Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Greetings, here is a brief family update for the year:
Matt has continued to work on his PhD in Computer Science and hopes to finish this coming year. He has published a few papers and started a new thing at BYU called the Web Startup Group. He still makes time for giving train/dino rides to Matthew on his back and enjoys holding Lila in his arms.

Camille is an adoring mother that loves to be home with the children. She seems to always be busy serving others by doing something for somebody. She still occasionally does hair in a friend's salon in Traverse Mountain. She loves hugging both Matthews' and Lila.

Matthew is two years old and loves life. He likes to talk about animals and say his favorite words like Mama, Daddy, Yaya (for grandma), Veve (for Avery), Kekees (for KC), and Yi-ya (for Lila) --- he adores his little sister Lila. He is a smart boy that is always curious and eager to learn new things. He gets plenty of attention from his angelic curly hair and because he still likes to wear his Buzz Lightyear halloween costume around town.

Lila is our little angel. She is so sweet, easy going, and patient. She goes to work with mom and sits and watches contently as mom does hair. She already loves the salon --- a true girl. Lastly, she loves her big brother Matthew.

This year has been a very challenging and spiritual year. On September 1, Matt's father Craig Smith passed away after his 10-year battle with cancer. He was a man of intelligence, insight, and integrity. His family was the most important part of his life. We love him and miss him dearly. On September 3, Camille gave birth to Lila who has brought so much joy and peace into our lives. We know that Grandpa Craig and Lila had a sweet reunion before she came to us. We are grateful for loving parents that have taught us through example. We know that the savior Jesus Christ's perfect example and atonement make it possible for us to repent, become clean, and live again with those we love.

We love you! May the peace and love that comes from above be with you this year.

Love,
Matt, Camille, Matthew, and Lila

Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue

Happy Hay Farmers

We probably should have looked at the original picture before we attempted this one --- but you have to admit we made a valiant attempt. Perhaps, if we were real farmers our "serious" faces might have been even more serious. ;)

Elizabeth on Studio5!

Baby Lila

Baby Lila is here!

We are pleased to announce the arrival of Baby Lila Camille Smith!

She was born at 12:55pm on September 3. She was 6 pounds 10 ounces and 18.5 inches long. Mother and baby are both happy and healthy.

Craig C. Smith, 64

Craig C. Smith was welcomed home into the loving arms of his Father in Heaven the morning of September 1, 2008 after fighting cancer valiantly for more than a decade. Craig was born May 1, 1944 to Clinton and Metta Crawford Smith. He grew up in Groveland, Idaho where at a young age he developed an unrelenting work ethic and a keen, problem-solving mind. He graduated at the top of his class from Blackfoot High School in 1962 where he was captain of the football team and also represented his school in basketball, track and baseball. Most importantly, it was at Blackfoot High where he first kissed homecoming royalty, Illa Mae Horton, who later became his eternal companion.

After graduation, he attended BYU for one year before leaving for an LDS mission to Ireland. Shortly after returning home in 1966, Craig married his high school sweetheart in the Idaho Falls Temple. He graduated from BYU with a bachelors and a masters in Mechanical Engineering and continued his education at MIT in Boston, where he earned a PhD in 1973. He chose to remain in academics as a professor, first teaching at the University of Texas at Austin before returning to his alma mater BYU. He was a tenured professor of Mechanical Engineering and enjoyed his work as an advisor in the graduate program and influenced the
lives of countless students and colleagues. Outside of his academic career, Craig worked as a professional engineering consultant and served numerous times as an expert witness in accident reconstruction.

Craig was active in professional societies where he served as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Dynamic Systems and Controls Division of ASME, Member of the Operating Board of the Systems and Design Technical Group of ASME, a Director of the American Automatic Controls Council, and an ASME fellow. He was known internationally as an expert in his field.

In 1997, Craig started working with Caldera Engineering. He was intrigued by the work they were doing and enjoyed finding solutions to the challenges Caldera faced. Perhaps most importantly, he loved the people that he was able to interact with there. His association with Caldera is an important highlight of his professional career.

Together, Craig and Illa raised four children, Hugh, Mark, Natalie and Matt. He instilled in each of his children the importance of a good education and encouraged them to pursue whatever fields genuinely interested them. Through the years he encouraged them to participate in sports. As a coach or in the stands, He was always their biggest fan. And they are his.

Craig was active in the LDS Church and served faithfully throughout his life. He spent several years serving as bishop of a BYU ward, and as a counselor in several bishoprics. He served as Elders Quorum President, Sunday school teacher, Scout Master, and most recently as a ward clerk and family history consultant. He loved and lived the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He was a loving grandfather, father, brother, and devoted husband. His family was the most important part of his life. He was a man of intelligence, insight, and integrity. He is survived by his wife, Illa, and his children, Hugh (Rachel), Mark (Emily), Natalie (Adam), Matt (Camille), and nine grandchildren.

We would like to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at Central Utah Medical Center Oncology for the loving care that they gave to Craig during the past 10 years, especially Dr. Brian Tudor and his team for helping him fight for so long. We also wish to express our gratitude and appreciation for the many kindnesses and expressions of love during our time of sorrow.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 2pm at the Edgemont 8th Ward LDS chapel on 3050 N Mojave Lane in Provo. A viewing will be held from 6-8pm Friday evening, September 5, at Berg Mortuary on 185 E Center Street in Provo, as well as one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Highland City Cemetery.

Matthew sporting my first sewing project.

By now you've probably heard the shocking news about the risks of using polycarbonate baby bottles due to the leaching of Bisphenol-A from the bottles into the liquids that they contain. According to a 2007 study by Environment California Research and Policy Center, consuming Bisphenol-A increases cancer-cell growth, increases the risk of becoming diabetic or obese and can also have negative effects on the human reproductive system, and children are most susceptible to this substance's presence. (Adults should be careful too - clear plastic bottles for water contain the same substance.)

The good news is that good alternatives now do exist, like the brand Born Free. Celeb parents including Jessica Alba (who just gave birth to her first baby, Honor Marie Warren) are snatching up these Bisphenol-A-free bottles for their babies. Born Free feeding systems are now available at Whole Foods stores nationwide.



Update: We just discovered another new PES bottle by Green to Grow. These bottles are made with the same bisphenol-a-free PES material as the Born Free bottles, and they are packaged in 100% recycled packaging. And we love the cute apple design on the bottles!

Happy Late Birthday K.C.

Matthew helping in the garden

This picture of Matthew in the flower pot is symbolic to how big he has grown in the past 2 months. He does not understand whats to come but he is growing up so fast.
Check out those curls

Photo 101

I wanted to learn how to take pictures without my setting being on Auto (the little green box)
I have had one class and am feeling a little overwhelmed.
But I think I got the rule of thirds down.

Matt is changing his diaper, so he is nice and still

Twilight book club

My little Vampire

Our ward has a fun book club and I got to host this month. We had a great turn out, and it was fun to talk about Twilight.

Ultrasound Pictures: It's a Girl

Here are a few shots from the most recent Ultrasound...

Little Helper

Matthew helping Auntie Ashley with her laundry or her delicates

"Yes I can can"

This looks like a fun one to watch.

Quote of the day

Thanks to my long lost friend Adrien who provided this quote.
Thanks

"Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha..."

put that in your back pocket!

It's A Girl

It's A Girl

My sister in-law Rachel kindly did an ultra sound
on our little one that will be here in August and, yep, it's a Girl!
The little one was moving her little tush (she's got back like her mom)
it looked like she was dancing in there
We are so grateful.

Uncle Jonathan

Jonathan Singing the Beatles

Twilight cast

Meet the Cullen Family What do you think?

So I keep looking at Esme Played by Elizabeth Reaser And she looks so familiar She was in the Family Stone but haven't seen it. Then I read that she was in gray's anatomy remember the lady with no identity.
Its hard cause no matter what you visualize things and people are different but I am o.k. with this.
I cant wait to see the movie

He called me princess

My Dad
He liked it when we called him papa and how I miss him.
He has been gone 12 years and still sometimes not an hour can go by that I don't think about him. Now I am reminded of him when I look at Matthew's big blue eyes

New First Presidency Announced

Thomas S. Monson is the new president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Henry B. Eyring, 74, first counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 67, second counselor will be serving with him in the First Presidency.

Adorable Man

President Hinckley has been such an influence in my life. I love him and have been so touched by him . He has such a great personality, such great courage, the ability to love everyone, so personable, and intelligent. I will miss his bright light he brought when he walked in a room. I will always treasure his testimony.


I love this picture of him waving with his cane. During his funeral, as the family and associates drove to the cemetery, people lined the streets waving white hankies and canes.

Elizabeth: She's a Keeper

Here are links to some of her latest stuff:

• Scapbooker or the Year
• Q&A with Elizabeth
• Product Picks
• Start to Finish With Elizabeth
• CK Jan 2008 Magazine (on Amazon)

Oh, and here is a link to her amazing blog is called Just Us.