Dad and Mom: Have you ever played the game Operation over and over again? Well, that’s how the summer was for Mom, except she was the one being operated on! Thankfully, she’s recovered, mostly. Dad was able to go to Las Vegas for another job training conference in November. It is such a joy to watch Dad as the wind blows in his face, his lungs heavily breathing in the summer air and the beautiful morning sun shines down on him as he rides his hand-crank cycle. It’s what keeps him alive. As he points out the bird’s new nest along the way, or tells us about the cow herd, and how they’ve moved from one place to another, you can tell how he loves God’s creations.  He has come to know the little things that many of us whiz past in our cars along the freeway never paying attention to. Emma is grateful to have spent time enjoying these things with her Papa this year. Of course, both Mom and Dad enjoy their grandkids. Dad will say, “I haven’t seen Brennon in a long time!” and I’ll think it’s only been four days! LOL! Dad loves having Brennon spend the weekends where they watch movies like Cars and Happy Feet. They go to church, the movies, and play cars together. Mom is known to bring books and “treats” to the boys. They are the best grandparents.

RJ and Ann Sparkman Family: Well… They were the best of times and the “diaperest” of times. We are still working on getting Brennon potty trained. Corbin may end up beating him in that department this year.  Brennon is now three. He’s figured out how the XBOX works and how to get Netflix going to watch his “Fireman Sam” and “Shaun the Sheep” videos. It’s amazing to see his growth over the last year. His vocabulary is expanding every day and he never ceases to amaze us with his kindness. Brennon really looks out for his brother. He’s been showing Corbin all of the ropes from getting on the couch to turning the power off on the fish tank. This time next year he’ll be putting us under the table with his gaming proficiency!

Corbin is now one. He’s walking like a zombie, but with Brennon’s help he’ll be jumping between the couches in no time. Corbin reminds us each and every day how simple life should be. He’s really into watching and singing to “Dora the Explorer” and stealing his brothers’ toys. We’ve learned that getting two of the same toy isn’t enough. Corbin wants to be just like his brother and when his brother has something he wants it too! It’s amazing how quickly he’s growing up and learning how to be a great kid.  As for the status of us the parents, we realize our parents weren’t crazy because they wanted to be. It’s forced sleep deprivation! Ann is doing the hardest job in the world being a full-time mother. We appreciate her sacrifice in this endeavor. Our family really benefits from her hard work on the home front. RJ is still working in Bountiful at the hospital. If he’s not spending time with the kids or Ann, he’s most likely on the XBOX. Thankfully, he and Ann have been able to find some games they like to play together. We’d like to thank everyone for their continued love and support. May you all have a wonderful holiday season this year! We wish everyone the best and may 2012 be as fun as 2011!

Bobby and Emma McNeal Family: We have really enjoyed our first year with our son. Our first family campout was with Grandpa and Grandma McNeal to Mt. Pleasant during the Memorial Day weekend. We did not even complain when we woke up to snow! Bobby and  Emma trained with Dad Sparkman for a 26 mile bike ride on Antelope Island by riding with him along the Legacy Parkway on Saturday mornings. We were able to complete the 26 miler with Aunt Patrice and Uncle Brett Holbrook. It was a big accomplishment that Emma was excited to achieve. It was made even better to do it with her best friend Bobby!  In August, Emma began another journey she has wanted for her whole life… nursing school. She has LOVED it. That same month she became pregnant with their second child. In October, they discovered that Emma had had a placental hemorrhage. As a family, they have been grateful for the love and support of the family and friends who have helped them with meals, laundry, and just playing with Shaun as Emma has been on bed rest. They are grateful Emma is getting better and that the new little one is growing and will be joining the family around June 1, 2012 (Emma originally wrote 2013…. That’s a long pregnancy!!!). Together, they love watching Shaun do his “touchdown” sign, bouncing on his knees like Tigger, and laughing so hard at silly little things. May the Lord bless you this Holiday Season.

Jake and Lisa Sparkman Family: What can we say about this year? It has been one of many small but bounteous blessings. Lisa and I are still in love.  She loves her hugs and kisses… and so do I J. Lisa still loves her job and it’s a great place to work.  She’s my “sugar-momma”.  I’m her “kept” man.  Jake has the blessing of going to school full time. He is working on his “eduamacation” in business. He has also had a lot of fun on Fridays with his cousin Thomas on our ride to and from school. This summer we had fun taking care of our wonderful mother by working on the lawn and in the garden. Our “taters” were the cream of the crop, one of the potatoes was the size of Shaun’s head!!!! May the Lord bless you this rest of the year and the year to come. We love you all!

Caleb and Stephanie Jerome Family: This year we started our eternal family! There were so many trials at the beginning of the year that many doubts arose whether this marriage would actually happen. But on July 1^st, 2011, we were married in the Bountiful temple. Caleb is finishing his Associate’s degree at SLCC this year, while I’ll be graduating from Weber State with my Bachelors in Public Relations in the Spring.  It’s been very difficult to juggle full time school with my job at the portrait studio. Caleb has been blessed with a full time job at Harrington’s Construction Supplies center, which he supplements with part time work at Shopko. We hardly ever get to see each other. But the moments that we spend together are simply the best.

Note:  Click on the photos below to see a larger picture of the thumbnails on this page.

Note:  Click on the photos below to see a larger picture of the thumbnails on this page.  Used by permission of Rodney Sparkman III (c) copyright 2010

Family Activity 2 - Coming Soon!