The Giant Jump: Buying a Van

Well, we did it folks.  We made the leap.  With this new baby arriving at Thanksgiving, and having a hard time fitting three carseats across the back bench seat of our suburban, we've brought this home...

...the Nissan NV.

This is a big jump for me.  Or, really, I should say it's a big jump for pre-momma Britt.  I swore I'd never drive a minivan.  No reason really, now that I think of it.  I just grew up in a suburban, so that's what I always imagined driving.  Then, came four (almost five) little ones, and well, we needed to make a change. 

We've had it about ten days, and this is what I have to say:

1). I LOVE it.

2). It is SO much easier to drive than I imagined.

3). I don't mind the wide-eyed stares.

4). It seats 12 (with many different combinations of seat arrangements) and is very easy to get in and out of.

5).  It's basic.  We're adding a DVD player (another one of those pre-momma things I said I'd never do).

6).  The kids made us promise we'd never give it back.  Haha.  So, we're starting them young on the van mentality.

7). It doesn't get the best gas mileage, but what big rig does?

8). I've yet to see what it can do in snow/ice.  I'll let you know.

9). We could take an extended family road trip if we wanted...or even have a babysitter or friend in the car...so nice.

10). I didn't want white, but now I love it (it's great on our dirt road, and I'm not the greatest - read the worst - about keeping a car washed and clean.

11). I've yet to go in a parking garage and might never do that.  I've also yet to go through a drive through car wash - I need to read up on the height specs first!

and finally...

It can sport our support for New Mexico beef!

Bigfoot (according to the kids) is here to stay.  

If you're debating the same giant jump, I highly recommend taking it!