Christmas!

After two failed attempts to make it home to Oregon for Christmas (one annoyed, one tear-filled), Kenny and I found ourselves touching down on a very snowy runway in Portland on Christmas Eve day. "This was all I wanted for Christmas," I told the pilot as I got off the plane. "Thanks so much for granting my Christmas wish." Kenny, Jim, and I inched our way home through snow-covered freeways with ridges of ice so high in the roads we could hardly turn left or right. Mom greeted us in the doorway by tearing through the den to give us ecstatic hugs, and Megan, Karl, and a cheery Camryn were just around the corner for more excited hellos. Little Camyrn smiled so big when I held out my arms to her that my heart melted in a puddle like the one that had surely followed me in around my snowy boots.

We had to inch our way over to Dad's in two groups (traveling with a baby makes for a shuffling caravan, and snow makes everything three times as tricky!) and managed, barely, to climb our way up the slippery driveway into the cozy house. Dad, Megan, and I shared the kitchen to whip up a serious feast, the guys relaxed in the living room and we all took turns playing games and amusing Maisey and Spot, the cat and dog, and Camryn was passed from embrace to embrace. We sat down to the tenderest roast I have ever eaten, rosemary potatoes, leeks, rolls, salad, and an army of sparkling ciders. Camryn enjoyed some mashed peas and delighted everyone. She ended her meal by sitting on Grandpa Tim's lap and getting her tiny feet tickled. Then we trooped to the living room to open wonderful gifts and delight in Camryn's enthusiastic taste-testing of all her new presents. Dad had to get going toward Midnight Mass, but it was hard to leave such a wonderful evening behind to venture out into the wild winter night. I could have stayed for hours more!

Aunt Katie rocks Camryn to sleep while singing "Silent Night" and forgetting some of the words.



The triumphant Christmas Eve feast!



Uncle Kenny plays with Camryn while we bustle in the kitchen.



Playing with Grandpa Tim!







Camryn opens her gifts from Grandpa!



Being home for Christmas was absolutely wonderful. We filled our days with card games, Scrabble, movies, shopping trips, visiting Portland, a tour of the Pittock Mansion, playing with the wee Camryn, petting the kitties, and enjoying the chance to finally be home and together. Here are a few snapshots of our adventures (mostly pictures of Camryn!).

Enjoying some yams with Mom!



Playing with a silly Uncle Kenny.



Grandma and Grandpa! (I love this picture of my mom!)



I can't decide what I like more about this picture - Camryn or Megan!



Kenny rocks a tired Camryn to sleep.



Camryn admiring her very first balloon!



Roggie burrowing into the incredibly soft blanket Kenny gave Mom (Mom, Roggie, not you!) for Christmas.



"Quick, Camryn - tell Aunt Katie if Grandma has good cards!"



Camryn played with that Coke can forever - yum!



I love Grandma and Grandpa!



Pittock Mansion (lavishly decorated inside for Christmas).



Waiting for the Pittock Mansion shuttle to whisk us out of the cold.



A rousing performance from Mom!
(We begged her to do this, but I had to promise not to put it on YouTube!)