This post is dedicated to all those out there who have ever bought a new car, and know the exhilaration that comes with it.

We have been in the market for a new car, for a while now.



Our little 1996 Nissan Quest van is on it's last legs, and we knew it would only be a matter of time before we were stranded somewhere with a car that had heaved it's last carbon-monoxide filled breath. I really didn't want to be in it when this happened, so we started into the long process of researching what car would take its place. We looked into all minivans, SUVs, pretty much anything with 7+ seating. The problem was, that while minivans are really great for families and have all the amenities, they don't really have the capability of going anywhere off road. On the other hand, SUV's, although very well equipped for going off road, don't have all the great amenities for families. We were at an impass. Enter into this scene, Kurt (my step-dad), a virtual car guru. I put this problem to him, and he says "the perfect car for you is a crossover SUV, specifically the Buick Enclave". A BUICK?!?!?! That wasn't my idea of an exciting new brand of car. Weren't Buicks for old people? He reassures me that we will really like it, and that it has a great, reliable, engine. (Kurt builds engines for a living, so I guess he would know) Okay, I thought, we'll at least look into it, if Kurt thinks it's a good one for us. We kept trying to spot Enclaves whenever we were out and about, but could never find one. Finally, we decided a visit to a dealership would be in order. When we got to the dealership and asked to see an Enclave this is what we saw:

Wow!! This is a Buick?!?! Hmmm, maybe we will look into it a little more. We took it for a test drive. Amazing! It was SO quiet, especially after my little van that has rattling windows, loose doors, and no noise insulation (a normal conversation in our car, currently is: Levi (yelling) "mhyf slkjt slka", me yelling back "What? I can't hear you.." He tries again, and I yell "why don't you wait to tell me when we get home!"). The Enclave has a 10 speaker BOSE surround sound system that makes you feel like you are there at the concert, instead of zooming down a freeway. It really helps that you can't hear the outside noise too. This is a enormous upgrade to our current blown out 4 speaker system, with broken CD player. Well, practically anything would have been, but the Enclave also comes with a port for my ipod to be plugged in directly to the sound system. Now, that, is luxury!! Another great feature is the remote rear-door automatic open. Ahhh,...... access to the cargo space with the push of a button. Let's just say that this small feature is currently in my top two important features. Right now, the rear door, to my van, not only is not automatic, but broken! Currently, the way that I get it to stay open is by having Levi and Calder stand on the bumper on either side, and hold it up above their heads. This is usually done while I am hurriedly loading groceries in, with small boys yelling "MOM! Hurry, hurry! My arms are hurting, I can't hold it up much longer!!" It's just the simple things in life.... There are a million other little features that I love (you know: heated seats, remote start, 19" chrome finish plated aluminum wheels, leather seats, memory seats, two sunroofs, full sized third row seating-meaning 3 adults can sit back there comfortably..and on and on and on).

My favorite part of Trick or Treating with kids is when they are Kaelan's age and trying to figure out what, in the world, we are doing walking around the dark, all dressed up. I love watching their eyes as we go door to door, knocking, and see them get ROUND with amazement when the smiling lady puts candy in their bag. Life is good!















I hope everyone had as great a Halloween as we did! Now, on to candy consumption control!

This past week Calder had his very first 1st grade field trip. They (along will all 5 other 1st grade classes from our school) went to Lee Farms to visit the animals and the pumpkin patch. I was able to chaperon (and ride the Bus.....wooo whooo!!) with Kaelan in tow. I did have triple duty though, because I was also supposed to be the official photographer of this trip (for the yearbook) for our class, be in charge of three little boys that all wanted to go different directions (and don't seem to remember their own names when you call them), and keep Kaelan (the 4th little boy) from running off or throwing rocks at people (he loves rocks and seems to think that people would really love it if he threw the rocks at them). It was really crazy, but fun. Calder LOVED having Kaelan and I along. I was Calder, Steele (Calder's best bud), and Ethan's chaperon.

At first everything was great, (other than having to look 5 ways at once), but then Kaelan really got into doing his own thing and I had to keep an eye on him constantly. Finally, Mrs. Lang, Calder's teacher, asked if she could hold Kaelan so that I could photograph more easily. She has an 18 month old baby boy name Kai and she says that Kaelan looks just like him. Kaelan loved her, so they both had a good time.






The birds are facing off the kids in this picture, puffing up their feathers! So funny.





























After the hay ride we all ate lunch and then hopped back on the bus. Ethan, Calder and Steele were very tired. Right here, Calder is giving me the "look" that says "I am feeling put upon because you wouldn't let Kaelan sit with us boys!"