We Adopted a Van

We just purchased a new vehicle.  By "new," I mean it was made 23 years ago.   

It is loaded with all sorts of bells and whistles.

That's a first aid kit and a dustbuster, guys.  For minor scrapes and overall cleanliness, we are covered.

You can hardly even notice the body rot and rust spots on the sides, front, rear, top, and underbelly.



Does someone at the DMV know us?  I think so. 

Phil found this gem from a retired Minnesota native.  She and her husband bought this van a LONG time ago.  In 1990, folks.  They used it for traveling all over the country with their children and grandchildren.  It has been kept in (near) pristine condition.  Minus the aforementioned rust.  But rust is just the fingerprints of any car having to endure a Midwest winter.   

I love that this van has a rich history of fun adventures.  The woman (now a widow) even teared up a little as Phil drove away with it, suddenly engulfed in all of its memory and grandeur.  Don't worry, Shirley, we are so going to give this oldie-but-goodie a terrific set of sunset years, show her a good time, and take her to the next level!

We wanted the van for our family business as an extra pick-up/delivery and general maintenance vehicle.  It even has a clothing rack in the back!  And it will be on like Donkey Kong for when we just want to pile up 3-4 families and roll out on the desert terrain.  It's sort of a house on wheels. 

I am so excited about this!  And by saying that, I now just turned into my mom. 

[When I'm riding in it, I feel like I'm back in high school.  I can actually picture myself trying to change the radio station to 101.9 The Mix, and turning around to tell my two younger sisters, Suzy and Alli, to stop fighting in the back seat.  And we are late for freakin' school yet again.] 

Features of our new van:

Seating for 8
(Christy, Kiera, JJ, Bryan, Ashley, Mom, Mark--when you come out this summer, we are totally tooling around in this tricked out, land-barge, shaggin' wagon!)
TV and VCR
Ash trays
Custom built wood cabinetry
Power locks and windows (a big shock)
A custom made 8-cassette tape deck
A 6-cd player
Back seat pulls down into a bed
And much much more!

How did our children react?  Well, this was Jackson.  Looks happy, if you ask me.  He was picturing his entire little league team going for a celebratory trip to Dairy Queen after the baseball game.

Tight muscle shirt, slight gut, yep, he's ready for his first ride in the van!

Unfortunately, no photo of Kayleigh was available.  Because she was running as fast as her 12-year old legs could carry her away from our house, taking shelter with one of the neighbors.  She was definitely crying, and I'm pretty sure I heard her say something about ruining her life, social suicide, and that she would never, not ever, be seen in the "hunk of junk."  Oh, her Daddy was crushed.   

But we struck a deal.  We told Kayleigh that the next time she overslept, didn't get ready in time, and missed her bus, we would be perfectly happy to escort her (and any of her friends) to school in this. 

She then informed us that she would never ever miss the bus again.  Perfect. 

I think we just scored a point for parenting.

Now taking suggestions on a name for this gorgeous metal beast.

In consideration, but not limited to...

• Vanna Vintage
• Van-illa Ice
• Van Helen