A Tribute to Periwinkle

Our search for a new (well, new to us that is) minivan is finally over!! We found a great deal last night. After a little more haggling and competition with another dealer, we were able to bring the new van home. But to do so we had to leave our old blue van (whom my parents had originally named Periwinkle) behind. Isn't it funny how we get attached to things? This van has been a part of my life for the last 10 years...since even before I was married. There are so many memories in this van. Trips to church camp; trips from Olathe to Columbia to visit my friend Amanda; trips from Kansas City to Michigan by my parents and brother; trips from Parker, Colorado to Estes Park...5 adults and Gabe!!!; trips from Howell up to the camper house and Traverse City. And finally, being the biggest family car we had owned up to this point. It's the van we brought Zoe home from the hospital in. It has taken many high schoolers and middle schoolers around Michigan for Fall Retreat and crazy scavenger hunts and races. It was nicknamed "the Trout" and "Bernadetta the Blue" by my d-groups. Here's to you, old blue. You have been a great van and have lasted longer than any of us could have ever imagined. 210, 422 miles to be exact.

But now that our old van has been laid to rest, it's time to celebrate our new van!!!! We haven't come up with a name for it yet, so suggestions are more than welcome. It is a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan. Only 42,000 miles. Lowest miles we have ever owned in our married life!! It has a CD player (hallelujah...I have missed my music), bucket seats behind the driver and passenger, and even remote controlled sliding door and back hatch!! It is also remote start equipped, but we have to figure out which remote control button does that one. So here's to as many years as possible and family vacations and just plain old running errands. A big thank you also to Matt's parents who helped us get the van now instead of having to wait until January!!