Nissan

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Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

5 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

Dear Jack,

This past weekend made our 4th time in 3 years to go to a Monster Jam show. Clearly, we are fans! However, this made the first time that Papa got to go with us. He filled in for Mommy, since she was home with your baby sister Holly, along with Nonna.

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

You and Holly got Papa and me our own special t-shirts for Father’s Day. Plus, you drew Papa a special Father’s Day picture which features you, Papa, and me as dogs, as well as Whiskers; a stray cat that stayed with Nonna and Papa for a few weeks around Thanksgiving last year.

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

Another thing that made this time special was that it marked the first time Monster Jam was held at the Nissan Stadium in downtown Nashville, which is outdoors; as compared to the Bridgestone Area where it is normally held.

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

Not only was the noise not so bad since it was outdoors, but there was more room for the trucks to do their thing. And, you counted over 13 different trucks… maybe even 20! That’s the most we’ve ever seen at a Monster Jam event.

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

This was definitely my favorite Monster Jam show so far! So much action…

We had really good seats- any closer and we may have gotten mud slung on us!

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

You were very happy to see your favorite monster truck, Zombie, was there. I don’t think the driver intended this to happen, but the truck was smoking as it flew through the air. And just like the last time we saw Zombie, the truck lost one of its arms during all the action.

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

That’s similar to the case with El Toro Loco, which lost one of its horns after the truck did a back flip. To our surprise, as seen on the big screen, the driver apparently gave away the broken horn to one lucky fan.

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

Ultimately, it seems that the “back flip ramp” had a lot to do with which truck would ultimately win the completion, as doing a backf lip earned the driver extra bonus points, but at the same time greatly risked putting the truck out of commission if it landed upside-down.

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

The show ended with the winner being announced: Hot Wheels. Then we were all pleasantly surprised by fireworks!

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

Getting to go to the Monster Jam really made Father’s Day special for Papa and me. As always, you and I are looking forward to going back to Monster Jam the next time it comes to Nashville.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Monster Jam at the Nissan Stadium for Father’s Day 2016

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Williamson County Fair: Family Friendly Review

For the past couple of years now, our family has attended the Williamson County Fair in Franklin, Tennessee (near Nashville). We always have a great time!

Williamson County Fair: Family Friendly Review by Nick Shell

If for no other reason, it’s because it exposes our now nearly 4 year-old son to farm life that we “surburbians” would not normally be exposed to.

Williamson County Fair: Family Friendly Review by Nick Shell

Especially for a little boy, the kind of stuff they have at the Williamson County Fair is pure, easy, and cheap entertainment.

I divide the events into 3 main categories: science, heavy equipment, and livestock.

Williamson County Fair: Family Friendly Review by Nick Shell

There is a section of the building where dozens of hands-on science demonstrations are on display.

The rest of the floor is mostly dedicated the heavy equipment, including a fire engine, which families are welcome to sit in.

Also on the floor is a magic show and talent contest.

Outside is where all the animals are: Llamas, goats, bulls, cows, pigs, chickens, and more!

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There is a unique “farm walk-through” in which children get to simulate harvesting produce, milking cows, feeding chickens, and fishing; then sell their products to the market in exchange for a snack.

Williamson County Fair: Family Friendly Review by Nick Shell

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On the way out, there is an old-fashioned carnival, with all the classic rides you would expect, including one of those rocking pirate ships.

Williamson County Fair: Family Friendly Review by Nick Shell

On the drive home, when I asked my son what his favorite part of the fair was, he responded, “The goats and the pirate ship.”

Williamson County Fair: Family Friendly Review by Nick Shell

I thought that was pretty funny since he seemed slightly afraid of them both when we walked past them.

It’s a solid, fun family event. Just go early, though! Otherwise, it might take an hour just to get off the Interstate exit.

Williamson County Fair: Family Friendly Review by Nick Shell

Also, there is free parking courtesy of Nissan. (I wrote a car review on the Nissan Versa Note not too long ago.). Plus, volunteers will drive your family from the parking lot to the main door in golf carts; also free.

Williamson County Fair: Family Friendly Review by Nick Shell

If you end up going, let me know what you think of it. I’m sure you’ll have a great time!

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Family Friendly Car Review: 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV

Welcome to this week’s family friendly car review! I am Nick Shell, the daddy blogger of Parents.com’s The Dadabase, but on the side, I review cars.

This week’s featured vehicle is the 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV, America’s best-selling entry hatch, which makes the first Nissan vehicle I have ever driver or even ridden in.

Nissan Versa Note

Because I just reviewed the Fiat 500 a few weeks ago, I kept being reminded of it as I drove the Versa. So what I would like to do in my family friendly car review of the 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV is to show what differences I noticed.

The Versa is slightly larger than the Fiat 500; noticeable in the backseat, not to mention the Versa has 4 doors as opposed to just 2.

So obviously, it’s easier for an adult to fit in the back seat of Versa. The trunk of a Versa is also slightly larger than the Fiat 500; but not by a whole lot.

Despite this, the Versa gets slightly better gas mileage: The Versa averages 35, while the Versa averages 32.

However, the Fiat 500 costs nearly $3000 more than the Versa; not to mention, the Fiat will cost you an extra $400 in fuel annually.

I will say that the Fiat 500 definitely felt like it had more “get up and go.” That would probably explain the slightly better gas mileage in the Versa.

However, the Versa came with cooler accessories.

The radio on the Fiat 500 was extremely minimal; not having a screen for SiriusXM. Plus, it had no cameras.

That’s where the Versa really impressed me: its visibility.

Nissan Versa Note car review

It is so easy to see in the Versa. While the Fiat has a blind spot so bad on the driver’s side there is a special mirror to compensate for it, the Versa has no blind spots.

Additionally, the Versa comes with the coolest rearview camera, and something they call the Around View Monitor, which is awesome: It’s basically like having an aerial view of the car, so you can literally see all around you. Very cool and innovative!

So, bottom line, both the Nissan Versa and the Fiat 500 are fun cars, but it just depends on what matters most to you:

The Nissan Versa is better on gas, has better visibility, has slightly more room, has better visibility, and costs less.

Meanwhile, the Fiat 500 feels like it has more power and definitely has a unique look to set you apart on the road.

2014 car review Nissan Versa Note

Here are the stats:

2014 Nissan Versa Note SV

Mechanical & Performance:

1.6 Liter DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder Engine

Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)

Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars

Power-Assisted Vented Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes

15” Steel Wheels w/Full Wheel Covers

Active Grille Shutter

Other Features:

Divide-n-Hide Adjustable Floor

NissanConnect w/Navigation System

Around View Monitor

Nick Shell Nissan Versa Note

Government Safety Testing Pending.

Fuel Economy:

31 city/40 highway: 35 combined

Annual Fuel Cost: $1500

Total Price As Shown: $19,545.00