2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T: Family Friendly Review

2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T: Family Friendly Review

My very first impression of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T was that it is a man’s car. My theory is that Hyundai wanted to design a car for men who like driving a tough car, but who are now hauling kids around.

And if that was Hyundai’s plan, I’d say they did an excellent job.

Hyundai Sonata

All week, the guys I work with, as well as my guy friends I have seen this week, have approached me after seeing the car: “Hey, is that the new 2015 Hyundai Sonata? That thing is sharp!”

They already knew more than I did about the Sonata, which tells me: Men are attracted to this car.

That is the official concensus of the modern dads I know after seeing this car.

2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T: Family Friendly Review

As I drove it around this week, with my son in the back seat, I have to admit: I felt like I was pretty big stuff.

The sharp angles of the rear view mirrors, the “ninja throwing star” wheels, the extremely low ground effects on the front… all very nice to look at and to drive.

2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T: Family Friendly Review

Here’s a “2 minute walk around” of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata that I made, by the way:

 

Now that I’ve established the demographics that this is a man’s car, which doubles as a very effecient family car, I want to point out what my wife and son thought of it.

2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T: Family Friendly Review

My 4 year-old son’s favorite features include the panoramic sunroof and the fold down back seat. Each day as I’ve dropped him off at school, I let him crawl through to the trunk, where I lifted him out.

2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T: Family Friendly Review

It’s a fairly large opening, since the entire seat folds down.

My wife’s favorite features included the heated/cooled seats in the back, the over all comfort level of the interior, and the user-friendliness of anchors for the car seat.

2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T: Family Friendly Review

Another feature that I definitely appreciated was that I was alerted one morning when one of the tires was low on air.

So I stopped at the gas station and filled up the low tire (like a boss), being able to see on the screen that I had put enough, in real time.

2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T: Family Friendly Review

Those are my thoughts. I’m curious to know what other guys who have driven it have to say. I really don’t think I’m wrong in my synopsis, though.

Like I said, it’s a car for men who like driving a tough car, but who are now hauling kids around; a perfect marriage of sporty and practical.

I hope you have enjoyed my family friendly review of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, which is manufactured in Alabama.

Come back again soon!

2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T: Family Friendly Review

As shown: $34,460.00.

MPG: averages 26.

Catch up on the entire series of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Weekend. A lot of exiciting things happened!

2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T: Family Friendly Review

Dear Jack: Our New House Now Has Electricity & Tile (2015 Hyundai Sonata Weekend)

Dear Jack: Primrose Vs. Rainbow- Finding A Preschool Near Our New House

Dear Jack: Listening to Radio Hanukkah (SiriusXM Channel 68)

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

For the rest of this week, go ahead and expect to see several upcoming exciting stories about events that took place last week, while our family was fortunate to review the 2014 Lexus RX 450h from a family friendly perspective…

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

But first, I would like to highlight the features of this vehicle that stood out the most to our family of three.

In my “2 Minute Walk Around” video above, I mentioned that driving the Lexus RX 450 is like when Super Mario hops in the cloud and drives it. With this vehicle being hybrid, you can’t really hear the engine, providing for an extremely quiet ride and idle.

As you can expect from a Lexus luxury vehicle, the cabin itself is like a really classy lounge. My wife always loves it when we review a vehicle with heated and cooled seats.

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

This was the first time I actually used them myself. Obviously, as you can see from these photos, things got a bit frosty; so I definitely took advantage of the “bun warmers” feature.

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

I know this may sound like a peculiar feature to highlight, but I really loved the gear shifter. Granted, this was an automatic transmission. But ergonomically, the shifter handle is in the perfect place and I really liked how the handle was a bit longer than most; it somehow made it glide more naturally than most vehicles I have driven.

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

Like every Lexus SUV I have ever reviewed, all I have to do is just press the button on the “fifth door” and it closes by itself. That’s always fun.

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

As for my 4 year-old son Jack, it was very obvious what he liked most about the Lexus RX 450h; the DVD screens on the back of the front screens, with Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound (15 speakers.)

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

It was like Jack’s own private theatre in the back seat.

One of his aunts just happened to send him a Christmas present which included a Berenstain Bears DVD.

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

After I saw how special he felt back there, I decided to cash in some points at Best Buy and let him pick out another DVD.

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

He chose Disney’s Dinosaur, which is perfectly appropriate and relevant for him at this age.

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

There’s my quick overview. If you have $60,190 to spend on a new luxury SUV, I can’t imagine how the 2014 Lexus RX 450h would be a wrong choice for your family. I didn’t even mention that fact it averages 29 miles per gallon!

So stay tuned for upcoming posts this week involving the 2014 Lexus RX 450h; including going to see Marvel Universe Live, Santa Claus at Bass Pro Shop, and a Nerf birthday party where they shipped in snow for the kids to play in!

Catch up on the entire series of the Lexus RX 450h Weekend. A lot of exiciting things happened!

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

Dear Jack: Marvel Universe Live- Family Friendly Review (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: Meeting Santa With Sophie At Bass Pro Shop (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: Jacob’s 5th Birthday Party In A Tractor Store (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: The Old Abandoned Silo Tower On Main Street in Spring Hill, TN (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: Our New House’s Shutters, Mailbox, & Interior Paint (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1- Family Friendly Review

Imagine the people of North Korea realizing that they outnumber their nation’s military in brute force and therefore they decide to overthrow the tyranny they’ve been under for all these decades.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1: Family Friendly Daddy Blog

Consider the unavoidable violence that would occur as the people would sacrifice their bodies as weapons against the armed military forces of the government. Think about how the landscape would be covered with the charred remains of the thousands fought for the cause of dethroning their oppressor.

It would be a grim picture.

I have just described the mood and feel of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, but the setting is not North Korea, it is a future version of America.

The reason I used North Korea as the example is because I feel the newest Hunger Games installment is a realistic glimpse of what really could happen if any oppressed nation turned own their government.

It all goes back to this concept: The people of a nation are only controlled by their government if they allow themselves to be.

And this is one of the many reasons I love The Hunger Games: The Libertarian theme is undeniable.

Amazingly, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 contains no profanity whatsoever; not even what I call a “1950’s cuss word” like “crap” or even something harmless like “dang it”. Nothing.

Unless I missed one… but I’ve always had a talent for hearing profanity in movies, and I can tell you, I didn’t hear even one questionable or potentially offensive word in this movie.

Likewise, it contains no sexual content or nudity whatsoever; as is typical with the Hunger Games movies.

Yes, Hollywood can indeed make an excellent movie without sex or profanity! Who knew?

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1- Family Friendly Review

As for violence, that’s another thing. Though blood is fairly minimal, this is a war movie more than anything.

There are mass deaths and public executions in which the camera pans away just in time before the moment of fatal impact is given.

And as I mentioned earlier, the landscape itself is an open graveyard.

What could have made this movie even darker is if any children were shown being killed. However, it is explained that most children had already died in “an epidemic.”

Therefore, the people who sacrifice their lives as human weapons are all older teens and adults; other than when a hospital is bombed by the Capitol, in which hundreds of injured and dying are instantly wiped out. However, only the bombing of the building from the outside is shown.

With that being said, this movie is for a mature audience. Could a 10 year-old watch this movie?

Ask yourself this: At what age would you be okay with your child watching an edited for TV version of Braveheart or Saving Private Ryan?

This isn’t a kids’ movie. It’s an intelligent, mature film that serves as a political thriller/war movie.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is not a family friendly movie, despite the complete lack of profanity and sexual content.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

However, it’s the best movie I’ve seen all year. It’s the kind of movie that is completely worthy of seeing in the theatre.

I believe the message in this movie validates the necessary amount of violence; because ultimately, it gives opportunity for a hero of hope to lead the people to salvation.

Flawless movie, but not intended or suitable for younger viewers. It’s rated PG-13 for a reason.

Thanks for reading my family friendly review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. Come back any time!

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

This past weekend my family visited Walden Farm in Smyrna/Nolensville, Tennessee. (It’s a 30 minute drive from downtown Nashville, TN.)

I have a feeling I could pretty much type anything I wanted to and no one would notice, because obviously, the pictures really tell the story here.

In the process of seeing these 14 picture collages below, you’ll get a good idea of why your family would have a great time if you were to visit Walden Farm.

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

But in the event there’s actually anyone actually reading the words to this story, not just checking out the fun pictures, I’ll do a quick narrative.

Parking is free and so is admission, but you do pay a couple of bucks per activity. We spent a total of $18 on all you see below, including the pumpkins.

I think my son Jack’s favorite activity at Walden Farm is the hayride.

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

It’s sort of like a mobile scavenger hunt, as your family tries to find all the semi-hidden spooky objects; like an eyeball, Frankenstein, a spider, etc.

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

There is also Toddler Town, a place that I am convinced Jack could hang out at all day and never even think about food.

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

It’s basically like a backyard, equipped with a gravel-filled toy table. Jack enjoyed scooping up the rocks in bulldozers, alongside dinosaurs.

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

There is also a dirt hill that he enjoyed rolling the bulldozers up and down.

Like any good pumpkin patch/farm, there are animals to see and feed.

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

And a tractor pull…

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

And those cut-outs where your family can transform into farm-themed characters.

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

Don’t forget the hay maze!

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

Jack wanted some pumpkins, so we paid just $1 and he was able to choose 2 really strange-looking ones; which he used as “lasers” the whole ride home.

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

As we were loading up back into the car, I pointed out to Jack a hedgeapple tree.

In case you’re unfamiliar, hedge apples (also known as Osage oranges) are basically a prehistoric fruit that no longer serve as food for animals today.

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

Hope you enjoyed learning about Walden Farm. Maybe your family can check it out in person!

Walden Farm (Pumpkin Patch): Family Friendly Review

Arrington Vineyards: Family Friendly Review

I’ll go ahead and point out that it might seem a tad bit ironic that I would do a “family friendly review” on a winery.

But as you hopefully will discover, this particular winery is different.

Arrington Vineyards: Family Friendly Review

The way I see it, Arrington Vineyards makes for a perfect hang-out spot for both parents and children.

It is located about 30 minutes south of Nashville, on a giant hill. The view is beautiful, the atmosphere is classy, and that enormous (and extremely steep) hill provides the ideal playground for kids.

Arrington Vineyards: Family Friendly Review

When my sister and I were kids back in the 80s, we were always excited to play on the hill in our Italian grandfather’s yard. In more recent years, we realized that “hill” was only about 3 feet high.

However, the hill at Arrington Vineyards is the largest and widest I have ever seen for what could constitute for an unofficial play area.

Arrington Vineyards: Family Friendly Review

Parking is free- and a plethora of picnic tables are provided as well. Therefore, Arrington Vineyards is naturally a wonderful location to host a picnic.

The only cost would be if you choose to try or buy wine. There is no fee for just “hanging out.”

Obviously though, I’ve noticed most people who go to Arrington Vineyards end up buying a bottle of wine, which explains why the vineyard can afford to keep from charging any kind of entrance free or table fee.

Arrington Vineyards: Family Friendly Review

So, let’s talk more about that monstrous hill: Kids love it!

I had my son Jack pack up a book bag full of balls before we left the house; as well as monster trucks. (It helped serve as a lesson in sharing since we met his friend Jake’s family there.)

He and I had a blast playing a game we made up where he kicked the soccer ball down the hill to me and I kicked it back up to him.

His goal was to get the ball all the way down to the bottom of the hill; my goal was to get it to the top.

Arrington Vineyards: Family Friendly Review

Arrington Vineyards is also naturally a good place to take pictures. I’ve noticed that the abnormal horizon line (because of the hill) and the easy expose to sunlight make for good photography.

Arrington Vineyards: Family Friendly Review

So there you have it. I say this is a great place to take your family to hang-out. And if you, the parent, appreciate good wine, it’s all that much more of a reason to go.

Arrington Vineyards: Family Friendly Review

FYI: Arrington Vineyards was unaware I was writing a “family friendly review” on them. I was simply a paying customer who happened to be taking a lot of pictures of my son. In other words, I did not “work for free wine.” I simply have always enjoyed going to Arrington Vineyards and thought they deserve a shout-out.