The Importance of Getting Outdoors

I often get frustrated with the amount of time children (mine included) spend on video games.  I hope today helps remind my youngest how much outdoor fun can be had if they are willing to get outside.

The afternoon started with two rounds of disc golf:

After two fun rounds of disc golf, one of those rare, weird, awesome moments happened.  As we were walking back to the truck, I tossed one of my discs towards a basket and a squirrel ran out, inspected the disc and ran away.  I told Carson about it and I threw the disc close to him again and he did the same thing.  Carson was laughing as was I.  The squirrel was farther away the last time so I tossed it one more time.  This time, after running over to the disc, he flipped the disc up, had it in his mouth and tried to make off with it.  It's too bad I didn't record this, but it will be a memory that Carson and I will always have. 

After a trip to McDonalds for a Carmel Mocha and a Frappe - I'll leave it to your imagination as to who ordered what - we went out to Mulberry Point on the Nebraska side to do a little hiking.  We realized that the trail was probably a little too muddy to traverse, so we decided to come back into town and go to our "special spot" along the Vermillion River.  Not before the obligatory photo though.

 Our "special spot" is a spot that all of the kids and I used to go to when we'd bike around Vermillion.  Carson and I sat on the banks of the river, enjoying the extreme calm of the day as the sun was starting to set.  We were playing the game of  "that looks like a ...." when Carson looked up and noticed something in the tree across the river.  Thinking it was another form to identify, it became evident that the form, which had been there for quite some time, was actually a Bald Eagle.  Unfortunately my phone camera only has 4x zoom, but we enjoyed watching it turn it's head and sit in the tree as majestic as you can imagine.

Our conversations today went from video games early to one of camping, fishing, vacations for the summer.  All because we simply got out the door.  Yeah outdoors!

My Record is in Danger

**Note, I started this about a month ago. I'm REALLY trying to get better about blogging!!

No, my consecutive number of days riding my bicycle to work is not in danger. What is in danger is the number of times that stitches have been received. With new technology, it's only fair that I add "gluing" and "staples" as well.

I truly believe that Carson was born just so I could have a child that reminds me of....well....ME at each age. It really frustrates me to no end too. I'd like to take a moment and say: "I'm really sorry Mom and Dad for being this naughty." I am pretty sure that Dad helped in the creation process of Carson. He's up there nudging God saying "Why don't you make him JUST like Kevin was at that age". I can even hear his mouth-full-of-Copenhagen giggle as he says it. Good one Dad.

Let's set this up on a case by case basis:

Kevin - Accident 1 - First Stitches: 5 years old. Two layers on the chin hitting the side of the pool going off the diving board. Unsure of the total number, but was in the 14-20 range.

Carson - Accident 1 - First Gluing: 1 year old. Marissa, who would have been six at the time, was trying to help her brother out of the crib, lost her balance and accidentally hit Carson's head on the edge of a table. Ever pay $1000 for a tube of glue? We have.

Kevin - Accident 2 - Second Stitches: ~7 years old. Hit in the head by a tractor loader by brother's friends. Wish I had a fancy story on this one, but I'm sure the visual is plenty clear on this one. A loader was flipped up from the down position clipping me on the head.

Carson - Accident 2 - First Staples: 4 years old. A friend of our oldest son was holding the screen door open for Carson and he came up the stairs not paying attention, with his head down and ran into the side of the door with his head.



Kevin - Accident 3: ~ 8 years old. Slipped on ice and fell into the wall of the Post Office. Told Mom later that I was feeling warm and she told me take my hat off, which was half full of blood. Off to Viborg Memorial Hospital once again.

Carson - Accident 3 - Glue #2: 4 years old. About a month after the staples, Carson was "swinging" between the table and a wall at Taco Johns and lost his balance and split his chin open on the table.




Kevin - Accident 4 - Stitches: ~11 years old. At good old Wakonda School we had monkey bars with 4x4's in between the height changes. I was getting really good at hanging upside down and sitting back up. Then I figured out that I could do a complete rotation by keeping my knees tight and falling backwards. I was getting very good at it...until that one fateful time when I got a little sideways and drilled the back of my head on the edge of the 4x4's. The teachers were freaking out because of the amount of blood. At this point I calmly told them I was fine and to call Mom because I probably needed stitches.

Carson - Accident 4 - Stitches #1: 7 years old. Going down the tube slide at the school was much faster on his backpack, according to Carson. So before school, he managed to somehow flip over on his side on the way down with his backpack and slammed his head into the tube of the slide. Best part of this story is that Carson didn't cry. He went into class with his hood up. The teacher asked him to lower his hood and he did. She noticed his eye was red and told him to go down to the school nurse and get an ice pack, which he did. When he was done with the ice pack he asked to take it back. The teacher informed Carson to tell the nurse "Thank you for getting him the ice pack" to which Carson said "Oh, I got it myself because she was busy". That alone is a pretty telling tale of my son--how many 2nd graders, in a new school--already know where the ice packs are?!?!? The teacher took a closer look at his eye, walked him to the nurse and subsequently Laura was called to pick him up for his trip to the doctor.




Kevin - Accident 5 - stitches: age 20-something - I was playing noon basketball at the armory. When I tried to knock the ball out of Ken Havner's hands from behind, he spun around and we smacked noggins. After kicking the ground in pain for a few seconds, I knew I was in trouble as the blood was just pouring out from my eye brow area. Drove myself to the doctors office for stitches. Later in the day found out that Ken ended up in the hospital for a CAT scan as he wasn't sure of where he was at. Pretty solid smack indeed.

Carson - Accident 5 - Stitches #2: approximately 3 weeks after stitches #1. A day off from school and even though we were going to send Carson to a friends house, Marissa wanted to babysit Carson. Marissa decided to it would be fun to whittle wood with a rather sharp kitchen knife. I really don't need to tell you the rest of the story, do I? I received the call early in the afternoon: Carson cut his hand and it is bleeding pretty bad. After visiting the neighbors, they called and said that he probably needs to go in. Three more stitches.



Kevin - Accident 6 - Stitches #6: Somewhere in my later 20's - Playing softball I hit one to the left side of the infield and the throw was bobbled by the first baseman. When he finally got control of the ball, he was straddling the line and we ran into each other hard. Unfortunately, he was much taller and bigger than I. My sunglasses broke above and below my eye and I was duly stitched in both areas.

Kevin - Accident 7 - Stitches #7: 40 years old. Working on a bicycle, my hand slipped and I punctured it on the big ring of my mountain bike. It was extremely deep (and I thought fun to pull apart to "look inside") but I had to get three more stitches.

This year I had stitches for a mole removal, but in the spirit of an "accident only" record, I'm throwing that one out of the running.

So at this point, Carson is only two short accidents away from tying a record that has taken me over 40 years to accumulate. I'm competitive and don't like to lose. Should the day come that Carson ties or breaks my record, I'll feel the need to injure myself in a spectacular way. How should I do it? I need some input. Bicycle related ideas will receive special consideration.

A Must Blog Moment

This is a little too long to Twitter about, but I hope the humor of it translates well in a blog post.

I had just completed a 31 mile bike ride when my youngest asked if we could do a "fire pit". That sounded pretty good since the wind was really low and we had a couple of downed branches to burn. After the fire was going good and Laura got home, she brought out the makings for Smores. As we were making them I leaned over and my cell phone in my pocket got bumped and the following transpired:

Phone: Say a command
Me: Shut up
Phone: Calling Laura
*short pause*
Everyone: Uncontrollable laughter as Laura's phone rings

Change in Plans

Child 2 & 3 met me for lunch for a super nutritious meal of Chicken McNuggets. You just can't beat a .99 cent 6 piece on Tuesday. The following conversation incurred:

#2: Do you want to play disc golf tonight?
Me: Sure, but I'd like to get a ride in first.
#2: Where you going?
Me: I'm not sure, probably Elk Point and back
#2: How far is that?
Me: 30 mile round trip.
#2: I've gone that far before with you, can I go with you?
Me: Let's see how the rest of my work day goes.

Well, I got home and she wasn't back from the pool and when she came in she had forgot our discussion about going for a ride. Then a friend called and conversation number two occurred:

#2: Can I go to the pool with *friend*
Me: Sure, but did you want to go for a ride with me? You don't have to, and it won't hurt my feelings, but I will go with you if you want.
#2: (to friend on phone) I can't tonight, I'm going riding with my Dad!

She was pretty stoked. She got to wear Mom's shoes -- yes, my 11 year old has the same size feet as my wife -- and clip into the Crank Brother pedals for the first time and did amazingly well at it. She also got to put on the Tandem-Com, our communication system on the tandem. After a slight -- and only slight -- dropping of the stokers seat, we were off for a quick ride to Mulberry Point, a little over 16 mile round trip. It was incredibly hot and humid with little to no air moving, which became more evident when we stopped on top of Mulberry Point.

Sometimes a change in plans is just what you need. Sure, I could have went out solo and hammered 30 miles. I've been in a rut and probably needed a good hard ride. However I also want to encourage my children to ride and that is of utmost importance to me. I want them to know and love the freedom and lifestyle of cycling.

Tonight was time well spent. I now have a weekly date on the bike with my daughter, if not more.

No matter how fast we went, we just couldn't shake these two on our ride.


All smiles as Dad takes a shot over his shoulder.



Eating a few grapes during a quick break on top of Mulberry Point.

A Day With Thomas

We took two car loads (10 people in all) to a family fun day and went to Fremont, Nebraska to see Thomas the Tank Engine. Austin and Marissa didn't seem real excited in the beginning but by the end, they would be hard pressed to say they didn't have at least SOME fun.

We took "the Grandma's" along: Grandma's Laura, Bonnie, and Beverly along with Laura's sister LeeAnn and our niece Adriana and all the Brady Bunch. I think everybody who went had a great time. I even have pictures that prove that my "too old for this" 13 year old had fun. Without further ado, our day in a few pictures.



Carson standing in front of Thomas.



The model railroad of Thomas was also pretty awesome. Only thing missing from where I was sitting was Gomez Addams blowing it up. Sorry for those who miss that reference.



Carson resisted the urge to smile on the train.



So Dad offered a little tickle assistance.



Carson meeting Sir Topham Hat



Thomas on the move



Austin busted having fun too.



Carson had fun on the Thomas bouncy slide too. He was making others nervous while I just laughed.

T-Ball Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Last night was Carson's first game of T-Ball. Now understand I've seen it all during the years as I watched my older two play as well. I've seen kids try to run bases the wrong way, gloves on the wrong hand, playing in the field in foul territory, and many more oddities too many to mention.

That was until last night.

Imagine if you will a plethora of little four-five-six year old people already on the field with half of them chasing after every ball that is hit. Now picture base runners on the field at the same time. Got that mental picture? Good. Now see the ball come off the bat "screaming" towards the outfield followed by about six little people playing the field and...wait...what the...the kid from first base, helmet and all, has diverted the base path and is chasing the ball too! Not just chasing mind you, diving in the pile to get the ball. Now there's something I will never see again. Until the next inning when it happened all over again. Different kid, same great laughs.

Moral of the story: If you are bored with nothing to do during the week, go find a T-Ball game. You need the laugh. Trust me.

We Interrupt Training Time

We interrupt training time to bring you some family time down by the Vermillion River at our "special spot". It was a hot, windy day, but it always seems so peaceful down on the river.

Marissa's Birthday Surprise

Marissa turned 11 yesterday and it ended up being a very exciting day for her as she also won the D.A.R.E. essay competition and gave her speech in front of all fifth graders and their parents. She's pretty proud of her bling she got for her winning essay too. Congratulations Marissa, we are proud of you!

Happy Birthday Laura

Today is the birthday of my wonderful wife of 15 plus years. She loves to read the comments on my blog, so send her wishes!

Reasons my wife rocks!

1. She's put up with me for since 1993 (1992 if you want to get technical).
2. She's produced three wonderful children.
3. She's becoming a better cyclist all the time so we can spend even MORE time together.
4. She's still in love with me.
5. She's my best friend and I love her with all my heart.

Wii Wii Wii All the Way Home

Yes, we broke down and got a Wii. At first I thought we were crazy, but I have to admit that I'm very impressed with it. After a bad case of "Wii Shoulder" (It's a medical condition...look it up!) from playing Wii Sports and the Wii Play, I picked up a Wii Fit and Laura and I now have more problems than Wii Shoulder.

Understand that I'm in "decent" shape. As a cyclist. My core? Well, I thought it was okay, but what little Yoga that I do, it's not nearly as strong as it should be. I'll be working extra hard to get the core in shape in the I'm-not-on-the-road-with-my-bicycle-as-much-as-I'd-like-to-be portion of the year.

I also picked up Mario Party 8 for the Wii with some gift cards the kids got for Christmas, but I haven't given them that yet. It might have to wait until the weekend so they can concentrate on school until then.

In other noise, we added to our family this weekend. Although I "supposedly" had final say in the matter, I don't really think I did. They both seem pretty cool (so far) and are getting along well with the dog. Mittens (our 'first born' cat) is still not happy about the new family members. He may never get over it. He's weird that way.

At any rate, here are Tiger and Tic Tac.

Chip Off The Old Block(Head)

I haven't given much thought to hooking up the Trail-a-Bike and taking Carson to school since the snow has started flying. However Laura (aka Mrs. Biking Brady) told me that he was VERY upset when I left Wednesday morning that he didn't get to ride with me. Thursday he was just too pokey and it was sloppy from new wet snow so I told him I'd take him Friday (today). He was very motivated (for him) in getting ready this morning so he could ride with me. He chatted my ear off all the way to school. He made sure to tell me that he wanted me to pick him up after school too.

For better or worse--I'm going with better--my bicycle-over-car attitude is rubbing off on my children to one degree or another. So, to those of you who like to question HOW I can ride ALL the time, my kids already get it. Guess that makes you feel kind of dumb now doesn't it?!?!?

The Biking Brady's -- reducing their carbon footprint one bike ride at a time.

Below is the updated route I have usually take when taking Carson to school and then back to my office.

My Five Year Old Rocks

This morning as I was getting ready to leave, Carson let me know in no uncertain terms that he wanted to go to school with me. I actually tried to talk him out of it. I told him that it was very cold and that we should wait for a little warmer weather. He would have none of it. He wanted to bike to school.

So, being the good Dad I am, a Dad that will probably get turned in to social services for child endangerment now, I hooked up the trail-a-bike and away we went. Carson wasn't quite his normal chatty self on the way today. He may have realized the err of his ways shortly into the ride. It was definitely 'brisk' today. When we got to his school and he got off the bike I asked him if he was okay.

C: Yep! Thanks for taking me to school Dad.
Me: You're welcome. Want help with your helmet?
C: *shivering a little -- nodding head*
Me: There you go buddy. Have a great day. I love you.
C: Love you too Dad. Bye!

It was 8 degrees with a 10 mph wind this morning. My Five Year Old Rocks! So do my 12 year old and 10 year old as they rode today as well. I'm proud of my car-lite family.

Dinner and a Movie

Okay, it was more like 'Movie and a Dinner'. After church and sitting through most of our church's annual Charge Conference, Laura, I, and a friend of ours (Aaron L.) took off for Yankton for the last chance to watch the play Deathtrap. A couple people from the Dracula cast (I was Dracula back in 2005) was in the play so it was good to see them in the play. The play was very well done as most productions are at the Lewis and Clark theatre.

After the play it was off to Charlie's Pizza for a "John Wayne" pizza. I voted for the Elvis Hawaiian, but lost in democratic fashion. It was still a great pizza as always.

It was a good day for such activities as the hurricane force winds pretty much took any outdoor activity out of the question. On the way to and fro, there were many instances where we felt as if we were in the movie Twister as I said on many instances "WE'VE GOT DEBRIS!" as the wind was sending many an object flying across the roads today.

The Kids Take Over Ponca State Park

While Letsche and I was out Mountain Biking and having a photo shoot, the kids were having fun with Mom. Here are some pictures from Ponca State Park. Yes, we need to get out and spend more time over there next year. It's beautiful.

Memories

Warning: This post has nothing to do with cycling. Sometimes I need a non-cycling release. Turn away now. Okay, you've been warned.

Outside of a very few people who read my blog, Cathy Jo and maybe a few others, not too many people knew my Dad. Those who did learned to deal with his quirky sense of humor. "How's it hangin'?" was a staple greeting for my Dad at the gas station our family owned. It didn't necessarily matter if you were a man or a woman either, the greeting was almost always on the tip of his tongue.

Some years are harder than others remembering my Dad on his Birthday. Today he would have been 84 years old. As busy as I was today, my thoughts went to my Dad often today. Most of my thoughts were about baseball. He would be enthralled with the Twins as they try to make the playoffs right now.

Dad loved baseball and so did I. I played until I was 19. Then I opted for softball once USD dropped it's baseball program for "Club" baseball. For reasons I didn't always understand, Dad refused to come to my games. He did see me play softball (fast pitch and slow pitch) but never seen me play the sport that I was best at.

He never told me the story himself, but I heard that he was good at baseball as a kid as well. One day he hit a line drive that hit the pitcher and almost killed him. He never played again.

He always tried to take a break from working at out gas station on Saturday to watch a little Saturday afternoon baseball on TV (BC - Before Cable). We listened to our share of baseball on the radio: Dad listened to the Twins, myself the Royals. It was the one really strong bond that we shared.

Dad was a hard working, no nonsense type of guy and fairly non-emotional. The first time I seen him cry was when I left for Desert Storm. The one and only time I heard "I love you" from him was when he was going in for surgery and after I said it first. It was a moment that to this day was important to me though.

He'll be gone six years this Thanksgiving but it often seems so much longer. I learned much from him and also learned some things I didn't want to be as a parent. I know he loved me as my kids know I love them. Unlike my Dad, I rarely miss an opportunity to tell my kids that I love them. For those of you with kids, I hope you don't either.

A Strange Thing Happened on the Way to the Rummage Sale

Our local "shopper" newspaper (the Broadcaster) had a section in it for a city wide rummage sale. Laura pointed out that one of the sales had a rode bike on it. Instantly my selfish mind thought "OOOOH....possibly a bike to turn into a single speed or a fixie!" I scouted the place on Friday night with no sign of a road bike. The paper said 10:00 for the start time of the sale on Saturday, but I cruised by at 9:20 and she was putting stuff out and there it was...a Bianchi!

Instantly I could tell it was HER bike and she was not real tall. I checked it out and it was obvious that she hadn't ridden it in awhile (dust, cobwebs, flat tires). It had Campy Daytona components (I believe they may be Centaur wrapped in a different name) and the bike was in relatively good shape. She had an extra saddle to go with the Terry saddle she had put on it, a few tools, tubes, bike computer, and a couple other things.

I called Laura to get her butt over and bring the pump along. She did and I pumped it up and sent her on her way for a test ride. Luckily Laura and the lady are close to the same height and the test ride went fine. Laura said it turns real quick which scared her a little. She's not used to the stiff frame bike. I tested it and thought it rode great. She took it out again and decided that she liked it a lot!

So, the trip that was all about me turned into all about Laura. I'm excited though because the wonderful woman who told me earlier this summer that she couldn't see herself riding anything but the tandem with me, was EXCITED about getting the new (to her) bike. We also picked up a couple of jersey's from the sale that looked as good as new.

As far as I could research, I think it's a 2001 Bianchi Reparto Corse SL that initially retailed around $2000.

Watch out everybody...I think Laura's getting serious about this cycling thing! Pretty soon she'll have her own cycling blog instead of sassing me on mine (hint hint).

I'm Great....

....Uncle to this little dude. Welcome to the family Carter Wayne...


Here are four generations: My mom, my brother, my nephew and his daughter w/ Carter (okay, so the Great Uncle thing isn't new to me).


Here is Marissa holding Carter. She was quite the proud cousin.

This Day in History - Sept. 11, 1993

Carson's First Full Day

Getting to school the only way the Biking Brady's know how.