We accomplished a lot in the final weeks of our extended stay with family in Utah. We successfully installed solar and batteries in our airstream, we completely re-configured the interior of our van, and we finally installed the 4G WiFi antenna on the trailer. Also, keep in mind we work full time so all this had to be done after work ours. We had help from both our families and some friends as well and we couldn't have done it without them.

Lets take a moment to celibrate these accomplishments.

Ok, now lets take a moment to explain why we didn't install the high top on the van ourselves:

Fiberglass van tops aren't something that companies have lying around in stacks. When you call to order a high top, there are lots of features to choose from like wood reinforcement, windows and the list goes on. Once you place your order, a company like Fiberine (who built our high top,) will go to work making your very own unique high top. Our origional plan was to have the high top shipped to us in Utah where we could install it ourselves. We were really looking forward to filming the process. There aren't many videos of high top installs and we thought it would make for an interesting series. But it wasn't to be.

By the time we placed our high top order and had it built there wasn't time for it ship so we could tackle the install ourselves---unless we wanted to ditch our holiday plans in Arizona. Without access to and enclosed garage to do an install in and the first major snow storms of the season just around the corner, we decided we better have someone else do the install. Fiberine has a number installers they recommend and they were able to connect us someone great. The folks who did the install asked not to be featured on The More We Explore so in order to honor their wishes we didn't film the install. We really appreciate the installers getting us in on such short notice and for doing such a great job.

I know, I know, some of you were really looking forward to seeing that high top go on. Even for us, the experience was an exercise in adjusting expectations and rolling with them punches (both of which are common themes in full time RV life.) BUT, we're extremely happy (see video,) to have the hightop on and we're excited for all the new possibilites this opens up for us. 

Special thanks to Fiberine for making a beaufiful high top and for connecting us with all the right people to get that bad boy installed.

Three cheers for Fred's new hat!

Tess is doing cartwheels right now--this marks the end of our Airstream solar/battery install series. 

These first few months since we hit the road fulltime have been a pretty selfish period for us. We've had a lot to learn and figure but now we're ready to start putting more focus on other people. As we enter the Christmas season we'll be following something called "Light the World" in effort to serve others the way Jesus Christ taught and we invite you to join us. "Light the World" provides us with a focus for our service to others each of the 25 days of Christmas. One day might focus on feeding the hungry, another on comforting those who need comfort. There will also be ideas of how we can implement these teachings in our everyday life.

Whatever you believe, we invite you to join us in spreading love and bringing light to a sometimes dark world. To learn more about "Light the World" go to https://www.mormon.org/ and watch the Light the World intro video at the end of this post.

Merry Christmas and happy Hollidays!

Love, 
Tess and Steve