The Newest News

So, its been awhile since we've updated our blog. Well...Ali's still pregnant, she's handling it very well, hasn't really gotten sick all that much. Mostly now adays she's just hot all the time, sleeps a lot and pee's uncontrollably, I'm just glad we don't have to pay the water bill. Though she's been feeling well, its has been a time in our marriage that we're gaining new insights about each other. Its been a time for us to grow closer and find our who we really are. Some times these times in our lives are difficult, this is especially one of those times for me. Ali finally shared with me one of her deepest kept secrets, knowing this secret helped me come to understand Ali so much more, and has given me so much insight that I wanted to share it with all of you, so you too can understand what it is about Ali that makes her so uniquely special, wonderful, and...Ali.

At first she didn't want to share it with me, so when she did it really brought us closer together and allowed me to relate with her on so many more levels. I love her so much more knowing what I know now, and here it is: Ali's the Terminators sister. I KNOW!! Crazy hu?! We'll all I can say is that it all now makes sense. I've always wondered how somebody could be so wonderful all the time, I guess she's just programed that way. Oh, well I must be back to studying for finals, I wish Ali could take them for me...she'd blow them away (hahaha!). Anyhow, she really doesn't like any jokes about it, it's obviously a sensitive topic so please be supportive (or you might die).

Ali caught unsuspectingly while giving me "the eye."

Climbing the White Line

This last weekend Justin and I went out to the Lost River Range and climbed the White Line Couloir on Peak 11,308. It was a great climb and we made great time leaving the truck at 6 am being on the route by 7:45, summiting the route by 11:15 and being back to the truck by 12:45. It was my first mixed climb (mixed meaning rock and ice at the same time) and I led the first crux of the route, which wasn't by any means a graceful lead, but it was a great experience. Justins a great climber and I learned a lot from climbing with him. Overall a great experience, I can't wait to improve my skills and get back to the mountains.

Me half way up the first ice formation of the first crux.

Accending the second pitch behind Justin.

Justin taking the lead at the second belay.

Justin at belay of 3rd pitch, view from top of route.

View from top of route.

Mike traversing to exit couloir.

Justin (opposite direction from the above picture)

Big News!!!

We are excited to announce that Mike is not sterile, and we are having a baby! We went in for the first doctor appointment yesterday and I am 14 weeks along. The baby is due September 15! The doctor said it looks like a boy but it is too soon to tell. Mike and I have a feeling it's a girl. We'll find out for sure in about six weeks. Here are a few pictures of Baby Shaw.

Body Profile

Body Profile II

Profile and Face

Island Park

We have not updated our blog in a long time, probably because Mike and I forget to take our camera with us. If I don't have any pictures I don't like writing. But I guess I'll make an exception this time.
This semester has been really rough on Mike and I. He studies all the time and we never see each other. He is taking some difficult classes right now that determine his acceptance for medical school. The pressure is on and we want to thank everyone for the prayers in our behalf.
On Friday Mike and I were able to get away to Island Park and meet up with our friend, Tosha Hill, at her grandpa's cabin. This is the second year she's invited us to the cabin for her spring break and we feel really lucky to have such a good friend. We had such a great time snowmobiling, hanging out with her and her 35 friends from Utah State, and playing games. I cannot believe how amazing this cabin is. It has three floors, eight bedrooms and bathrooms, three kitchens, a huge entertainment center with a trampoline, pool table, air hockey table, ping pong table, and my favorite a fuseball table. The cabin is just incredible. It was even more incredible that the cabin was jam packed with people. Thanks for letting us come Tosha.
Mike and I went snowmobiling for two hours straight that morning and it was beautiful. The snow was falling and everything was covered in soft white powder. Of course Mike spent the rest of the snowmobiling because he doesn't get out much anymore. I spent the rest of the day relaxing, just the way I like a vacation.
Sunday morning we had to drive back home early because Mike volunteers at the hospital doing physical therapy and I had to visit sister's in the ward. We had stake conference later on and Mike and I sang in the choir. It was a very uplifting conference.

My how time flies

I can't believe it is 2009! It seems like last year flew by. Mike and I had a wonderful Christmas traveling to see family and friends. We stayed with my family for a few days before Christmas, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Mike's family, and the week after Christmas we drove to Oakland and spent time with the Riberas and the Lynchs. We are so grateful for all of you who let us stay in your homes. We had so much fun with everyone as well. We would thank you so much! We were also blessed to see two marriages over the break: our awesome friend, Christy Peterson in the Oakland temple and our lovely cousin Sara Call in the Idaho Falls temple. Congrats to both of you!

Now that school is in session Mike and I have been insanely busy. Mike is taking some of his hardest classes thus far, however he still finds time for me and is an awesome husband. I have been busy with my job and I'm trying to keep up my running as often as possible.

Today I had a really scary experience. I was trying to roll a 150-200 pound TV around in my classroom and it fell and hit my leg. It left a huge gash in my upper thigh and hurt so bad. Luckily there were no student around or they would have been squished. I was really blessed that I didn't get squished. I think the Lord was watching out for me.

No kisses for Ali: A trial of Faith

We'll we didn't skip a beat coming back to Idaho. Last weekend I took advantage of the great weather and went ice climbing up in Bozeman, MT for 3 days. The Bozeman Ice Festival is held there every year and this was my first attendance. I was able to meet incredible climbers from all over the world. During a slide show I sat right next to Pat... (brain fart) anyways, he was one of the founders of ice climbing in America, he looked like he was around 90 and that day he was climbing ice that I could only dream about climbing at this point. I was able to push myself again and lead my second route, a WI 3 called Silken Falls. There were a few tough sections that I surprised myself on how well I did (pat on the back). There will be more stories like this through this winter, so get ready for some sweet shots.

Trying to get just the right placement with my ice tool.

In the process of raising my feet for better placement, then will start swinging again.

While I was in Bozeman Ali went to Poky to see our niece, Kyrra, get baptized. She had a grand old time seeing family, running with Ben, and making ginger bread houses. We were reunited on Sunday at 5:13 pm, it was wonderful. Although I was sick at this point so Ali was rather upset at me because I wouldn't let her kiss me (you all know how she is about kissing, just imagine trying to take away a honey comb from a beehive while the bee's are still living there). Yea, needless to say, I got down on my knees right then and started praying that she wouldn't leave me. I didn't get up until Wednesday, when I was better. She had pitty on me, I'm healing now and so is our relationship.

This is finals week; exciting and scary at the same time. We're just looking forward to next week and hoping for the best. Speaking of finals, I've got to go take one. Tune in next time for " All hell breaks loose when Ali finds out we ran out of ice cream!"

Cancun

Our trip was so much fun. We wish it could have lasted longer. We were able to go with Stacey and my parents for one week. Our first day we went to a time share because it's tradition. My parents didn't buy it which is impressive. They did end up with a free car rental for listening to the presentation. We stayed at a really beautiful all inclusive resort. We ate way too much, played on the beach, saw a different show every night at the hotel, snorkeled at Cozmel and a few other beaches, and had a blast! On Thanks Giving Day we went to a water park called XCaret. We snorkeled for most of day and saw a Mayan show that night. We also ate a traditional Mexican dinner, buffet style. One day Mike and Stacey both won the mechanical bull riding competition and received bottles of Tequila! The last day in Mexico Stacey, Mike and I went to downtown Cancun and paid to have our hair braided. The trip was amazing!

We'll, this weekends retreat went well. Lots of great trainings and even more fun. Ali came again, it's much more fun going away on the weekends with her around then when it's just me and the boys. Ali always seems to add a little "sompinsompin" to the trip. On Sunday we went to Poky to have thanksgiving dinner with her family. The food was great and the neices and nephews where savages. It was a blast.

This week Ali can hardly keep in her skin with excitement to go to Cancun next week. She keeps trying to leave the house in her swim suit only to be shutdown by the inch of frost built up on the outside of the door. Although it is nice seeing Ali in a swimsuit, she really needs to start wearing a coat. (she's so cute)

Looking forward to the Weekends!

Last weekend Mike was in charge of an outdoor activities retreat in Victor. Luckily Mike let me come along. We had so much fun staying the night in a big cabin the school provided. We learned how to make many different kinds of dutch oven cobbler. We also learned how to make camp stoves out of pop cans. Mike taught us how to navigate with a compass. Saturday we went to Jackson Hole and did some sight seeing. Mike took the group around town while I went running around Snow King Mountain. I used to live in Jackson and I was able to run on my favorite trail. It brought back lots of fond memories. The group was going to swim at the rec center but there was a swim meet going on. We ended up eating lunch at Bubba's Barbecue and going home early.
Saturday night Mike's sister Natalie came to visit us. We had lots of fun spending time with her, Shannon and Nate.

This upcoming weekend Mike and I are going back to the same cabin in Victor for another leadership retreat.

I am really proud of Mike because he was chosen to be the area director of the outdoor activities and will be awarded a full scholarship. Mike is my little over achiever!

Don't forget to vote today

Here is an update of what we've been up to. Two weeks ago on October 23, Mike celebrated his 24th birthday. My how times flies! He is getting to be such a big boy! We were able to celebrate by climbing at South Park and Latin Dancing.

Mike has also been climbing at a new place that Dean Lords found called Miget Wiget. Mike was so excited because it is all crack climbing, something Mike has never done before.

Well tody is election day so I better go vote before it is too late.

About Us

Mike and I were married on June 9, 2007. We love being outdoors and have had many adventures. Our most recent was in Yosemite National Park in August of this year. It was amazing and we can't wait to go back next summer with Mike's dad!!! Cancun is our next trip that we are looking forward to. We are leaving with my parents and little sister Stacey over Thanks Giving Break.

Happy Halloween

Well, its halloween! Ali, is spending the night in Pocatello with the family. Apparently Papa's party was a big hit. There was the usual doughnuts and smiles, thanks Papa! I wasn't able to go due to a microbiology lab test and a presentation that I had to give. I hung out and made cookies with Aubrey. 

Earlier this week Ali was busy with parent teacher conference and found out that she didn't pass her test to become certified as a Special Ed Teacher, it's ok, we all know how "special" Ali really is. (wink). While climbing with friends on Monday and with tons of support, I lead my first trad climb. It was AWESOME! We'll get some pictures up shortly. Well thats it for this week, until next, ta ta!

Our New Blog!

Welcome to our new blog! We hope you enjoy seeing all of our new adventures!