The Great Orange Explorer

  This is the great Orange Explorer.  Jeff has been looking for months, literally---months!!--for an old truck he could work on with the older boys.  He wanted to get an older model so he could teach them to change the oil and the brakes, and all that good stuff.  Don't ask me for details, I thought it sounded like a great way for them to spend time together, so I happily agreed.  I wish I had a picture of Kiefer and Quinn's faces when Jeff brought them out and told them his plan.  Priceless!! They love this truck so much it's worth all the headaches of rebuilding carburetors and broken valves and leaky fuel tanks, but don't tell Jeff I said that.  At least not when he's in the middle of another repair issue!

He finally found this 1976 Ford Explorer, isn't that original hood ornament fabulous? It might be my favorite part of the truck.  That or the shag carpet inside, which Jeff insists is leaving and I really, really want to stay.

They've been spending lots of time on it, and it's been so much fun to watch.  I love it!   They just finished rebuilding the carburetor, and were so proud when they were done.  I don't blame them, I really wish I would have taken a picture of the dozens of tiny pieces and parts that had to go together just so.  I didn't, but here they are putting the finishing touches on the carburetor last weekend.  They are almost done, and they can't wait for their first official big trip in it....wonder where they'll go?  Five bucks says the movies or DQ....what do you think?