Ausborne Blog » Family

Visiting California and Bend

jmaus — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 04:27:43 +0000

We are in the last night of our week long vacation. We started by driving out to San Jose, where we visited mom, the beach, and Great America. We then drove up to Bend, Oregon, where we drove up to Dutchman Flat, hiked part of the way around Todd Lake, rafted on the Deschutes River, and visited a bunch of friends. We went to Lava Butte and Crater Lake today, then had a barbecue and roasted s’mores. We have to go home tomorrow, and I’m just not looking forward to it. I’ve had such a good time on our trip.

Melanie and Josh

jmaus — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 01:49:22 +0000

Here is a photo that I took of Melanie and I today, for those of you wondering if we’re still alive.

Melanie looks fantastic!

Birthday Greetings

jmaus — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:04:31 +0000

My youngest child, Ryan, has turned six years old today. I can’t believe how big he is. It seems like just yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital to our rental house in Redmond, Oregon. He is now such a big kid, and it is pretty amazing to me.

At the old ball game

jmaus — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:33:34 +0000

I am sitting at a Salt Lake Bees baseball game right now and just noticed some of the most spectacular clouds I’ve ever seen.

Broken

jmaus — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 06:46:16 +0000

Well, it has finally happened, and my oldest son, David is the official winner. He is the first of our kids to break a bone. He was riding his brother’s “rip stick” thing, which is essentially a two-wheeled skateboard, when he fell and landed on his upper back right on the toy. He has ended up with a broken collarbone.

Hopefully he’s feeling all better in five weeks when scout camp begins.

Traveling

jmaus — Sun, 16 May 2010 22:22:06 +0000

Melanie and I took the kids on a trip last week. We went to Rexburg, Idaho, which is where Melanie went to college before heading to BYU in Provo. We also went to the Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls to see an exhibit on wolves and dogs, before visiting our friends in Driggs. In Driggs, the kids got to feed and chase chickens, collect eggs, feed hay to horses, have quiche for the first time, and meet all sorts of cool talented kids. It was really fun to visit with our friends, and it was nice to catch up on the last 8 or 9 years since we were all together.

After visiting the Jensens, we headed over to Jackson, Wyoming, and got to see where the rich people spend their time. We had dinner at some steakhouse that looked to be not-too-busy, and figured out why it wasn’t super busy. It was clearly the spitting image of Sizzler, just 30% pricier. The steak I had was subpar, like Sizzler, the salad was lacking, like Sizzler, and the service was unimpressive, also like Sizzler.

We visited Grand Teton National Park, then headed to West Yellowstone, Montana, via Ashton, Idaho, as the south entrance to Yellowstone was still closed. We saw a bald eagle, tons of elk, a few deer, and a ridiculous amount of bison.

On Thursday we headed to Freedom, which is on the border of Wyoming and Idaho. Melanie’s aunt lives on a 100 acre farm on the Idaho side of the street, and we got to ride four wheelers all around the farm. It was my first time riding one, and the kids got to ride on the back while Melanie and I each drove one. Melanie is definitely more comfortable at the wheel than I am.

We came home on Friday, and made sure to pass by Bear Lake on the way home. We had never been there, and I had always heard good things about it from my late friend, Ron, so I wanted to see it. We were still able to get home in time for me to make it to a 3:00 job interview!

All in all, we drove about 1200 miles in the six days of our trip. I’m still tired, but it was really fun.

One of the cutest photos I've ever seen!

Ryan and David ham it up in front of the antler arches in Jackson, Wyoming

Ryan is showing of his cuteness at Jackson Lake, Grand Teton National Park

Betsy is the most beautiful girl in the world.

The Tetons from US Hwy 20, just south of Targhee National Forest

The Rexburg Idaho Temple shortly before sunset

5k

jmaus — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:39:37 +0000

I participated in my first 5k today. I finished in 1042nd place, at the 44 minutes, 14 second mark. That’s not bad for having not prepared for it. I think I’m going to have to do this again …

Donations

jmaus — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:07:35 +0000

I just finshed donating blood. It was quick and relatively pain free. If you are able, please donate what you can. There are people who need whatever you can give.

Rotten

jmaus — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:00:39 +0000

Word: rhabdomyosarcoma
Function: noun
Definition: a pretty nasty tumor found most commonly in children and adolescents

Spencer is seven years old and is a great kid. He is the love of my daughter’s life (as far as eight-year-old’s crushes are concerned), and has been diagnosed with a malignant alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. The golfball-sized tumor is located at the base of his skull and is wreaking havoc with his head. His parents, Nate and Holly, are fantastic, and are braving this thing as best they can. They are putting their trust in the Lord, as they know that there is nowhere else they should put it.

It appears that chemo and radiation therapies are on the horizon, and we are all praying that Spencer will get better soon. If you want to send prayers on behalf of somebody, Spencer is worthy of all of the prayers you’re willing to send.

Read about Superhero Spencer here.

Makin’ Out

jmaus — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:34:04 +0000

Ryan was playing a board game tonight with Grandma, and his game piece was right next to hers. He got so excited and said, “My game piece is making out with your game piece! My game piece is making out with your game piece!”

Then, after waiting about five seconds, he said, “What does ‘making out’ mean?”

What a funny kid.