Meet VANgela

Last year when we moved to San Antonio we learned the local Toyota dealership gives out turkeys to Veterans for Thanksgiving.  A nice gesture which we were happy to participate in...Who is going to refuse a free turkey, right?  Later we bought two cars from this dealership...yeah...Michael has already gone through two cars since we moved to the big city.

Fast forward to today...the same generosity was given to the Veterans this year.  We were already thinking about going to the dealership for our free turkey.  However, we were also considering the purchase of a new (possibly used) van to replace our BIG WHITE SAIL.  Our 15 passenger van had suited us well over the last two years but we do not have so many to tow around these days so we decided it was a good idea to downsize again.  SO...why not do it all at the same time...kill two bird with one stone mentality.

We started out the day pulling EVERYTHING out of the old van.  I think we had a mobile science experiment in the making....there were so many things hiding in all the cubbies and under the seats...it was not fun, especially since it was a little moist around here today!  We got it done and we were on our way.

When we arrived it was CRAZY!!!!  There were people everywhere...giving out turkeys...picking up turkeys...radio hosts....musicians....car dealers....people trying to buy cars...I had no idea there would be so many people.  We made our way into a parking space and into the dealership.  Just as we were walking into the building, the same young man who sold Michael his first car was walking out.  He remembered us from a year ago by name...he was excited to help us again.  He took us right to the van we needed.  He listened to us and made sure we got what we needed.  I really appreciate this...many times when you go for a new car they try to get you into something fancier than what you need but not here.  He even told us that he would show us used vehicles if we did not think we could get our monthly payments low enough.

While we waited for all the hoopla of financing a new car, we were told to join in the BBQ that was being served for the volunteers.  We enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs, drinks, and even cookies right out of the oven.  We were waited on as if we were the special guests.  They really know how to treat their customers...it was nice.

Then as we were working with the finance office (We went back and forth about using our bank or the Toyota financing...got a better deal with this approach...lots of extras!  We never knew this could happen....awesome bonus!)...we found out that Robert Earl Keen was coming to the dealership to perform...he is a long time customer and he wanted to thank the owner and perform for the veterans.  AND...even better...we found out that the owners were gifting a home to a wounded warrior!  That is TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!  We did not get to stay and see the delivery of the keys to the soldier but we were so proud to be buying a van from such an awesome group of people.

On the way home in our new van, the boys were trying to decide on a name...yeah, we name our vehicles.  The boys were joking because they realized we just bought the same kind of car as a character on one of our favorite TV shows.  SO...in her honor we named our van....VANgela!  SO...welcome to the family...hope this one gives us a lot of good years.  A big thank you to Toyota Boerne and our dealer, Aman!