Rhonda flies from Austin, Texas to Salt Lake City on Tuesday, November 27. Thankfully, she arrives shortly before daughter Erin goes into labor. Rhonda quickly becomes oriented about schedules for granddaughters Maddie (4) and Leah (16 months). While Maddie is very welcoming, Leah has forgotten Rhonda since our family reunion in June. Fortunately, it doesn't take long for Leah to warm up to Rhonda. They soon become the very best of friends.
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| Beautiful Hannah (little MP3) is born at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah. |
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| Erin goes into labor on Wednesday, December 28. Hannah is born at 12:18 am on the 29th. | |
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| Hannah is a big hit with her older sisters, Maddie (4) and Leah (16 months). |
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| Hannah remains in the hospital an extra day for observation, then returns for a session under the Bilirubin lamp. |
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GRANDPA GARY FLIES TO UTAH TO MEET SWEET HANNAH: December 18, 2012
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| It's ALWAYS much more fun when Grandpa Gary comes to play! |
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| We enjoy eating lunch around town. We especially enjoy ice cream cones at Jason's Deli. |
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| An all-you-can-eat breakfast of French toast at Kneader's is also a highlight. |
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| We take the Frontrunner train from Provo to Salt Lake on December 21st to see beautiful Temple Square. |
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| It is bitterly cold and crowded this Friday evening before Christmas, but the lights are amazing!! |
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| Maddie is outgoing and makes many, many new friends aboard the Frontrunner. |
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| While in Utah, we enjoy many early-afternoon breaks with Maddie and Leah for lunch and playtime. |
'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: December 24, 2012
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| After our traditional appetizer dinner, we each open a pair of lookalike PJs. Aren't we cute?! |
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| Hannah goes to sleep early -- preparing for her first late-night visit from Santa. |
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| Maddie grows tired by the end of our Christmas Eve singalong, then it's off to bed. |
HOORAY! SANTA DIDN'T FORGET THE EMPEY GIRLS: December 25, 2012
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| We were hoping for a White Christmas and our wish is granted. |
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| Maddie's dream of toys and sugarplums also comes true. |
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| Leah's wish that Grandma would put away her camera does NOT come true... |
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| We gather at Grandpa Millett's condo late Christmas afternoon for a big ham dinner. |
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| Following dinner, we open more presents. Leah gets a ride-in car and ... |
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| Maddie get a brand new bicycle with training wheels. |
HANNAH ELISE EMPEY IS GIVEN A NAME AND A FATHER'S BLESSING: January 6, 2013
RHONDA'S 'SHORT' SIX-WEEK VISIT COMES TO AN END: January 8, 2013
Six weeks sounded like forever at the beginning of Rhonda's stay in Utah, but time has flown. Suddenly, Gary and Rhonda are saying a tearful goodbye to their Utah loved ones. Speaking of the remarkable passage of time, Erin's three adorable daughters remind us of three little girls we knew 35 years ago (our own little Julie, Kristen and Kimmie). We hearken back to a song from the 60's -- "...
Turn around and your're two ... Turn around and you're four ...
Turn around and you're a young girl going out of my door.
Turn around and you're tiny ... Turn around and you're grown ...
Turn around and you're a young wife with babes of your own.
It's so true. Time waits for no man -- but we have the most precious memories -- including the wonderful time we are blessed to be able to spend with each of our loved ones. We send love to each of YOU!
