Finals Week!

Finals for UNO were this week! I had my lab finals this week and next week I have my lecture finals. For A & P I get 45 seconds per station which usually there are about 50 stations with models and microscopes and usually have to identify the area and the function. It is pretty intense, and I still have the second part of A and P! Micro, I am glad to say that is FINALLY over. 

This week was bombarded with Christmas parties and Job interviews! After waiting basically months on job interviews and trying to find something lined up for next semester I have found something..well actually a couple of things. I am still doing personal training at UNO but starting January I get to start teaching a fitness class and manage a health blog. I also landed a job in the marketing department at UNO so my degree in Advertising does come in handy! I am also doing tutoring part time for a couple of high school students. So overall that is keeping me busy! That and my cute dog Maggie which I can't get enough of :) 

We went to a couple of Christmas parties this week including Chris's residency party was suit and tie apparel… did not get that memo. Well, at least we were only there for 20 mins since we had to leave, he worked the night shift and that was our excuse! 

We also had dinner with Chris's attending when he was on Wards at UNMC and the group had to take a picture :)

We went to and Ugly Christmas Sweater Party and I am pretty sure that Chris and I had the ugliest sweaters… Especially his with the shoulder pads. I even found Maggie a Christmas outfit for a dollar at Target… it didn't stay on too long.

There was also our ward christmas breakfast that we just barely had missed. We got to it at the end when everyone was cleaning up. Too bad, but we found an amazing place called WheatFields and got breakfast instead. We even got to have breakfast with Santa!!!

It's been a good week! Hopefully finals continue to go smoothly. Can't wait to be in Utah this next week!!!

Love,

The Smith's

Turkey Day!

We got to celebrate Thanksgiving in Omaha this year! Next year, I am sure we will be in St. Louis. We had a blast playing with Maggie and hanging with friends on thanksgiving. I was in charge of the turkey! My first ever turkey… I learned all the turkey terminology brining your turkey, stuffing the turkey, how the turkey should be turned or in an oven bag, removing the gizzard and neck and then using it to cook in your gravy. Of course you learn things too, the meat thermometer completely melted, Chris removing the turkey from the oven and making a huge grease mess, Maggie coming over and licking it all up. I also was in charge of the sweet potatoes, these are always my favorite the candied yams with marshmallows are always a delight. I also made rolls and a green salad…which, definitely was not eaten. It was a good sleepy night :)

Brooke and I got up early to run the coldest 5K in our life! Freezing our buns off, we made it and crossed the finish line to be welcomed with hot coco. 

Chris got home early and surprised me by coming home at 2pm! We didn't think he would get home until 7pm and thinking we would start Thanksgiving then. 

We taught Maggie to sit, shake, and lay down! I felt like such a proud parent :)

Chris and I also went to the famous Gingerbread house festival at Council Bluffs Tabernacle. My favorite was GiGi's Bakery Gingerbread House. 

It was a good week! Now back to reality…:)

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! 

Cameryn 

Gingerbread House #1

Gingerbread House #2

#3

My favorite Gingerbread House!

How can you resist that face?

Maggie really wanted the turkey...

Brooke and I running the turkey trot 5K at Midtown Crossing

Colbie and Maggie playing tug-o-war

I definitely bought her an ugly christmas sweater…don't judge

Chris's teddy bear when he was little…look familiar?

A Christmas Puppy!

It was a simple friday, Brooke and I were talking about going to the animal shelter and playing with puppies. Instead, we found a place called Tulley's Kennel. It was my turn to pick the date, and I really REALLY wanted to play with puppies. I convinced Chris driving out there where we met Brooke. She had already done some research and found HER dog. He was an english bull dog chubby with all the roles included. Next thing I know she is on the phone talking to her husband, "Rhys we need him…" Granted they already had a dog but Coral needed a buddy. After holding about 3 puppies. I had my eye on one.. but a girl had just bought it! We then went to a chocolate brown and black cockapoos' crate. She and her brother were playing. Her green eyes sparkled. Chris held her and there was this magical moment, Maggie and Chris met eyes and I thought I was going to cry. Brooke had convinced her husband and they went to go get a puppy the next day. I still hadn't convinced Chris… so I thought… I talked to Brooke and Rhys the whole night, he will never get me a dog! It would have to be me who would get it. That next day he shows up to my school with a puppy in his car. I about died!

Maggie is already famous. We went out on walks this weekend and got to meet Santa! As we put Maggie on Santa's lap, the kids started to flock. Not to get a picture with Santa but to see Maggie. All of a sudden a camera crew for Channel 7 shows up. They wanted to interview me about Maggie. It didn't help that it was 10 degrees outside. I just wanted her to hurry and go to the bathroom! So she tugged at Santa's hat and the white fluff ball at the end almost taking it off his head. Everyone cooed and awed at the cute adorable puppy. I have to say it is a lot of work but completely worth it! I can't believe he got her, and boy does he looooove her!!!! Never thought I would say that about Chris and dogs :)

We will miss everyone for Thanksgiving!

Love,

Cameryn

That Smell….

The smell lingered…it haunted my nose. Just when I thought it was gone, it crept back up on me. My gagging reflex couldn't hold. I quickly put my hand to my mouth. I was going to throw up…

Stake Conference was today, we tried to find somewhere to sit in the 1/2 portion closer to the speaker. No luck, so we got stuck in the back with all the kids and tired parents. "Okay someone has got to take their kid out." Chris says almost too loud. I agreed though, that poor kid, he is standing with something on him that can't be comfortable, and I doubt he enjoys that smell too, or the rest of the 500 people at Conference. I thought okay, well they got to take their kid out sometime. Fifteen minutes passed, then twenty five. "I think I'm going to be sick." I told Chris. We left in a scurry as everyone stood up to sing. We ran for fresh air holding our hands to our mouth. I let out a huge gasp as I went outside. Ah the fresh air never smelt so good. We stayed outside for a good 5 mins. When we went back in, I swear I could smell it. We found refuge in the Relief Society room. As we sat down, there it was again. Let's just say I still feel sick…

Okay so here is the situation. Most days I park in the LDS Institute building near UNO campus. It is about a 10 min. walk to campus, but when it is a nice day I don't mind the walk. I have grown to dread this walk. The narrow sidewalks are so close to the road, I have to pay attention at all times to keep from getting hit. That's not the part I dread though, I dread walking on the sidewalk because I know that at least one time that morning I will get honked at. Not a "MOVE GET OUT OF THE WAY!" honk., but a "BEEP" and a "BEEP BEEP". Okay flattered when I was single, maybe. But once again,  after complaining to my mom about his and saying, who are these people and why are they honking at me? Again it happened, I'm walking to Micro one morning and a car did a "beep" at me going my direction. "Are you kidding me??" I said. Not like he could hear me. I think I even raised my hands like are you enjoying the scene? About a minute later it happened again! The worker in the truck was going the opposite direction and I could totally see him turn his head and stare at me!!! Then later that day I passed a man, probably about my dad's age I smile trying to be friendly, and what does he do when I pass? He "Woofs". No i'm not making this up. Isn't it called a cat call? Why did he woof? That is the problem about going back to school. I think people mistakened me at BYU for a 16 year old girl and now that I maybe look about 19 I get the creepy old men. A sign that says "Yes I am married and Yes I am almost 23" needs to be worn around my neck.

No one had any ideas for mutual this week. I have had the idea of doing Etiquette night for a long time so I tossed around the idea and I think the counselors were all relieved they didn't have to do much when I said I would teach it. My dad went to Cotillion school when he was younger so I thought I would ask him a few ideas. I had the girls try to figure out where everything goes for a "proper table setting". About 11 girls showed up which is VERY unusual. I was glad it was a good turn out because there was a lot of help and discussion. I entranced them with the some fun and kinda silly rules that they had no idea about. Butter your role for only one bite, passing to the right, and not blowing on your hot food is improper? Who would have known?

I love visiting Chris at the hospital. He gets $6 on his card everyday and sometimes he doesn't use it, so I meet him for lunch if I get the chance. We sometimes do crosswords and I get to hear about the dumb nurses who won't give him a break from his pager…hope I'm not one of those nurses?

Chris and I got the treatment this weekend to go to Creighton Bball and UNO hockey. Both from his residency and the married to medicine group. Two games in one weekend plus BYU football, ah Chris was in Heaven.

My cookie monster mug I made for Chris, this is what he found when he came home.

Needed to get a pic of this no shave november portrait

Federer lost this weekend :( So sad.

Off to Denver!

After 3 tests this week in Microbiology and Human Anatomy, I decided to take a whirlwind of a trip to Denver to celebrate! Brooke, Rhys, and I were talking over Halloween Trunk or Treat when I overheard them talking about a Roadtrip to Denver. They went out to visit Brooke's Dad, Grandma, and step-sisters. I decided to ride along with them in the back of the truck with their dog. That was a smelly trip. I don't know what the dog ate but it must have let out about 10 of something…

It was a good weekend to be gone especially since Chris was on call for most of the weekend and Halloween. I got to go trick or treating with Grayson and Alison and Travis and help them hand out candy. I was a skeleton for Halloween this year in honor of Human Anatomy. I just took my bone test so I would like to think I know most of the bones… We went to Travis's parents that night and had some homemade chili. Tabby and her boyfriend Mike were visiting from Utah so I got to meet them as well, I have met Tabby before a couple of times when I was in Utah. Cindy, Travis's mom, had her favorite chocolates from around the world on the table. I can't resist chocolate! And she mentioned she got them at Costco… I can't resist Costco either ;)

The next day we went on a hike up to the Compass. The compass shows all the major points and mountains with the highest elevations in Colorado. Alison was pointing to where she used to work in the big cylindrical building. While everyone turned back Alison and I trudged up the dirt hill with her stroller that must have weighed 70 pds. That Grayson is a big boy ;). He is so cute and very smiley! He did not like his car seat though. Everytime he got put down in it he cried. I tried my best to calm him down but no luck. I loved being with the Comb's cute little family :)

We also had some fun adventures at the Red Rock Amphitheater and got to see some Cross Fit while we were at it! They were doing some competition there at the top. The amphitheater is unique because it is naturally dome shaped with the red rock. Many famous musicians and artists go there to perform. I was a little jealous when I heard that they went to Jason Mraz play last year. I guess I will just have to plan another visit but this time hopefully with Chris.

They definitely sold me on Denver with all the fun running trails! I loved being outside in nature! That is one thing I do miss about the West is the mountains. We also made a quick stop to Costco, the famous Park Meadows Mall Karen talked so highly of and where we got to nostalgia of playing with American Girl dolls. $20 for a haircut say what?? They even had their own American Girls Doll salon where two braids were $20. That is one expensive doll. But…so worth it. I loved those dolls. We ended the night with some Cafe Rio, which I miss terribly as well. That first bite was like a piece of heaven. I felt right back at home in Utah. 

A great weekend and enjoyed some fun with friends and family! 

Alison and I at the trail sight to the Compass

Chris and I made our "Scary" gingerbread house before I left. We had to make it before Halloween!!!

Found Chris's hat he lost on the plane last year… I have been looking for it forever. Finally one of the Oakley stores had it! I couldn't believe it!