Family Update 2014

David—In July of 2012, Dave sold his periodontal practice In July of this year Dave became fully retired after completing the transitory period of working for the new Doctor.  He was called to be the Bishop of our ward in September of 2012, which will keep him busy.   He has discovered a new talent and has enjoyed painting landscapes of places we have visited.   He also keeps busy handling the real estate holdings that will support our retirement.  We currently have some houses in Arizona, Florida, Ohio, Hawaii and other places in Utah.  ­­­­­­

Christy—Ab­solutely loves being a GRANDMA.  We have 7 sweet grandchildren.  They are the best!!  Even though more than half of the 10 children have now left home it doesn’t seem to be much less busy being the Mom.   She has also written and published some books over the past couple of years on various subjects.  She still enjoys speaking for EFY and to other groups and continues to write and produce music.  This year one of her books made it on the Deseret Book bestseller’s list.

Holly and Bryan Penrose—parents of Blake, Austin and Andrew are living in Iowa while Brian attends Podiatry School.  Brian starts rotations this next year and we look forward to them being able to move out of tornado country.  We miss them tremendously.

Heather and Joe Palmer—Parents of James and Alicen and new baby Hannah are now living in Provo, Utah while Joe attends the MBA program at BYU.  We also miss having them close and get together as often as possible.  Heather has been enjoying a new talent in Photography and promises to take a picture to post on facebook every day in 2014.   Joe and the family are currently living in Texas while Joe does an internship at AT&T.

Tyler and Janalee Hinkson—are excited to be new parents to baby Luke who was born in September.  Tyler graduated from USU this year with his MBA and promptly started a new business called Formed Fit Custom Suits.  People are loving having custom suits at a low price.   Tyler served a mission in Novosibirsk, Russia and Janalee served in Athens, Greece. Tyler and Janalee were married in the Logan temple in Dec 2011 the day after our adopted boys were sealed to us.  

Bryan and Tiffany Hinkson returned from his mission in Kiev, Ukraine the end of 2011 and was married to Tiffany Prestwich in May of 2013 in the Logan Temple.  They met in their student ward at USU and are a perfect couple.  Tiffany taught English in Ukraine for a few months.  They will continue school at USU in the fall.  Bryan is studying Engineering and Tiffany is studying Elementary Education. 

Devin—returned from his mission in Ukraine (Kiev-the same mission as Bryan)   He has mastered Russian and is trying to learn German.  His last 2 missionary companions and his mission president speak German.  He has a gift with languages.  We love having him home but are going through withdrawals not getting his letter every Monday.  We are grateful he is no longer in the unrest in Ukraine and we don't watch the news nearly as much anymore.  

Daniel—is serving as a missionary in the Vladivostok, Russia Mission.  He left right after graduation for his mission at age 18.    He kept busy this year as the dance captain of Encore (HS performing group.)  He was a manager at Mcdonalds and enjoys playing the guitar and writing songs. He was also named Mr. Skyview which is his high school’s homecoming king. He also completed his Eagle scout this year.  With his mission call we realized that 6 of our 7 sons will speak Russian and so the rest of us are picking it up too. 

Alisa—is 16 and is in the middle of Driver's ed.  She made it into a girl’s performance group called Bella Voce which keeps her busy.  She LOVES to babysit and the neighbors like her because she never charges to babysit.  She is in the Miamaid  presidency and maintains her 4.0 GPA with Valedictorian aspirations. 

Vitaliy—is 15 and also a Sophmore.  He is doing well with speaking English and has been able to maintain his mastery of Ukrainian and the Russian language.   He worked at a neighbor’s dairy and is learning that hard work isn’t so bad.  He serves in the Teacher’s quorum presidency and is working hard on his scouting goals.  He anticipates finishing his Eagle by his 16th birthday summer.

Spencer—is 12 and is learning many new things in America.  He was thrilled when his biological sister and brother were adopted to the Rast family in Clearfield..  He enjoys getting together with them and we are thrilled that they have decided to become Americans after all.  He enjoys all the things that little boys love and looks forward to scout camp each summer.  He is mastering playing the piano.

Scott—the baby of the family is now 10.  He continues to bring joy and peace to our family.  He enjoys school and LOVES playing with his niece and nephews and they all look forward to seeing “Uncle Scott.” He works a little for the neighbors walking dogs and helping in farm work.  It is amazing how fast he is growing up.