Goodbye Vanna and Hello Sylvia! Updated with answered questions!

Hubby drove Vanna all the way to Sioux Falls SD to trade her in for Sylvia!

We decided to not sell Vanna outright but to instead trade her in.

We needed Vanna until Sylvia arrived and we just didn't have the time to sell her. If you are interested she is at the Sioux Falls, SD Mercedes Benz dealership. I am sure they will clean her up and make her look pretty for you!

While in the parking lot I met a couple- the immediately commented on her and I said she's my baby!
Of course the family and adoption story then was told!
They were so kind and happy for our family!

Any time we can plant the seed of adoption we are up for it!
Adoption has been the BEST thing that has ever happened to our family- for us, as the parents and for our older bio kids!
Not to mention, our 13 blessings!
Praising God for HIS goodness!

Hubby drove 4.5 hours there- did all the paperwork and then drove 4.5 hours home!

I was running a few Christmas errands and saw her on the road. 

I knew it was her- she's beautiful!

Hubby and I met at the local grocery store because I couldn't wait until we got home!

When we arrived home all the children hopped in with their pj's on and took a short drive- they were so so excited for her to arrive!

It is wonderful to have a vehicle that we can all fit in… well, all of us except the 5 older kids that is!

Thank goodness they would rather drive themselves!

She is BIG!

Really really BIG!

20 feet long, 10 feet high, 15 seats in her plus space for luggage, groceries, strollers, wheelchairs, you name it!

Hubby is 6'2" and he can stand up in her!

She is fabulous and we are thrilled with her.

She kind of draws a bit of attention where ever we go…

so much for being under the radar!

Sadly, there are no extra seats for more kiddos…

We will be getting more kiddos into the higher booster seats with backs - soon! Ordering them NOW!

Sylvia will be perfect for our daily life and for trips!

She has a few drawbacks-

 she does NOT fit into parking ramps, parking spaces for cars, vans or trucks, it's hard with lots of traffic in the parking lots (such as Christmas time) and medical centers downtown.

I will most likely take a smaller crew during those times and drive the Yukon.

Yes, she was expensive but equal in price to a new 15 passenger GMC van with a few upgrades.

She feels sturdier and more comfortable.

I love her best when she is filled with Happy PRECIOUS TREASURES!

So thankful for all of these children and for this extra large vehicle!

Excited to see and experience North America in her and the children (hubby, too)!

Good question Jessim- Why does she have to be so tall? I really don't know why! This vehicle started out as a Dodge sprinter, then became a freightliner and was recently bought by mercedes. It is popular with many businesses as a cargo van because it is safe, reliable, strong and has a long life expectancy!
We had to get this height in order to get the extended version (long enough)to fit our family and then have it modified by a separate company to get 3 more seats in it so it could fit all our children.
If it were shorter in height we could get it in the garage!
The length would not fit into any ramps.
Being able to stand in it is actually quite nice!

Vickie- there is a slider door on the passenger side by the first row of kids seats. The space to get back to the 3rd and 4th row is small but very doable. We have our able bodies big kids get back there and the children that need help or have ambulating issues are in the first 2 rows (Luke, Joey and Ben).