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 

Winter in 2023 in the Heber City, Utah area.        Ice images at Soldier Hollow.

Breakfast with the Waldens in Ogden 
Utah

         Pendleton and Walden families with us at our Heber home.

Skiing with the Pendletons at Alta. February '23

(Lance, Jenny Leigh, David and Marc/Pops)

        

Jenny Leigh, Gavin, David, Lance and Millie 

Picture below with Marc and Gretchen (far right)

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)

Lunch time at Solitude (Ballards, 

Ethan and Brooklyn Walden and Popa B-taking the pics)

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.

The Pantry receiving 15k$ check from the Church. President Joe Caceres (2nd counsellor in the SP) at the Pantry.

Pantry workers were invited to a BBQ put on at the Brandon Stake center by the Valrico ward. 

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).
 

                                                               San Jose Visit May '23

                                     Ismael Gomez and Diana Dang Gomez

                                       Josh Segales  and  Allison Mauret Segales 

At church with Macy Bennet , JKB, MAB, Michelle Belmessieri, Josh Segales, Allison Segales, Jason Marquez, Sister and Elder Brown from Manti Utah, Ismael Gomez, Ken Yoshimoto

  

    With  President Gary Smith and Sister Tera Smith, shortly before their release in June

Coles' Graduation -Carrollton Texas .  June '23

                                Bernhisels and Howard family

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.

                                        Merci Beiro, Sherry, Arline and Barry

                                             Off to Utah

David and Sarah Smith Gillespie

Wedding Celebration of former NCRM missionary
Amanda Anderson Taylor and husband T-Tay Taylor

A visit with aunt "Nino" Jeanine in Bountiful

Utah 

Bernhisel gathering. Cousin-Liz Wilson Roach, JKB, my brother Paul Bernhisel, Tyler and Staci with Tyler's wife Behle on Heber home deck.

U of Florida v Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles stadium. We were joined by Preston (below) who came early for the game, prior to Karee's arrival for the marriage of their niece,
 and Mike Walden.

Logan Utah, Cafe Sabor, on July 3rd . (MAB, Ann, Bill, Paul, Staci, Brylee  Kolten, Brenna, Gretchen and JKB)

"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

Rylie and Maddi at the parade in Lewiston at "Bernhisel" corner.

            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

One White Rose-Sigma Chi

Boars Inn for Anniversary Celebration 

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. 

Savannah Rex, our granddaughter picking up her things from the Heber house after returning from her mission in Reno 
Nevada, now attending BYU

Family gathering at Brooke and Mike Walden's home in Layton Utah

Back -Mike and Brooke Walden; Cole, Carter, Caroline, Preston and Karee Bernhisel;  JKB and MAB

Front- Savannah Rex; Leila and Ethan Walden; Cambelle Bernhisel; Brooklyn and Andee Walden

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

Views while biking in the Midway \ Riverview Rd. area by Monument Hill

Heidi and Mckenzie joined Julee and me at the outdoor viewing of The Music Man in Midway. 

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. 

Mt Moran and Leigh Lake and canyon                                           Hidden falls 

Hidden Falls 

                     Surprise Lake with Savannah's Bolder

Inspiration Point overlooking Jenny Lake

Flowered Log

Backpack Tent by Lake Marion

String Lake-Looking at the Teton Crest 

Teton Crest 

Victory Hike to Hidden Falls 

Teton Crest, Cascade Canyon 

White water rafting on the Snake Rive

More than 50 bison seen coming from Jackson Lake to Flat Creek 

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. 

We also had our traditional Thanks Giving at Ft. De Soto, and attended a bunch of  Gator games at 

"The Swamp" in Gainesville, (not a great year for the Gators); birthdays and our Hot Chocolate night at our home.

Mckenzie  has stayed at a home for the 
disabled in Fountain Inn, S.C.

With the Rex family including Roxy in S.C.

With a Halloween friend in Fountain Inn

High Falls in Dupont State Park, N.C.-mountain biking

Now at Bryson City N.C.

Here at Tsali

 park, seeing the beautiful area of Lake Fontana from Bernie Boy mountain bike.

The Ballard home in Ackworth, Ga.
Annie, MAB,JKB, Elsie Lyndi, Sonny, Kevin and Rhet

Noodles were a popular treat.

Back to the Sunshine State 

Ft. DeSoto Beach for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving at Ft. DeSoto

Sam & Linda Manci; Ralph, Andrew, Naomi and Sofia Wirhtlin; Fred, Tatyana, Jacob, 

Tatyana's sister and Paul Svejda-Fred's brother; Clay and Alisa Adams 

The Bangkok Thailand LDS Temple, dedicated in October 2023

Julee and I subbing in a 5 and 6 year old, Primary Class

We focused on Light and Love (from John I in the New Testament)

and sang I am a Child of God and I have a family here on earth

Going counter clockwise from me: Hope Leavitt, Noah Sunders, Taylor Meldrum, Layla Crosby

Maxon Perry and Colby Campbell

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

Now our Bernhisel families by Kids

Heidi and Tyler Rex-Seneca South Carolina 

Heidi & Tyler Rex and family live in Seneca, South Carolina (15 minutes from Clemson). Heidi is in her 3rd year 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 (25) 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 (22) is now home from serving a mission in Reno, Nevada for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is now attending BYU in Provo and is enjoying her classes and being a TA for a Political Science Class. Christian (18) is a Senior at Walhalla High School where he ran for the Cross Country team and is also a basketball manager and participates in FFA.-Jackson (16) is a Junior in HS and is working hard in his classes. He is hoping to get into a program for pilots at a 4 year college. He is a talented guitarist and continues to love hiking, backpacking and being with family.

Savannah's coming home from her 18 month mission in Nevada/California

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

Cole

Cambelle

Caroline

 

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 

Annie--13 years old is in 8th grade. She plays club volleyball, loves babysitting and gets straight A's in all honor classes. She loves being around her friends

Rhet--11, is in 6th grade. He plays basketball, started the saxophone in band, is master bass fisherman and  loves his 4 parakeets

Elsie--9, is in 4th grade. She plays the piano, is a great  soccer player, and likes to play basketball. She loves to read, create stories and songs, and be with her friends.

Sonny--7, is in 1st grade. He had a great first year playing tackle football and starting as Quarterback. He loves playing and watching all sports, and has just started piano lessons. He also   loves fishing with his brother, Rhet

Lyndi-works as a mom and a  speech therapist specializing speech sound and feeding therapy. She is the  Sunday School teacher for 14-15 year olds. She  chauffeurs her kids to many sports and other events. 

Kevin is in the church Stake Presidency. He works as a Physician Assistant, and is the back up chauffeur for the family. 

Lyndi and Kevin completed another Adventure race last June.

Jenny Leigh and Lance Pendleton Family-Kingwood Texas

Lance is still working as a Sales Manager over the Southeast US region at Rockwool. He is on the Stake High council. He swapped a wakeboarding boat for a fishing boat. He likes to spend time with family fishing. Lance Coaches Gavins baseball team.

Jenny Leigh, just finished up 12 week teaching position for 3rd grade math. Stays busy with kids sports and music, school PTA , and Primary presidency calling. Trying to keep up with 2 teenage boy's appetites.

David- is an 8th grade He plays in the  Chamber orchestra playing cello. David loves sports, particularly  baseball- where he pitches and plays in the outfield.  In his first year of tackle football- he played wide receiver and safety. He has a  great focus on discipline and performance in  school. He plays piano and  loves messing with siblings and playing any sports. Obsessed with all things fishing and outdoors.

Gavin- started middle school, 6th grade. He plays in cello in the orchestra. and also piano. Gavin, like all Pendletons, loves baseball, where he is a 1st basemen and outfield on an advanced team. He also plays basketball, is very creative and loves Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and  to play games with the family.

Millie- is in 4th grade and like her brothers, plays piano. Her favorite sports are basketball, soccer. Millie loves reading, being with friends, and fishing with the boys. She made the school spelling bee. Millie is the  wonderful Peacemaker of the family and loves baking with mom.

Maggie- is in 2nd grade. Like Millie, she loves basketball and soccer. 

She also loves to read and play with friends as well. Maggie keeps us all in line. She is a rule follower to a T and a social butterfly. She is regarded greatly  for writing sweet notes, drawing pictures, or making things for family and friends. 

Hattie- is in her last year of preschool. She loves going to school and making crafts. Hattie sneaks candy when she gets a chance and won’t go to bed without a song and a book read to her. In February of '24 she will join her family  she skiing for the first time.