This year's Christmas Letter

If you didn't get a Christmas letter this year, it's becasue I don't have your address :) So here is what we sent out this year :)

Merry Christmas

from the Sperry's

What a year 2010 has been for us! Full of challenges, changes and adventures.

In July, we moved into my Grandparents house to take care of them. Run their errands, cleaning, some cooking and just be here in case something happens.

In August, I won Brad Paisley tickets from a local radio station! It was so exciting, I never win anything!!! I had no idea that winning qualified me to win a fly-away trip to Nashville, TN to see Reba and George Strait. Well, I won that too!!! So it was a quick trip, but Aaron and I had so much fun! We ate some of the best food in the world, did some site seeing, saw an amazing concert and got soaking wet in a southern rain storm!

In September, our Jeep's engine blew, so it was time for a new car. Because I have been driving my Grandparents Toyota, Highlander we decided to check out what else Toyota had to offer. We got a 2009 Toyota Corolla and we love it!

In October we started taking an oil painting class with my family. It was originally just going to be me, my Mom and Tricia, but it ended up being the whole family! We are having so much fun learning a new talent!

In November, Grandpa got really sick and passed away. This was the first of my four Grandparents to pass away. I've never had to deal with losing someone before and it is completely a new experience for me. But I am so grateful for the family I have and the knowledge that we will all be together forever.

Aaron: Has now been with Frito Lay for 3 years and finally has his own route. It's a lot of hours and a little bit of a pay cut, but it is really good for his career. He went deer hunting this year with both his family and mine. He came home with a huge 4 point and was so excited. There's nothing Aaron loves more then hunting, camping and fishing...well except ME!

Charlene: I got a job at eBay and is still in training. So far, loving it, but hating the commute! I went on a scrapbook get-away with Mom and Tricia in Park City this year and we had so much fun! I am working on Aaron's mission album. I haven't been able to craft as much as before, but I do find ways to squeeze some in.

We hope that 2010 treated you all well, and that 2011 will be even better! We are grateful for each of you and hope for only the best. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

To keep up on us all year check out our blog: www.thesperryblog.blogspot.com

PS...All three dogs are doing great and loving Grandma's yard!!!

One of my favorite songs...

I love Christmas music! Nothing gets me in the spirit fast! "The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear!" But there are so many really good Christmas songs that go under the radar. Here is one of my favorites. It is on Rosie O'Donnell's second Christmas CD and sung by one of my favorites, Jewel.

"Face Of Love"

until tonight

my heart was just half full

I'd never known the fruit which fed the soul

but now i see what may put to rest my longing

for i have seen, the face of love

the grace of god, the face of love

in silence i feared my heart

would remain words unheard

inside a separateness of skin

but now i know that the skin just veils the soul

for i have seen, the face of love

the grace of god, the face of love

so take my hand and knowing

with it i also give my heart

wanting never to be separate again

let eternity begin

if you were flame

I'd allow myself to be consumed completely

were you wind i would wish you pass through me

but now i know that the skin just veils the soul

for i have seen, the face of love

the grace of god, the face of love

 

This song has new meaning to me this year. I have really been missing my Grandpa, and when I am driving home at 11:30 each night, I sing with him. This is one of "our" favorites. Right before he passed away, he asked me to keep singing and now I feel that I should be working on that talent again.

Turkey Day 2010

We had a very busy Thanksgiving this year! Aaron had to work a little bit, but was home by 10:30. So we went to see MegaMind with my siblings and Bryant's in-laws. They put us in the wrong theatre, so we all got free movie passes!  Then Aaron and I went to the Sperry's for Thanksgiving "lunch". I forgot the camera :( We had fun playing with ours nieces and nephews! But we'll definitley need to see the chiropractor on Monday! Once we left there, we ran home and got Grandma and brought her to my Mom's for Thanksgiving dinner. WE ATE SO MUCH TODAY!!!!

Here are some pictures of the evening.

Andrei

Wendy and EmmaLee

Picking my cousin name for Christmas

Jackie, Me, and Robyn

Ryan and Dad

Double Trouble!

Aaron by the end of the day!

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Thursday, November 18th 2010 was Grandpa Brown's viewing. It was amazing to see how many people came to pay their respects to their family member, friend, co-worker and teacher. Grandpa truly touched many people's lives. 

Friday, November 19th 2010 was Grandpa's funeral. There was another viewing at 11:00 AM and again I was amazed by all the people. Sadly, not everyone got to see him. We had a family prayer and then we said our "final" goodbyes before they closed the coffin. (That was the hardest part.) Then we had the funeral at 12. It was a beautiful ceremony. Then we headed to the graveyard. (The next hardest part.) 

Here are a few pictures of me and Grandpa. 

"A Grandpa is someone you never outgrow your need for." -Unknown

Holding his first Grandchild

Temple Square

Taking me on some rides at Hershey Park

Grandpa has a picture napping with each of his Grandchildren :)

My 15th Birthday

My 16th Birthday

At our wedding

I love and miss you Grandpa. We'll be together again someday.

Grandpa Brown

Today at 8:35 AM, Grandpa Brown passed away in his sleep. He will truly be missed but is in a better place and we know that we will see him again. We are grateful that he is no longer in pain and is reunited with his parents who he hasn't seen in over 50 years.

I love you Grandpa!

Over a Year!

It's been over a year since I left my last job. And up until recently I haven't wanted to work. But I can't wait to go back! I got a job at....

I am so excited!!! I start this Monday!!!!

Halloween

This year we went over to Bryant and Elisha's for some pumpkin carving. We started off by eating pizza and watching Hocus Pocus. Once we all had eaten, and Tricia had eaten 3 times we started carving pumpkins.

Mine, Tricia's, Aaron's, Elisha's and Bryant's

Mine up close

Aaron's up close

We didn't dress up at all this year. However, we did find the perfect costume for John! (He looks like he hates clothes, but honestly he LOVES clothes!)

For those of you who know John, know that he snorts A LOT! We call him a pig all the time! So when we found this pig costumes we just had to get it for him! He really does love it! (He needed to go potty when we took these pictures.)

10 Of My Favorite Things

So my brother wrote a blog about 10 of his favorite things that aren't people. I loved the idea and had to write one myself. At first I thought it would be easy. But as I started thinking of what makes me happy that aren't people I wasn't sure what really makes me happy. That was at first...once I started writing I was more worried about only having 10! I am the type of person that once I fall in love with something, I become very passionate about it!

10 - Smartfood Popcorn

I just LOVE Smartfood Popcorn! When Aaron brings me home a bag I get so excited! The only problem is I can't stop eating it when I open a new bag! (So, I've asked Aaron to get smaller bags) My favorite part is licking my fingers when I'm all done!

9 - The Eagles (ROAD TRIPS!)

Now I love music! But The Eagles aren't even in my top 10 favorite singers. (I know what you're thinking!) The Eagles make me so happy! Every time I hear one of their songs I get so excited! I enjoy them so much because of the feeling I have when I hear them. They make me think of road trips! I love seeing different parts of the country. I only need 10 more states to see all 50!

8 - Pens

I have worked hard on my handwriting. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted my handwriting to look like my moms. It doesn't look like hers (although I can forge her name!). I love my handwriting and I only write with pens. I love all types of pens. My favorite though is Pentel R.S.V.P. which I have a hard time finding.

7 - Stars

Stars reminds me that there is more to life then the time on this earth. This summer while camping I was able to watch a meteor shower. I was in awe! I am always amazed with the fact that most stars are burned out by the time we can see them. Stars are fascinating!

6 - Pictures

When talking about what I would save in a fire, the first thing I say is my photos albums. (That might be because I don't have kids) Looking at picture make me think of all the good times. (That might be because I don't take pictures of the bad times, but who wants to remember those anyway!) I love reminiscing and sharing memories.

5 - Thunderstorms

Oh how I miss New Jersey thunderstorms! I get so excited when it starts getting cloudy and raining. But then I remember I'm in Utah and it will be over in 15 minutes or less. But that aside, I love the smell, sounds and feelings of thunderstorms. They remind me of growing up and having to eat all the ice cream so it wouldn't melt in a power-outage.

4 - Thursdays

Thursdays have always been my favorite day of the week! Well, the more I think about it the more I realize I have a love/hate relationship with Thursdays. (At least right now because Thursdays are the hardest with my Grandparents.) But what I love about Thursdays is how close it is to the weekends, TV, and payday!

3 - Crafting

DUH! I wasn't going to put this here because of how plainly obvious it is! I just love crafting, making something with my hands. (Even though they give out on me sometimes.) I also love learning new crafts. I love knitting, scrapbooking, painting (now two kinds), making cards, and making jewelry (new!). I am always thinking of new things to make or looking at things to remodel!

2 - TV

Hi, my name is Charlene and I'm a TV-aholic! I know that some of you might judge me because I watch so much TV, but I don't care. I love TV! Here are some of my favorites. GLEE, M*A*S*H, ER, Vampire Diaries, The Office, and The Simpsons.

1 - My Dogs

It took me 21 years to get over my fear of dogs, and nothing makes me happier! I love when I make a funny noise and my dog tilts his head to the side. I think they make me so happy because dogs in general are so happy! I love going to Pet Smart and parks meeting other dogs. I have truly become passionate about dogs. I love learning about new breeds and learning about how to protect dogs from over breeding and puppy mills. I love dogs!


(I think my brother did a better job with his blog...I mentioned people!)

New Talent?

Last Wednesday I took an oil painting class with Mom, Tricia and Bryant. We has so much fun! This week Aaron and Dad thought they'd give it a try too!

Here's what we have so far :)

 This is mine....now it doesn't look like much because when I went this week, the teacher forgot my book so I had to pick another one. At first I was really upset. But when I started working on a new picture it all started coming together!

This is Aaron's. He wasn't sure if he wanted to go. He worked a very long day and just wanted to come home and relax. But very quickly realized that painting was a great way to relax and he really enjoyed it! And I think it's turning out great!

Next week, I'll take pictures of the rest of the families! I think my family may have a hidden talent to oil paint! Now we just need Elisha and Andrew to start coming and see what they can do. :)

Canadian Thanksgiving

I love Canadian Thanksgiving! Who wouldn't!? Another Thanksgiving meal!?!?! Heck YA!

We have made Canadian Thanksgiving In-Law and "adopted" family members Thanksgiving. It has been so much fun.  This year Aaron's parents and Elisha's parents and Grandma came. Nolan, Ryan and Jake, Chante and Xander all came too. And my parents friends the Everett's came, but I forgot to take pictures after we ate.

Elisha with her Mom and Grandma

Tricia, Xan and Chante

  Bryant and his Father-In-Law

 Nolan, Jake and Ryan

                                             Me and my Sisters :)

                                              My In-Laws

This was also my first Canadian Thanksgiving as a Canadian!!!!