Wendover Weekend

Since I will have to work weekends for awhile, we decided to take a short trip to Wendover just to "get-a-way" without having to go too far. Not too much to do there. But we had a king-size jacuzzi suite! The jacuzzi tub was huge!!!! For the most part we didn't even need to leave to casino/hotel.

I only got two pictures of the trip and they were of the drive there. Aaron wanted me to take a picture of the man made tree. (It is the only tree around for miles!!!!)

Our friends, the Cotner's, watched our little dogs for us. I think they had a lot of fun playing with their 2 dogs and their little boy Colton. Colton was so sad when Bella left he even climbed in the kennel with her! :)

Birthday Fun

Last night was just what I needed. We celebrated my birthday with my family. Mom made me Grampy's fries and Bryant and Elisha made this awesome, Marvin the Martian cake!!!!

They also brought 3 Wii games for us all to play. Micheal Jackson expirence, Just Dance 2 and Dance on Broadway! It was so much fun! Even Mom and Dad got into it!!! MJ was my favorite and the next game I have to get!!!!

In a slump!

Sorry guys, but this is a depressing post. Because I am depressed. So, if you don't want to get depressed, or if you will get offend STOP READING NOW! My life hasn't turned out the way I'd planed for, but I guess whose does, right!?! Usually, I love my birthday, but this year it was just a day to remind me I am another year older without what I really want. I am told over and over again that there is still time and that I am still young. But the older I get, the more I worry and the more depressed I become. And my living situation isn't helping me at all. We have no room, no privacy and someone who is trying to be our mother. I am normally a very positive person, however living with someone who is negative all the time, really gets to me and is adding very much to my depression. Yet when I talk about moving by the end of this summer I get grief from members of my family and I feel that it's because then they would have to help out more and they don't want to. In order for me to get out of this depression, I need to do what is best for me and not worry about what others think. How is getting our own home a bad thing?! We have put our life on hold and sacrificed a lot to move in here and take care of my Grandma. And I can't do it anymore! I'm sorry, but I just can't for my own sake. I want a good relationship with my Grandma, the way it use to be, but I can't have that living here. I didn't write this to offend anyone, but I did warn you. I don't want sympathy or advise, I just needed to vent and get my feelings out.

New Year and New Toy!!!

We had a very mellow New Years, since it was snowing so bad all day New Year's Eve, we decided to stay home and play Mario Kart!

Now my new toy! Aaron hates shopping for me and since my brithday is coming up, I told him I wanted a new computer and that I would go get it with him so he would be off the hook! I LOVE IT!!! It is an hp all in one, touch screen! I didn't realize how much I was missing out on in the blogging world! (And the internet world all together!)

Sorry about all the crap in the backround! I was also eating soup!!! :)

Merry Chirstmas

It's hard to believe another Christmas has come and gone! This year it didn't really feel like Christmas. I don't know if it was because our family had such a hard year, or if it's because I could decorate. We did go buy a little tree and once the presents started going under it, it didn't look so sad.

Christmas Eve, we went to a movie with the family, we saw Tangled, and we love it! It was the second time Aaron and I saw it, and we would go again and again! Then we went to mom's and did our Christmas Eve traditions. Then all the siblings headed over to Bryant and Elisha's to spend the night. But not much sleep happened. Again this year, the "in-laws" were first to fall asleep!

Christmas Morning, we went back to Mom and Dad's to open up our presents. We were able to spoil everyone this year and we had so much fun watching them open their gifts! 

We surprised Bryant and Elisha and got them a Wii! Bryant screamed like a girl, he was so excited and surprised!

Dad painted this for Aaron. It was a picture Aaron took on his mission in North Carolina, after a second hurricane in a row. We love it!!!

 Nanny sent us each a pair of these awesome Canadian mittens. They are so warm!!! And when you put them together, you make a full maple leaf!

I think for the first time ever, I am glad that Christmas is over. But I sure love spending time with my wonderful family!!!

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!!!!