Two Good Weekends and a Lost Wife

Before you begin reading this blog I would recommend turning the music on at the bottom. For some reason the player lost the auto start feature, and seeing that I am particularly proud of this updates playlist I am suggesting you press play, for several of them are quite fun.

Last weekend was great fun. The Syphers, Hagges, and Browns came over to visit. We went camping on Friday night and enjoyed biking in the rain and crashing into streams. The kids had a blast and so did we, as Kay so brilliantly portrays in her photo below.

For James and Stacy this was a stoic trip (smile)

James just getting into biking. I am fat.

Saturday we went out to the back yard and built a few jumps for the bikes and had a blast. The kids played in the dirt, the husbands jumped over the dirt, and the Moms put band aids on all our scratched knees. Here are a few of the pictures of the kids.

Sweet pic of Ryan on the drop in

The kids using the drop in of the jump as a slide, there all there having a great time, even Nelson (the dog) was taking turns

These guys know how to have fun

Anson and Daxton, two peas in a pod

Kegan sitting at the frontier of his life

Me looking pretty legit

Observe my great parenting skills
Ryan throwing it down for the first time on the gap

The drop in for the step up that we built

I look good flying through the air

It's the landings that I have trouble with

This week end was really fun as well. The Syphers came down again. Friday night we played around on the jump till 8 then watched Nacho Libre, which is one of the funniest movies of all time, then Ben and I went on a bike ride. We left around 11 pm and started on the trail at 11:30. Our destination was Firth springs up Spanish Fork canyon.

About 2 minutes on the trail, which is usually an hour hike, the petal breaks off my bike. Fortunately, with a little finesse we were still able to bike most of the way there, with little hiking along the way, taking about 40 minutes to arrive. The springs were occupied by a very spirited, undressed, and occupied couple whom we shared the spring with for about 2.5 hours. There was no moon or clouds the stars were consuming and the entertainment was great. The ride back took about 15 min (downhill). Got back home, washed the sulfer off and were in bed by 6:30 am.

The next morning we went out and played on the jumps some more, building it up to get about 6ft of air, which we decide was to much, and broke it back down. I went to work, when I came back we watched another movie. I must now mention that all of this was done without Ali.

Last Sunday Ali left to Pocatello to go to a birthday party. On her way back, just outside of Poky the car broke down. She had it towed back to Poky and has been there waiting for its repair ever since. We're hoping that she'll be back by Tues or Wed.

Needless to say, without Ali and the chillins, I am just a lonely man with a bike.

Difficulty with the Easter Egg

This was our entertainment Easter Sunday after dying eggs. Be sure to watch it to the end, he's a thinker.

Getting to Know Eliza

Now that Eliza's here we're going through the whole "get to know you" phase of a relationship. The pictures tell it all.


At first she was bashful, not really knowing us and all she didn't want to draw much attention to herself.
She finally let us take a picture of her face and we realized how beautiful she is.

She next became very formal realizing that we were her parents and she needed to respect us and all. She shared with us her expectations of us and told us what she wants out of life.

After us listening to her, she listened to us intently as we described to her our parenting style and explained that if she doesn't like us then tough luck.

After all formalities were over she finally relaxed and fell asleep. It was the first time she slept well for about 15 minutes.

It's nice to have that over with and now that we know all about her and she knows all about us. This whole parent child thing is going to be a much better experience. She's great.

The Newest Shaw

Well Ali did it! Monday April 18th at 7:18pm Eliza Myalee Shaw was born weighing 6lbs 2oz and 18in long. She is healthy and strong. Ali was in labor 5 hours with the last hour being the most difficult. I must say she handled it like a champ and got that baby out as quick as she could. After a night of partial sleep Ali ate a hearty breakfast of french toast, took a nap, ran a 5K, and we introduced Eliza to Anson...dum, dum, dum. At first Anson was mad at us for not being home all day yesterday. After warming up to us again we brought her in. As seen in the photos below he was curious, but stand off-ish. Only after Eliza gave him a gift of a Power Wheel did he finally warm up to her and gave her a kiss. Some family came over and now here we are.

Miss Eliza Myalee Shaw politely shaking hands

Eliza's first attempt of being dramatic

Ali looking like a champ with her new baby girl

She's finally getting used to being human.

I officially have a little princess

Anson not quite knowing how to react.

Anson discovering that baby sisters have faces just like his!

This is the official update, we'll keep you all posted as time goes on. Don't forget to leave nice comments about how cute she is and how wonderfully brave Ali is. They will both be flattered by them and my job will get a little easier. Of course other than Ali and Eliza's roll in this whole ordeal mine was the hardest. I had to stand there and watch Eliza come out like ketchup from a squeeze bottle while Ali threatened to kill me. No, it's not easy being the husband, but somebody's got to do it. And it might as well be me.

Change of Seasons

Headed down Spanish Fork Canyon looking for hot springs and found this mini-Zions in the middle of nowhere. Pretty cool though. Anson had a great time leading us on a hike, rolling in and eating dirt and climbing rocks. He's so cool, must be the hat.

Ali and Anson enjoying a bench

Anson just climbed this steep rock, I'm so proud.

The struggle to get a good family photo by setting the camera on a rock.

We all went to a tumbling gym with some friends, Ali didn't get in much playing, but Anson and I had a blast jumping into the foam pits and doing the climbing wall where we landed in the foam pit when we fell. Anson didn't want to leave.

Ansons first time on an Olympic tramp.

Having a great time playing in the foam pit, but where's Dad?

The Unknown

I am really on a roll, updating our blog for the second time in two weeks.

Mike has been placed on the waiting list at Pacific North West. He won't know what number on the waiting list until the end of April. We still have hope that he'll get in this fall but we have to plan for him not getting in as well. Mike has just started an MCAT prep course to apply again for med school next year. Our family is currently unsure of the future. However we are putting our faith in the Lord that he will direct us to where we need to be.

Ali: I'm still pregnant at 36 1/2 weeks. This is a blessing because I had Anson at 36 weeks weighing 4lbs 11oz and he was in the NICU about 2 weeks. I am just hoping I stay pregnant a few more weeks because the baby is measuring small.

Anson is talking so so much. He likes to copy all the words we say. He is starting to fold his arms during prayers and he thinks pictures of men with beards are Jesus. He is all boy and would rather watch a truck or a tractor than do anything else.

Before
7 weeks worth

After

The fam on our scooter. The Greers came to visit from Rexburg and brought it for us. So nice of them and so good to see friends.

Anson playing at the park

Mike and Anson on the scooter

Rock climbing at Rock Canyon

Anson is a natural rock climber

Hair cuts for daddy and Anson. Like father like son

It's about time

It has almost been a year from the last time we updated our blog. We will try to do better. The highlights over the last little while include:
Me being pregnant with baby #2, a girl, due April 19th
Mike graduating from BYUI
Us moving to Mapleton with Mike's parents
Mike applying to med school with an interview in Washington
Anson turning a year and a half, going to nursery and saying new words every day

Anson's 1st b-day

Anson in church clothes

Anson helping mom make apple sauce

family pic at BYUI