2023 In Review

Where did the year go?? It's been a big year for our family with a lot of great times.  It is a milestone year for us in a number of ways. 

Firstly, all of our kids are now at University.  Crazy to think about it but yes, we are done with High School following Ethan's graduation from Skyridge in May.  Not for long though as both girls graduate University next April (more details below).

Second,  we have now lived in our home in Lehi, Utah longer than any other home we lived.  In our first 22 years of marriage we moved house 15 times.  For the last 5+ years we have enjoyed our new home in Lehi and we have all loved not moving, and spending time together in our lovely home.  Ethan was the first of our kids to start and finish at the same high school, took us some extra tries but we did that for him.  

Third, in June we were able to return to Australia to visit family and friends, enjoy the great food and places after six years absence.  Our planned trip in 2020 was a casualty of COVID travel disruptions and we were so excited to get back there. We loved spending time with Kara and Leah and their families and other extended family, as well as catching up with many friends.

Lastly, after 12 years here in the USA, we became US citizens late this year.  We are now dual citizens of Australia and the USA and proud to call both places home.  When we arrived here in 2010, our kids were 11, 8 and 6 years old.  All of our kids have lived longer in the US than in Australia and while we are still true Aussies, we are grateful for the USA, as this country that has provided opportunities, support and a great life for our family.  So it will be 'travelling with two passports' from now on and no more visas or green cards to worry about.

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Ethan has had a 'big year' indeed.  He is our COVID High School  graduate who unfortunately had most of his 11th and 12th years of high school disrupted in various ways due to the COVID 19 pandemic.  It was difficult at times but he pulled through and graduated in May, receiving the AP Scholar Award and  Letter'ing in Debate.  Ethan also became a licensed driver after the usual fun 'learning' period, in true style, barely even studying but passing the test with ease.  After a busy summer with friends, Ethan started a part-time job at Vivint in Incoming Quality Testing and started as a freshman at Utah Valley University.  He is doing well and working out what adventures and journey lies ahead.

Sarah finished her Junior year at BYU and is now in her Senior/final year before she graduates in April 2023 with a Bachelors Degree in Communications.  She worked part time at the Cougar Eats food court up until June, and since changed jobs to work as a communications specialist in the Department of Life Sciences where she enjoys writing stories, posters, updating blogs etc.   Sarah had an amazing Study Abroad in Korea for 6 weeks in July/August where she got to experience the culture, food and wonders of that country as well as be up and close to the home of many beloved K-Pop and K-Drama favorites.  Sarah continues to enjoy K-Pop dance club every week and now lives in the same apartment complex (not apartment) as Emma so they can easily share the car.

Emma celebrated a travel year in 2022, along with finishing the first year of her masters degree, she went on a 4-week study abroad to Europe in April/May with her department.  She had a terrific time and arrived back just in time for Ethan's High School Graduation, and to leave with us to go to Australia. Then the day after we got home she headed to San Francisco for a summer internship with PWC.  She had great experiences and returned home energized to take on her final year of university where she is on track to graduate with a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Information Systems Management in April 2023.  Emma has enjoyed working part time at Ancestry.com this year in Finance Analytics and after a lot of hard work has accepted an offer to join Credera Consulting in Dallas Texas after she graduates.  We are already missing her but excited for her new chapter.  So we will have lots of reasons to visit Dallas from next summer and Emma already has plans for more travel, which she loves.

Elaine continues to be the glue and rock in our family with all she does and the love she has for everyone around her.  Elaine gave a wonderful address at our Stake Conference (large Church meeting) in August where she received so much positive praise and "thank you's".  Stephen commented he felt like Prince Phillip to the Queen.  She continues to take on challenges to show how tough and determined she is and enjoyed completing the 'Mudgirl' run with Emma earlier in the year.  Elaine has also added Pickle Ball to her weekly sporting routine in addition to her favorite Thursday morning basketball with her good friends in Provo and walks several miles a few times a week.  She loves being active and we love her.  Apart from her much beloved trips to Airzona to visit Marsha, it was great to travel with her to Paris and the Netherlands in April and visit her wonderful Dutch family again. We also took a couple of trips to Southern California in the last few months and loved being by the beach and spending time together and with friends.

Stephen has had a busy year as always with his work and church responsibilities.   He started teaching a Product Management class in the BYU Marriott School of Business in January and his first semester was a great success with lots of great compliments (even Emma decided to take his class after going to the first session).  He had  about 44 students - a mix of masters students from the MISM and MBA programs, plus strategy and STEM Seniors.  They quickly asked him to continue teaching and he is looking forward to working with a new class in January 2023.  He has developed some new passions for watching F1 racing and didn't miss a race all year - happily sharing his learnings with Sarah about the drivers, tactics and strategy.  Of course, Stephen loves his music and although concerts are not quite back in full swing just yet, we enjoyed the Eagles in Concert playing Hotel California and the Australian Pink Floyd Show while disappointed that Crowded House had to cancel their concert in salt Lake due to an injury to one of the band members.   Stephen joined in with friends at his MBA 10th Reunion earlier in the year and as of October is travelling again with Vivint and enjoyed a trip to Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and Taiwan where he reconnected with business partners and visited factories.

We pray this Christmas and Holiday Season finds you all safe and that you feel the love of your friends and family, whether near or far., we think of you all often.

We are grateful for this time of year where we remember the greatest gift we have, the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ and how through him we can have everlasting peace and happiness.  We pray that you will have a prosperous and safe 2023 and look forward to seeing you there.