MARSHALL SPENCER EMPEY IS BORN: July 25, 2015
Our daughter Erin and her husband Spencer Empey welcome their first son, Marshall Spencer Empey, on July 25, 2015 in Vernal, Utah. Marshall's three older sisters--Madisen (7), Leah (4) and Hannah (2)--couldn't be more excited about their baby brother!
Erin's original due date is in mid August, but is revised to July 24th as her pregnancy progresses. Rhonda guesses that July 30th is a good compromise, so books a flight to Utah for that date. Baby Marshall has other ideas. Just as Gary and Rhonda arrive at the airport in San Francisco on July 25th for Gary's annual AAEA meetings, Erin is being prepped for a C-section! As we walk off the plane, we begin receiving a series of text messages sent by Erin during our flight. Erin's texts say that her water has broken, that she is now at the hospital and that she is about to begin a small dose of pitocin that should encourage the onset of labor. The last text indicates that Erin will have a C-section at 11:00 a.m. Mountain Time!! We quickly phone Erin's cell, but there is no answer. We reach Spencer, who has just dropped his girls off at a friend's house and is now on his way to the hospital.
We make our way straight to the airport ticket counter to rearrange Rhonda's flight schedule. Fortunately, there is still a seat available on the 2:00 p.m. flight to Salt Lake City! Rhonda rechecks her bag, clears security and finds a seat at the gate, then begins to receive the wonderful news, through several adorable photos from Spencer's phone, that Baby Marshall has been born!!! Marshall is a gorgeous baby with a full head of black hair, much like his sister Leah had when she was born.
Rhonda arrives in Salt Lake City, rents a car at the airport, then drives straight to Vernal, lickety split... What a joy to see Erin holding our handsome new grandson later that evening!
Being around a newborn, one who so recently left Heavenly Father's presence, never fails to elicit spiritual thoughts and feelings from deep within my soul. During Erin's pregnancy, I wondered many times whether this would be our last grandchild, the end of a beautiful era in my life. My own childbearing years ended with Erin. For many, if not most women, similar feelings of melancholy probably accompany the conclusion of each stage of life. Marshall may be the last, but only time will tell. If so, our years of welcoming newborn grandchildren ends on a very beautiful note... :-) And we can look forward to our years as great-grandparents ... Right, Spencer and Alyssa?
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Love at First Sight - July 25, 2015
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Chillin' in the Hospital - July 26, 2015
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Empey Girls LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Their Brother!
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Taking Marshall Home Day - July 27, 2015
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All Set and Ready to Roll!
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Kristen and Company Arrive in Vernal - Evening of July 27, 2015
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Uncle Aaron Has the Magic Touch with Marshall
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First Meeting of the Marshall Empey Fan Club - July 28, 2015
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Marshall Really Enjoys Time with Justin
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Cooling Off at the Splash Park - July 30, 2015
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Maddie Aims at Hannah ... Run Hannah, Run!!
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Maddie Almost Braves the Brunt of the Big Shower
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Leah Loves to Spray, but Hates to be Sprayed
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Hannah Skirts the Edges of the Park
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TownePlace Pool with Grandpa Millett - August 1, 2015
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... AND Uncle Gary, too!!
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Ladybug Leah Feels Super Secure Wearing Floaties
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Sunday at Home with Marshall - August 2, 2015
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Boys Who Only Have Sisters Must Stick Together!
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What Killer Blue Eyes You Have, Marshall!
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Outing in Dry Fork Canyon - August 5, 2015
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These Cuties Will Be Running Together in No Time
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Cuddle Your Babies ... 'Cause Babies Won't Keep
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Two Weeks Old - August 8, 2015
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Empey Family - Sunday, August 9, 2015
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Adorable Little Angels!
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Dinosaur National Monument - August 11, 2015
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We Catch the Shuttle to the Exhibit Hall with Zero Wait!
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Maddie, a Dinosaur Expert, Remembers Being Here Before.
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Three Girls Receive Junior Ranger Badges
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Girls Also Receive Cute Workbooks
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Stuffed Dinosaurs from Cousin Richard's Digs Next Door
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Jones Hole National Fish Hatchery - August 12, 2015
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Maddie Makes Like a Fish!
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Leah Enjoys Watching Baby Trout at Hatchery
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Hannah Loves Being Out of the Minivan!
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As Leah Puts It, "We are in the Wild"
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Jones Hole is Gorgeous Country
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Grandma's Last Full Day in Vernal - August 13, 2014
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So Sad to Leave My Sweet Girls (shown here at McDonald's) ...
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... And Our Perfect Baby Marshall
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You aren't rid of me yet, Empeys! We'll be back for Marshall's blessing in September. Grandpa Gary cannot wait to meet "the new Marshall in town." Love you guys!!!
