Random

So I've been tagged by my wonderful friend Melinda to share 5 random things about myself. I usually don't take people up on challenges like this... but today is my first day of summer vacation and I have nothing but time on my hands. Here we go...

1. I use to have a severe fear of water. Not just deep water... like I was afraid to float around on a tube in 3 feet of water in the lazy river at water parks (I know very strange) Even though I'm still not a good swimmer, I can manage in the water and have overcome my fear a lot.

2. I'm in limbo right now whether or not I'm going back to the school I have worked at for 4 1/2 years. There is an opportunity at my kids' school so I'm interviewing for that on Monday. Just trying to figure out what path I'm suppose to be taking in life.

3. I'm ridiculously obsessed with two food items right now. One is chocolate milk, I have a glass every morning and every night. The other item is Post Frosted Shredded Wheat. I eat a handful here and there every time I get the munchies. (that's about as random as it gets) Which reminds me I'm hungry...

4. Once when I was a kid I sneacked out of my friends house during a sleepover and we ran across the neighborhood to teepee a boys house. (his name was Brian but we all called him Goose) While we were doing the deed a few people at a party next door to him saw us and called the cops. I never ran so fast in my life. I cut through the park and saw the cop cars with spotlights looking for us. Then when we got home, my friend's mother found out we had snuck out and wasn't too happy with us. She said she was going to tell my mom the next day. I don't think she ever did, but since my mom reads my blog she knows now. Sorry mom!

5. I ran a mini marathon a couple years ago with my friend Jenny. During my training I lost a few pounds and was in great shape. I really want to get back into running again. Maybe this summer... but I need some motivation so I'm going to go shopping for a new pair of running shoes and maybe that will help.

Well there you have it... I'm sure you all feel like you know me so much better now. Now I get to tag 5 friends of my own to post a random blog of their own.

I choose...

Sheila Jenny Sarah Amber Jessica

Chicago

I wanted to do something fun and different to celebrate the big 30! We decided to go see Blueman group in Chicago. The show has been in Chicago for years and we have never made it a point to go see it. We are so happy we finally made it there to see the show because it was AWESOME!
Of course by now you are probably wondering why all these picture are of us at Wrigley Field instead?!?!? Well, Brian suggested we get to Chicago early and just "walk around" and enjoy the city and beautiful weather (75 and sunny) Little did I know (but he did) that Briar Street Theatre was only a few blocks from Wrigley Field. I didn't mind... it was a nice walk and quite pleasant to actually be able to walk around Wrigleyville without so many other people around. Brian usually HATES taking pictures, but I didn't have to talk him into any of these pictures. He's such a sports fan... ESPECIALLY cubs! Melanie, when are you guys coming in town so we can get some tickets?

And here I am with my HUGE cheesy smile. After the show was over many people were waiting around to get pics with the Blueman cast. I walked up to this guy and asked if I could have a picture with him for my 30th b-day (yes, I'm milking this for all it's worth) After we took this picture he leaned over and said (in an english accent) "you don't look a day over 22, happy birthday"

Then he gave me a blueman kiss and here's the picture to prove it!!!

Notice I'm holding a poncho in my hand because we were in row 5 which required wearing ponchos. When we first sat down in our seats a producer approached us and asked if we'd like to be part of the show, but it would require us sitting in different seats for the first 10 minutes of the show. Now anyone who knows Brian would say that he is very shy. Can you believe he agreed to it? I haven't been to the show before but I've had friends tell me about the "late arrivals" part of the show. Yep... that was us. The whole show was great and well worth it. On a side note: We found out that they allow volunteer ushers to most of their shows and you get to stay and watch the show for free after ushering. Just call Briar Street Theatre if you are interested in saving $140 but would like to see the show.

Austin

What a busy weekend it has been for Austin. First he turned 10 years old on Saturday. We pretty much already celebrated with him at the waterpark, but Nana and Papa did come over and bring pizza. He also requested brownies instead of a cake. He talked his sister into giving him the present from her while they were still in their PJ's early Saturday morning. Austin is super excited about the fact that both sets of grandparents pitched in to order him a new backboard for his basketball rim. The plexi glass broke recently and he hasn't been able to play. Thanks to all of you who sent cards, gifts and called him to say "Happy Birthday"

Secondly, Austin recently finished up Lifebuilding classes at our church, Suncrest. It's a 5 week class that talks about our faith and why we believe what we believe. A couple years ago Austin started asking us questions about God and ended up making a decision at that point to become a christian. At the end of Lifebuilding classes he told us he'd like to be baptised. Brian was lucky enough to be the one to baptise Austin. We are so proud of him and are excited to see what God has in store for his life.

Tooth Fairy

It's always quite an exciting night when one of my kids loses a tooth. Madison finally lost her last tooth on top today that has been quite wiggly for a few days now. I was pleased to hear that it happened at school so i didn't have to pull it out this time. As I was tucking her in to bed tonight I noticed a note sitting on the floor next to her bed for the tooth fairy. It looked like she really worked hard on it with special drawings and very nice handwriting. It reads...

Dear Tooth Farey,

Once apon a time a girl named Madison lost a tooth in shcool. At night the tooth farey came and she got 10$. I love you tooth farey.

Madison Sandoval

Is that not hilarious????

Believe me if the tooth fairy had that much cash on her I think Madison would have her wish granted. Sadly I think the tooth fairy had to dig through the jar of coins to dig out 4 shiny quarters instead. I really hope she's not disappointed in the morning.

More than just waterpark adventures

Here are the kids petting our horse "Barney" before he takes us on a ride through the beautiful Amish country of Shipshewana.
What a cute couple they make! My sister Sheila and brother in law Jeremy.

Not such a bad looking couple ourselves. haha

Madison and Marissa got to ride in front with the nice driver the first half of our trip. Then they let Austin and Makayla ride up there for the second half. It was so beautiful and peaceful on our carriage ride. Everyone out there had beautiful houses, gardens and farms with horses, cows, chickens and pigs in the yards. We thought it was funny when we saw a house with a buggy parked in the driveway right next to a decked out pick up truck.

Here are the kids looking at fish in a pond while waiting for our carriage ride. Notice the buggies in the background. They wouldn't stop pointing at every buggy that passed by even though they were everywhere!

Here we are with our cool water slide cake that Sheila brought to the hotel. Neat looking cake and quite delicious too I might add.

Austin was quite excited to get Mario Cart for the Wii. I admit I've let him be a bit of a video game junkie since receiving this game on Saturday. He loves it!!!!

We went to the arcade in the hotel Saturday morning. Austin won 100 tickets on the Deal or No Deal game! I don't mean to brag, but someone did win 200 tickets on that game that day as well.

We also hit the ice cream shop in the hotel late Saturday night when they had karaoke and dance party for the kids. That hotel really had everything you need for a family vacation. Hope you enjoyed our pictures!

Waterpark Weekend

We decided to take a weekend vacation to celebrate Austin's birthday and his cousin Marissa's birthday as well! Here's the whole gang all dressed and ready to go downstairs to check out the waterpark for the first time that weekend. I seriously have no idea why Austin is flexing his muscles in this photo but think it's kinda cute!
They are all smiles ready to dive in for a couple hours the first night we got there.

I think the weekend was quite a success as you can see by the smiles on their faces.

Here is Madison and Makayla after going down one of the tunnel slides together.

There was a huge bucket of water that filled up and dumped on the kids play area every few minutes. Quite impossible to stay dry in that area.

All the cousins were quite sad to say goodbye to each other on Sunday morning when we all headed back to our homes. We had an awesome weekend with you all! Love you guys!

Flowers

It's not very often I get a basket full of beautiful flowers delivered to my door so I definitely wanted to post a picture so you can all enjoy them too. Thanks so much for thinking of me Pete and Carolyn. I LOVE THEM!!!
A couple years ago I heard about this cool thing called language art. I instantly loved the idea and wanted to custom order our last name. It was several hundred dollars no matter what website I found online. So then I even had the bright idea to take the photos myself and just make my own language art. That didn't go over so well either. Then as I was browsing this new adorable gift store in town I saw one displayed that said "family" I ran up to the counter and asked if they take custom ordering on the language arts. I was so excited to hear that they did and it was much more affordable than when I previously checked into it. So I bought this for myself and called it my birthday present. haha
I haven't decided which wall to hang it on yet, but I plan on surrounding it with family pictures.

Locks of Love

BEFORE
AFTER

I forgot to measure exactly how many inches Madison had cut today, but my guess is around 12 inches. Ever since she heard about cutting your hair and donating it to Locks of Love she has been begging me to let her do it. I was a little sad when I was brushing her tangles out this morning before school for the last time.

Thanks Traci... you did a great job!!

Go Cubs Go

Brian got to attend his first Cubs game of the season with Carl, Dustin and Henry last night. Cubs win 12-3. I told him to take a picture of the new Ernie Banks statue in front of Wrigley Field. Pretty cool... I hope to see it in person sometime this year.

Happy Mother's Day

I hope all the mothers reading this out there are enjoying spending the day with their families and relaxing a bit too. My day started out with a Dunkin Donut and chocolate milk served to me in bed. Then all the homemade cards and gifts filled my bed. After that we were off to church and then met my parents for lunch at Amarillo Roadhouse. (thanks for the beautiful necklace and earrings, mom and dad) It was raining so bad outside I never got to take a picture with my mom after lunch. :(

Thanks mom for being an amazing mom and grandma! You always put your families needs before your own. Thanks for being a wonderful example of how a mother should be and for loving me unconditionally.

Love,

Stephanie

aka your favorite

Many of you have asked...

how I've been enjoying my 30 day gift adventure. I will plead the 5th whether or not I have stuck to opening only one gift each day. Some gifts have made me laugh, some have made me smile and some have even satisfied my hunger. (Yummo on the Charleston Chew, Jenn) When I first opened the reading glasses I thought, haha nice "over the hill" gift. Then i put them on and realized I could see alot better when reading. I think that means I really am getting old.

Trampolines and Football

How fun it was that Austin played his best friend Jordan in their last game of the season for flag football. Luckily they tied 14 to 14. This is the only time Austin will let me take his picture is when he's with his friends.
Madison and her best friend Taylor (Jordan's sister) put on a trampoline show for us on Saturday. They've been practicing their routine for about a week now and even sent out invitations for the big show. I have a feeling there will be more shows to come this summer.

Ahhh the beauty of spring

I was so excited when we bought this house and I found out the tree in front was a crab apple tree. I've been waiting and waiting for spring to come so I can enjoy it blooming for the first time. It started out like a bright magenta color and recently turned into a light color pink. Even a family of robins made their home in our tree. When I was a kid my favorite season use to be summer. Now as I'm getting older I really enjoy the beauty of spring and fall! What is your favorite season?

Happy Birthday Carolyn

The kids made this yummy cake for their grandma on her birthday. Apparently she was turning 4 years old this year since that's how many candles they put on her cake. We enjoyed spending the evening with you, Carolyn!