Gary and Rhonda Forever

RHONDA'S VISIT TO THE EMPEYS: Henderson, Nevada - October 8-18, 2013

My parents always liked to visit us soon after we moved to any new location, be it an apartment or a new house. They said it made them feel more comfortable once they knew where we lived. Gary and I try to do the same.

Our youngest daughter Erin, her husband Spencer and their three young daughters moved from Provo, Utah, to Henderson Nevada, in March 2013. Erin has lived in Provo ever since entering BYU in August 2004 (except for a summer or two in College Station). This is a very sad time for Gary M., and Grandpa Ron, who have become very accustomed to having the Empeys close to them in Provo. But the timing is right. Spencer accepts an offer to become assistant manager at the Henderson SpringHill Suites.

By March, Gary and I have an unusually full calendar of spring and summer travel -- spring break in Rome, Allison's baptism, trips with two sets of grandsons in June and July, visitors in College Station in April, July and August, then professional meetings in Boston. I go online to shop for flights to see Erin during late August or September, but quickly decide to visit over Erin's birthday week in October. The sizzling summer heat should be over by then, and what fun to be with Erin for her 28th birthday! I encourage my father and son who live in Provo to make plans to join the Vegas fun. Later, after a hectic move from Florida to Texas, Kristen decides to take a break and join our party! Good luck, Erin! Four visitors heading your way!

I fly into Vegas on Tuesday, October 8th, and am given the sweetest welcome. Maddie is always so happy whenever I arrive. Sweet Leah, who has a more reserved personality, also warms to me quickly. I haven't seen Hannah since her blessing, nine months ago. She is adorable and has developed such a cute, fun personality! She is so good to sit quietly and play with her toys, causing little to no trouble. Maddie and Leah both want to sit by me ... read stories with me ... watch cartoons with me. I thoroughly enjoy all of their undivided attention. (Of course, I bring gifts and candy to prime their pumps!)

On Thursday morning, October 10th, Kristen arrives on the scene. The girls' focus immediately shifts to Kristen. She becomes everyone's favorite playmate, dinner companion, and all-around buddy ... UNTIL ... the next morning, Friday, October 11th, when Grandpa Ron and Gary M. jet into town. They are also smothered with love and attention. Seriously, the Empey girls are so excited to see each of us, but it must be confusing for them to have a new visitor or two appear each day!

At Maddie's Soccer Practice - Thursday evening, October 10, 2013

Maddie Practices Dribbling

Leah Takes Five

Does Hannah Think Kristen Looks Like Mommy?

Grandpa Ron & Leah Hit It Off

Gary M. Is Maddie's Lifelong Friend

For a long time, Maddie has known she would be going inside the "big castle" on her Mommy's birthday -- Friday, October 11, 2013. The "big castle" is the Excalibur Hotel on the Vegas Strip, where we celebrate Erin's 28th birthday at the Tournament of Kings dinner show. Leah and Hannah stay home with Grandma Lisa.

The Excalibur Resort - Friday, October 11, 2013

We Sit in the Russia Section at the Tournament of the Kings


Maddie Chats with a Beautiful Princess - Tournament of the Kings

Waiting for the Eiffel Tower Elevator - Paris Resort

View of Bellagio Fountains from Paris' Eiffel Tower

It is a beautiful Saturday in Vegas. We visit the Las Vegas LDS Temple grounds, drag the Strip, attend Maddie's soccer game, tour the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory, swim at the SpringHill, enjoy Spencer's grilled pita bread pizzas, play Disney's Head Banz, and just enjoy being together.

Ron & Rhonda at the Las Vegas LDS Temple

Maddie Enjoys a Swim with Ron & Gary M. at the SpringHill

Ron and Gary M. fly home on Monday, October 14th. Now that the guys are away, the girls will play! In fact, Spencer treats us to a "Girls Night Out" while he babysits at home. Of course, we head for Vegas! We check out seven or eight casinos. (By check out, I just mean walk through and browse!)

Here are a few highlights: After parking, we check out Caesar's Palace, then walk up the Las Vegas Strip to the Mirage Resort -- where we eat at the California Pizza Kitchen. We order my favorites -- BBQ Chicken Pizza and Chinese Chicken Salad. Following dinner, we continue up the Strip to Treasure Island. There is no pirate show, so we cross the street to explore the luxurious Wynn Resort. Then we head for the gorgeous Venetian. Just inside the Venetian's ground floor entrance, we find a very tempting gelato shop. Next, cut to this idyllic scene: Three carefree women laze atop the white marble terrace at sunset, savoring cool refreshment (yummy gelato cones) while gazing down upon a shimmering canal, as an endless line of sleek gondolas glides by. Life is good!

After exploring the Bellagio and enjoying its famous fountains, our final stop is Marriott's new ultramodern highrise resort, the Cosmopolitan. You have to see it to believe it! Thanks a million, Spencer, for making our "Girls Night Out" possible!

Girls Night Out - View of the Venetian from the Mirage

Erin at the Cosmopolitan - If the Shoe Fits, Wear It!

On Tuesday morning, October 15th, Erin takes us to Lake Las Vegas. Most shops are closed, but a candy store is open. We have an early snack of chocolate covered red licorice and caramel apple slices. We enjoy walking the shore and feeding the fish. It's a truly gorgeous morning! Before we leave, we stop by the gift shop in the casino where Kristen selects souvenirs for her family. Sadly, this is Kristen's last day in Henderson.

Enjoying Lake Las Vegas - Tuesday Morning, October 15, 2013

Kristen flies home early on Wednesday, October 16th. Now the room at the SpringHill Suites will seem very empty, indeed... That evening Grandma Lisa and Andi are kind enough to babysit once again while Spencer, Erin and Rhonda see "The Donny and Marie Show" at the Flamingo Resort.

At the Donny and Marie Show

On Thursday, October 17th, we play and eat lunch at McDonald's. When Maddie leaves for kindergarten, we take Leah and Hannah to swing at the park. My visit with Erin and family is coming to a close. It's been so wonderful to see you again after nine months apart. We hope to see you soon -- hopefully in July, when Spencer Dyal goes into the MTC. And it's time for the Empeys and Browns to join us once again for Christmas 2014!

I love you sooooo much! (I have a cute video on my phone of Leah saying just that -- long before she should've been able to talk...) Many, many thanks for all your loving hospitality!