A Busy Thursday!

Yesterday I was able to go on a field trip with Marina to a Japanese cultural center. Vycci also had her baby shower at work. It was very eventful. Here are some pictures from the day.

This is Marina and her friend Faythe waiting for the light rail. We rode the light rail into downtown. It was crazy watching almost 100 1st graders get on and off public transportation. Some of the parents were completely paranoid about taking the light rail which is why I think half of the parents showed up.
These were our tour guides. Not really that Japanese looking but they were helpful and we got to meet the owner/director later in the tour.
Some "artifacts" in the cultural center. Not too exciting but it gives you a flavor of the experience.

This is the best shot I could get of Marina eating with chopsticks. She actually did a very good job with them. Better than her classmates and most of the parents.

Later at the shower this was the diaper "cake" made by Vycci's good friend and co-worker Jen. There were blankets, bibs, sleepers, and other baby things all wrapped together around diapers. Very fun!

July...?

So, I know it's time to be blogging, but I don 't have knew pictures on the camera, and I've been asking myself what did I do in July? And I am not near as creative as all my friends who blog. You all come up with cute little lists. No, not me. Boring.? well no not boring...when I think of what to call myself I'll let you all know.

Anyway, I know we've been busy, but doing what... ?
Little bit of this and a little bit of that...
cleaning
organizing
traveling
running
friend visiting
swimming
garage selling
hiking
picnicing
family visiting
relaxing
sleeping in
playing
craigslist reviewing
reading
emailing
meetings
theater going
movie watching
yard working
kid taxiing (is that a word taxi+ing)
Really it's a little of everything.

One Big th+ing consuming our time is that Danny and I are trying to upgrade our truck. Well if you keep reading you'll see our new addition. No, not the truck yet, but we did buy a pop-up camper. Which is sitting pretty(sarcasm) in front of the house waiting for our new vehicle, not yet purchased, to pull it away for a lovely weekend of camping. (Sense a little pessimism in my voice?) The camper really was a great buy. So we jumped ahead of ourselves and bought the camper before the new truck/suv...whatever. So, we wait! I sure hope I have some new pictures to post soon to show off our new purchase. Preferably before July is over! It has already been an adventure.

The above camper which we affectionately call the "Little White Ugly" because our friends have a fifth wheel that they affectionately call the "Big White Ugly." And while we have yet to see their "Big White Ugly" we couldn't help but take part in the contagious fun name. I hope it's okay that we stole it. We didn't ask. I won't tell you who just in case it's a secret that they call it that. I do love that their kids think that all fifth wheels are called "Big White Uglies." I guess when your young and can't afford to buy new campers, this is what we get. And aside from the fact that I don't like it sitting in right in front of my house...I love it and I am very excited to use it!

Here are a few pictures I found on the camera from Jeannie and my 21/2 hour hike with ALL the kids. We actually had a blast. We were more than worn out and sweaty when we were done. And poor Martin expressed all of our tired feelings the last 10 min. of the hike back to the parking lot. Even though it was a little more than we had bargained for, Jeannie and I felt great to know that we had gotten outdoors, excercised, and hung out together. And our kids never seem to get sick of each other.



If your still reading this...Hopefully you'll enjoy the sign below. My niece Lilli made it the day we had a garage sale at my sister's house. The kids planned and planned and replanned on how to do their "lemondmade" stand. Each adult thought that the other one had helped her make this sign, so no one even checked on what she had done. It wasn't until a little old lady read the spelling out loud and got a good laugh out of it, before we knew what she had done. Kids do really make a lot of sense sometimes! And Lilli did make a little money that day. So she was happy.

I only have a couple weeks left to enjoy of the summer. Precious times they are!!!

Just have to share!

I happen to be a girl who loves flowers. I love to look a them smell them, and especially get them. In fact, one could easily argue that that's how Danny got me to marry him. It at least kept him in the game long enough to get us to the marrying part. Anyway, many of my friends and family brought or sent me flowers to help me get through this bump in the road. My friends at work bought me these beautiful Stargazer Lilly's. They are HUGE! When they opened one alone was larger than my hand fully extended. So, I had to share the pictures of all my beautiful flowers. Thanks to everyone who sent flowers, thoughts, and prayers our way. We love you!!!

Our Christmas Letter 2008

Dearest Friends and Family,

We too are going to claim the going "green" for this years Christmas letter theme. Although, I actually think it has a lot more to do with saving money and time. All rare commodities any time of year. I must let you know that the original Christmas letter finds itself somewhere in cyberspace. Danny decided to play around with it before we had posted it, and needless to say doesn't know what he did, but "poof," it was gone. Of course the hour and a half that I spent writing it is cannot be "poofed" back. So, I will try to redo, what was already done. If I lack in luster you will know why.

We wanted to focus on our blessings, as we reflect upon the past year. Thanks to blogging, many of you already know the major events of our last year. Those that haven't been reading feel free to look back and check us out. If you don't already have a Google account, you can create on (it's free and pretty easy). And No, you don't have to blog or have a blog either. We would love to hear from you.

That leads me to Blessing One: the end in sight
The coming year should bring us to the end of Danny's long journey through grad school. If all goes well, August will bring the end to his internship and with that next December should offer a well deserved graduation date. He has been working very hard to make it all work. Managing a full time job, full time schooling, being a husband, dad, and working with the young men in our ward takes many talents. I guess we can't count out a lot of perseverance and dedication.

Blessing Two: Jobs
We have always appreciated our jobs, but this year more than ever we are indeed grateful. Our family has been so blessed since Danny has been working at the University of Colorado at Denver. He loves his job. He is successful and has an opportunity to use his strengths and talents. The University has also provided terrific benefits for our family (remember Isaac's teeth).

My move to fifth grade has been a good one. I don't know what it is about working with ten and eleven year olds, but it definitely suits me well. (I don't want any feed back as to what that says about me.) I still put in too many hours, but the stress is lower. I have had many of these students before, and I am enjoying them more the second time around. I'm sure by spring I'll be more than ready to send them to middle school, but the first half of the year has been good.

As a working mother, I am always thankful for the fact that I can be close to my kids and a part of their everyday lives. I don't know if Marina and I would have made it through the first part of her kindergarten year, if I hadn't been close in proximity. She has been very attached to say the least. Isaac and I have always been in partnership in regards to our adventure at Arrowhead Elementary. I will never forget that when I told him I got the job, he said, "Yeah, now I have a school."

Blessing Three: Isaac
Just the other day we were discussing the Chinese Zodiac per Marina's studies. I can't remember word for word what it said about Isaac, but a few things rung out strong: warm-hearted, strong, charismatic, leader. What a great way to describe our eldest son. He is so positive and kind. On Sunday, he brought a $2 bill that he received from his great-grandparents for the holidays, and asked if he could pay tithing. I questioned him in regards to did he need to pay tithing, and he replied, "No, I just want to help." We explained how fast offerings help people in need, and again asked if he really wanted to spend his money. He didn't hesitate. Absolutely, and proudly he paid his fast offering to the Bishop on Sunday. What a great example. His teacher described him as a "sponge." She said he "gets" things before anyone else, and she can always count on him to be enthusiastic about whatever she is teaching. He did say at Thanksgiving (without prompting/coaching) that he was thankful for education. I know with parents like us, he was destined to think that way. Well, at least it works for him.

Blessing Four: Marina
How do you explain the blessing of Marina? She is such a unique individual. She is full of life and energy. She fills our home with every emotion imaginable. Everything she feels we feel with her. Her laugh is one of my fondest sounds. I get dizzy watching her do cartwheels in our living room over and over. She is very talented and her passion is gymnastics. I am also thankful for a house big enough for Marina. The music teacher at school raves about her singing abilities, especially for a five year old. Although, she adamantly tells us she does not want to be in choir with Isaac. We will see she is always slow to warm up. She is finally liking kindergarten, and surprisingly has loved learning about Native Americans, Japan, Canada, Mexico, China, etc. She brings home the facts. Of course she always likes to add her own personal touch to each story. You often have to check in with her about the truthfulness of some events.

Blessings More: We are thankful for...
For our dogs, big and small
For a home with a large backyard with air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winters
Food in our bellies
Vehicles that start, run and have heat and air
Christmas decorations to fill our home and yard
Family nearby
Long distant friends who are always there, no matter the time and distance
Ward friends who enrich our lives
Church callings that strengthen are testimonies
Each other
The knowledge that our Savior was born, lived, and lives today!
And many more!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! May you be blessed!

Love,
The Sandoval's
(Okay, so I know I'm not in the picture, but it's still a good one.)

Most Importantly...

I want to take time to post something really important to me. Today at church we did an activity where we had to make a list of the six most important things in our lives. Then one by one we had to decide which one we would give up if we had to. Leaving us with only one. For me the last one was my Savior. It wasn't so difficult to first give up my education, but when it came to giving up my family, my children, and my husband...well of course that was not easy. What I knew to be true was that as long as I had my Savior that all other difficulties would be manageable. No one wants to fathom loosing their spouse, or children. However, because I had the knowledge that I had an eternal family and that my Savior has promised and guaranteed with His life that we can be an eternal family, I could practice faith that He would save me eternally if I but followed Him. I spend most of my time on this blog sharing the most important things in my life...my children, my friends and family, our success' and challenges. I realized that I forget to share what ultimately is most important in my life and what holds all those other important peices together. My testimony that my Savior lives, and that I am a member of His true gospel on this earth. I am so grateful to know that my family is sealed in the temple, and can be together forever through our faithfulness. I know that my Savior lives and knows us each individually. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in the Primary for the last 3 years. What an amazing blessing in my life. Thank you to all of you whom I have served with. There are no words to express my deep love and grattitude for you. (Those who don't know-I was released last week from my primary calling. And I have no new calling yet. Yes, it feels very weird.) I am grateful for the opportunity to share this with those of you, I love most. No matter who you are, you must know that these are the things that are most important in my life. And it is my hope that I live my life in away that shows this, even when I forget to tell you.

Friends, Friends, and Friends

The first week of school has gone really well. I can't complain. Not much to share, yet...that's good!! Danny said on our way to Grand Junction Friday afternoon, "One down." I then finished his thought with, "Only 37 more to go!" That would be referring to weeks. And so, the journey has just begun.

Justin hanging around.

Justin and Marina shopping.

I want to post our pictures from our trip to Grand Junction. It is always great to visit. Isaac as usual got us as soon as we pulled into Junction he said, "Oh, it feels good to be home." And then proceeded to tell us how he was raised there. We know what his wishes are. It was great to see my grandma doing so much better with her "metal brace with bolts" finally taken off her foot. She still has a long way to go, before she will have fully recovered from her reconstructive foot surgery, but it was good to see both Grandma and Grandpa feeling more positive about the future. Grandpa seems exhausted. I was glad we could visit and help a little. I wish we could help more.

Marina with Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Pat

Mina bowling

Ryan, Jacob, Danny, Mike, and Justin Bowling

Isaac, Ryan, Jacob

The Adult Bowling Team

Danny- "Your so happy?!"

Jake and Ryan playing kickball

The rest of the weekend was spent having a lot of fun with our friends from Grand Junction. Mike and Rhonda we met when we moved to Grand Junction in 2001. They moved away to Elko, Nevada right before Marina was born. We hadn't seen them since Marina was a baby. We tried to cram a ton of catching up in one Saturday. We first went to the 11th Ward reunion, which was our good excuse for meeting in Junction. This carried us through the morning. Then we swam, bowled, ate dinner, and then the boys still went to a movie before the evening was over. It was great to see them again, and we hope to schedule a vacation together next summer. It is amazing to realize how much good friends mean to you, no matter how many miles and how many years go by.

Smile Madison

That's the Madison we know and love.

Maddox and Brooke

Goodbye Casters!

And then we spent Sunday afternoon with our friends the Casters, that we left behind in GJ. They are always so good about letting us crash in and hang out everytime we come to town. We miss them so much.

Thanks for a great weekend.

Las Vegas

New York New York, Las Vegas

So, I've returned from my girls' trip to Vegas this last week. I don't have a lot of pictures to show for it, because when it's just two of you, what do you take a picture of? That one person the whole time? Danny said we should've traded cameras so that we would have a picture of myself, but I really don't mind not having that either. We stayed at New York, New York and had all the makings of a terrific slumber party...Ben and Jerry's ice cream, chick flicks, long hours of talking, in conjunction with...dinners without kids, shopping, and a fabulous Cirque de Soliel Show. It was relaxing and fun with one of my greatest friends. Thanks Brooke for a great time, and thanks to our husbands for allowing us to celebrate our August birthdays and friendship this way!!!

What I do have a picture of is the enormous steak that we shared for dinner about 3-4 inches thick and larger than my hand in length and width. No exaggeration here! The collosal bake potato was a large as my hand. Together we ate about half of everything. The waitor cut it in half for us, but we put it back together to take a picture. The restraunt staff had a good laugh at our expense. :)

Brooke and our incredible steak dinner:)