Christmas Time in Utah

Bowen will be 11 months week. I can't believe how much he has grown. Some of the things Bowen can do now is climb up and down the stairs. He says Mama, Dadda, Kitty Kitty, Star, and almost book. He loves the library and story time. He loves little kids, well people in general. He has so much personality. He is feisty and clenches his fist in balls. He is sweet when he is sleepy and is the only time he cuddles with you. He loves going to places and sitting in the cart watching people. He loves music and stops in his tracks when he hears the guitar. We went and saw Santa and Bowen was a little unsure about it. Santa pulled the moves on mom though, I saw Santa kissing mommy on the cheek....
Bowen has our hearts. I would do anything for that little boy. He loves the kitty and plays spatula and hit the kitty. He likes "Volcano" with his dad. Where Chris throws him in the air and then catches him and puts him on a pile of pillows on top of the bean bag. Bowen thinks this is the greatest thing. He is such a good eater, and wouldn't have guessed it but likes lemons?
This month we went to Temple Square and saw all the lights. I have been studying for finals so he has gotten some time with Grandma JoJo and Emily and Dad. I am finally finishing up my semester with only one more final for the rest of the school year.. at least that's what my mentor said. I am also finishing up my clinicals. It has taken a while but 150 hours is completed!

Bowen is just getting over his cold which lasted over two weeks. This last week he had a temp of 104 and he was miserable. Right before my final of course. Two days later I noticed a rash. Roseola! Yes! I dx my son, what of it!!!

We are headed to Montana next week to check out a potential job opportunity. Perhaps we will be the Montana Smith's?

Much love,

Cameryn



Temple Square 2017

Visiting Santa                                       Bowen with Roseola :(


Not liking Santa...



Bowen Selfie!!!

Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving was a little different this year. It included Bowen! It was so fun to watch him eat his first turkey, mash potatoes, and green beans. Man, he ate it up! This boy knows how to eat. It was a small group this year with the Smith Family. Justin's, Stacey, Karen, Brian, and Chris and I and only three of the grandchildren. We went up to The Provo Smith family for Thanksgiving dinner. It really was incredible! Stacey did a great job on the turkey and did it all herself. Bravo! I have done it once before for friends in Omaha and the task is not easy. Taking out the gizzard and defrosting it and marinating and pasting and stuffing. The left overs are what make it special though!

Bowen got to play with all his cousins toys. He especially loves the stairs. He climbs up and looks back at me and giggles then keeps going. He now comes up to me crawling and pulls on my pants and then stands and says mama mama mama. He loves the dog's waterbowl and plays in the water when i'm not looking. He feeds the dogs his leftovers and even has gotten daring with Duke letting him eat it out of his hands. He likes to take Chris's socks out of the drawer and fling it until there are no more socks in the drawer. He goes over to the piano books in the basket and flings them as well. He likes to go into his book basket and get all his books out. He eats leaves and gets them stuck on the roof of his mouth and I have no idea what he is eating until finally its night and I can see the leaf.
Thinks the dogs are called BAAAA well really any animal. He likes to bite the table with his teeth, and scrape the varnish off with his teeth. He says dada dada. But what's really impressive is his FAVORITE word KITTY KITTY. He loves that cat. Every time we walk or he his playing on the ground and the cat comes he has to grit his teeth and kiiiittty.
He is not a coddler and when he gets frustrated he makes his fists and grunts. He knows how yell and use his lungs. He has the cutest six teeth with a big gap in the front. He loves music and singing and loves kids! He likes to watch football with his dad. He loves his dad but really loves his mom more ;). He likes to play hide and seek. He likes a new game called kick it with a balloon and he stands and kicks the balloon. He does not like to sit and stay still he is always on the move!

He loves his bath time and likes to splash in the bath and get his parents soaked. It takes a team to raise this kid but we would not want him any other way!

Chris was on call this weekend. We had a little dilemma, we were switching over services from AT&T to Verizon. We had to get new phones and figure out how the residents were going to call Chris. We made it work but it took a good day and a half and a couple trips to the Verizon store to get everything sorted out.

It was a gorgeous weekend. Chris and I took the dogs for a hike and hung out at home with a sick Bowen... who now I think got me sick :(. Here is to a hard week ahead getting ready for finals, clinicals, on call, and job interviews for Chris!

A few photos from Thanksgiving and this weekend!

Summer Comes to an End

This is the last week before my clinicals and school start. I didn't know how much work it would be to try and find clinical preceptors. I guess since I am in Utah I have to make up several contracts with all these different facilities because Creighton doesn't have contracts with them and it has to be official. So makes it a lot harder on my end to have a preceptor who is good at teaching willing to teach me and let me do things. I didn't know how hard it would be!

We had some fun this week and did a little shopping up in Sugar House, we went to the Sundance Outlet and Patagonia Outlet and had lunch at Whole Foods. Bowen likes shopping... Sorry Chris. He loves to put out his hands and feel the clothes and look at himself in the mirror while I try on things. He is my little shopping buddy.

We met up with one of my high school friends and went to the splash pad one day and then the library. Later that night we ate dinner with the Dodds family who was Chris's chief in STL. They have 5 adorable kids and he is a comprehensive Ophthalmologist in SLC. He gave Chris some good advice I think when it comes to the job search. Chris has lots of interviews coming up: Oregon, California, Bountiful, St. George, and a few others. They made Fondue Pizza? It was actually really good... I want to start a new tradition with my family and eat Fondue Pizza every Friday. I think Chris would be okay with that considering we had Papa Johns for dinner Tuesday and he had it for lunch too.

We went on a beautiful hike called Cove in PG at 6am and saw the sunrise. I am sore today! I miss hiking in Utah. STL hiking is like a little walk around the block. I am so thankful to be around mountains. There is something about them that brings peace. Chris and I played a little tennis where he did indeed beat me...only because I kept double faulting and hitting the ball into the net! My errors made me so frustrated! I need to step up my game. I actually played twice this week one with my neighbor where she plays probably 5 hours a day. She could probably play in college. Later we went on a lunch date with Chris and Bowen. We went to one of our favorite places up at Suncrest. They had the doors open to the restaurant and you could feel the breeze coming in with the fall air starting. I can't believe it is almost fall. Bowen had his first sweet potato fry and devoured it!!! Man this kid is going to be fat... Chris says. We then went to Thanksgiving Point where I showed Chris the Curiosity Museum. Bowen loves it! He got a little scared in the music room but loved hitting the piano and watching the bubbles and colors show up when you hit a note. He also loves the Water Works where each time we go he is completely soaked. Luckily I remembered to bring an extra outfit. Chris still doesn't get my obsession with Swig but I made him go there after.

Thursday, Ashley had extra tickets to go to the MTC. We weren't able to go Wednesday so we went Thursday with Blake and his friend my mom and dad Chris and Bowen. It was cool to see inside it and know how it looks. The new buildings are amazing. I asked one of the elders if he had to take classes in the old building or the new building and he said the old building. I then asked him if he resented those who got to study in the new classrooms with the floor to ceiling windows bringing in natural light and warm colors that are painted on the wall. He laughed and said no not really I can study in that building anyways. Hey if I was a missionary studying for 7-12 hours in one room I would do everything I can to have my classroom in the new building! We took some pictures at the MTC with the background lit pictures of Jesus in Jerusalem that glowed. It was gorgeous. My favorite experience at the MTC was seeing Chris's face as we walked into the cafeteria. He just got this sick look. I also loved how Blake was able to see the MTC and maybe make him realize a mission is in the close future!!! So crazy. Next year Tanner will be coming home and Blake will be leaving. Missions are hard especially for mom's! As I held Bowen in my little Lilly standing next to the big map sign I just can't imagine what it feels like to send your son for two years to anywhere in the world! There has to be tremendous faith in that. We then went to one of my favorite Mexican restaurants called El Gallo Giro. Probably the best fajitas I have ever had... I know a superlative but it is that good.

Well a start of a new week and the Solar Eclipse!! Hope you all get a chance to see it!

Love
Cameryn

Rock that SKUNK!

Last night we went to an amazing performance by Ben Fold's and Utah Symphony Orchestra. We didn't get there until intermission, because of Cafe Rio...Everyone had the same idea as us I guess. We called all the way up the canyon but no answer. I put a order in online thinking it would be faster. Some of our other family members got to Cafe Rio earlier and said the same thing, the phone lines were off the hook and the same punch spill right by the cash register was still there. Mad house. We waited 40 mins for our food, it would have just been faster to wait inline. We finally made it to the concert where there was no parking. We parked about a mile down the road and hitch hiked to the concert. Some guy was kind enough to stop and let us catch a ride with him. He was fed up looking for parking too and after dropping off his family he decided he didn't care where he parked and parked right in front of the concert and made a spot for himself. Smart. On a side note Cafe Rio was delicious. But I felt bad for B. Fold's because as we passed the stage during intermission it smelt like poopy diapers. Gross.
I liked how he had the whole audience involved and the whole audience sang some acapella for him and he conducted, I remember him doing this last time. I wish he came to Deer Valley every year! ROCK that B*$%#. That is the term I guess where someone yells out during his concerts and he has to make up a song on the spot.

Brittney's wedding shower was yesterday. Kathy and Julie did a great job of organizing it and the quiches were amazing. Brittney and Jace are moving into a house in Provo. Countdown to the wedding is a week! It is almost here crazy!

I let Maggie out this week around 1130pm to go to the bathroom and she found a little critter friend who sprayed her. She ran in the house and immediately  I smelt it. She got sprayed. We made a late night trip to Walmart to get hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda and dishwash soap. Man it was awful, I had clinical the next morning too; oh the surprises we will get this year. Hopefully the skunk doesn't come out during the wedding.

Bowen has been doing this screech thing when he gets excited. It pierces your ears! He is so fun and definitely lets you know when he is tired or hungry. He still likes breast milk the most though...

I finally finished my huge paper for this class, I am so happy it is done. I get a little break to middle of August where I can just chill and relax. Thank goodness, I need it.

We are running a half marathon in two weeks in British Columbia Vancouver for LuLulemon. I am so excited! I love lululemon. I probably could wear it all the time which a lot of times I do.

We went to the splash pool this week, met up with one of my college roommates from BYU and got to play soccer! I scored a P.K. I liked how the guy tried to give me a pep talk to kick it as hard as I could at the goalie and then they will all come in and help. Why couldn't I just score and avoid that whole process? Idk. Also Chris and I went to go see Spider Man which was so good! We got Cubbies after too. It was overall a great week:).

Love,

Cameryn

Movin' movin' movin'

Well it's been a while since I have written. A LOT has happened but let's just bullet point it to get to the gist of it.

• Finished my 38 page paper
• Chris graduated residency
• Bowen is 6 months 27 inches height and 17.9 lbs
• We packed, cleaned, and moved from Saint Louis to Utah
• I finished finals
• Chris started his fellowship at the Moran Eye Center-- already has had two open globes
• I started my clinicals
• We moved into my parents house for a year in the apartment 
• Jace and Brittface are getting married in less than a month
• Bowen is still teething...

Hm I'm sure there is lots more but it's late and I can't think. We celebrated Chris and Blakes birthday bash this weekend. I planned a fun little birthday for his whole family to celebrate in SLC. We haven't been able to be with his family during Chris's birthday so it was fun to have everyone there and celebrate. We had some good tri-tip sandwiches and played wiffle ball with all the kids and parents at the church. We had some oreo or cookies and cream cake and Chris got his Air Pods (two thumbs up review from Chris) which means he really likes them. And I got him a slackline-- okay well I got both of us a slack line. I also got him pizza coasters.. so awesome. 

We celebrated Chris and Blake's  birthday on today and had some burgers and dirt cake. Blake and Chris got shoes, shirts and other necessities that boys don't like buying. Then we did a little slack line and double cartwheels... well tried to at least. It was a good birthday and we are celebrating it with more fun by going to Lake Powell this next week. :)

Love Cam

Swimming and hiking at Timpanogoes Cave and in the Call's pool

Chris's Birthday and Bowe's bow

Chris and Blake attempting a double cartwheel

4th of July hike and Park City dinner at the Country Club

Last Week In STL

This last month has been crazy. I can say that Bowen is a well traveled boy. Palm Springs, Table Rock Lake, Omaha, and soon to be SLC. We have got this travel thing down. It does help that Bowen is actually really good on planes with sleeping and eating being his priorities. We will see how long that lasts. 

Table Rock lake was a retreat for the residents. After many floods happening in April and may the loading dock was completely under so we had to use an oar and a tiny boat to get to the mother land. This made it extremely difficult for a mom and 5 month old with all her belongings to get to and from the dock where everyone was hanging out and go back and forth for Bowens naps etc. Not as convenient as the previous years. We had tons of fun though being able to SUP and dipping B's toes into the water. A little too chilly for him to be submerged. He loved the boat but DESPISED his life jacket. The minute we put that thing on I knew that maybe we just shouldn't be on the boat right now. Everyone was kind but I'm sure they were saying uh why did they have to take the baby🏻!!! We did have a night of glorious thunder and storms where I nearly thought I was going to drown and completely drenched in water going to check on Bowen after we put him to sleep. The sky was green with streaks of lightning everywhere! I almost fell into a massive puddle running to save my baby seeing if he was awakened by the lightning. Glad no one was there to witness the event. We had some good fires, snores, laughs, wake boarding. I prided myself on this as I was the only girl to get in the water. Yes it was cold but I promised myself that when I had kids I'm still going to get in the water. Not to call grandma jojo out but I think I just did ;). 

Chris had a job interview in Palm Springs and the company wanted to fly Bowen and I out. It was hot as HELL. No skipping around it. Palm Springs was 102 by 10am one morning. At least it wasnt 100 percent humidity like Austin TX. There is definitely no shade with palm trees being your only hope for some protection. Golf courses and shopping surround the city. A retirees paradise. We met the doctors for dinner at Tommy Bahamas where it was much passed Bowen's bedtime. Luckily he was only really fussy for 20 mins and then we swaddled him and he fell asleep. They all loved Chris. But I think Chris and I have realized that if we had to rank Palm Springs it would be in the bottom 1/3. Sorry dad we know your love for golf but I think you would side with us on this one. We did attend the ward on Sunday and counted probably a handful of kids. I think Bowen would get plenty of attention if we ended up there. We also went up the 360 aerial tram which is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. We didn't know there was hiking when we got up to the top and decided to go on a few trails. While Chris was carrying Bowen in the baby bjorn wearing his flip flops and almost slipping twice to get a better view of the city below I pulled the mommy card and said NO MORE!!!

We also had one of Chris's interview friends from fellowship come stay with us. His name is Filbert. He liked taking pictures and really likes Vietnamese food. We took him around STL to the arch, to some good restaurants, and even to church. \

Last day of church. It is almost better to not announce it. I hate making it a big deal, but I have met some good friends here and we are getting together one last time. It is definitely going to be different this next year. Vanessa and Jordan made us three kinds of pizza and salad and then we played games with a few others. We are going to miss our "bang" friends.

Our anniversary was yesterday the 11th. 6 years. We have been traveling so much we thought forget it we don't want to go out! So we packed instead. I can't believe it has been 6 years. So many places so many people so many changes. Let me tell you Christopher Smith keeps me on my toes. But as we have a Smith Motto, We do Hard Things. Although having a baby, being in full time doctoral school, and moving at the same time. I think both of us realize that the happier way is not always the easy way. We love our cute little family.

Have a great week and we will see you all soon!!


Cam