Bernhisel Family Blog 2023
About this Blog for 2023. There are two major parts. The first part is our (Marc and Julee's) experiences, special times and moments in 2023. This does include our trips and visits with our dear families. The second part is a direct message from our 5 children about them and their kiddos (we have 21 unique and wonderful grandchildren) and their pictures. If you want to quickly get to our kids/the 2nd major part, look for the ====== division mark in the blog.
Merry Christmas and a Coolest of Yule’s to You, from the south side of the Alafia River in our Riverview Florida home. This is the “Bernhisel Christmas Missive” for 2023 .
This has been an interesting year for us, even though we have been at “home” in Florida (and not elsewhere on a Church mission or practicing my medical specialty at a distant medical school, etc.). Julee and I have also been at our Heber City, Utah home, multiple times during the ski season (with kids and grand kids) and in the summer and fall to be with family, friends and former missionaries. We also spent a delightful time in San Jose, California, visiting with our young adult church friends, who we knew and loved when on our most recent mission. Two eternal marriages had occurred with very dear friend couples (who were’t really dating when we left there in August of ’22) and we had very fun dinners with both of the couples.
Julee and I are currently serving as “ordnance workers” at the Orlando Temple for our church and also are the director and assistant director of our church’s communication committee (formerly “pubic relations”) and in that context, have met with and helped a number community service pantries as well as befriended several religious leaders and have participated in community service. It is a large, but compelling effort to broaden our outreach and have synergy amongst religions and serve in the needs of the community.
Our family is our most precious gift. Our five kids, seem to be well situated in their communities: Heidi, Tyler and four our grandkids in Seneca S.C.; Preston, Karee and four kids/grandkids in Carrollton (close to Dallas) Texas; Brooke and Mike and four kids/grands in Layton Utah; Lyndi and Kevin and four kids/grands in Akworth Georgia (close to Atlanta) and Jenny Leigh and Lance and 5 kids/grands in Kingwood (close to Houston). We have 4 grandkids that have graduated from high school-Savannah returned from her mission in Reno Nevada, in March and is now at BYU. Leila is graduating from the U of Florida, and will be pursing medical/nursing opportunities. Cole is serving as a church service missionary and Mckenzie continues to delight us with her humor and brilliance.
We (Julee and our children, their spouses, and 21 wonderful grandkids) love our Savior Jesus Christ and His personal Atonement of redemption and grace for all of us. It has been stated that if there was no Easter (crucifixion and resurrection) with that sacrifice and atonement, there would be no reason for the Christmas celebration. The Book of Mormon describes the Resurrected Savior healing, “one by one” the ill and injured (3 Nephi 17:7-10) and blessings He bestowed, “one by one” upon “their little children..and He wept” for them (3 Nephi 17:12, 21-23). We love Him and our Heavenly Father.
Merry Christmas Y’all!
The Bernhisels
Breakfast with the Waldens in Ogden
Utah
Jenny Leigh & Marc Hattie -outside
A view of Heber Valley and Mt Timpanogos
Preston and his family (Cole, Carter, Popa/Marc. Cambelle, Caroline and Preston) at Solitude. March '23
Cambelle's 9th Birthday at the Heber home
JKB, Leila, Andee, Ethan, Brooke, Brooklyn, Mike & MAB |
Brooklyn turns 8 and is baptized.
Now in April '23, the Ballards come to Heber for snow fun and skiing.
The Ballards, Waldens and Grandma and Popa B (Kevin, Lyndi, Elsie, Andee, Sonny, Ethan, Grandma Julee, Rhet, Annie, Brooklyn and Popa Marc/Bernie)
Snow fun at Heber (the creation of Olaf!!)
In late 2022, Julee and I were assigned in our church to be the Brandon Stake Communication Assistant Director and Director (formerly called the Stake Public Relations director). We have worked with several church and community leaders. Probably our biggest effort has been to support the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry at St. Stephens Catholic church on Boyette Rd. in Riverview, which serves the community.
Food being brought to the pantry from the Stake Center-ward members. Denise Essex (above right and below) is the Pantry President.
Seminary Classes from the Brandon Stake Center (youth and parents) donated over 300 pounds of food to the pantry.
In the spring and summer, we had a wonderful time visiting San Jose, where we served in 2021-2022 with the young adults, being with our grandson Cole Bernhisel as he graduated from High School and obtaining his Eagle Scout award.
We also hosted friends from The Reproductive Medicine group (mostly retired) and went out to Utah in late August to mid September and kept busy with family, friends, football (Univeristy of Florida versus U of Utah--the Utes won). We also went up to our beloved Tetons and enjoyed hikes, backpack, river rafting and staying at Jenny Lake Lodge (where I worked as a 17 year old fresh out of high school).
RMG "Old Heads" gathering at our home
MAB,JKB, Bill Smalley (husband of Lynn Smalley who passed in 2021), Debbie Cuevas, Kathy Hardy, Cindy and Stan Phillips, Sherry Mackeil. With Barry and Arline Verkauf in front.
Off to Utah
David and Sarah Smith Gillespie |
Wedding Celebration of former NCRM missionary Amanda Anderson Taylor and husband T-Tay Taylor |
and Mike Walden.
"Bernhisel Corner" Lewiston Utah (Paul, Staci, Josh Schrader, Maddi (Madison Bernhisel Schrader) Gretchen, Brenna, Brylee and Kolten with Rylie in front,) JKB, MAB, Ann and Bill. July 4th
NCRM Reunion-Heber Home
Marilyn Abney and her sister, Robert and Maurine Miles, Rachel and Bradley Roberts, Jeff and Kristin Langford Dobenar & kids, Josue Salinas and family, Enoch and Stephanie Boekweg and kiddos.
Other Events: 1) 49th anniversary 2) Florida Buddies (reunions with Florida Friends now residing in the West) 3) Family
Florida Buddies . Front Gordon & Cheryl Edgin, Christian Rex (Grandson), Kimmie Clark, Will and Peggy Redd. Back Heidi and Mckenzie Rex (daughter and grand daughter ) Fil Martin and wife (Kimmie's parents), Doug and Kimmie Chandler, JKB and MAB.
Viewmont High School '68 buddies: JoAnn Briggs Olsen, Frank Taylor, Brent and LeeAnn Cleverly. Black Bear Restaurant -Woods Cross.
Christian and Brooke's July Birthdays
A visit to the Waldens house from Colby and Michelle Arave Holt
with their kids. Bradelyn, in her mom's arms, had some health issues that have been gradually overcome.
Midway/ Heber Valley
Christian and Brooke's July Birthdays
A visit to the Waldens house from Colby and Michelle Arave Holt
with their kids. Bradelyn, in her mom's arms, had some health issues that have been gradually overcome.
Next came the trip to the Grand Teton National Park
I came up to the Tetons this year before Julee. I hiked up my typical "warm ups" to the area by Bradley and Taggart Lake and up to Surprise Lake (with Savannah's Boulder) and then to Amphitheater Lake.
Next day, I hiked to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point in preparation for what was intended to be a 4 day back pack (done six times before) from Granite Canyon, which was inaccessible because of road work by the start of the canyon, so I switched to taking the gondola from Teton Village. Hiking, with a well overstocked backpack, caused much cramping and pain. Long story short, I did go to the usual overnight camping area of Marion lake, but decided because of the persistent pain, to go down the next morning through Granite Canyon and hike over to Teton Village where my truck was parked, via the Valley Trail.
I then did some hiking the following day in Jackson Hole at String and Leigh lake trails prior to Julee arriving that afternoon, and then she and I did the Hidden Falls hike (by way of Jenny Lake boat ride) the next day. She did amazing well. And yes, we did stay at Jenny Lake Lodge and eat at the superb resturant that I worked at some 55 years ago.
Backpack Tent by Lake Marion
Backpack Tent by Lake Marion
Teton Crest |
White water rafting on the Snake Rive |
Always special eating and staying at Jenny Lake Lodge |
Shortly after coming home to Florida in late September, we visited our two girl's families in Seneca, South Carolina and Acworth, Georgia. Our favorite "in between" place in SW North Carolina is Bryson City.
Mckenzie has stayed at a home for the |
With the Rex family including Roxy in S.C. |
The Ballard home in Ackworth, Ga. Annie, MAB,JKB, Elsie Lyndi, Sonny, Kevin and Rhet |
Back to the Sunshine State
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Now our Bernhisel families by Kids
Heidi and Tyler Rex-Seneca South Carolina
Preston and Karee Bernhisel Family- Carrollton
Texas
Preston and Karee Bernhisel are in Dallas, Texas. Preston is a corporate partner with Baker Botts (legal firm), which keeps him busy along with his church duties in the Stake Presidency. In addition to managing the family and all the kids’ activities, Karee is in the presidency of the Relief Society (the women’s organization) at church and enjoys tennis and pickleball. Cole (19) graduated from High School, received his Eagle Scout award and is now a service missionary (volunteering at various non-profit organizations), plays bass guitar, and loves to mountain bike, backpack, listen to music on walks with their dog Dexter, complete puzzles and attend rock concerts with Preston! Carter (17) now in 11th grade, plays guitar, and enjoys studying, strategy board games and cards with friends, backpacking, mountain biking, reading and his Cockatiel bird named “Harley.” He recently started fencing! Caroline (soon to be 14) is in 8th grade, plays piano and french horn, and loves soccer, volleyball, reading, hanging out with friends, singing in Millennial Choirs and Orchestras (MCO), and playing with Dexter. She also started refereeing youth soccer games. Cambelle (9) now in 4th grade plays piano and loves softball and soccer, singing in MCO, rollerblading, chess club, creating art and movies and playing with Dexter. She recently played the lead role in the Annie musical. All the kids love to spend time boating on the lake near their house and traveling to see family.
Carter |
Preston and Karee's clan |
Brooke and Mike Walden Family- Layton Utah
Brooke and Mike Walden live in Layton (Davis County) Utah. The theme for the Walden’s in 2023 has been to finish strong (or simply survive depending on the day!) starting with Brooke who, by the time you read this, will have graduated from Weber State as an RN. We are all so proud of how focused and determined Brooke has been and we know she is going to be an incredible asset to the medical community. As part of her program, Brooke is working part-time in the surgical recovery unit at McKayDee Hospital and completing her capstone in the NICU at Ogden Regional. Brooke is also the YW President in the ward. Needless to say, she’s had her hands full lately! Mike is an advisor in the Church’s Young Men’s program and a VP at a software startup called Skilljar. He continues to enjoy biking, weightlifting and spends most of his free time torturing his kids with rules and chores while Brooke is focused on wrapping up this phase of her schooling.
Leila (20) returned home from Hawaii around this time last year and has spent the last year finishing her Bachelor’s at UF (another REAL Gator in the fam) where she’ll graduate on December 16 this year in Psycobiology. Leila has also gotten a great taste of motherhood as she has pitched in a lot around the house with the family, cooking meals, transporting siblings, and putting out fires (literally and sibling rivalry related). She plans to return to Hawaii for a few months after graduation while she sorts out the next step in her education and career. Andee (15) has come into her own this year, particularly with school and extracurricular activities where she is the junior high student body president, in orchestra and choir, and preparing to play Katherine in her school's production of Newsies this coming spring. Ethan (11) is now in 6th grade and is having a blast. He's been playing basketball, soccer, and football, learning the guitar, and is the family magician always keeping the family intrigued and entertained. This year at school he was the Mayor of JA City, on the student council, and finished 3rd in the school chess tournament. Last, but never to be left out is Brooklyn (8) who is now in 3rd grade and, like her big brother, had a lot of fun playing soccer and running track this year. She’s done exceptionally well in school and is the fireball that keeps our family energized and laughing. Aside from sports and school, her year has been filled with hiking nearby trails, riding her bike, and being constantly on the go with her neighborhood friends.
Lyndi and Kevin Ballard Family-Acworth Georgia