Road Trip!!

This year I have made it a goal of mine to spend more time with my family and friends.  There are always excuses as to why this can't happen or won't happen, but this year is going to be different.  I have already taken the first step to secure this goal by purchasing a rather new mini van that everyone loves to ride in.  Road trip, here we come.

This past weekend, we took a trip to Charlotte, NC.  It was a great trip.  The kids traveled awesomely glued to the TV in the back playing Rio or Lion King.  We stopped when needed, we ate when hungry, and we visited with family along the way.  It was a good trip for all of us.  

We took this trip to see my sister.  She has lived in her new home for four years and I haven't been to see her yet.  There has always been some kind of obstacle in the way from work to gas prices.  This weekend, we took the time to go see her.  Let me just say, four years was way to long.  We had a wonderful time with her and her husband.  The girls had an absolute blast seeing their Aunt and Uncle, and it was a much needed mini vacation for everyone.  We got some good family bonding time.  We also went to IKEA, but I'll save that for another post.  It was just an overall great time.

I say this to put out there, what are you not doing and should be?  I'm not getting any younger and my family and friends are scattered throughout the Southeast.  Some of my largest regrets are the people that will not be in my children's life because I waited too long.  Time is the one thing that we can't make any more of.  So, what are you going to do differently in 2012 for you and your kids?

Our New Ride

Well, we sucked it up yesterday and traded in our totally awesome truck for a minivan.  I hate to see the fun thing go away, but I know it was necessary with number four on the way.  I never thought we would be a minivan family, but I know now that is was inevitable.  I guess I am growing up after all.

With that in mind, let me tell you about our new ride.  It's a 2007 Nissan Quest.  Yes, not new as in brand new, but new to us and in a lot better shape then our previous 2005 Toyota Tacoma. 60,000 miles vs. 150,000 is kind of a no brainer.  It's fully loaded, which is also new to us.  It has all the functions that a family vehicle should have, including a DVD player.  All I can say is that's totally awesome.  It's roomy, seats are comfortable, and it's ride is smooth.  Even a cool feature the kids like is that they each have their own private sun roof.  How cool is that?  Every time we go out I feel like Captain Kirk is going to come over the intercom and give me some orders.  It's very futuristic looking.  I have to say that we have looked at many minivans and this is the coolest one yet.  If you've got to have a minivan, this is the one to have, definitely.

Now that I am done bragging about our new car, let me say it didn't come without a price.   We were about nine months from paying off the truck.  Oh how I hate having a car payment.  It is a lower payment and a shorter term, but the interest rate is ridiculous.   Sometimes I really do question my judgement, but I also look at it as no one knows what my family needs more then me and the wife.  If someone wants to judge me based on my decision, that's fine.  It's not your money, your time, or your family so get over it. 

That being said, it's nice to have a new car, not so nice to have a new payment, but GREAT to have a Nissan Quest.   Next time your in the market, check'em out.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

(Pictures to Come)

To Disney or Not to Disney?

Disney World is my most favorite place in the entire world. One of the joys I got out of becoming a Dad was that I would get to take my kids there one day. About three months ago, Mom and I bit the bullet and decided that September 2012 would be the year my daughters got introduced to Disney World. We got the videos, talked to the girls about the trip, and even used it as incentive for Random Girl to do good in school. Now, we've found out that sometime around next May, we're having another baby come our way. So, do we continue with our plans for Disney, adding a 5 month old to the head count, or do we postpone this family vacation for a later date? Does anyone have experience doing a major trip like this one with a new born? Any advice? I just don't know what to do and I hate the idea of breaking my little girl's hearts because we're having another baby. The rational side to me tells me to wait at least another year, but my child side tells me to go for it. What do you think?