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

Merry Christmas 2021!

A quick update on this past year:

Andrew continues to study biochemistry at BYU along with working part-time. We are enjoying spending Christmas break together!

Chandler has brought us our first daughter (-in-law)!! He and Rachel Linford were married April 20th of this year. Chandler continues his studies in Mechanical engineering, and Rachel is in electrical engineering. We are so excited to welcome our first grandson, their first son, in February!

Jordan has started cosmetology school, and is acing his exams! He’s just begun cutting on the floor and we’re all lining up to be his practice subjects. 

Seth is graduating early from high school in January, and has been working at Frankenmuth Credit Union since the beginning of the summer. He continues to excel on the piano as well as video editing and other computer hobbies. He’s preparing to begin his 2-year mission next summer. 

Michael (along with Seth) has been doing virtual school this year and is doing well with managing his time and working on his piano skills. Michael amazes us with his quick wit and natural performance skills. 

Bentley is rocking the middle school years! He’s managed to keep straight A’s in his classes while also participating in cross country and boys swim team this year. He also started kung fu with Seth and Michael this year. 

Clayton loves second grade and loves building legos, soccer, piano, and tennis. He is a loving brother to Joseph, faithfully “watching” him every day after school for 30 minutes. He is Ellie’s favorite right now (our elderly pet dog who has gone completely deaf). I think he will be the most affected when she leaves our family. 

Joseph was excited to join his brothers in the world of schooling by starting preschool this year. He’s very interested in the agenda for each day, and ends each day by asking what is planned for the next day. He steals the show wherever he goes, and we all adore him! 

Greg and Sherie continue as seminary teachers each weekday morning from 5:50 - 6:50 in our basement. We love the youth that faithfully attend each day! Greg continues his patent work with Optum (a division of UHG), and Sherie still wonders what free time feels like. 

Our family travels/vacations this year included going to Utah for Chandler and Rachel’s wedding, a trip to Mackinaw Island over the summer, a camping trip at Higgins Lake, and a family cruise that was planned, but never happened (durn you COVID!) but we hope will come to pass very soon. We love you all, and share with you our love for Jesus Christ, who gave His life that we might have joy in this life and the next! We thank God for all of our blessings, which includes the love and friendship of all of you! 

Love, 

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

Merry Christmas 2020!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, loved ones!

Attending Hamilton with Dad, Michael,
Mom, Bentley and Seth

(to be updated when he comes home!)

Andrew continues his studies at BYU in biochemistry. He worked overthe summer for Michigan Sugar. We are excited to spend Christmas break with him - his brothers have missed him! Andrew makes us all laugh daily with his meme posts in the family chat - and then he educates most of us as he explains the chemistry ones. He has a real gift for teaching others, and his sense of humor is the best!

When Chandler visited in the spring,
we got to celebrate his and Clayton's
birthdays together

(to be updated when he comes home!)

Chandler is also at BYU, and has settled on a Mechanical Engineering
degree. After finals, Chandler will take  a quick visit to Anaheim and then he’ll also be coming home for Christmas; we’re so excited to have the whole family together again for a week or two. He has been working as a Physics TA this semester and really enjoys it. He’s been asked by 4 different professors to TA a class (math and physics). He is a great teacher and we love seeing him use this gift of knowledge to help others too.

Pizza, cake and a movie? A perfect
combination for a birthday party!

Jordan worked at McDonald’s in Idaho at the beginning of this year, but came home from BYU-Idaho during the Covid shutdown in the Spring and took up his old job at Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons. He helps clean instruments and also works the front desk some days. It keeps him busy! He is considering a career in dental hygiene or something in the dental field. In the meantime, he’s enjoying earning money and continuing on his road of independence. His brothers have sure enjoyed having him around (he lives in the basement) - every time he walks in the door they’re asking him to play with them or teach them something. He’s such a kind loving brother.

Golfing with Mike, Bentley & Mom

Seth (16, junior) is taking a couple AP classes, and continues to play the cello in orchestra (as much as that can be a reality these days!). He is really shining on the piano - he’s close to conquering Moonlight Sonata - all 3 movements! He’s got a Youtube channel in the works that will be published any day now.  He also has a few music students (cello and piano). He continues to have 100% attendance at seminary. He also did the tennis team again in the fall. Seth is very self-driven and diligent, and at the same time optimistic and funny. He inspires everyone around him!

Homemade pizza using our garden
tomatoes to make the sauce!

Michael (14, freshman) has had an interesting, to say the least,
introduction to high school, with all the virtual, half and half in-person and virtual, and then back to all virtual learning. He’s taking a drawing class and discovering some hidden talents there, is doing well in his honors coursework, and is also in early morning seminary for the first time this year. He joined the tennis team with Seth and had a great time. He also is in orchestra, but boy it will be nice when things get more normal - that’s pretty tough to do over zoom. Michael also loves to cook and improves his culinary skills daily! Michael is still our funny man. He’s quick on his feet with his jokes, but also with his problem-solving skills! I can depend on him to fix things around here with his 3D print design skills.

The huge catfish Bentley caught
before releasing it back.

Bentley (10, 5th grade) is very responsible and self driven. He attends
all of his virtual classes (there was a blessed 3 week period where he got to attend every day!) and does all of his homework without any problem. He puts forth his best efforts and has a great attitude considering all the circumstances. He is progressing quite well on the piano this year, and is beginning to branch out into more “fun” music. He is also following his brother Seth’s example and tries to eat healthier, plus he is working on running a faster mile. Bentley still amazes me with his insights and questions - he doesn’t takes blanket statements or explanations for granted; he wants to know, “but why, but how?” until it really makes sense to him.

String art! One of many covid projects

Clayton (6, 1st grade) is such a fast learner! The first few days of at-home learning Mom thought she would have to sit by his side all day. He wanted to do as much as he could on his own, and now he’s an expert! He’ll call her in for help spelling a few words here and there, but he’s mostly independent. He is my best worker, and fights to set his alarm as early as possible each morning so he can get all his jobs done before school. He has consistently done all his jobs every day since school has started! He has also started playing the piano this year and has a great sense of rhythm. His tender heart is such a blessing to our family. Recently, he served his brother Seth by doing all his Friday jobs and kept telling mom over and over how good he felt inside. What a great example he sets.

Joseph baking and frosting a cake

Joseph (3 ½) has amazing observational and experimental skills. You have to be real careful what you do in front of him, or in the next moment, he’ll be doing the very same thing, confident that he is just as capable (he loves to work the apple corer/spiralizer, peel carrots, cook and butter toast and bagels, and so on). He’s also decided he can go on runs just like Seth, and I can barely keep up with him as he runs down to the end of the street and back. The sweet phrases he says each day touch our heart: “I need you Mommy!” “I love my Mommy.” and “Okay!” even in response to something he might not want to do. He brings us such joy!

Greg presenting about creating patents at an
Optum conference in India. He arrived home
from this trip on March 13th, the day that
everything started shutting down.

Golfing with friends for our anniversary -
one of our few dates this year that wasn't
takeout and a movie at home!

Greg and Sherie are still the early morning seminary teachers. We currently teach over Zoom, as we have been since the Spring. That was a big adjustment, and not our favorite, but there are some things we’ve learned to love about it. We’re most grateful for the great spiritual start it gives for us each day, and the consistency it’s provided in our upending lives. Greg continues to work for Optum (the technical division of United Health Group), building up their patent culture and adding to his own patent portfolio. 

Fun at the beach at Lake Michigan

Our family outings this summer were both camping ones. We enjoyed camping on Lake Michigan in July, and on Higgins Lake in August. Both were with good friends and left us with such great memories. Early in the year the older ones enjoyed going to see Hamilton in Grand Rapids, and the Blue Man Group in Midland. It’s been an interesting year. Not easy, but, as we’ve counted our blessings, we have found ourselves happy and optimistic.

We are most grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the blessing that God sent His only begotten Son. We are grateful to focus on this gift during this season of Christmas. We pray you will feel the love of our Savior and Heavenly Father during this time. We love you all!

Love,

Greg, Sherie, Andrew, Chandler, Jordan, Seth, Michael, Bentley, Clayton and Joseph