There are many different ways to say "and" in Japanese, unlike English where there's just 1 word that can be used in ANY situation ^^ (very convenient). In Japanese, you have to use a different word depending on if you are connecting a series of NOUNS or VERBS or ADJECTIVES, etc.
1.) と or や
"to" or "ya" are used to connect NOUNS and nouns only. You cannot use this to connect verbs or adjectives etc.
For example: I like dogs & cats. いぬ と ねこ が すきです。
"ya" is a more formal version of "to" but they have the same usage. (I really only hear this in formal announcements. I would never use this speaking to someone.. but I could be wrong >.<)
**You canNOT use it to connect verbs. Ex.) I swim and read books. We canNOT use と or や here.
2.) くて or で is used to connect い and な ADJECTIVES.
ex.) She is cute and cheerful.
Here you must conjugate the adjectives "cute"(かわいい) and "cheerful" (げんき). But be careful because な-adjectives & い-adjectives conjugate differently.
かわいい is an -adjective, so the final い is dropped and you add くて.
giving you かわいい --> かわいくて
げんき is a な-adjective, so just drop the な and add で
げんきな --> げんきで
So, the sentence in Japanese would end up being:
彼女はかわいくてげんきです。
3.) て/で used to connect VERBS (when describing actions done in order, 1st~, then~ next~)
4.) たり used to connect VERBS (when describing an incomplete list, not in any particular order)
Not only are there many words for AND, but there are many many very particular, strict RULES and conjugations >.<
Sorry if this wasn't very good explanation... I'm still learning myself >.<
Good luck to you! ^^