Bernhisel Missive 2018

Merry Christmas and a Cool Yule to y’all from the south side of the Alafia river. We hope that you are enjoying this special season of the year. We look forward to your cards, pictures and notes-depicting your wonderful families, and like ours, probably receiving the mildest of achievement embellishments ! Julee and I enjoy the 50 degree weather we are having this season in Riverview Florida, but I am anxious to head out to Utah in the New year to do some serious skiing. 
This year, like all past years, has been eventful. We moved back to our Florida home from Utah in October of 2017. I (Marc) have been working since April of this year with my former partners (The Reproductive Medical Group in Tampa Bay) with our  infertility, endocrine and gynecological practices. I have also been an Orlando Temple worker on Tuesday mornings since early last year and have been the Elder’s Quorum President in our church since April. I am still busy, but not insanely so. In fact, my business and love for exercising, with some nice periodic breaks-keeps me sane (for the most part). I also keep up with biking (mountain and road), skiing and I had a wonderful 4 day- solo backpacking trip on the Teton Crest trail in the Jackson Hole Tetons in September (see below). 

Julee has had an “interesting” year. She is a Sunday School teacher for the 13-14 year olds. They love her greatly. She does, however,  bring donuts personally to them at their homes for their birthdays and cookies at other times, which might be an additional reason for their great love for her :-). She also teaches a Book of Mormon class on Thursday mornings. She was also a Temple worker until her orthopedic issues put her on the I.R. (“injured reserve”). She had her right knee replaced in July (right hip was replaced in 2016 in Utah). She fell on her knees in early September injuring both knees, hence the I.R. designation. She faces a left knee replacement in early January ’19. She is a great sweetheart to me and an outstanding mom and grandma.
We now have 20 grandkids in our 5 kid's families, with one more on the way in April of 2019,
spread over the south (S.C.-Seneca; Georgia- Acworth-near ATL;  Texas-Carrollton-near Dallas; Kingwood-near Houston; and in Utah-Centerville-near SLC).

Our hearts turn even more this year to that Child who redeemed the world and personally knows each one of us and loves us and our families dearly.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
May your holidays be filled with that peace which comes from emulating the love of Christ by loving and serving others.
We love Y’all. Marc and Julee Bernhisel

Family Updates:

Heidi and Tyler Rex are in Seneca S.C. (near Clemson) with their 4 great kids: Mckenzie, Savannah, Christian and Jackson. Heidi is doing a lot of subbing in the elementary school and may teach full time in the future. Tyler is the director of the Thrive Center-a center giving opportunities and support to special needs people. This is located in Greenville S.C.. Mckenzie (20) is in high school and transitioning soon to a Community Service Program. She is also shadowing part time in a pizzeria. Savannah (17) is  a junior in HS, a cross country and track star with eyes on BYU for college and possibly pre-med ( would like to be a pediatrician). Christian (13) is in 7th grade and loves scouts and taking care of his animals. He is the Rex  family Shuffle Board Champion. Jackson (11) is in 6th grade and loves running, hiking and mountain biking with his Popa. He plays the French horn in his school’s band.

Preston and Karee Bernhisel are in Carrollton Texas. Preston is an attorney with Baker Botts which keeps him busy along with his church duties of being on the Stake High Council. Karee is the primary president and teaches fitness classes at the gym. Cole (14) is an 8th grader and is a great pianist and also plays the euphonium in the school orchestra, as well as soccer and baseball. Carter (12) is a new deacon who also plays a mean piano (often duets with Cole) and now plays the clarinet. He is busy in baseball and tennis. Caroline (8 going on 9 in Jan) is in 3rd grade, and rounds out the Bernhisel kid piano players and she also plays the ukulele. She plays on two soccer teams and is a scoring phenom, and also plays basketball and tennis.  The youngest sib., Cambelle (4 going on 5 in March) is in preschool and a terror on the soccer field. All the kids love to visit Utah and ski.

Brooke and Mike Walden live in Centerville Utah. Brooke home teaches some of her kids and takes all of her kids to school, dancing, sports, plays and church events. Mike just changed jobs with an online cyber security  company out of Tampa, which will allow him to  stay in Utah and to mountain bike Alafia when he comes to Tampa Bay. Leila (15) is a 9th grader in high-school. She will be in a school play in January and is an outstanding singer. Andee (10) is a phenomenal dancer, singer and piano player. She also likes to ski with Popa with the Texas Bernhisels. Ethan (6) is in 1st grade and loves to dress up in Super Hero costumes. He plays the piano; is an incredible soccer player; loves to bike and started skiing last year. Brooklyn (3) has the title of “Tornado”. She is both charming and calculating as she tears through the house. She did start preschool this year. The Waldens are chicken caregivers with a coop in their back yard.

Lyndi and Kevin Ballard live in Acworth Georgia with their 4 kiddos. Lyndi takes care of her crew and tutors speech as a speech therapist  when she can. She has been the girls camp director for several years and is now a Sunday School teacher. She loves to run  and has done triathlons. She is a great skier and hopefully will get to Utah this winter to ski with her Dad. Kevin works as a physicians assistant in a radiology group and serves as Bishop in their church congregation (ward). He’s a great mountain biking companion for me when we have the opportunity. Annie (8 going on 9) is a bright, engaging girl who loves school and people. She swims competitively, does gymnastics, hikes and plays the piano. She loves it when Grandma Jules (Julee) and Popa visit her school and bring her a Moe’s quesadilla  or half of the Chick Fillet menu. Rhet (6) is a first grader who just qualified to be in the advanced class. Rhet is a good hiker, swimmer and is playing baseball. He also plays the piano. Elsie-“Put-Put” is a lively 4 year old, turning 5 early next year. She has a cute “head cock” and a gorgeous  smile when being  photographed. Elsie plays soccer and does gymnastics. Emerson Tad (2) is a happy toddler who falls asleep and wakes up with a Gator football in his arms. He loves to throw balls and to tackle or be tackled by someone. He is a bright youngster who speaks great for a two year old boy.

Wrapping up the family tree we have Jenny Leigh and Lance Pendleton and their four superb kids (and a 5th on the way in April).  Jenny Leigh, like her sisters, runs a taxi service to and from the schools, stores and multiple activities that her family has. She is a secretary in the Young Women’s program of the church and is involved in school and sports activities of her active kiddos. Lance is a great dad and  loves to take kids, cousins and friends on his motor boat for wake boarding and enjoying the lakes and rivers. He coaches baseball and basketball and works for Baker Hughes oil company as an account manager. David Marc (had to get in that outstanding middle name) who is 8, soon to be 9 years old- is a friendly, happy young man with his academics (third grade) as well as sports skills. He is a great lefty batter in baseball and plays many field positions. He loves basketball and many other sports and plays the piano. Gavin (7) is a first grader and loves sports and is good at them as well. Gavin always has a cute mysterious  smile on his face which leaves one thinking he is up to something- which he may or may not tell you about. Mille just turned 5 years old. She is a happy and beautiful girl who is a wiz at soccer and looks out for  her little sister Maggie (2 and one half) who seems to keep up with her sibs most of the time.

Events in 2018 (Christmas Holidays of 2017)

Christmas in Riverview Florida  2017

Julee with "Chief Elf Bernie"

Grands with Christmas PJs

The Chaos of Christmas

Gavin with Texas Cowboy gear 

Annual Polar Bear Swim Challenge-FREEZING C-O-L-D

To be a Polar Bear, one has to dive in and swim
the length of the pool (without crying)

Tampa Aquarium- Caroline, Carter and Andee

Caroline and Andee swinging the hips

Popa can swing the hips too!

The baptism of our three grandkids called the "Triplets"-(born within a month of each other)

David Marc Pendleton (Kingwood Tx.)

Annie Ballard (Acworth Ga.)

Caroline Bernhisel (Carrolton, Tx)

Spring Break at Heber City-Skiing (March)

Heber Valley looking at Mt. Timpanogos 

Daddy Daughter date for Brooke and me at Solitude

Carter and Popa B-lunch break at Solitude

L-R, Marc/Dad/Popa, Carter, Caroline, Karee, Cambelle, Preston, Ethan, Cole and Andee

Popa B and Cole

Caroline and Andee

Andee, Popa and Caroline

First time skiing for Cambelle and Ethan-both did great!

A brief trip for the Rex Family to Florida (April)

Jackson, Heidi and Dad/Popa moutain biking at Alafia

North Carolina Raleigh Mission Reunion (May)

We had a Temple night at the Provo City Temple for our former missionaries and the following night, we had our NCRM seniors over to our Heber Home. The next day Saturday, we changed from a venue in Provo Canyon to our home as it was raining and cold, for our young returned missionaries, spouses and kids.

Senior Dinner and Gathering 

Young returned missionaries and families

Viewmont H.S. 50th reunion (June)

Greg Kjar (Student Body Pres.) Arb Nordgran (Senior Class Pres), Marc

Marc, Jan Owen Boardman , Alan Cleverly, Greg Kjar

My letterman's jacket picture from 1968. See Blog "1968, what a year"

Julee's knee replacement (July)

Tetons (Jackson Hole Wyo.) 4 day solo back pack and our stay at Jenny Lake Lodge (September)

Starting the back pack by going up Granite Canyon to Marion Lake

Last night in Cascade Canyon looking up at the Grand and Mt Owens

Last Night cooking Pad Thai--yummmm!

"Bivy" Tent

My Favorite Lake-Jenny Lake -on the Left the Grand Teton, Teewinot and Owens;
Cascade Canyon; on the right Symmetry Spire, Rock Chuck and Mt St John

Leigh Lake

Jackson Hole- Tetons

Dinner at Jenny Lake Lodge. I worked in the restaurant at JLL in 1968 -See our Blog "1968 what a year" posted this year (2018)

Julee at String Lake-Leigh Lake trail

Gator Football-after many years of mediocre football, we were

energized by the hiring of Coach Dan Mullen

Kevin, Lyndi, Julee and I attending the "Swamp" at UF for the LSU game
which we WON!!

Chruch Rescue/Help to Bristol and Panama City after Hurricane  

Michael (October and November)

Valrico ward team at Bristol (Florida Panhandle). Picture behind us shows a tree smashing
the roof of a barn. A common site. 

Keith Mortensen, Marc and Chad Bowman after sawing up
downed trees the whole day

Tent City in  Panama City-there were over 800 volunteers that weekend from LDS churches in the south.

Trip to SC and Georgia to see Kids, Grands and do some Mountain 

Biking and Exploring

At Savannah's state Cross Country meet in Columbia SC

The Rex family at Seneca SC

Triple Falls at DuPont-while Mountain Biking

Lake Fontana at Tsali Mountain Bike Trail 

Our Favorite Bryson City NC Bed and Breakfast -The Calhoon House

On the trail with my bike "Bernie Boy"

Smokey Mountains-"Road to Nowhere"

Mist over the Smokies

Visiting the Ballards in Acworth Ga.

Rhet, Emmerson, Annie and Elsse 

Kevin and Kids for a day hike with Popa

Annie and Rhet's school with Elsie

Thanksgiving at Ft. DeSoto (Bernhisel tradition of going to the Beach; fried turkey and hush puppies, sometimes camping, but never eating inside)

Good friends, fellow outdoor Thanksgiving buffs

Can't beat Florida at the beach in November

GOOD BYE  TILL 2019