Inside the Colorful, Cleverly Designed Bus That’s Now Home to a Family of Six – Plus Four Cats and a Dog

Seven years ago, Morgan and Glaucio were settling into what they thought was their forever home: a spacious 2,800-square-foot house on Wildflower Way in Bozeman, Montana. It was winter, with subzero temperatures and snow blanketing their acre of land. Inside, though, things were cozy. Their kids had room to play, Glaucio had a massive “garagemahal” for his projects, and their backyard opened up to a serene 12-acre park. It was everything they thought they wanted—until it wasn’t.

One ordinary day, Glaucio walked out of the bathroom with one of his signature big ideas: “What if we bought a school bus and turned it into an RV?” At first, Morgan laughed it off. A skoolie? With four kids, four cats, and a dog? It sounded more like a quirky side project than a serious plan. Still, they both found themselves intrigued by the idea of road trips, national parks, and the thrill of a new adventure. The thought was simple: convert the bus, take a few trips, and come back home to Bozeman.

But once the wheels started turning—literally and figuratively—there was no going back.

In April 2020, right at the beginning of a global shift that had many rethinking their priorities, the couple purchased a 1996 Bluebird TC2000. The transformation began immediately. Every morning started at 6 a.m., squeezing in work on the bus before heading off to their day jobs, then continuing long after sunset. For nine months, the conversion consumed their lives, turning into both a labor of love and a crash course in construction, patience, and problem-solving.

By February 6th, 2021, the bus wasn’t fully finished, but the family was ready for their first real trip. They hit the road—and didn’t return for nine months.

That trip changed everything.

No longer just a travel experiment, their skoolie became a window into a completely different way of life—one rooted in simplicity, presence, and togetherness. When they returned to Bozeman for the winter, their spacious home suddenly felt a little too big. The things that once brought comfort now felt like obligations: the mortgage, the upkeep, the never-ending list of “someday” projects.

That’s when the real decision was made—but it didn’t come easily. It took years of discussion, planning, and second-guessing themselves before Morgan and Glaucio finally committed to the leap.

They sold the house, downsized their belongings, and committed to living full-time on the road. On August 6, 2024, Morgan, Glaucio, and their four children—along with four cats and a dog—officially moved into their bus full time and haven’t looked back since.

It wasn’t just about minimalism—it was about reclaiming their time and reshaping their family life around what mattered most. Now, their 40-foot Bluebird TC2000—affectionately known as the Flying Circus Bus—is a fully customized home on wheels. Let’s step inside and take a tour of the spaces they’ve transformed.

The Flying Circus Bus stands out with a bold paint scheme featuring Tantalizing Teal, Urbane Bronze, and Raucous Orange—a vibrant combination from Sherwin-Williams that reflects the family’s adventurous spirit. Four exterior storage bays provide space for essential systems and gear. Two house the electrical components, including three 280 amp-hour batteries at 24 volts for a total of 840 amp-hours. Additional bays contain the diesel heater canister, propane storage, and mini-split system.

A rear ladder leads to the 8×12-foot rooftop deck—used for stowing spare parts and tools, enjoying the view wherever the bus lands, and supporting 1,280 watts of solar panels that help power the family’s off-grid life.

To preserve the iconic charm of the original school bus while enhancing its functionality, the family chose to retain and upgrade the original entry door. The transformation included reinforcing the exterior with durable steel panels and finishing the interior with warm cedar wood, resulting in a visually striking and highly functional front door. An oversized door handle adds both elegance and ease of use, while small hooks mounted to the cedar interior offer a practical storage solution for jackets, bags, and other daily essentials.

The entryway of the Flying Circus Bus is a masterclass in multifunctional design. As one of the most frequently used areas in the home, it serves a wide range of purposes without sacrificing style or efficiency. This compact front zone acts as a mudroom, pet station, command center, and even a makeshift workspace—all thoughtfully integrated into a small footprint.

Upon entering the bus, a dedicated storage area houses the children’s shoes, helping to keep the living space clean and organized. Tucked neatly into the layout is a concealed litter box for the family’s four cats—an essential feature that blends seamlessly into the surroundings while remaining clean and odor-free.

While the space has been modernized for full-time living, it still retains a touch of its original school bus charm. A small drawer provides quick access to daily essentials, while a main control panel manages the bus’s home automation system and security cameras. Above the driver’s seat, additional overhead storage maximizes vertical space and keeps clutter at bay.

The dashboard area offers a flexible surface that doubles as a tabletop when the vehicle is stationary. To manage heat and glare, pull-down blinds across the windshield help create a more comfortable environment when parked.

The living room of the Flying Circus Bus is a multifunctional hub designed for flexibility, comfort, and smart storage. At its core are two built-in couches facing each other—an arrangement that encourages connection while also serving multiple roles throughout the day. One of the couches cleverly conceals a diesel heater, ensuring the space stays warm during colder seasons without sacrificing aesthetics or square footage.

Each couch features backrests with hidden compartments, stocked with the kids’ books and toys, while the base houses pine-faced drawers. These drawers make use of the space above the wheel wells, with each child having a personal drawer for their belongings and a larger shared drawer available for games, electronics, and musical instruments.

The entire area transforms seamlessly depending on the family’s needs: it’s a cozy lounge for reading and movie nights, a workspace for the parents, a play zone for the children, and even a guest bed when needed. The custom cushions feature removable covers for easy maintenance, and plush throw pillows add softness and warmth. Subtle walnut wood trim runs along the built-ins, adding both visual interest and a practical solution for covering imperfections—an easy upgrade using iron-on strips.

The bus’s six-foot ceiling comfortably accommodates Glaucio, the tallest family member, and an old emergency exit was cleverly repurposed into a skylight to bring in natural light and ventilation.

The family’s workspace blends effortlessly into the central living and kitchen area, serving as a multifunctional zone for work, learning, creativity, and daily meals. Designed to adapt throughout the day, this shared space is both practical and deeply personal—reflecting the rhythms of a family that lives, learns, and works together on the road.

At the heart of the setup is a butcher block table with a dedicated space beneath for the family’s computer tower, while a wall-mounted monitor on an adjustable arm provides flexibility. It can be positioned for optimal lighting, used as a second screen for remote work, or angled to serve as a TV for movie nights—no projector required.

Adjacent to the table, a compact “system center” offers a neat charging and storage station for the kids’ Kindles and other devices. The family relies on Starlink for internet connectivity, with units mounted at both ends of the bus to ensure reliable access for school, work, and streaming.

Originally outfitted with counter-height stools, the family later replaced them with custom-built storage benches—one for each child. Each bench houses that child’s homeschooling supplies, offering an organized, accessible solution that keeps clutter out of sight. Whiteboards are used in place of paper to reduce waste and save space, and each child uses headphones to help with focus during lessons or quiet activities.

Natural light pours in from the original bus windows, which were intentionally preserved to maintain a connection with the outdoors. It’s not unusual for the children to look up from their work and spot wildlife just outside—like the memorable day their youngest saw a turtle right next to the window.

In the Flying Circus Bus, the kitchen is more than just a place to cook—it’s the heart of the home. Despite its modest footprint, this L-shaped space is packed with functionality, storage, and thoughtful design details that make daily life on the road both efficient and enjoyable for a family of six.

A full-size sink makes washing up easy, and the large Breville toaster oven takes the place of a conventional oven, handling everything from simple meals to birthday cakes. The induction cooktop is stored in a drawer and stays securely in place even while the bus is in motion, preserving counter space when not in use.

The countertops are DIY epoxy—a durable, easy-to-clean, and cost-effective alternative to stone that offers a sleek, polished look without the added weight.

Custom-built drawers and a large pull-out pantry provide ample storage for dry goods, cookware, and kitchen essentials.

 The apartment-sized refrigerator is perfectly suited to the family’s needs, allowing them to shop once every two weeks. Groceries are immediately transferred into pop-top containers, and excess packaging is discarded before even leaving the store parking lot—an intentional system that reduces waste and maximizes space.

The cleaning closet adds a cheerful touch with botanical wallpaper and smart, space-saving storage. A cordless vacuum, Swiffer, and a few baskets keep cleaning and school supplies organized and easy to grab.

Tucked between the living area and the rear of the Flying Circus Bus, the bathroom is a masterclass in compact, high-functioning design. A custom-built door separates it from the front half of the bus, offering privacy without the need for a bulky enclosure. Inside, every inch of space has been carefully optimized to balance practicality, comfort, and aesthetics.

To make the most of the limited footprint, the family utilized every available wall cavity for smart storage—tucking away essentials like toothbrushes, toilet paper, and toiletries into recessed nooks.

A standout feature is the composting toilet, a custom DIY build by Glaucio. Not only did it save the family over $1,000 compared to commercial options, but it also eliminated the need for a black water tank. Sleek, space-saving, and odor-free, it reflects the same intentional design seen throughout the rest of the bus.

The shower itself features real tile in smaller dimensions to minimize cracking during travel, as well as a built-in shelf and a wall-mounted dispenser system for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash—no more spilled bottles during bumpy rides. A cedar and plexiglass skylight above the shower enhances the feeling of space, letting in additional light and headroom.

The bathroom is outfitted with a compact sink and a propane-powered tankless water heater, providing unlimited hot showers on the road. A MaxxAir fan brings in natural light and ensures proper ventilation, keeping the space fresh and moisture-free. Finished with light-colored tile, quick-drying towels, and a recessed medicine cabinet, the bathroom proves that small-space living doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort—or style.

Centrally located in the midsection of the Flying Circus Bus, the bunk area is thoughtfully designed to give each of the four children their own personal retreat. The custom-built, full-length bunks provide comfortable sleeping quarters that are long enough to accommodate the kids well into their teenage years. Slightly narrower than standard twin beds, the bunks maintain a compact footprint while still allowing for a functional walkway through the space.

Each bunk is outfitted with built-in shelves, LED reading lights, and individual privacy curtains—simple features that go a long way in making the space feel personal and practical.

To further streamline daily routines, each bed features custom zippered bedding, making it easy for even the youngest child to make their bed without assistance or fuss.

When the curtains are drawn, it signals “do not disturb” time, helping foster boundaries and independence even in shared quarters.

Underneath each bunk, dedicated storage drawers keep essentials neatly organized. Smaller drawers hold socks and underwear, while larger drawers provide ample space for folded clothing. This efficient use of space ensures that every child has a place for their belongings—helping to maintain order in a home where storage is at a premium.

In a space as compact as a converted school bus, every element must serve more than one purpose—and the master bedroom in the Flying Circus Bus is no exception. Situated at the rear of the bus, this area is designed to function as both a sleeping quarters and a remote office, showcasing how thoughtful design can create comfort, order, and productivity in a small footprint.

At the heart of the space is a full-size bed outfitted with custom zippered bedding, which makes morning bed-making quick and effortless. Plush throw pillows add softness and warmth while also providing comfortable back support for lounging, watching movies, or working. Small storage baskets are neatly tucked around the bed area to keep personal items accessible yet out of the way—especially important during travel days.

What appears to be a simple drawer beneath the bed is, in fact, a cleverly engineered 500-pound-capacity sliding bench. Built with a heavy-duty slide set, this multifunctional feature acts as a step up to the bed and doubles as a seat for the family’s secondary workspace. In front of it, a wall-mounted monitor on an adjustable arm transforms the space into a compact media zone or a functional second screen for work. Using Google Chromecast, the family can easily stream content from their phones or laptops to either this monitor or the one in the living room.

Next to the bed, fold-down butcher-block desks are mounted to the wall, secured with latches when not in use. These serve as workstations for the parents, offering a dedicated and ergonomic setup without occupying valuable floor space. Adult clothing is stored in labeled bins and drawers beneath the bed, with items rolled and sorted for easy access. A separate drawer beneath that keeps socks and underwear organized.

From a spacious house in Montana to a vibrant, thoughtfully designed bus, Morgan, Glaucio, and their family have created a home that reflects their values: simplicity, flexibility, and togetherness. The Flying Circus Bus isn’t just where they live—it’s how they choose to live. And for them, that’s the real freedom.

Want more of the adventure? Follow the Flying Circus Bus family as they travel the open road—catch behind-the-scenes moments, creative bus life hacks, and stunning destinations on Instagram, Facebook, and Morgan’s blog, Tidy Mo.