Look out dental school... here we come!

After hours and hours of studying, many trips to new and exciting places, (lots of money on airfare and hotels) and a whole lot of decision making... Erik has been accepted into dental school!

He got into the University of Florida, University at Buffalo, University of Nevada Las Vegas, and University of Missouri Kansas City! We've been thinking a lot about where to go and it was a really hard decision to make. Florida has some pretty appealing sunshine, Las Vegas is close to family (and we have a pretty amazing friend who live there), Buffalo has Erik's brother Ryan, and... well, maybe the UMKC wasn't so hard to chose between...

Anyhow, we have finally made our decision to move to the great arctic lands of Buffalo, NY. Granted, I am a little nervous to move across the country away from my family. And the winters will be no cake walk for me to handle, but I'm really excited about the people who live there. They are so friendly and just solid. I'm excited to be close to Niagara Falls (maybe people will come and visit...). I'm excited about having an adventure with Erik far away from anywhere else I've ever lived.

This will be quite the exciting adventure!

Prayers for Megan

Hello friends!
Our sister-in-law, Megan, was diagnosed with leukemia three months ago (the very day that she gave birth to her first child). We would love some extra prayers in her behalf if you find a quiet moment in the day. Thank you for all the prayers that are going out now for her. We really do appreciate it!
Love,
The Generik Smiths

Here is a video of our cute niece, Rylee.



If you want more info on Megan please visit:

prayersformegan.com

Public Health Conference

I have exciting news! I applied for a scholarship to attend a public health conference in Denver and was accepted to go! I'm so excited about it and wanted to share some of that excitement. I hope this video works... Because it is AMAZING and makes me want to go get a job in PH right now! Well here it is.

BYU Life

One of my wonderful old roommates, Katie, came into town the other day. I had so much fun walking around campus with her people watching and just enjoying our entertaining environment.
She happened to mention how great it felt to be back at BYU. I was thinking about that comment and remembered that just yesterday I was thinking about BYU culture and how much I'll... dare I say it... miss it.
Just yesterday, I walked by a boy getting dating advice from a "very knowledgeable" friend. Just yesterday, I walked by a girl who was riding her moped in a quite large, fluffy bathrobe (odd to say the least). Just yesterday I heard a boy singing out loud as he walked to class. Just yesterday, I saw a boy running to class as the bell tower rang twelve (he had a striking resemblance to a raptor as he ran). Just yesterday, about twenty people who walked by smiled at me or said hello. Just yesterday, I was able to sit next to a complete stranger and hold a very friendly and meaningful conversation with them. Just yesterday, I got every door held open for me. Just yesterday, the sun was shining in Provo and I realized that I will miss this quirky little town.

A Perfect Break: Part 2, A Defeated Fear

I don't know how many of you hate heights, but I'm not particularly fond of them as shown by my fixation in the somewhat upward sky. At the family reunion we were able to do something called the "Ropes Course". Let me tell you a little bit about what we got to do.




Climb! There was a whole lot of climbing. First Erik and I went up a twenty five foot log.



Next we moved from the Log to the rock wall which was quite frightening. There was a point when you had to reach around and grab onto the rock wall from a very awkward position.







Then there was the 15 foot rock wall and after that i was sooo pooped that i needed to take a quick break... Erik was faster at regaining his strength than I was.



Erik in the air! So high...





Kait on the Ropes. This was a good 40 feet in the air.







And then we came down!



Erik and I would have to agree that this was our favorite activity to do at the reunion. Erik has me figured out so well. He pointed out to me that somethings that scare me are often the things that I have the most fun with. He's right! Isn't stretching yourself to do things that you wouldn't normally do fun?!

A Perfect Break: Part 1

I know this is a little out of order... but I just found this in my "waiting to be posted" pile. So, we're going to jump into our time machine and travel back about seven months to our family reunion at Aspen Grove. We had my whole family there just relaxing and enjoying fun activities and each others company.


This is our little Handsome Rob. He is our nephew and just about the happiest baby there is. All that was needed for him to produce squeals of joy was a tiny pinch on his little cheeks. Aren't his blue eyes beautiful?!


This is Baby Kate; our niece. She's a bundle of energy and the most fun you'll get from a girl who is two and a half. She loved to hang out with us and chat with us. Erik even taught her a new word; Photosynthesis. Right after he said it to her she exclaimed, "Wow! That surprised me!" I couldn't love her more!


For the very first time I tried out paint balling. I had fun but stayed tucked away the whole game. Erik, Cami and Ry had so much fun running around and plotting how to get the flag. Erik managed to steal the flag two times. Yes, I was quite proud!


I can't say that I'm very good at paintball, DDR or archery... but i did enjoy the guns they had out. I had a lot of fun taking tips from my Uncle George on how to aim. And I even have proof that I can aim.