Travumentaries Flashback: "The Greatest Story Never Told"

As we travelled between Pella and Sully over the holidays through not-so-pleasant weather I was reminded of this little episode from the mid-90's.

The suggestion of exaggerations was mostly a cover from parents who might be reading and stunned by our ignorance when I posted it on my former website. It was truly a heart pounding experience and happened on this day a decade-ish ago.

Funny thing is Rachel (the high school girl causing my delusional decisions) was working in Pella and not due to arrive at the festivities until much later in the day. I stayed behind to wait for her after the incidents and later took a very long and slow ride to Sully that killed most of the time left in that New Year's Eve day.

December 31, 1994...or 95

It was a treacherous day in the Midwest. The eve of a new year with an ever increasing blanket of snow falling over field and road. A good day to stay cozy inside, to be sure. No reason to challenge the elements. No reason except the most powerful force in the lives of two high school boys…two high school girls.

It was early in the afternoon of the 365th day of the year. Our itinerary included a slow trip to the rural hills for some sledding, a slowing of the not-so-gentle snowfall and a safe return home in the early morning of a new year. Or not.

This story involves all the great elements of the grandest of adventures. A car chasing itself down a hill, deer in large quantities, innocent (but ignorant) young men cheating death and shear uninhibited terror. And perhaps a small bit of exaggeration. It has been some time since the day of the actual events. It all seems so fresh in my mind, but stories do seem to grow over time.

Our first error of the day was the choice of our getaway car. Snow all over and a choice to be made: Do your drive your own rear-wheel drive vehicle or the front-wheel drive chariot of your best friend? Error number one came in our conclusion in that selection—rear-wheel drive. Errors number two and three? Temporary insanity mixed with loud music.

When the elements prevent you from seeing the road you choose to travel, one might choose to slow their journey. One might not be two high school boys undoubtedly sliding (we’ll get back to that) along a winding rural road with the radio far too loud. When signs on curves read 45 it’s a friendly suggestion to relax the gas pedal while navigating the turn. When a blanket of fresh snow lies between the tires of a rear-wheel drive vehicle and a curving country road, 45 is 25 too many. When tires start sliding and the road is winding you must learn to steer while looking out the back window of the car.

Two full rotations of the car and two glances out of a front-facing rear window later we sat stationary at the bottom of the curve. We had navigated the corner, stayed away from the drop off on the left lined with trees and a steep incline and the drop off on the right lined with razor sharp fence posts a rocky crag and a mysterious man who lived in the hills (it might have been less menacing, my memory escapes me). Our front bumper stood a sneeze away from the concrete wall of a bridge crossing the frozen river. At that point we were creeping ahead so slowly a meeting between the car and bridge might have ended with a nervous chuckle…if we could catch our breath. A sturdy SUV passed safely on the left having navigated to corner much more proficiently than I (he must have had front-wheel drive).

“Do you want to go and get my car?” suggested my trusty compadre. “It’s front-wheel drive.” Such wisdom from either of us might have been more useful a half-hour earlier. So we traveled to an intersecting road, turned around and journeyed back toward civilization. This wild story had just begun.

We successfully returned to the top of the curve at a much more reasonable speed. A slow, steady straightaway stretched out before us. Our breath returned as we recounted the events of just minutes earlier. Knowing certain details (all of them) must never reach the ears of our parents.

But suddenly, there was danger up ahead! An unassuming deer stood centered in the road before us glancing curiously at our approaching vehicle. I gently nudged the brake and carefully adjusted the wheel as my navigator suggested softly (or maybe much more strongly) that our four-legged friend might choose to remove himself from our path at his earliest convenience. He did. And then…

Just when the road looked clear and my foot returned to the accelerator, no less than a half dozen additional deer approached at lightening speed appearing mysteriously from what seemed to be a vacant ditch. I struck one with the front left side of the vehicle, one not-so dead on (there were no casualties) and at least two struck the passenger side of the car including one staring through the passenger window at my frightened friend. The other two may have leapt the car in a single bound. My mind raced trying to comprehend this calculated team attack. Had Santa’s tiny reindeer just crossed our path without warning?

The story ends less dramatically than it began. A quick call to the police to mention our encounter with the deer ended with them asking if I was requesting tags for our attackers. Not a consumer of venison, I declined knowing also that they had all scampered away safely. I simply did not want to find my picture posted at the North Pole post office as a suspect in a hit and run.

The passenger door required a little repair and the heart rates of both in the vehicle eventually returned to the normal pitter pat. An epic adventure? Certainly! And this one lingering question…

I wonder what the deer’s version of the story sounded like as they gathered around the television watching Dick Clark that eve.

VIDEOS: Basement Entertainment

In this edition of new videos to entertain Kellen (and the rest of you I hope)...the dangers of mixing toddlers and bean bags, Kellen "reading" one of his favorites, high impact Ring Around the Rosie and Aidan and my new guessing game.

"Attack of the Bean Bags"

"Scoop stacks hay, hey, hey!"

"High impact 'Ring Around the Rosie'"

"Name That Food"

PHOTOS: Easily Entertained

Default Measurements

Aidan had his once upon a time, now Kellen has two of his own…

Widdle bit: Used as a measurement of volume; often spoken in hushed tones of reverence toward his favorite beverage. “Dada (whispering), widdle bit of meewk.” This request is accompanied by the widdle bit finger gesture (thumb and pointer finger almost touching). This expression of measurement occurs nearly every hour as he begs for more milk than I will allow him to drink.

A couple weeks: This stems from our anticipation of the Iowa Christmas journey when we began saying we were leaving in a couple of weeks and then told the boys we were staying for a couple of weeks. It is now Kellen’s assumption that all measurements of time are “a couple weeks”. Today, with Rachel back at work Kellen informed me, “Mama at work a couple weeks.” I was expecting her back around 6:00 but apparently I should be thinking mid January.

Kellen is also pronoun-ing (that’s a word, right?). “Me” is used as “my” as he points around the room identifying people…”Me dada, me mama, me Aidan”. He even took ownership of Rachel’s grandmother and her dog…”Me Grandma, me puppy”. The round of identification most often ends with him pointing proudly at his chest proclaiming “Me Kellen!”

Ready For Next Season

I’m not sure Kellen really understood my Sunday conversation with Aidan that the Bears season was over. Aidan sensed my frustration with the Bears loss yesterday and consoled me saying they’d win their next game.

Today Kellen is walking around the house singing the “Go Cubs Go” chorus…"Everybody what do you say…the Cubs are gonna to win today” (We say “everybody” rather than “Hey Chicago” because everyone should be cheering for our favorite baseball team).

I’ll be watching college bowl games, NFL playoffs and a little hockey but Kellen is evidently ready to move on and ready for baseball.

I’m sure his Papa D knows exactly how many days it is until pitchers and catchers report to spring training.

PHOTOS: Merry Christmas!

VIDEOS: Christensen Slopes

We hit the slopes in Sully yesterday once again using a variety of items to get down the hills.

I took a camera down the slower route for an "in sled" perspective of the trip down the hill...

"Gingerbread" Houses

We've moved the Christmas party north for the second week of our holiday visit.

For the second year, we are constructing gingerbread houses out of graham crackers. Here's a look at some of the participants and Aidan's final product.

The tools of the trade

Aidan and "Uncle Buv" (Dave)...someone's been in the frosting

Aunt Andrea and Rachel

La Casa de Aidan

Pool Table

As we wind down week one of our Christmas visit to Iowa we're squeezing in our favorite things at the Deur house one last time. Aidan and Kellen are quite fond of playing "pool table" in the basement. Kellen "rolls" the balls (we try to avoid significant divots in the felt) and Aidan rolls the balls or uses a shortened stick to poke the balls around the table.

Childhood Christmas Tradition

Since a time when I was very young my siblings and I would countdown the December days to Christmas on the fancy felt creation above. Aidan inherited the 25-flip Christmas counter as the oldest grandchild and we've been guessing what's behind each number before he goes to bed each night. With the whole family together this week we've all been in on the nightly guessing.

VIDEO: Deur Sledding

Kellen didn't make it into the snow last year and had his first snow experience yesterday. We had a great time sledding in mom and dad Deur's backyard.

PHOTOS: Deur Slopes

The boys and I spent some time sledding with their Uncle Ryan and Papa D this morning. It was Kellen's first snow experience.

We'll load some videos later in the week.

Now That's a Cookie!

Last night the boys helped decorate the soon-to-be-traditional Deur Christmas cookie. I say soon-to-be as this is just the second year we've frosted and decorated a giant cookie so we'll save tradition status for the third time around.

And here's the first piece of visual evidence that the seven pounds I lost over the last three weeks is about to ho-ho-ho its way back to my waist line.

Technology Children

I find it funny that Aidan started playing on the Internet a good 16 years earlier than I did. My first day of emailing and web surfing (with much difficulty) came during my first week of college. Aidan's now been bookmarking pages and playing games online for half of his four year old life. Kellen's a technology savvy kid as well demanding to see his videos anytime he spots us on our laptops.

My first phone memories involved the clicking of a rotary dial and a lengthy (usually tangled) cord connecting the receiver to the base. What are Kellen's thoughts on these communication devices? He got a toy cell phone in his stocking and immediately began "taking pictures" with it pointing it at everyone and saying "Cheese-a-burgers!". My first camera had flash cubes and my first cell phone had no frills and came when I was in my mid-20's. Hopefully Kellen won't be demanding a real cell phone for his upcoming two year birthday party.

UPDATE: When asked what he was doing while playing with Kellen's toy phone Aidan quickly responded, "I'm sending an email."

Operation: Bunk Beds

Under the cover of night Rachel and I assembled the boys big gift from us. Shipping delays had the assembling and gifting occurring one day later than anticipated but we were able to get it all in before our trip to Iowa.

We still need to go out and get a second mattress but with Kellen the Climber on the loose we decided the ladder and completion of the penthouse level can wait.

For the moment, Aidan can use the lower level and move on up when he and Kellen join forces in the room...that is not an announcement of any kind. Then when Aidan's feeling very big boy he can perhaps take one of the two bedrooms downstairs.

12 Days of Christmas

We're headed to Iowa today for family and Christmas festivities stretched over the course of two weeks.

Rather than haul our gifts to the boys forth and back, we decided to have our family Christmas morning ahead of time. Yesterday the boys opened their gifts so they could get some play time out of them before we journey south (pictures below).

The itinerary for the upcoming two weeks includes spending time with my sister Allison and her fiance (and all of our wonderful family members on both sides), sledding with the Christensen's, family meals, card games and gift exchanges.

Let the season begin!

PHOTOS: First Day of Christmas

VIDEOS: Morning Edu-macation

Visual evidence that it's not all play time and no education while Rachel is at work.

"Kellen's Colorful Cheeseburger"

"Aidan's Letters and Numbers"

We want to make sure these embarrassing moments are not part of the boys' futures...

Christmas Cookies

Rachel and Aidan worked on some ear-muffed snowman cookies tonight.

Kellen got the honor of making the first cookie disappear...

Season's First Scoop

Aidan's got new boots and snow pants to go along with a new winter coat and hat. Rumor has it we'll need them all over Christmas for some family sledding with the Christensens. Until then, he's a great helper in the driveway. The best part is he's enthusiastic, very thorough and works for cookies.

After the heavy lifting was done who could deny him a little recreational time in the snow? The first snow angel was legitimately spontaneous. After that we trekked around the house, threw a little snow powder at each other (it was not nearly wet enough to pack into snow balls) and dropped for one more snow angel as Kellen watched from the window. We'll get Kellen out in the snow when it's light out and we can properly document the experience.

Aisle 9 Holiday Fashion Show

How do the boys in the family keep themselves entertained while mama is shopping? Why not hold and an impromptu fashion show as we pass through the holiday aisles?

Kellen sports a festive holiday lid by designer Kris Kringle

Aidan dons this stunning headwear from Rudolph D. Reindeer

Toddler Politics

You may recall Aidan's giggly response to the man running for president who he thought was named Bronco Bomb-A (see Pre-school Politics).

Kellen now easily identifies the president-elect. Of course he has a name for him too shouting "Aco Mama!" (rhymes with Taco Mama).

VIDEO: Happy Holidays

Metro-d'oh-me

My long awaited Bears trip to the Metrodome didn't end the way I hoped it would. The Bears dropped the game and their shot at the division lead making for a disappointing outing. That's not to say the trip didn't have any interesting moments.

For starters my buddy Scott and I located the concession stand that sells what amounts to an enormous hot dog on a loaf of bread. I must admit I had a hard time downing the last three bites but perhaps eating a sandwich before I left for the game (in an effort to avoid buying any food) had me struggling. But how could I resist the opportunity to conquer a hot dog that nearly requires a third hand to eat?

Heartburn...here I come.

So with my checks puffed with the final bites of my hot dog the time came for the National Anthem. I stared at the big screen thinking the guy looked very familiar. Is that the guy from the Miller High Life beer commercials? Looks just like him. I found the resemblance to be quite ironic and then noticed the High Life patch on his shirt. It was indeed him...and he's a great singer. He led a keg rolling contest later in the game. Interesting double duty.

The game started well for the Bears after a 65 yard Devin Hester touchdown reception. It looked like the Bears were going to go up 14-3 when they were stopped at the goal line and the Vikings immediately tossed a 99 yard TD to swing the momentum. It was a frustrating game to watch from there as the Bears lost by 20.

The Third Dimension

Aidan and I hit the theater this afternoon for a matinee of Bolt.

I wanted to have a guys outing with Aidan and considered the new Madagascar cinematic cartoon offering until I found out we could see Bolt in 3D. I'm a sucker for sitting through a movie with things popping out at me and thought it would be cool to expose Aidan to this for the first time.

We donned our cyber shades, kicked back and took it all in. Aidan asked me once if I thought I was going to get hit by something flying from the screen, but for the most part he sat still and transfixed causing me to wonder if he had fallen asleep at one point. He did move when I offered him some fruit snacks at the halfway point and would later go into great detail explaining how he knew they were Batman fruit snacks and not Spider-Man because he could feel the wheels on the Batmobile fruit snack. Not even the darkness of the theater could impede his fruit snack expertise.

I give the movie a big toe up (thumbs are trademarked, right?). The opening sequence was phenomenal, the 3D was fun and the little hamster stole the show. Fun for the kids and I thought it was good stuff too. I even laughed out loud several times...mostly at Rhino the hilarious hamster.

VIDEO: Deur the Musical

We've been a little video happy recently which gives Kellen more to watch in those moments when I need him to sit quietly (like when he's out of bed and Aidan is not). He is still very entertained by watching himself (and his brother) on the computer.

"Pipio Concerto"

"The Reluctant Singer"

I'm trying to do some serious taping and Kellen resorts to physical comedy. As long as he's laughing at my attempts to have fun I guess we're having fun.

"Kellen's Medley"

Kellen really does nail these songs most of the time but bringing out the camera changes everything of course. Still it's a good taste of his expanding musical repertoire.

VIDEO: Dunk Contest

This video goes out to my brother Ryan in honor of the many times he and I would borrow Grandma DeBruin's video camera so we could film our epic driveway dunk contests.

Special thanks to Grammie and Papa D for hooking us up with the hoop. Our basement is now a full fledged multi-sports complex complete with nets and hoops allowing us to stage basketball, soccer, football, hockey, baseball and golf events on a daily basis.

VIDEO: Wii Are Getting Fit

I had threatened to purchase a treadmill or some form of indoor exercise equipment with winter approaching and Rachel decided the Wii Fit would be more fun (and usable) for the family as a whole. Aidan and I have been working out every morning and I must say jogging through a tropical island setting (animated or otherwise) is more enjoyable than trying to jog in the brisk Minnesota air. Just put the controller in your pocket, run in place and away you go!

Kellen has proven to be quite an effective trainer dictating to me which exercise I should do next. He also likes to take his turn on the balance board when we're finished. We help him through some "up...down" stretching as shown in the video.

Also shown on the video are a few of the balance games which utilize your weight distribution on the board. Everything from skiing to your character dressed as a penguin balancing on a slippery iceberg. Aidan enjoys those games and loves the running. He's all hips and pumping arms as he jogs along. Looks kind of like an Olympic speed walker and his feet leave the ground just as much.

In the aerobic section you can also use the board for step aerobics, add the controllers for a boxing workout or hula hoop your midsection into shape. I've tried a bit of the yoga (more of a workout than I thought it would be) and will dive into the strength focused units when I'm feeling manly.

Completely Random Memory from Out of Nowhere 3

I feel the need to decipher where these thoughts come from though I guess labeling them random should be enough. Last night the local news ran a story on how loud the Metrodome is during football games so perhaps the mental imagery of a loud arena environment lodged itself in my head and was there when I woke up this morning.

Anyways...

Several years ago in Chicago, Rachel and I braved the snowy expressways and headed to the United Center for an Aerosmith (and Lenny Kravitz) concert. I found it to be an interesting scene as they've been a around for a long time and the crowd was therefore very diverse. We saw everything from youngsters who were into their new songs knowing nothing but the current album to the older generation of fans yearning for them to play their classic tunes. There were also quite a few families and of course the overly exuberant super fan whose ticket was for the seat right next to mine.

He told me about how they had come to the arena that night with no ticket wanting desperately to see the band and happened to scored two seats while looking for a seller in the parking lot. Then, when the music was at a level making conversations with your indoor voice impossible he began telling me about how he wanted to see them when he was in college in 1979 but he was too...well his words were "but I was too wasted." I smiled knowing if I talked in a normal voice he'd have no clue what I said and responded "Yeah, I was two." He looked at me squinting and leaning forward not hearing what I had said (just as I intended) and in my desire to return him to his state of singing and dancing with his equally exuberant wife instead of conversing with me I simply smiled and said "Yeah, me too!"

PHOTOS / VIDEO: Phone Camera

I finally figured out how to transfer photos and videos from my new phone (reading the manual helped a lot). I'm not one of those fancy guys who emails stuff from his phone but my new mobile phone has a USB cord for direct transfer. I'm sure never to miss a memorable moment now.

Here are a few things from the past few months...

A beautiful fall day at A.J.'s place

The terrific soon-to-be-twos

Who says you can't be stylish while running errands?

Or at least attempt to be stylish.

This is not a great video but it shows the boys' current household item turned toy. They are currently very attached to two flashlights and take them everywhere. This laser light show took place in the Kohl's parking lot last night (see story below).

‘Tis Better to Give and Deceive

We began Christmas shopping yesterday and the entertaining challenge of purchasing gifts for the boys while shopping with the boys added a level of intrigue and difficulty. With two boys and two carts it’s easy to hide things from Kellen but Aidan has always been able to smell out a gift purchased for him. He has a navidad sixth sense of shopping.

I recall one year when I came downstairs and found him sitting on a tub of Christmas decorations clutching an unwrapped Thomas the Train locomotive. He smiled at me and asked to have his choo choo that very moment. How he found it is a mystery still unsolved but he managed to discover it and at that age we weren’t getting it back. We also purchased a special candy item for him way back when to share with his friends at daycare. We carefully slipped it into the cart, checked out and got back to the car. As soon as we started the engine he announced that he wanted his candy now.

Yesterday we managed to successfully snag something for him twice. The first time it was a simple distraction technique and thanks to the complicated Kohl’s shopping carts with their opaque hanging bags it was behind him the whole time and he was none the wiser. He thought nothing of the three guys heading to the truck to warm it up for mama leaving her to check out by herself. The second store and item had Kellen and I cart racing Aidan and Rachel. Kellen and I took odd “shortcuts” and conveniently got lost for a few minutes. My Oscar worthy announcement that I was warm and needed to shed my coat minutes earlier had the desired effect as everyone de-coated and gave me enough material to hide the item I was about to scoop up during my absence.

VIDEO: Phone

Long distance calls are blocked on our phone for two reasons...

1. We have cell phones and can use our minutes for such calls

2. Kellen grabs the phone and "calls mama"

He hears the automated woman's voice telling him "this call cannot be completed as dialed" and talks to her. He also likes to imitate Rachel's laugh that he hears when she's talking to her sister on the phone.

VIDEO: Yogurt

Kellen loves his yogurt...

...and hates his socks

Random Report

The boys are both enjoying the acquisition of some new Baby Genius DVDs. Kellen started thinking every trip to the basement meant he could zone out and watch a DVD and these are at least getting him dancing and singing for 20-30 minutes. It’s funny because he not only sings and does the actions with the songs but he imitates the instruments as well. He’ll ask “what’s next?” at the close of each song and identify the next one immediately when it starts playing. Each DVD came with a matching CD so we have the joy of listening to the songs whenever we’re on the road (like the four-plus hour trips to and from Iowa).

The Baby Genius crew

Not sure if Kellen’s recent “I love you’s” came from the “1-2 I Love You” song on the DVDs but he’s throwing them out there to both parents. He also said “Bless you dada” when I sneezed this morning. He has been enthusiastically closing our dinner time prayers with either a giggle and a sing-song “Amen” or a fist pump and a “Yes!” Both are being acknowledged as acceptable forms of saying thanks to the Lord.

Kellen loves trailing me around the house saying “Hey Daddy! Hey Daddy!” He took that with him to Iowa perching on the stairs peaking through the rungs and identifying everyone…”Hey Mommy! Hey Grammie! Hey Daddy!”. He's also picked up on Rachel yelling for me. I walked back into the house today after dropping some recyclables in the garage and he was sitting on the stairs. He looked at me, smiled and said "Hey Trav."

We’re enjoying a new Little Tikes basketball hoop that we brought home from Grammie and Papa D’s house. It makes the basement that much more fun and has for the moment taken over Aidan’s indoor soccer field. While downstairs Kellen enjoys playing the Pipio (pronounced P-P-O) also known as the piano. He’s actually quite careful to play a string of notes and doesn’t just bash the keys. Both boys remain experts in using the hockey stick as an air guitar. They are also less inhibited dancers than their father which may warrant getting the video camera in position to capture Dance Party Deur-S-A.

Our holiday schedule is looking interesting as we work around a sibling nurses’ schedule on both sides. Thanksgiving and Christmas functions with immediate families look to be a week early or late on both sides. Hopefully that will translate into a big stay in Iowa in December.

Rachel and I are researching travel options to Maui for the beginning of 2009. We had always intended to go to Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary and once the calendar flips to January we are technically in the right year. Apparently our weekend trip to Lincoln did not suppress our desire to run away together to a warm tropical destination. Frosty rooftops in the mornings will remind us that it is time to book that trip.

I rest my case

Chillin' (Literally) With The Cornhuskers

This past weekend we dropped the boys off in Pella and headed to Nebraska to take in the Cornhusker/Jayhawk football game. The game was held at the 80,000 plus seat Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The projected temperatures were chilly but never got that high. A biting wind made this Cyclone man very happy for his complementary Huskers stocking cap during a brief tailgating session (don't be mad Cyclone brethren...I like the way I look with ears).

We were also gifted with shirts and I donned mine quickly not wishing to offend the fine people that hosted us on Saturday. I was thrilled to wear the wrong red if it meant we got to hang out in the corporate skybox. The view was great, the all-access ticket to game food was much appreciated and there was only a slight breeze if you sat too close to the vented windows (had to inject a little legit crowd noise into the comfort of the box). We were well taken care of while footballing in the presence of the CEO and owner of a company Rachel does business with.

Windows between you and wind chill factors = feeling in your extremities

The trip from Minneapolis to Pella to Lincoln to Pella to Minneapolis in 48 hours left me a bit exhausted (perhaps the 18 hour football day did me in). It was a great experience. I did not get the full effect of the size of the stadium perched high above the shivering masses but my toes did live to see the end of the game. They suggested we needed to make the trip an annual event and with the Cyclones visiting Lincoln next year I think October 24 fits into my schedule.

I don't always get the invite to these corporate perks but this weekend I was happy to serve in the role of trophy husband.

Would You Like Icing on Your Clown Fish?

We hit the pediatrician’s office this morning so Aidan could get his flu vaccination.

Before the excitement of getting the mist squirted up his nose rather than the usual flu shot, we hung out around the fish tank while I filled out paperwork. Every kid-geared operation now seems to have the obligatory aquarium with a “Nemo” fish (clown fish) and a “Dory” fish (a blue regal tang…yes I Googled to find that). Our pediatrician is no exception.

The clown fish kept peaking out of an anemone and slowly floated back in just like in the movie "Finding Nemo". I made mention of this and pointed it out to Aidan.

I then asked Aidan if he knew what the sea plant was called. “It’s a sea anemone,” I told him. “A Cini Mini?” was his reply. Yes…Nemo is swimming in and out of a warm and delicious miniature cinnamon roll from the Burger King breakfast menu (I've not had them but I can only assume they are delicious).

We Voted