Merry Christmas from the de Rama Family!

Ah yes, it was time to retire my good and trusted steed. She was very good to me and we had lotsa good times together… Anyways, I picked up my new ride yesterday! A brand new 2011 MINI Cooper S Countryman All4! Checks all the requirements we had for my next car:

1. All-Wheel-Drive – CHECK
2. Manual -  CHECK
3. Fun-to-drive – CHECK
4. More room in the back for the kids – CHECK
5. Wagon – I would argue that it is. – CHECK!

Huge sunroof and tech toys a bonus! It was a choice between this or a used  US-import 2008 S4 Sedan. I had some reservations with the S4, and although I would love to own a B7 A4/S4 Wagon, I couldn’t find any available with the options I want. The other contender was a 535xi Touring/Wagon in 6-speed Manual, which was also hard to find used (only found 1 during my search, and it sold right away!).  The STI, which also happens to be within the price range, has too cramped of a back seat and is no better in terms of space compared to my 2001 Impreza I was replacing.

Sebastien and I were watching Blues Clues, and it had an excellent idea! Make a school bus out of a box. So, I helped him make one. Who says toys need to be expensive?

Here is a shot of the two kids I took the day after we got back from Disneyland.