Katie and Camryn together at last!

I celebrated the Fourth of July this year in Tualatin, Oregon with my family, although what we were really celebrating wasn't the birth of our nation but the birth of Camryn Karen Taylor, my wonderful niece! Kenny couldn't come with me (as he put it, "Someone needs to stay home and make money!") so I flew to Portland all by my lonesome to stay for four days and meet brand-new little Camryn. My plane landed so early that I managed to be out on the curb waiting for my family before they even pulled up! As soon as Jim pulled the car up to the SWA drop-off area, Megan jumped out and handed me a tiny sleeping bundle!

Me and Camryn meet each other for the first time!



We had a full house - not only was I home, but Megan and Karl were also staying at home, Jeff and Linda Taylor were here from California, and Aunt Dene and Uncle Erwin (Jim's aunt and uncle) flew up and joined us for Camryn's blessing and to ordain Jim to the High Priesthood. Everyone was excited to see Camryn!

Aunt Dene and Uncle Erwin getting cuddle time with Camryn.



Grandma Karen and Aunt Katie watching Camryn so Megan can take a shower. We jumped at the chance to help out!




Camryn after her blessing (and it was a beautiful blessing!) in her blessing gown lovingly made by her Grandpa Tim and wrapped in a blanket fondly made by Uncle Kenny's mom!



Camryn and her proud parents and grandparents after her blessing.



Camryn sure loves her grandma and grandpa!




Shots of home - I've missed it so much!

Our front door, surrounded by lush plants.



A view of our backyard gardens.



Getting ready to head into Portland to show off the new granddaughter at Mom and Jim's offices!



Portland! (Right across the street from Mom's office - I have performed at that concert hall!)



A gorgeous hanging plant arrangement at Bridgeport Village, our favorite place to shop, walk, and eat gelato in Tualatin! Mom, Jim, Aunt Dene, Uncle Erwin, and I enjoyed an afternoon here while the Taylors napped. Mom and I hit some stores again right between breakfast and my flight to SLC!



In addition to admiring Camryn, our family enjoyed delicious home-cooked meals, shopping time, a game of Scrabble (which I lost), hilarious excerpts from a book Jim was reading (and Mom bought for me!), lunch out with Grandmere and Dad, experiencing Camryn's blessing and Jim's ordination, and even some baby presents for Camryn (Babar and Celeste stuffed animals from Aunt Katie and a sweet princess necklace from Aunt Dene and Uncle Erwin) and a graduation present from Aunt Dene and Uncle Erwin for me - a lovely framed picture that will enjoy an honored spot in our house. It was so hard to leave and come back to Utah - I bade a tearful goodbye to my little Camryn (tearful on my part because I could hardly bear to leave her and tearful on her part because she was hungry) and a wistful goodbye to my family, who I miss everyday. Being with them reminds me of who I really am and how very wonderful and laden with blessings my life has been so far! Coming home to Provo wasn't all tough, though - I was greeted by my husband Kenny, had an awesome dinner in Salt Lake City, and was proudly escorted through our yard so I could see the miracles Kenny had worked with my plants while I was gone. Life is great!