Dining Table Renovation

This is for all of you sitting at the edge of your seats to see my table...sorry you had to wait so long :)  This table was passed down from Roger and Belinda and I decided to refinish the natural-colored butcher block top.  I was convinced that it would be a quick and easy project.  However, just as every other project I take on, this one turned into a beast (hence the "renovation" in the title, not just a refinish).

First I stripped and sanded the existing polyurethane.

Then I stained: 

Seems simple enough, right?  Not so!  I realized that I hadn't gotten all of the old poly off because the color was dark in some areas and light in others, obvious that the stain was not able to soak through in some areas.  I also noticed some areas where the sanding left little squigley lines which were more obvious once the stain was applied.  I was upset, of course, because I had sanded the table quite a bit, going from coarse to fine grit.

I had no other choice but to start from the beginning and sand it down again.  The trouble was that the stain, which had dried, was gunking up the sand paper.  So I sanded the table again for several hours, starting with a coarse grit and working my way down.  Then I scoured the entire table with my eyes inches from the surface to look for, and sand out, any "squigleys" left from sanding.  After I was sure that the table was perfect, I stained again.  Of course my worst fears were confirmed when I saw several areas where there were obvious sanding blemishes.  I do like wood with some chippy, worn character but this was like curley-qs.  Nobody would have noticed but me, but I wasn't satisfied with it!  I spot-sanded those areas that were still squigley and spot-stained them until the stain matched the rest of the table. 

Here is the table after the final stain:

Next step:  Poly.  I did 4 coats and sanded with fine (220) sandpaper between coats.  I wasn't rough when I sanded between coats.  However, now that the table is finished, if you get the light to glare at the right angle, you can see the sanding marks in the poly layers!!!  I JUST CAN'T WIN!!!  

For the cherry on top, I waxed the top for an extra, waterproof protection.  This, of course, left it looking dull and splotchy.  

So, before I am judged on my pessimistic, dissatisfied attitude, let me say that I am happy with the product from afar.  The table looks great with a dark finish.  I am, however, unhappy with how it looks close up, especially with the glare of the light shining on it's many imperfections.   I know more of a perfect-looking refinish is possible because I have seen many refinished pieces (including my bedroom suite).  I really don't know what I could have done better though.  I guess my craftiness is a work in progress and hopefully I will learn as I go.

If you can tell, the seats of the chairs have not been refinished yet!  This would be a nightmare to get around the spindles seeing as how a flat tabletop was difficult.  I am considering painting them.  I haven't decided yet so they remain a different color altogether :)  I'm kinda dreading taking this on!  Any suggestions on what to do with those or how I could have refinished the table to avoid scratches in the finish are welcome.