Brad loves to joke about me getting an old 1991 Astro Van (or any van for that matter). He sends me horrible craigslist adds all the time. He knows it pushes my buttons and gets me worked up. I think this is the most recent one he sent me,...OUCH,...Very Funny Brad.
Well we just got our carseats out for the twins, and it is offical, 3 carseats are NOT going to fit in the back of my Altima. So, we are now SUV shopping. I of course love the looks of SUV's like the Pathfinder, 4Runner, Etc. I realize that the gas mileage isn't that great on big SUV's. And the cost to get those cutsy SUVS?!! PRICEY$$$$$$$$$$$! Oh I don't know!!!!!!!All my girlfriends here in Boise say they were SO AntiVan until they drove one, and then they fell in love. I mean seriously girls,...is it that great? I know, I know, these new nice Vans... automatic doors, great ride, great gas mileage, so roomy,..blah blah blah.
I'm needing to hear some arguments both ways here. Or maybe I should just sell my car and invest the money because we ALL know I won't even be able to leave the house! ;)
haha. I kind of like the astrovan..just teasin. I drove a minivan for a few days and I didn't like it. Too bad SUVs are so pricey these days
ReplyDeleteShelley, I hate to break it to you, but we have a SUV and ONLY two kids and I am wanting a van.I never thought the V word would come out of my mouth, but my sister-in-law has a van and it is so much easier to get kids in and out of. The 3 seater SUVs are impossible unless your kids are old enough to buckle themselves. Sorry for the bad news ha ha, but the good news is that you have two beautiful girls coming and girls are tons of fun!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm still stuck on the SUV kick. I had a minivan growing up and I don't see what is sooooo great about them!! Have you check into the costco car deal? My in-laws did it and they got a steal! Maybe you could rent a van for a few days and see how you feel!! Bet that astro van is rentable!!!
ReplyDeleteHaha, sad to say, all you would have to change to that astrovan pic is the color and you would have the car I grew up in. Ours was grey and very attractive :) I'm with you I will never ever drive a van! I like the SUV's, I want a Nissan Armada!! I"m sure those are PRICEY! Nice to dream anyway! Hey by the way, is your belly even big enough yet for belly pics???
ReplyDeleteI will agree with you 100% that minivans are not cool for a 25 yr old or any age for that matter! Fortunately, I got to wait until I was almost 29 to get my first van. Speaking from personal experience I would have to say a minivan is the way to go...I miss my SUV and it took me a month to even like my van,but you just get to a point where comfort overrides looks. I don't know how people do it without a van with 3 kids especially when you travel...unless you have a huge SUV and I know I can't drive one of those, I would wreck it in the first day! I'm sure you will find something you guys like...good luck!
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh! that's funny you posted about this. i was just about to post how i will NEVER EVER EVER own a minivan in my life! not even if it's given to me or it's the only thing i have to drive. i'll find other ways of transportation to cart my kids around. :)
ReplyDeletewe're suv looking too and i think we're stuck on getting the murano.
don't you ever buy a van! you definitely are TOO hot for one! maybe we should start a club. the no minivan driving moms!
I never wanted a van, and then I got pregnant with Miki and that is what was available. My first van did the job, but I have LOVED my Odyssey for the past 9 years and still going strong. It is on an Accord base and drives like a car only it is bigger. Don't knock the van 'til you try it. We rented a Toyota Sequoia this last summer and I would love to have one only too expense for gas and too big to park. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI have a love hate relationship with vans. I really hate a lot of things about them number one the look. But I am to practical to go another way. And I have grown to love the space and the fact that even though we have three kiddos i can still pick up a friend and her kids and only have to take one car and you don't have to fold down chairs and climb in to get everyone settled. However, if you are looking at new or fairly new cars vans really aren't that much cheaper and gas is going down so if cost is the only things stopping you I really don't think that you will save that much by getting a van. My brother just got a pilot and it is really nice and feels very spacious. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteHey shelley! Im officially adding you onto my personal blog now that we formally met :) No more secretly reading about your awesome twin pregnancy for me!
ReplyDeleteAnd hold tight to your no van policy! Im officially boycotting them for life due to their ugly nature and very unfriendly drive-thru size! Not to mention parking space issues!
I never thought I would drive a minivan either but I now have one and its not that bad!!Ask Brad about the old green one im sure he remebers that one!!lol!they loved that thing or maybe just Don did!
ReplyDeleteYou for sure need a mini van! I'm sure we will get one with number three (if that happens - now is NOT the time to ask me if I want any more kids). FYI - I'm positive 3 car seats would not fit in our 4-runner.
ReplyDeleteOk, are you making a big deal out of this cuz I just got a van and I am a hot 25 year old too!?!?!;) Seriously when we go out next week you will drive my odyssey and fall in love with it, I promise! But there is one thing though, I find myself trying harder to look cute even if I am just running Will down the street to pre-school, because I am a minivan mom, I feel like I need to! I dont want to look any older than I really am!!! And we were looking at the pathfinder too, even test drove some, but then Drew did some research and they got horrible reviews, not the safest. And minivans are awesome in that aspect!
ReplyDeleteOK Shelley I could never do the minivan!! There are some decent ones out there I know! :) I had a Xterra before the twins and their carseats fit, but it was tight and I wanted a third seat! About 2 months ago we bought a new Nissan Armada! And I LOVE it!!!! The twinners fit great and there's plenty of room in the back, I fold the 3rd seat down and their BIG double jogger stroller fits great!! :) HA! But you're gonna have 3!! I I don't know maybe you're destined for the minivan!! Jk!! The twins are it for us, so we don't need the van EVER!! :) Good Luck! But I do like that pic of the used van!
ReplyDeleteNOOOOOOOO!!!!! Shelley, NEVER give in to the travesty of the minivan! I'm counting on you!
ReplyDeleteWell Shell, I love SUVs. I have had one since high school! We have my parents right now while ours is in the shop and it's an 8 passenger while ours is only 5. And I would totally buy one that big. My brother has a minivan and they like it but would rather have an SUV but they have a lot of kids close to the same age so it was easier to go with a minivan for price. But I will be the soccer mom with an SUV not a minivan.
ReplyDeleteAs long as it runs & you can get the kids in without breaking your back is the right vehicle!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I do love my mini-van :-)
You know what I have to say. Mini Van Moms Rock!
ReplyDeleteP.S. How many of the people who said no to the mini van have three kids? If anyone who has less than three kids votes against the mini van I would throw it out.
ReplyDeleteI got the van. The biggest reason I love it here in Idaho, is when the wind is blowing, and it's in the single digits, or you're coming out of Walmart and have 3 kids to put in the car and buckle up, you can just hop in right behind them shut the door and take care of business, out of that horrible weather!! :o) Good luck deciding!! I love my van, but I too love the looks of a BEAUTIFUL SUV!!! And lets be serious....you'll probably have at least one more kid somewhere down the road. Mine as well invest in the van now.
ReplyDeleteOh Shelley...You sound like me about 8 months ago. I said all those same things, but now I am truly converted. I'm glad that you posted about something I am so passionate about! :)
ReplyDeleteI only have 2 kiddos and it has been such a life saver. We have a Toyota Sienna. The great news is that every other family in our ward has a mini van so we don't feel like weirdos. Whenever we get out of the car and walk to the house Josh says, "Have I told you lately how much I love the van!" Seriously! Who would have thought! haha. We are definitely SUV people as well and i'm sure the time will come when we will have one, but for now with little ones...a van is the way to go. I vote mini van all the way!!
I ran across your blog from Stefanie Collins' blog and I just have to weigh in! I have three boys under the age of three (so 3 car seats of course) and I got an SUV (refusing the minivan) and I regret it terribly! I want a van now! I drove one a while ago and fell IN LOVE! Don't get me wrong I love my Envoy but it is the BIGGEST pain getting them in and out! I vote for the van! Just look into them, they have some really nice ones out there! I know I don't know you but theres my advice!
ReplyDeleteI VOTE NISSAN ARMADA
ReplyDeleteOk I must weigh in on this one, because I too had this problem. I have three kids 4 and under...granted no twins but still three kids. I chose the Nissan Armada. I LOVE IT!! That SUV is my 4th baby. Go check one out...back up cams, sun roof, dvd player, the seats move to make it into a minivan set up....or if you don't want to move the seats or have a kid in the back...the middle seat is wide enough for THREE car seats!!! TONZ of room in the back and adults can sit in the 3rd row NO PROBLEM!! You must at least drive one! We bought ours used and have never regretted it. Not even for a SEC!! Good luck!
yikes! that is a scary picture!
ReplyDeletei am think i am anti-van. although i have driven one a few years ago, and they are really smooth! i would definately drive one if that meant i could have twins!
I think you would look way hot in that brown van!! Personally I am not a fan of vans. But I have never drove one. I just don't think I could. We have a tahoe and love it. Good luck though that is a hard decision!! Congrats on the twin girls that is so exciting. They will be so cute. You look great Never would guess you have twins in there!!
ReplyDeleteHi Shelley-
ReplyDeleteYour little boy is adorable. I saw your link on Mikelle's site. Let me tell you. We have a new durango which has lots of room(seats 7) but it is a little hard with the carseats..I love it because it is comfy and gas mileage is actually decent for an suv. however, it is easier to get kids in and out of car seats in minivan. Good luck!
Have Brad get you a 4 runner I love mine it seats 7.. And is not a mini van
ReplyDeleteI love having a van,. Jake hated the idea but he now says it travels more comfortable than any other car he has had. I am sure it is because there is more room.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I have had a Yukon and Tahoe I loved both of them but it's so much harder getting kids in the Tahoe. Being short isn't the best with SUVs. I have said the next one I have which will make 3 I will get a van. Number one reason kids can get themselves in and that is huge. Anyways for what it's worth.
ReplyDeleteSo here is my thought for what it is worth. Get the van. I also hate vans and said I would never drive one so when I got pregnant we decided we needed a car that was less than 10 years old and had less than 130,000 miles. So I stared shopping and bought a Chevy Equinox. I love my car but it just doesn't make sense. And with that we are trying to sell it to buy a van. It is just more realistic. They are ugly but just think with all the $$ you save in gas one day you can buy a sports car for fun!
ReplyDeletewow, I never realized how snobby we anti-van people could sound. I mean shouldn't we just be grateful to be able to afford a car for our growing families? At least it's not a station wagon! :)
ReplyDeleteI never wanted a van, still don't like it. It isn't that great on gas mileage either. I have 4 kids all in car seats and it is a pain no matter what! There are plenty of times I don't go places because It exhausts me just to think about getting them all in & out of the car. However! We just got a landcruiser for 1800$ and I LOVE IT! But your kid have to be able to buckle themselves in & out for something like that. I just open the back door, Aisling climbs in & buckles. There is no climbing around, over seats etc. The middle seat ( which is where you have to put your baby) is very hard for us shorties to reach, especially with the infant carrier. It is really probably best for the minivan right now. Like one of the gals said, you can just open the door, get everyone in, close the door and do whatever you need to get everyone situated. out of the weather or gawking eyes of strangers.
I know it sucks, but just think... in a few years those acadias are going to cost less!!!!!! hooray!