Merry Christmas 2022!

Hello Friends and Family! We send our love to all near and far! Hope you enjoy this update on our happenings:

Andrew continues his studies at BYU for biochemistry. We enjoyed having him home for a couple of weeks over the summer and are again looking forward to spending Christmas break together. We are proud of Andrew’s determination to work through some tremendous difficulties thrown his way.

Chandler and Rachel have made us grandparents! James arrived on January 27 this year and he is a delight! We were so grateful that Chandler had an internship over the summer at Nexteer here in Michigan. We got to enjoy James every day! Chandler and Rachel continue their studies at BYU. It is amazing how much they are juggling and manage to still do!

Jordan has graduated from cosmetology school and is currently employed at Great Clips. He and his partner, Donovan Duran live just a few minutes away and we enjoy seeing them most weekends. Jordan also teaches piano to Clayton (and Bentley and Joseph in the future!) and it’s always a thrill when he comes over for piano or any other reason. We are so proud of all the good things Jordan is doing; it is always the highlight of the day when he comes to visit.

Seth (18) , aka Elder Boss, is on his mission! He is serving in the Arizona Scottsdale mission, and is currently in Cibecue. It is his first and only area so far, and he loves it. It’s a Navajo Indian Reservation, and he has said he wouldn’t mind staying there for his whole mission. A ward member has crafted a bolo tie for him, and he has spent a couple of P-days making his own knife. His love of the scriptures and the gospel has already increased so much, and we look forward to catching up with him every Monday.

Michael (16)  is our oldest at home now! He is a junior and does his studies virtually through Michigan International Prep School. He is now a licensed driver, and happens to actually also be a great driver! He gets himself up at 5:30 every morning to get to early morning seminary at the church. Michael is an excellent student, doing well in his AP and honors classes, and has a unique blend of creativity and intelligence that will serve him well in his future endeavors. Michael has been making great progress on the piano, and is currently a green belt in Kung Fu. He is serving as 2nd assistant in the Priest Quorum.

Benltey (12) continues to rock the middle school years. He has just finished swim season, and did cross country before that. He is still getting straight A’s, as well as playing cello, and a bit of piano on the side. He is an orange belt in Kung Fu. Bentley’s hardest thing in life will be picking just one thing to pursue - he is so good at so many things. Bentley is a Deacon now and faithfully passes the sacrament almost every week. Bentley’s natural curiosity and intellectual depth blows us away almost every day. He questions just about everything, in good ways and other ways too, because he really wants to know! (This can be a challenge for tired parents - “just because” does not cut it with this kid!)

Clayton (8) is in 3rd grade and is a top student. His teacher says he not only performs very well in all subjects but that he sets a good example of respectful and kind behavior. Clayton was baptized in March this year by his dad, on the same day as his best friend cousin Brayden. He plays the piano (with brother Jordan as his teacher) and is into Pokemon and Minecraft. He is a yellow belt in Kung Fu and is developing good discipline and work skills. Clayton is kindhearted and a hard worker. He gets going on his daily chores without reminders, and is eager to be “passed off” as quickly as possible!

Joseph (5) continues to be our delightful caboose! He brings such joy and laughter to the home. He has a most creative mind, and he recovers from any bump or bruise in the time it takes to “kiss it better” or be distracted by the next good thing happening. This happy-go-lucky attitude has its challenges - he’s always looking at the next good thing, and schoolwork is not that exciting for him. He’s challenging his parents in this area, and we are looking for ways to engage him on his level and in his learning style. He is in Kindergarten and loves going every day. We adore the energy he brings to our home, and he makes us laugh every day!

Sherie and Greg finished their four-year stint as early morning seminary teachers this last spring. They still call it the best calling in the church….but they are enjoying the extra hour+ of sleep each morning! Sherie is now serving as Relief Society Secretary and ward choir accompanist, and Greg is serving on the stake high council. They enjoyed going on a couples cruise at the end of January, just after James was born. When they returned, Sherie went to Utah to “help” Chandler and Rachel (it was really just an excuse to snuggle her new grandson as much as possible!). This past spring, Greg’s job at UHG was dissolved so he was in search of a new one. He was hired within UHG in the OptumRx CTO Office, as Chief Architect for Strategic Platform. We are feeling blessed by the Lord that he was so quickly able to find a new job. 

This summer our vacations were mostly day trips, as we didn’t want to travel far and abroad with our new little grandson around! We spent a day at the Henry Ford Museum (Greenfield Village). Another fun-filled day was at Mackinaw Island. We also took a couple of trips to Cedar Point in the late summer and fall. This was the first summer in a long time that we didn’t do a long camping trip, so next summer we’ll have to make up for it!

We send you our love, and at this most beautiful season of the year, share with you our love for the Savior Jesus Christ and all that He has given to us. It is because of Him that we rejoice!

With Love,

Greg, Sherie, Andrew, Chandler (Rachel & James), Jordan, Seth, Michael, Bentley, Clayton & Joseph!

Back row: Bentley, Rachel, Chandler holding James, Andrew, Jordan and Donovan
Front row: Michael, Greg, Joseph, Sherie, Seth and Clayton