Exchanging the Penny

We needed to return a few things to BreZaak before we move up I 5. We shamelessly pounded on the door until Izaak opened! Poor guy was taking a nap.  Bre and Bella were out for dessert "with the girls." 

Talking with Zaak is always great fun - but I didn't snap a photo of the event. Bre and Bella returned and Bre exchanged the first 2017 penny of the year for a $5 coin. The rest of the kids will get a $1 coin as they find 2017 pennies....though most don't seem to find them these days. LOL  I believe Nolan found last year's first penny. 

Childhood traditions carry into adulthood! 

Hello Spring

We have enjoyed house-sitting. Our budget is plumper not paying a site rental. It's fantastic to be 2 min from the girls, their husbands and BELLA. It's ben a blessing to have  space to invite people over. Michael and I loved the sun room. Michael enjoyed being able to record various sports events - the voice command television remote was a fun novelty. We were happy, during the rainiest two months in our family history, not to have to schlep to bathhouses. It's been great for Michael to be able to work on repairs at the motorhome without us all underfoot. ::snort::

We wondered if these two months would be the death of full-time Rving - maybe we'd all enjoy being back in a stick and bricks home and just move to Alaska this summer and be done with it all. We find we still love our simple lifestyle. We're excited to move back into the motorhome. We are still dreaming of a "road trip across America," and this summer's trip up the AlCan.

I found Nadine's kitchen to be just about perfect - bigger than the RV kitchen but not overwhelmingly bigger. We loved the patio off the master bedroom - with the hot tub. These two months have helped us begin to think through what we are looking for in a future Alaskan home.

Michael spent the day finishing up a few more RV repairs. We began to spruce up the home to welcome John and Nadine home. 

Cleaning the Fridge

 In honor of spring, there was a break in the rain today.  Alex took advantage of the opportunity to mow the yard.

Go Alex! 

Last year spring cleaning felt puny in the Caboose - this year we get to spring clean a house and the motorhome. I'm in hog heaven. 😎

Michael brought the motorhome home with him.  Tomorrow we will load our things back into it and say goodbye to this season of house-sitting and hello to spring back in the Motorhome.

Bella Shops!

Bella's new eating habits have necessitated a new size in clothing. Mommy took her shopping - and she LOVES shopping for clothes.

Sunday Brunch

One perk of attending our family's church is Sunday brunch with Mom, Dad and Lorri. CoRielle attend church across town. BreZaak are busy with 2nd service.

This week the Brown's and Leah joined us.  Mom used to babysit for Jim and Gloria when Jamie and I were kids. It's always fun to catch up.

We usually go to Denny's - where Mom and Dad know the  manager and staff....but we were a big enough crowd that we needed to go somewhere else. Ihop - haven't eaten there in ages.

Michael and the boys spent the afternoon working on the bunk modification in the RV.

Bunk Modification

John and Nadine will return this week and we will move back into the motorhome and into an "RV Resort". 😏

Michael has been going over daily and working on repairs and fix it jobs he noted needed fixing. I'll have to take photos for a big post soon.

We all trekked across town for the kids to see if the bunk measurements were liveable. He's putting a triple bunk into a slide in the motorhome. This will leave the living area for those who like to play games late at night and those who wake early.

I'll admit the first thing I noted was the MESS. I'm a neat/organizational freak and this would have done me in to try to live here while all this was going on. The repairs are looking nice.

We currently have two bunks in the slide.  

It's going to be tight, but the kids said they could live with the submarine-like berths. Michael thought of using thinner wood, but was advised to stick with the thicker. Our kids are not toddlers. 😮

Michael thought more than one helper would be a hinderance. Nolan volunteered. This allowed them to enjoy the day together. Alex finished school early this week and joined Michael earlier and Stacia had a date on Friday night with him.

Alex, Stacia and I did the week's grocery shopping and a few odd things we need to get done before moving.

Michael thinks he can finish the bunk tomorrow.  We'd like to bring the motorhome over for a day to load it....then get it parked at the new site before we move out of here.

Daddy Daughter Date - #WYFF

Michael took Stacia out for a Daddy/Daughter date. Both report having a great time. Here he explains boys should open the door for her. The comment was made that boys these days don't know they should hold the door for a girl. The reply - "Teach them."

They enjoyed dinner at Outback. Michael was armed with some conversation starters (my contribution to the evening) which they both enjoyed.

Fred Myers provided a chance to stretch after dinner, and to pick up flowers for Stacia.

Dessert was at Dairy Queen.

Great evening for both.






#WYFF  - Where's Your Feet Friday - is a hash tag sponsored by Fulltime Families.  I thought it would be a fun way to get a quick look at our adventures.  The photo - or collage - serves as the BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) if you missed the story and would like to read it, click the link under the photo. For past #WYFF check the tabs.

We Have a Toad

We bought a motorhome in November.  It is the model we wanted and was below book.

We no longer have the van and trailer. That February sale went easier than expected - we didn't even put them on the market.

We have been looking for a towable vehicle - a toad. We needed it before our trip to Denver the end of April. Who, in their right minds - which we are - would want to drive a 38 FT motorhome in Denver traffic?

Michael has scoured various RV forums and guides. He knew the makes which would work. Many popped up in FL. I was resistant to the idea of another drive to FL and back between now and April. We hoped for a manual transmission.  If not manual, able to flat tow. The toad has to be 5K pounds or less - curbside. It needs to fit three youth in the back - comfortable enough for up to 200 mile trips. Our plan is to find a spot, set up camp, and take 200 mile trips around our location.

I had originally hoped for a pickup with a seat in the back. I saw all sorts of potential for packing the back end....however, the weight was off. We definitely ruled out a pick up after the five of us drove in one - our kids are not little. Next, I hoped for a hatchback so Yuuki could ride in the back. We knew the kids were o.k. crowding in the back seat (see blue car), but didn't want to add Yuuki to the mix in the back seat.

Yesterday, we stopped by the car lot of a family friend.  He had two cars that could have worked. He recommended we stay away from one. It was the same make and model  - but had something funky going on with the engine.

Yes, the Jeep is smaller than the 15 pass van - BUT we've been driving
the Versa in the background

We've been using Mom G's Versa - in the background.  This Jeep Liberty Renegade is in good shape, drives well, weighs 4,100 curbside, has a bit of a hatchback, a normal tow package and a partial flat tow package.  We've noted jeeps are popular toads. It had more miles than we wanted, BUT we know some of those miles were towed miles. It still has part of the air brake system, proving it was a motorhome's toad. 

Michael came home and priced the various parts he'd need to fix the tow package for flat towing. He went back this morning and took photos, which he shared with an RV mechanic. He wanted to see if it would be possible to add to what was there, or if it would all need replaced.  The mechanic said the brake and a few other things could be added to what was still on the Jeep. They charged double the prices Michael has seen on Amazon. He'll buy on Amazon and install himself.

Michael took the Jeep for a test drive and loved the way it drove. The price quoted was low book - FROM A DEALER WE TRUSTED. It was lower than our budgeted amount and we paid cash. Win, win, win! He called me and said he'd like to buy it and wanted to come pick me up. I drove it home - playing with buttons all the way. My best find is the radio control under the steering wheel. 😍

We have NEVER bought any vehicle, trailer, or gadget this quickly and easily. Michael's motto is,
"Do the research!" whenever we are considering a purchase. Research takes time - sometimes months. Then we have to wait to find exactly what our research revealed we need. This also takes time. Michael had been researching since we bought the motorhome in November.  We began to actively look when the van sold the end of Feb. We've also never sold a vehicle as easily as the van. Eugene has been good to us in vehicle sales. 😉

Did I mention it is 4 wheel drive? It is meant for the types of roads our tortured vans traveled. 😃The Dodge gave up after our three years in Alaska. 4x4 will be a good feature in Alaska. The Gherkins were surprised at how quickly we closed the deal. They agree they have much more room than in the Versa.

We smile at the changes in us since we began full-timing. At that point, the kids and I couldn't imagine being on the road without a 15 pass van. We had a table for school and each one had our own seat.....now, this feels big and we're excited about the possibilities for adventure.