Greer Family News December 13, 2019: Christmas Newsletter

Kevin, Carley, Jocelyn, Diego, Karalee, Benita, Allen, Daniel, and David

Jocelyn and Daniel Welcome Diego

Daniel, Jocelyn, and Diego

Our first born had her first born. On April 19, 2019 Jocelyn and Daniel had their beautiful baby boy Diego. It has been fabulous watching the new parents and we are thrilled with the role of Grandparents. Diego at 7 months is 18 pounds, sleeps through the night, smiles, and laughs while still challenging Jocelyn and Daniel as parents. After years of work and schooling, Daniel was awarded his Red Seal Plumbing and Gas Fitting Certificate. Daniel wrote his final exams when Daniel was 2 months and his mother was visiting.

Lots of Changes for Kevin and Carley

Kevin and Carley With Diego This Summer

Kevin has been at Lululemon for more than a year. After a tremendous amount of work and preparation, Carley started the nursing program at the University of the Fraser Valley. They continue to plan their wedding for June 2020. They love being the new Aunt and Uncle. With Kevin settling into his role at Lululemon, Carley having to both start nursing and commute for hours many days, it has been a challenging year for them. We appreciate that both have stayed in touch throughout the year.

Allen and Benita Build Their Careers and Travel

Allen and Benita in Greece

Both Benita and Allen continue to build their careers after graduating from UBC. After a year in a leadership role at a non-profit in Vancouver, Benita began working for the BC government in the fall. Allen spent the year working as an independent contractor through his personal business. This past summer, Benita and Allen travelled to Europe exploring England, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Croatia, and Greece. Allen shared much of his stories from our Mediterranean trip when he was 6 years old with Benita. They continue to plan their next adventures and who knows what's to come!

Karalee Biked in Asia

Karalee's Biking Group in Asia

Karalee's year started with a four-week bike trip to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia with 17 friends before meeting David in Hong Kong. Following the Mekong River was spectacular. Travelling with David in India opened her eyes to a completely different culture of people, noise, and animals. A new project for Karalee was becoming a David Suzuki Foundation Butterflyway Ranger. She has met many fellow gardeners and worked on pollenating projects. We travel 2-3 months a year, so Karalee joined iGo4Less as a fun business and to be able to offer lower cost travel. Email her for details.

Diego and Nana in the Summer

Life is great. Being a grandparent is special and she is able to spend lots of time with Jocelyn and Diego.

David was Challenged

Dawn Sailing in the Faroe Islands

David continues to grow his coaching and facilitation work. He is working with some really exciting high-growth teams and would like to find one more he can help in 2020. His big sailing trip was Sailing from Iceland to Scotland via the Faroe Islands with sailing adventure company Rubicon3.

David, Dianne Gillespie, Dianna Greer, John Greer

In July, his brother John, 92-year old Mom, and cousin Dianne flew to Vancouver. We hosted a big family dinner at the yacht club, introducing Diego to David's family. Last year, David mentioned that he started the search for his birth family and built relationships with his two maternal sisters. This year he met his birth father and his three paternal brothers. David now knows where his barrel chest and big voice comes from. He's also the smallest of the group. The rest of his birth father's family have been incredibly welcoming.

David's sailing photo set:

David and Karalee at the Taj Mahal in Agra, India

It is hard to communicate the special bond of holding your Grandchild in your arms. Seeing Diego and watching Jocelyn and Daniel become parents, has brought back so many fond memories for us of that time with Jocelyn (and our growth as parents). In February, David met Karalee in Hong Kong. From there they travelled to Kathmandu, where they met the student they sponsor at SMD School for Himalayan Children. Next was India for two weeks, a first time for both of us. Then a few days in Hong Kong to finish. Summer was a road trip to Alberta and the East Kootenays where the whole family was together to celebrate Kevin's 28th birthday. We drove back to Vancouver over two days with Jocelyn and Diego.

David and Karalee on the Panama Canal

We are just back from a three-week cruise on the Norwegian Bliss from LA to New York through the Panama Canal. A wonderful experience.

We hope that 2019 is filled with wonderful experiences for you and your family.