Sunny Stephensons

2009-06-21T15:34:00.001-04:00

Happy Fathers Day!! I love being a dad, it has been and is very rewarding. Thanks be to my own father who raised me and helped me be who I am today and who I will be tomorrow. Thanks Dad, I love you.

2009-06-21T15:33:00.003-04:00

Sarah and Jason made me this tie (out of paper) and I wore it to church today. I love my kiddies!!

2009-06-21T15:30:00.004-04:00

G-pa and I showing off our Father's day shirts. Cyndy and the kids got for us this year. Yippeeeee!!!!

SARAH'S PRE-K GRADUATION STUFF!!

2009-05-31T16:14:00.003-04:00

I think its sick and wrong for pre-k to have a "graduation" but I guess I was forced into it and we should always encourage our children when we can, Soooo here she is in all her 4 year old mustered self. She does look cute doesn't she? We love her very much AND we are proud of her. CONGRADULATIONS SARAH!!!!

2009-05-31T16:12:00.001-04:00

Kindergarden here I come. Sarah's pre-K school pic. Isn't she beautiful (Yes, I do own a shotgun and I know how to use it)

2009-05-31T16:07:00.001-04:00

Us waiting for Sarah to "walk" for her pre-K graduation in the pews of her church sponsored school.

2009-05-31T16:06:00.002-04:00

Mom & Ella showing excitement for Sarah!!

2009-05-31T16:05:00.000-04:00

I'm not a big fan of pre-K graduation but I'm still proud of my Sarah.

Happy 8th Anniversary!!

2009-05-26T17:02:00.002-04:00

CYNDY AND I CELEBRATED OUR 8TH ANNIVERSARY YESTERDAY!! WE MADE A WHOLE WEEKEND OF IT. FRIDAY EVENING WE LEFT KIDS AT GRANDPA'S WITH OUR LOVELY NIECE, BRANDY, AND WENT TO ST. AUGUSTINE FOR THE LONG WEEKEND. WE HAD A GREAT TIME TOGETHER AND ENJOYED LOTS OF HISTORIC SIGHTS AND FOOD THERE. IT WAS, OF COURSE, LONG OVERDUE. WE THANK GRANDPA FRANK AND BRANDY FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE. WE FOUND OUT WE STILL LOVE EACH OTHER AND LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE YEARS...

2009-05-26T16:59:00.002-04:00

Cyndy and I standing in front of what they consider to be a six hundred year old "Live Oak" tree. not the norm for a Live Oak. This tree they call "The Old Senator", because is is crooked and twisted. (thier joke, not mine)

2009-05-26T16:50:00.002-04:00

Shane and Cyndy at the courtyard of lightner museum, originally another hotel that wasn't quite as poche as the "Ponce de Leon", but still catered to the almost super wealthy.

2009-05-26T16:48:00.002-04:00

Cyndy at the courtyard of Lightner Museum (one of Flaglers hotels turned museum)

2009-05-26T16:44:00.003-04:00

Cyndy and I hung out with this wierd dude.

2009-05-26T16:43:00.001-04:00

We saw some exotic birds...Peacocks strutting thier stuff.

2009-05-26T16:42:00.001-04:00

Did I mention I went back to school? Waaaay back!

2009-05-26T16:40:00.001-04:00

We met some strange guy who looked kind of lost...lost in time. (Castille se dan Marcus)

2009-05-26T16:39:00.001-04:00

This is my honey on top of one of the canon positions at Castillo se dan Marcus

2009-05-26T16:35:00.005-04:00

another pic of us lovers at St. Augustine at Castillo de san Marcus, United States oldest structure.

2009-05-26T16:35:00.002-04:00

Cyndy and I at the fort in St. Augustine. A little rain but not to bad.

2009-05-26T16:33:00.001-04:00

Cyndy got into a littlle trouble, she didn't seem to bothered so I left her there a little while

2009-05-26T16:31:00.001-04:00

This here is Sheriff John Perry, He was also 6'6" but wieghed around 300 lbs! He was a famous sheriff in St. Augustine, I guess for hanging lots of people or something. I buddied up with him so I wouldn't go to jail

Ella Turns One!!!

2009-05-06T21:56:00.002-04:00

On May 5th we celebrated Ella's (our youngest daughter) 1st birthday. Its amazing how fast time flies, already a year has past and we have loved having Ella be a part of our family. Yes, she is the most spoiled, but look at her!

2009-05-06T21:55:00.000-04:00

Ella, before she got her birthday cake.

2009-05-06T21:52:00.001-04:00

AAaaaahhhh SUGAR!!! Ella after having some fun in her birthday cake (cupcake) It didn't take her long to figure out that it was good!

2009-05-06T21:49:00.002-04:00

Grandpa Hill enjoying the cake with Ella and Mom. The look, I don't know...

2009-05-06T21:47:00.001-04:00

Ella got a little...umm cone tower thing that she really gets into. It didn't take her long to figure it out, she's smart like her mama.

2009-05-06T21:44:00.002-04:00

We had a blast with Ella. Grandma & Grandpa Hill were there with Tyler, Sarah, Jason and of course us parents (Shane & Cyndy)

2009-05-06T21:42:00.001-04:00

Special thanks to Papa Steve & Grandman Ruth for the lovely birthday dress. Ella loves it (I guess we do too) and the great card for her 1st birthday!

Family Easter Vacation...

2009-04-19T20:55:00.004-04:00

Easter weekend we took a trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida. A big thanks to one of Cyndy's friends, Elaine and her hubby for the great beachhouse we stayed in and made this get away possible. We ate good, we played hard, and we had a blast spending time together as a family and working on our tans!

2009-04-19T20:55:00.001-04:00

2009-04-19T20:53:00.001-04:00

I LOVE THE SAND....I LOVE THE BEACH!

(A true floridian already at 11 mos old)

2009-04-19T20:52:00.001-04:00

This guy's name is Aaahhhh. I don't know but he and Sarah love him. Thanks Elaine!

2009-04-19T20:51:00.001-04:00

Easter morning one of the kids left a piece of chocolate on the floor...fair game.

2009-04-19T20:50:00.000-04:00

Aaaahhhhh! The sun!

2009-04-19T20:48:00.001-04:00

Jason, Ella & Sarah, a typical day of our vacation (although it was hard to get all three of them to stay together long enough for the pic!)

2009-04-19T20:47:00.000-04:00

Sarah could not get enough playtime in the ocean...she LOVED IT!

2009-04-19T20:46:00.001-04:00

Jason loves aquariums. Here he is at one of the tanks of "fishies".

2009-04-19T20:44:00.001-04:00

Cyndy and Ella at "Frenchy's". Nice restaurant on the beach. Ella loving her food!

2009-04-19T20:43:00.001-04:00

Yeah, I know I live in Florida, but I don't get out in the sun much. Daddy and his daughter Sarah.

2009-04-19T20:42:00.000-04:00

JASON BUDDY!

2009-04-19T20:41:00.001-04:00

Couldn't ask for better weather, just take a look...
(Cyndy & Ella)

2009-04-19T20:39:00.001-04:00

Waiting in line for an Easter egg hunt at a local aquarium in Clearwater. Jason, Cyndy, Sarah & Ella (in the stroller)

2009-04-19T20:38:00.002-04:00

Ella having a good time with mommy.

2009-04-19T20:37:00.000-04:00

Cyndy and the kids...

2009-04-19T20:36:00.001-04:00

Here we are at a restaurant called "Frenchy's". What did I just eat?!

2009-04-19T20:35:00.001-04:00

Is she having a good time or what?

2009-04-19T20:34:00.002-04:00

Sarah & Jason checking out some shells that washed up.

2009-04-19T20:33:00.000-04:00

Cyndy Swinging Jason, he is a boy!

2009-04-19T20:29:00.003-04:00

Sarah...ready to go.

2009-04-19T20:28:00.000-04:00

That's one bad hair do, and the chic is cute too!

2009-04-19T20:27:00.001-04:00

Mommy and Ella...Loving it!

Clearwater Beach Vacation!!!

2009-04-19T20:23:00.002-04:00

It was sweet...(Ella doesn't have any yet)

2009-03-27T10:20:00.002-04:00

I was looking for Sarah and Jason one afternoon and it was unusually quiet...figures. They got into grandma's make up and I had to take a photo...before I got after them.

2009-03-27T10:17:00.003-04:00

Daddy, do you want some lipstick?

2009-03-27T10:16:00.000-04:00

This is what happens when you spend to much time in the florida sun...

2009-03-27T10:14:00.001-04:00

Like it?

2009-03-15T15:56:00.002-04:00

Recently Cyndy decided that she had not had enough changes in her life so...she cut her hair. Below are some pics...

2009-03-15T15:55:00.000-04:00

Really darling...I need a change...

2009-03-15T15:54:00.000-04:00

Thats my honey...

2009-03-15T15:49:00.002-04:00

Hot Mama!

2009-02-25T21:12:00.003-05:00

Hey, I'm on a role. I told you I would update more often. Below are some pics of our new granite countertops (we've needed to replace our kitchen countertops for couple years now). In short, I got granite for the same price as laminate (I paid a couple hundred more, but it was a no brainer) so we had it installed Monday, it pays to know the right people. I did all the demo work, had to replace one of the side cabinets because of water damaged caused by a blown dishwasher a year or two ago and some drywall repair. All in all it turned out pretty nice we thought, take a look below and see for yourselves...

2009-02-25T21:09:00.002-05:00

I replaced the board under the sink inside the cabinet and tiled over it. It looks nice but I did it to make it easy to clean up water and minimal damage if we ever have a leak again.

2009-02-25T21:07:00.000-05:00

We kept our "old" sink, cleaned it up a bit.

2009-02-25T21:06:00.000-05:00

2009-02-25T21:04:00.000-05:00

2009-02-25T21:01:00.000-05:00

2009-02-22T17:38:00.002-05:00

I (Shane) want to apologize because we haven't "blogged" in while, but just to catch everyone up to speed. In a nutshell, I'm going back to school to get my bachelors degree in Business and when I grow up I want to be a Facilities Manager. We are currently renting our house out (while I'm at school) and living with the in-laws...yeah, its real interesting. We are survivors and its for the better cause.

(whew) on the Sixth of February I had the opportunity to take Sarah and Jason to Disney World. I had a friend who works there get us in for free...YIPEEEE!! We...had...a...BLAST!!! We arrived at nine in the morning and didn't leave until seven thirty that evening. They were troopers and exausted by the end of the day. Lets just say that not even five minutes passed in the van and I heard heavy breathing, they were zonked. Below are a couple of pics from our adventure and below that some recent photos of the kids.

Anyway, we have access to internet now all the time and hopefully will be updated the website much more often. Until then....

SEE YA!

2009-02-22T17:36:00.001-05:00

Sarah, Jason and I went to Disney World!!!!

2009-02-22T17:35:00.001-05:00

The first place we had to go to...Mickey's Toon Town!

2009-02-22T17:33:00.001-05:00

I had to bail Sarah & Jason out of Zorg prison at the "Buzz Lightyear" ride.

2009-02-22T17:32:00.000-05:00

Sarah loved Minnie's house!

2009-02-22T17:31:00.000-05:00

Minnie Mouse's house

2009-02-22T17:30:00.002-05:00

Proof...we were really there! Cinderella's castle and mickey shaking hands with Walt himself in front

2009-02-22T17:28:00.001-05:00

They loved the carousel!

2009-02-22T17:27:00.001-05:00

finishing a fun day at Disney World!

2009-02-22T17:26:00.000-05:00

Sarah (4 1/2 yrs old) loving life!

2009-02-22T17:25:00.001-05:00

Jason (3 yrs old) learning to ride a bike!

2009-02-22T17:13:00.003-05:00

Ella showing off her only two teeth (9 mos old)

Cute Video

2008-07-25T10:37:00.001-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-be4n1b3D8

This is a clip of the kids being interviewed by Shane shortly after baby Ella came home from the hospital.

Sarah's 4th Birthday

2008-07-18T15:31:00.002-04:00

We celebrated Sarah's 4th birthday on July 16th. It was a fun day for her. We gave her one present after breakfast, then she had a barbeque party at our house for dinner. She loved having her friends over and opening her presents. Here she is in her new "Princess" dress, tiara, and wand.

Gotta love that chocolate cake!! (She only ate the icing)

Celebrating with Sarah

2008-07-18T14:49:00.004-04:00

Even Dad wore a party hat.

Tyler and his neighborhood friends (who came to join the party).

L to R: Jason, Elyse Lambert, Sarah, Lynae Lambert, Yasmine Delgado.

One view of the craziness at the party.

Sarah used her new wand to help Dad put up streamers for the party.

Some Catching up

2008-07-18T14:20:00.003-04:00

7th Anniversary was May 25th. We did the all original dinner and a movie. It's been a while since we did that, so it was nice to get away (we brought Ella with us though).

Last week I got to have a girls night out and meet with a bunch of my high school chorus friends... Left to right... Me, Jenny (Wood) Ingersoll, Joy (Johnson) McMillen, Sandy (Frerking) Brundage, Elaine (Hightower) LaPierre, Joye (Johnson) Hickey, and Jenny Robertson.

4th of July Celebration at a local park.

One of Tyler's favorite summer pasttimes...

The kids zonked out on the way home from church. Our church meets in the afternoon, so they miss their naps on Sundays.

We all love Baby Ella

2008-07-18T14:06:00.002-04:00

Ella in her blessing dress (borrowed from her cousin, Leah).

Hanging out with big sister, Sarah.

Playing with the siblings already.

Holding up her head to get a better look at Daddy.

Beautiful Blue Eyes!!

More Pics with Baby Ella

2008-07-18T13:59:00.002-04:00

The kids love to come and snuggle in Mom & Dad's bed first thing in the morning.

"Grandma Suzie, don't leave me!!!"

Relaxing with Uncle Jesse.

Rubbing noses with Daddy.

First time meeting cousin Brandi.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!

2008-06-15T09:17:00.002-04:00

We had a nice liesurely morning for Fathers Day. Here are the kids giving Shane his Fathers Day present and card, and kisses. They also learned a song to sing for him called "I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home." Actually, Mom did the singing, and they just did the hand motions.

Here's a picture of baby Ella with her Grandma Ruth blankie.....Especially for Papa Steve in Utah. We miss you! Happy Fathers Day!!

This isn't a Fathers Day picture, but it's a very cute one of Jason snuggling with his baby sister.

Temple Trip

2008-06-15T08:48:00.003-04:00

We took the kids to the temple Friday night for our "date night." They had a good time.

Ella's Blessing Day

2008-06-02T20:39:00.004-04:00

Well...it's official. Ella is now fully named and blessed!

(Cyndy and I after the blessing)

There's our little Ella (we got the dress from Shalene, Cyndy's sister-THANKS!-)

All of Cyndy's famliy was there (except Justin's baby girl Alaya and Dale-Shal's hubby-who is in Iraq, we are thinking about you bud!)

I had some of my old single stompin buddies come and share the day. As you can see they all are married and have kiddies too (and all daughters?!)

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

2008-05-11T20:07:00.002-04:00

This is the first Mothers Day that Grandma Suzie is far away (she's in AZ visiting my brother, Justin), and Grandma Ruth is here with us!!! It's been so nice having her here. We don't get to see Shane's family that often - they're all in UT and AZ. We've had a great time just sitting in the evenings visiting with Grandma Ruth. Of course, it's also nice that she does my dishes and laundry, and helps take care of the kids. I've been feeling so great recovering from this pregnancy, and I'm sure it's because she's been here to help out so much. Last week, before baby Ella arrived, I got to spend a Saturday afternoon with her getting a pedicure and going out to lunch at an authentic Vietnemese restaurant (Shane doesn't enjoy trying different kinds of foods like that, so I got to enjoy it with his mom instead). We'll miss her when she goes back to Utah on Thursday.

More Mothers Day Pictures

2008-05-11T19:55:00.002-04:00

Ella's big bright eyes look like they are going to be lighter than Sarah's and Jason's. Right now they are blue. Sarah and Jason both had darker eyes as newborns.

This cute little yellow dress was a gift from my oldest sister, Stacey (and her family) to my younger sister, Shalene, for Leah when she was a newborn. Now Shalene has passed it on to us. It's a preemie size, so it won't fit for long.

This little bundle inside the dress is by far the best Mothers Day present I've ever received!

Here are the three little ones snuggling with Grandma Ruth, each with their own "Grandma Ruth Blankie." She crocheted one for each of them when they were born. They LOOOOVVVVEEE their blankies - they sleep with them every night, and carry them out to the couch every day before playing. Thanks Grandma Ruth. Happy Mothers Day!

Shane took his Mom out for an Italian dinner last night for Mothers Day. It's nice to have her here so we can spoil her a little.

I couldn't resist this adorable sleeping newborn picture of Ella thismorning.

A trip to the Central Florida Zoo

2008-05-10T21:19:00.004-04:00

This is a turkey vulture (I think we see these picking stuff on the side of the roads down here in Florida all the time)Sarah and I decided we would take our own picture in the little studio instead of paying for one
Jason is experiencing a "big" lizard (iguana, look close)
Whats a Florida zoo without the state mammal...He was big!
Sarah and Jason seeing the elephants, they loved them!

2008-05-10T21:12:00.002-04:00

If you look close you can see the leopard, it really scared Jason, he had to be comforted

about the middle of our expedition Sarah & Jason had to cool off!
Here is natures loudest land mammal (some sort of monkey I forgot which one)
This dude is done...and he's ready to go home
On the way out we saw a zoo person whoo had a friend...(look closely)

2008-05-10T20:56:00.002-04:00

We took a trip to the Sanford zoo. this was Sarah & Jason's mode of transportation

The first order of business was ride the train!!

Here is the "whole" train...

You go to the zoo, but what is the most time spent on...

You guessed it, stuff you can find at your local Wal-Mart...but who cares, they loved it!

BABY ELLA HAS ARRIVED

2008-05-05T20:40:00.003-04:00

Footage of Ella...

2008-05-05T20:16:00.002-04:00

Here is Cyndy...Just before delivery (This morning)

Here is our newest arrival...Ella Samantha Stephenson!!!
There's a very cute momma with our little Ella...

Just after delivery.

Very happy parents!!

And of course a very pleased and content grandma Ruth.

2008-05-04T20:37:00.006-04:00

Tomorrow (Cinco de Mayo) morning at 6am I am being induced!!! The kids are excited about the new baby sister. Sarah (almost 4 now) has a pretty good understanding about what's going to happen. She often pats my belly and talks about the baby. She says things to me like, "Mommy, when the baby comes out of your tummy, then you can run faster!" She gets a little impatient with how slowly I walk these days. She keeps getting one of the cute little baby dresses out of the drawer and saying, "Here's a fancy dress for the baby sister!" Today she asked if the baby was dressed in there. I told her no, the baby is naked, but when she comes out we'll put a diaper and clothes on her. Then Sarah patted my belly and said, "She's taking a bath!" Jason talks about it a little, but not as much as Sarah. He loves to read one of the books we got from the library called, "I'm a Big Brother."

We finally got a MINIVAN!!!!! Just in time for the new baby. Now Tyler doesn't have to squish between car seats. Last week Shane took both babies and Tyler and 2 of his friends to the skate shop to get stuff for the skate boards. I LOVE having it, and the kids love that they are sitting up higher and have a good view of everything outside.

2008-05-04T20:37:00.003-04:00

Evening ritual..."riding the Dad to the Bedroom"

"UGH!"

Shane's new Skateboard!!

Tyler and his friends are always hanging out in front of our house waiting for Shane to come out and show them how to do tricks. He sometimes goes to the local skate park and skates with the teenagers there. Yes, he's still just a big KID!

Grandma Ruth (Shane's Mom) came to visit and help out when the new baby arrives. The kids love having her here (and so do Shane and I)!

GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!!

2007-09-22T20:05:00.000-04:00

JASON!!

2007-06-10T21:47:00.000-04:00

After several months of cruising along holding onto furniture or pushing around a toy stroller, Jason finally figured out he can walk without holding onto anything! It took him until he was 15 months old to figure this out, but once he got started there was no stoppint him!

True story... One night Shane was giving the kids a bath. Jason was standing up holding onto the side of the tub while Shane washed his hair. Suddenly Jason looked up at Shane with a big frown and started crying. Shane looked around to see what might have hurt him, and he found Sarah with her TEETH CLAMPED ONTO JASON'S LITTLE BUM CHEEK! She was just chomping down as hard as she could (who know why)!! Shane had to leave the room to laugh before he could scold Sarah. Poor Jason, look at the bruise his big sister left behind...

T-Man

2007-06-10T21:42:00.000-04:00

After several months of a long, bushy hairdo, Tyler got in the mood one day and told me to buzz it all off. It was late in the day and I was tired, but I hurried and did it before he changed his mind! I think he looks better with short hair.

Tyler (with short hair) and Grandma Suzie showing off their braces...

Daddy and the Kids

2007-06-10T21:38:00.000-04:00

Two of Shane's favorite things..... his truck and his baby girl.

He also loves having this little guy to rough around with. My sister's husband is in the Army, and they gave us these t-shirts.