Sunday, December 18, 2022

Marc and Julee Bernhisel 2022 Review and Christmas Message

Marc and Julee Bernhisel 

Christmas Message, Family Update 

 

&

 

2022 Review.



Tuesday Institute Night 


 









YSA Dance night.


Merry Christmas and a Cool Yule  to Y'all. This is our "Christmas Missive" for the year 2022-and what a year it has been! This time- a year ago, Julee  and I were living in an apartment in downtown  San Jose California, five months into our mission as Senior Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. We were assigned to mentor, teach and befriend the  Young Single Adults ("YSAs"-18-30 years old- technically, but expanded somewhat in S.J.) in the Washington Square Branch (the "WSB" building is within a few blocks of the  San Jose State Campus) and the San Jose Institute-a gathering of YSA's with  lessons, food and activities together. 

Julee had been the "chief cook" for the Wednesday night Institute dinner, serving up to 50+ people at the WSB. I was part of her dinner-helping team.  I also shared in teaching the lessons with the Institute Director, David Bohn. The blessings of Jesus Christ's atonement were discussed in the later part of '21 and  Emotional Resilience was taught and discussed in the first half of '22 . We also attended the YSA/WSB activities (fun games, dances, karaoke, firesides, and outdoor hikes),  taught in Sunday School and attended Family Home Evenings, which in addition to  a short- good lesson also included fun activities and of course FOOD!

In December, we suggested that  a Tuesday night institute class be added, which was welcomed by our Institute Director. In January '22 we started the Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon  on Tuesdays both in person and by ZOOM discussing such topics as Adam and Eve and their faith, obedience and the freedom of choice. We also discussed the Gathering of Israel and the Freedom of Religion as providentially placed in the Book of Mormon and focused on the Savior and His atonement. It was so illuminating to be with these additional wonderful YSA people (more details and pictures will follow). Julee made "muffin tops" and some healthy snacks for the group. We then had Tuesday and Wednesday Institute gatherings, food and lessons, which continued to our mission's end in August. 

As our mission ended, we returned to our Heber City, Utah home and enjoyed several reunions there including with our former N.C. missionaries, former Florida "Buddies"now living in Utah and the Bernhisel siblings, cousins and families.    Julee and I also traveled up to our beloved Tetons in Jackson Hole and flew back to Florida to attend the Utah v Florida Gator's game.

In late September we headed towards Texas with our SUV and Ford pickup truck-attached to a 6x12 U-Haul, filled to the gills- trailer. We stopped in to our son Preston's home near Dallas and later to be with our youngest daughter Jenny Leigh at her home near Houston. We finally shoved off to Florida and made it home in early October.  Shortly after  returning to Florida, we visited  our daughter Heidi's home in Senica S.C. and Lyndi's in Acworth (close to Atlanta).  Julee had a fun surprise for her 70th birthday in October. All the kids surprised her by secretly showing up (hid in the garage and jumped out to surprise/scare her) in Florida. They had compiled some marvelous photos/videos and had recorded comments by Julee's close friends, who detailed Julee's attributes and love. All of them stayed at our home and the next day we all  went to our old stomping grounds in Gainesville Florida, to attend a Gator's football game. 

We feel that we have been so blessed to such an extreme by becoming such good friends with the San Jose young adults this past year. We will never forget them. We are also blessed with wonderful children, their spouses and grandchildren (#21). Three of them were baptized/confirmed while we were in S.J. (thank goodness for Zoom!). We are also so grateful  for the eternally needed sacrifice and atonement of our dear Savior Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate and ultimately to our Heavenly Parents, whose presence and love we feel. We wish you and your family a wonderful and inspired holiday. We love y'all!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year-2023 to Y'all!

Love Marc and Julee 

Blog Outline

1. Family, Kids and Grandkids updates and pics. 

2. Our 2022 journey with pics and descriptions. 


The Bernhisel Family updates


The Rex family (Jackson, Heidi, Christian and Tyler) in Alaska







Tyler and Jackson at the Grand Canyon


Heidi & Tyler Rex and family live in Seneca, South Carolina (15 minutes from Clemson). Heidi is teaching Kindergarten at the elementary school where all of her children went to school. Tyler is still the director at Thrive Upstate in Greenville, SC. His agency provides services and support to special needs individuals. He and Heidi enjoy hiking together in the beautiful mountains nearby. Mckenzie (24) is living at a home in the Thrive Agency, with other adults with special needs. She loves to come home and visit every month. Savannah (21) is serving a mission in Reno, Nevada for the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is finding such joy in serving and inviting others to come unto Christ. Christian (17) is a Junior at Walhalla High School where he enjoys being the boys football and basketball manager and participating in FFA.-Jackson (15) is a Sophomore in HS, and is a talented guitarist. He continues to love hiking and backpacking. 



McKenzie 

Savannah (Sister Rex) on her mission in the Reno-Nevada Mission with her companion enjoying the snowy weather.

At the Reno Temple. Savannah completes her mission
at the end of February '23


Tyler and Heidi hiking in Alaska














Joined by Jackson and Christian 

Heidi in her Kindergarten Class
















Heidi and Christian -Huge Clemson fans!


Jackson with Roxie 


_______________________________________________________



Preston and Karee Bernhisel family


Karee and Preston 



A visit to the Bernhisels on Preston's birthday in Sept. '22, as we traveled 
to Florida from Utah.

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 pickle-ball. Cole (18) now in 12th grade, plays bass guitar, and loves to mountain bike, backpack, listen to music on walks with their dog Dexter and attend rock concerts with Preston!  He works at Main Event, a food and entertainment center. Carter (16) now in  10th grade, plays guitar, and enjoys strategy board games and cards with friends, backpacking, mountain biking, reading and his Cockatiel bird named “Harley.” He is now driving and is prepping pizzas at a local pizza place. Caroline (soon to be 13) is in 7th grade, plays piano and french horn, and loves soccer, volleyball, reading, hanging out with friends and mountain biking.  She played for her middle school volleyball team and is now playing basketball.  Cambelle (8) now in 3rd grade plays piano and loves tennis and softball, spending time with Dexter-their dog, and riding her bike and rollerblading. All the kids love to spend time boating on the lake near their house and traveling to see family.

Cole is a senior in HS
and looking to do a Chruch 
Service mission after graduation
Cole plays the Bass Guitar
I sometimes refer to him as "Paul"
(Paul McCartney-played the bass for the
Beatles)





Carter is in 10th grade and doing great in all 
the AP classes. He loves the outdoors and enjoys
mountain biking and backpacking-He also loves "Harley"  his  Cockateel 

 bird

Caroline is a busy soon to be
13 year old, who loves school, piano, French Horn
and is a rocket soccer player. 








Caroline and Cambelle (pictured here) sing in 
the Millennial Choir and Orchestra concert .         They performed
while the Bernhisel and Howard grandparents sat in amazement
of the MC&Os outstanding performance as we visited them in Texas



Cambelle is a fun, perky and entertaining 
8 year old. She plays softball and tennis and loves to roller  blade
while walking Dexter the Bernhisel dog. 


Cambelle was baptized this year 







AND--here's Dexter. My favorite
Grand Dog!



________________________________________________



The Walden Family



The family trip to Hawaii in November to see Leila





A visit by Popa and G'ma B, just before we departed from Utah.



Brooke and Mike Walden live in Layton  (Davis County) Utah. 2022 has been an amazing year for us with so many great memories and changes.

Brooke is now finished with her nursing program prerequisites and is a semester deep into her Nursing program at Weber State.  She is also working part time as a certified nurse assistant (CNA). She's doing great in school and loving her classes.  Mike is an advisor in the Church’s Young Men’s program and started a new role as a VP at a software startup called Skilljar.  He absolutely loves the company and executive team there. He continues to enjoy biking, weightlifting and picking up more dad duties while Brooke pursues her degree.  


They continue to miss Leila (19) and are are incredibly proud of the young adult she's become.  After living in Grandpa and Grandma Bernhisel’s house in Florida and attending the University of South Florida (USF in Tampa) for that year, has spent the last 6 months living on her own in Hawaii (Kauai) while attending her USF courses online. She'll do this again next semester as well, while enjoying the cliffs, beaches and all the beauty of the islands that has started to feel like home to her. Andee (14) continues to grow up so fast and although she's dialed back her dancing, she's replaced it with music theater (she'll be performing Adams Family this semester) and cello. She's filled the role oldest child like amazingly and is a wonderful role model for her younger siblings. Ethan (10) is now in 5th grade and is really enjoying his move from private to public schools.  He's been playing basketball, learning the guitar, and is the family jokester always keeping the family laughing. He's now read every release of Calvin and Hobbes, Captain Underpants, and has started writing his own comics.  Last, but never to be left out is Brooklyn (7) who is now in 2nd grade and, like her big brother, had a lot of fun playing soccer this year and learning to play the ukulele. Aside from sports and school, her year has been filled with hiking nearby trails with her dad, riding her bike, and playing with her new neighborhood friends.




Leila is a quite a traveler-coming from Utah and completing
her first year in college in Florida (USF) and 
now in Hawaii for her second college year taking
classes online. 

















 









Andee (14 years old) is a talented dancer, piano player and cello player. She is the "Big Sister" in 
the family with Leila gone. Loves the outdoors and 
promises to ski with her Popa B this year.






Ethan "Bubba" loves all sorts 
of games, sports, animals and adventures
He is very bright and humorous. 



Ethan kayaking with Mike







Brooklyn, the great 7 year old 2nd grader. Like 
her big bro., she loves the outdoors and plays soccer 



___________________________________




The Ballard Family 




Kevin and Lyndi 


Lyndi and Kevin Ballard

Lyndi and Kevin  live in Acworth Georgia, close to Atlanta with their 4 kids. 

Lyndi works as a mom with her kids, and as a speech therapist specializing in speech sound  and feeding disorders. She teaches the 14-15 year olds in Sunday School. She 

She loves adventure racing, skiing, and mountain biking. She did fit in a couple of

Florida Gator football games (including the Gator victory over the University of Utah and the Gator game with her siblings and mom and dad for her mom’s 70th birthday).  Lyndi goes to some Atlanta Braves baseball

games with the family.  Kevin continues work as a Physicians Assistant (PA) in

interventional radiology—and has been serving 2 years now

in the stake presidency. Lyndi is planning for an adventure race along with Kevin in 2023.

Annie, soon to be 13, is in 7th  grade and has participated in school lacrosse. Her priorities are: school Lacrosse, Friends -Friends & Friends. She is taking guitar lessons and is getting A’s in all her advanced classes.


Rhet is now 10 years old and in the 5th grade. He successfully completed his first season of cross country running with 6-8th graders and shaved 2 minutes off his time at the end of the season. He currently plays basketball and enjoys all things animal (pet frog- and dog-Archie) and the outdoors. He plays the piano. Elsie is 8 years old and in 3rd grade. She completed her first season of competitive soccer as a striker and loves to “sole role” with the ball to throw off the defenders. Elsie is kind, witty, and always thinking of others…including how to pawn off her little brother and roomie Sonny, to another sibling.                 

Sonny (Emerson), age 6 started Kindergarten. He came home the first day with a smug face and simply said, “I crushed it.” He then came home the second day and asked how much longer he had to go to school for? He was tired of having been told what to do all day. He made it to the playoffs in baseball and is now “crushing it” , as he would say, in basketball. 


Annie is soon to be a teenager! She loves life
and her  friends and she works hard in school 














Halloween picture of Annie and a friend
dressed like the 60's Hippies 







Rhet finishing a Cross Country Race 



Elsie the "Cop", Sonny -one of the Mario Brothers and
Rhet, a swamp monster-eat snacks at the Church's Halloween party.












Elsie is a cute, funny character who is a 
fabulous soccer player 



Elsie's Baptism, attended by her aunt Heidi 





Sonny (Emerson) and Lyndi at a school farm visit


Sonny's 6th Birthday breakfast.  This one in bed!!



__________________________________





The Pendleton family. A visit to their home by Popa and G'ma B on our way to Florida


The Pendletons at the beach.


Lance and Jenny Leigh on a Canada vacation trip



Jenny Leigh and Lance Pendleton 

Live in Kingwood Texas, close to Houston.

Jenny Leigh is happily busy supporting and cheering on the kids in each of their games, school work, and other activities. She has loved being a substitute teacher in her kids’ school this year and getting lots of waves from them in the hallways. She and Lance celebrated their 15th anniversary, sneaking away to beautiful Banff-Canada for some incredible views and hiking to celebrate. She works with the Young Adults in church.


Lance works for Rockwool as a Sales Manager of the North American Gulf Region. He stays busy with work, constant house projects, and planning the next family adventure. Lance coached Gavin’s baseball team in the fall and they are now looking forward to the spring season together too. He really enjoys working with the boys on their hitting or pitching, and taking the girls out on the boat for some wakeboarding. The Astros brought home another World Series Championship for this lifelong fan! Lance in on the church’s High Council. 



David (13) is in 7th grade and is having fun being the bigger kid on campus. Taking after both of his grandpas, he played for his school football team as wide receiver, safety, and went in a few times as defensive linemen. Turns out this baseball player loves to tackle.  He juggles a busy schedule of school, piano, cello, and all the sports, with a little bit of picking on his brother and sisters on the side. He works hard to meet any goals he’s set. Jenny Leigh has really had to ramp up the amount of food in the house- they’re in the teenage years now! She has taught him how to cook a handful of things so this hungry teen can help out in the kitchen. He makes a mean chocolate chip cookie! He is soon to be  in the Teacher’s Quorum in the church. 



Gavin (11) is wrapping up his elementary school days as a 5th grader. His love for all things Star Wars and legos has only grown and is often found trading coveted Star Wars mini-figures with his friends. His piano teacher even realized if she wants to motivate him to practice more, it needs to be a Star Wars song. If he’s not writing scary stories, he’s reading them. Gavin appeased his mom by playing winter basketball and is really starting to learn the game. Baseball, like the other boys in the family, comes first for him and he liked having Lance coach his team this past season. Gavin loves being with his buddies and is a supportive teammate, always cheering everyone on. Gavin is in the Deacons Quorum in the church.


Millie (9) is in 3rd grade and loving every minute. She is giggly, talkative, and creative. Though she is as sweet as a button,  she’s starting to develop a very competitive nature. Basketball really brings it out in her! She loves playing all sports but basketball, soccer, and being on the swim team are her favorites. She made the school choir and is often serenading the family with all sorts of songs. She also loves to cook with Jenny Leigh and is a master at whipping up some homemade buttermilk syrup for breakfast. 


Maggie(6) is in 1st grade and loves to read and write. Most days she’ll come home from school with a handwritten card to someone in the family, telling them that they are her "favorite person ever”. Friends mean the world to her and she is always asking to play with her buds no matter what time of the day- we’ve had to teach her that 7am is not an okay time. She loves to climb and scale trees or places she probably shouldn’t. She is never short on conversation subjects or questions. She is loving soccer, basketball, and being on swim team with her big sister! 


Hattie (3) has absolutely loved being in preschool a few days a week with her “best friends”! She is one determined little girl, continuing her reign as ruler of the roost at home and can convince most of the family to do as she says. Like her big sisters, she is chatty and loud. She tries to keep up with her siblings and doesn’t like to be left out of anything. If they are playing a game, she is too. Don’t even try to question it. She loves helping Jenny Leigh around the house and going on trips to Costco, or hanging out with Lance while he works at home in his office. Hattie is sneaky and if she finds the right moment will sneak out and run next door to ask our neighbor for gatorade or candy.





Guess who the Pendletons are cheering for?


The Girls- Millie, Maggie and Hattie 




All the kids


David , who also loves football and music,
shows off his favorite sport-Baseball. He is a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood.
Gavin is a great Baseball Player with a great coach---
Coach Lance. He loves Star Wars and writes scary stories. Gavin 
is a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. 

======================================


We love our family. Our 21 Grandchildren's names on the stones.


Our 2022 Journey: San Jose, Utah and Florida

As we started the New Year of 2022, we continued the delightful association with the Young Adults from the greater San Jose area. 





We continued the dinner assemblies for Institute Night and other dinners. We also started the Tuesday night Institute class The teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon, which covered so many doctrines and gospel principles from Adam and Eve into the eternities. We discussed Freedom of Religion, the Gathering of Israel and the Covenant pathway, but the main focus was on Jesus Christ-His life,  His love and His Atonement. 





In March of 2022, our dear friend Inez Bauer passed away at the age of 94. She had asked me years ago as her bishop, to speak at her funeral. I received permission to go the Florida and attend and speak at her funeral by President Gary Smith, our mission president. It was the happiest and most upbeat funeral that I have ever attended.  This is a picture of me serenading Inez before our mission.  In her last days, in the care of Hospice, I was contacted and asked to sing/play the guitar- "Puff the Magic Dragon". Delightfully, Inez robustly sang with me!


Inez and me singing folk songs in her home just 
prior to our S.J mission 

As I went to our home in Riverview Florida, to attend
the funeral, our granddaughter Leila had been living in our home
while attending USF. We dined on some Publix Subs-my favorites. 



We continued to be amazed by the beauty of the area on our mission. 






The Big Sur area






Hiking in the Saratoga Gap trails 




Mountain Biking at Sunny Vale 


We attended the Oakland Temple nearly every Thursday morning and were privileged to attend the endowments and marriage sealings of two of our YSA couples.



The Sealing of Victoria Cardenas and Michael Shalabi. With  Ken (1st Counselor in WS Branch) and 
Lynette Yoshimoto (Stake Relief Society President) on the left and  Jim (WS Branch President) and Vickie DeCaires on the right of us.



 Kyle Plata and Jenny Lam Plata leaving the Temple- now married and sealed to one another


Elder Reed and Sister Darlene Satterthwaite, President Gary and Sister Tara Smith 
at a mission temple trip.


YSA  Family History- at the Temple site/Picnic in Oakland

We continued our wonderful association with the YSAs and the missionaries assigned to the branch. 




They loved sing alongs

Josh Segales, who was called as the Elder's Quorum President 


Allison Mauret from Ecuador, who was called as Relief 
Society President.


Mountain Hike with YSAs led by Matt Torrens (2nd counselor in WS
Branch)




Sisters "T" Tagatauli and "S"Sugutura'n'ga 

Emily Aholelei (the "hugger")
My friend from high school - Eileen Nesson Stock and her husband Mike Stock.
We went with them to the Redwood forest train ride and the to large
pier at Santa Cruz.







It was so fun to be with these choice folks

Dance Party




As we started our Tuesday night Institute Class, we were joined by
a wonderful group of YSAs from the Tongan Stake (close to S.F.). To our left is Enoch "Tiki" Makasini and his wife Elenora-"Eli". They were such a joy!
This was our last Tuesday evening of Institute, so they/we had a celebration for us. 





This was a senior missionary tour of San Francisco areas that were part of the Chruch's History there. 
It was lead by Matt Torrens our WS Branch 2nd Counselor.






BBQ Night/ Sing along at the Institute (Diane, Eli and Lila)




With David Bohn- Institute Director





Sing along 




Work at the S. J. Bishop's Storehouse





Our good friend  Paul Gallo who 
had served in the Russian Mission.

 
Spontaneous Tree Trunk Dance with
Jason Marquez and Ranadi "Nadi" Koroitamana for a YSA 
Picnic in Oakland



Mountain Biking along with Patrick Thornton (who had just completed his PhD
in engineering  at Stanford). Patrick was in the MTC with us prior to our NC 
Mission and served as my Assistant to the President (AP). I'm wearing
my colorful California jersey


Our last Institute Night. Meeting our dear "Nadi"



Roasting Hot Dogs and Marshmallows 
L-R Ismael (red shirt), Lila, Jason, Allison, Maci and Josh




As we left the Institute patio/parking lot, the whole YSA group lined up 
and sang us Aloha Oe (Hawaiian Farewell Song) along with hugs.




Goodbyes from Ken, Jim and Vicki



and Dave and Shawna Bohn 



In July '22, Julee's dear brother Rick Kirkham passed away from pancreatic cancer. He had a number of health issues before this malady. He was a fun, loving, creative and caring (PhD in psychology/ Psychologist) brother, husband and grandfather. 






The week before Rick's passing, he had wanted greatly to take a ride in his good friend and humorist, 
Lorance Rindlisbacher's convertible. Rick loved it, even though he had to be carried back into their home. 


Julee with L-R Lauri (daughter), our daughter Brooke, Julee, wife Joyce 
daughter Aimee at the burial grounds 




Rick and Joyce's son Darren
Did not get a picture, unfortunately. of their oldest son, Rayan 





From our last mission day, 8/9/22, we traveled to our Heber City Utah home. We had our reunions, as noted above and trips to the Tetons before heading back to Florida.



Our dear friends Scott (my Sigma Chi fraternity brother,
& Thai mission companion) and Suzi (high school friend of
Julee's-who lined us up)Hansen






Our Florida Buddies (now living in Utah)








North Carolina, Raleigh (former) Missionaries (young and seniors) 




Dear Friends David and Mary Evans (David served with me as instructors
soon after our missions-David in Japan, me in Thailand) in the SLC mission home (MTC)
Mary's brother Fred also served in Thailand with me. 




Viewmont High School buddies: LeAnn and Brent Cleverly, Frank Taylor
& JoAnn  Briggs Olsen



The Bernhisel Gang. My sisters Ann and Gretchen and brother Paul. Cousins
Liz Roach, Kurt Bernhisel and Dave Bernhisel & spouses, kids, grandkids and dog!
 










The Univeristy of Utah-"Utes", where I received my B.S., medical degree and was a resident in OB/Gyn and where Julee received her B.A. and Masters degree, was scheduled to play the University of Florida-"Gators" in football in late August at UF. This is where I taught- as an assistant professor and the director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility division,  in the Ob/Gyn department and practiced my specialty (sorry-long explanation).   So Julee and I cheered for the Gators (who barley won) along with our daughter Lyndi and her husband Kevin Ballard and buddies Tom and Madeline Clem (now a resident at UF). My sister Gretchen and her husband Ryan Wilcox ( along with two of my Bernhisel cousins-which we found out about later) came and cheered for the Utes


David's BBQ. L-R Madeline,Tom, Lyndi, Julee, me, Kevin-all doing the Gator
Chomp and Ryan and Gretchen-holding off from it and in red Utah colors.








Pregame with Albert and Alberta gators.  It rained like crazy, but let up a 
little during that close UF-UU game 



Now the Tetons-I have to show some of scenic Pics



Jenny Lake with the Tetons behind


Surprise Lake by Amphitheater lake
Sunset over the Tetons





Dinner at Calicos-Jackson Hole. Moose road.

















Dinner at Jenny Lake Lodge (where I worked as
a recently graduated HS student in'68)




White Water rafting in the Snake River. Julee and I are on the 2nd row-right




Bar T Five Horse drawn wagon, entertainment and dinner
Bar T Five 



 
Bar T Five Wagons and horses 
Dinner, Show and rides. 




Jackson Hole (from Jackson Lake Lodge) overlooking Jackson Lake
with Mt Moran (and other Tetons left and right)
 in the background  




On the way back to Heber from the Tetons, we stopped at Joshua
and Lacey Pollard's home in Chubbuck Idaho (close to Pocatello). Joshua
served with us in our NC Raleigh mission and also served as my assistant. They 
have two darling kids Jeter and Hallie. 





Back to Heber Valley looking to the Northwest from Coyote Canyon area 




Heber Valley looking to the Southwest with Mt Timpanogos and Provo Canyon to the right and middle


Now back in Florida and JKB's 70th BD




Kids had stelthly arrived by plane and had hid (after communicating with me)
in our garage (L-R Jenny Leigh, Heidi, Preston and Brooke)



Julee, initially startled then happy to see the kids and the berry pie 
held by Brooke. Lyndi seen on the right 


# 70!!


Birthday Presents 








At Gainesville U of F campus-again,standing by Albert and Alberta Gators for the Gators football game (as the kids had enjoyed it when they were young).  L-R
Julee, Preston, Heidi, me behind by Albert, Brooke, Lyndi, Kevin, Jenny Leigh and Lance


Shortly after, we went to Heidi's home in Senica S.C. and Lyndi's home in Georgia (pics seen above of the Ballard kids for Halloween) . We had also come back to our home, where Lacie Henneke (former Tampa Mission-missionary) had been living in our home and taking care of it since our granddaughter Leila left. We reacquainted ourselves to our church and neighbor friends and celebrated Thanksgiving  with many at our home and are looking forward to Christmas.

We consider all of y'all to be dear and precious friends  and love you. 






Our back home area by the Alafia River- gazebo, fire pit and kayak holder



Hiking with Tyler and Heidi in South Carolina




Mountain Biking in N.C. at the Tsali trail




Lake Fontana as seen from the Tsali biking trail 





Smokey Mountains-tunnel for the "Road to Nowhere". Close to Bryson City N.C.





Smokey Mountain Park overlooking the  North arm  of Lake Fontana 








We like Bears and Ice Cream in  Bryson City










Celebrating Lacey's Birthday. Looking 
at a "Southern Terms" dish plate y'all 


"Old Heads" get together at the Colombian Resturant 
in Ybor City Florida
L-R Merci Beiro, Dr Barry Verkauf and Arline Verkauf, Kelly Gast and Sherry
Smith Mackeil 



L-R Zahn Gast, Scott Mackeil, Julee and Marc (Dr B.) Cindy and Stan Phillips. 

All these good folks (spouses not included, except Arline)  were former workers/docs/employees of the Reproductive Medicine Group (RMG). The exception being Kelly Gast, who still works at the Fletcher office and perhaps me, as I have been asked to return to do IVF one day a week. Our move from Gainesville Florida- University  of Forida, to what was the Verkauf-Bernhisel practice in 1989 and expanded to the RMG. which now has 5 offices, many employees  and has been bought out by a medical company-Inception














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