouted, "MOVE IT!" I have to admit that my summer's off are really about spending time with my kids, and my nieces and nephews. Sometimes I get worn out and tired of what seems like constant sibling fighting and arguing, cleaning up messes, and feeding children. But when all is said and done,I take a moment to reflect; I wouldn't want to loose one minute of my time with the kids. Someday they won't be kids, and I know how precious each moment will be when it's gone.