Disclaimer: I am a lucky girl because I get to drive Toyota vehicles from time to time as part of a media partnership. All opinions on the Highlander Hybrid are my own. #ToyotaPartner If you have read my past reviews, you know the Highlander is at home on the highway and on a dirt road. The SUV drives comfortably and is as smooth as my Camry. That is actually what I really love about the Highlander; it is an SUV, but it drives like a car.  Plus, the spacious cabin makes family travel more relaxing and fun. The Hybrid model also keeps travel affordable with a combined 35 MPG. Of course, T ..read more

The Woman King tells the story of the Agojie, female warriors who protected the Kingdom of Dahomey in Africa during the 1800s. Keep reading for my family-focused review. As a history teacher, I am always a little skeptical when I watch movies based on real events. Hollywood has a bit of a reputation for taking historical events and putting a good-sized fictional spin on them. The Woman King is no different, as it tells a fictionalized story from the time of the Kingdom of Dahomey. However, there is great value in the story of these fierce woman being told. There are many online resources you ..read more

It has been nearly five years since Thor: Ragnarok was released and three years since Thor joined up with the Guardians of the Galaxy at the end of Avengers: Endgame. MCU fans might be wondering what Thor has been up to for all these years. Thor: Love and Thunder catches up the story, but is it an update worth watching? I once read an article that argued MCU’s Thor had replaced “the man of steel” as the movie superhero who embodies the human spirit, confidence, fun, and connection with common people. I found the argument compelling, especially given that other superhero’s somber and grim pres ..read more

Arizona is well known for its western heritage but it can be easy to get lost in suburbia and urban life as we go about our day-to-day routines. Sometimes it can be rewarding to put on your boots, let your hair down, and kick back. But don’t take my word for it. Check out these five family-friendly places where you and your kin can experience the Old West and get in touch with Arizona’s wild west side. Goldfield Ghost Town – Located just a few miles past Apache Junction on SR-88, Goldfield Ghost Town was built on the site of the old Goldfield Mill and the area is teeming with history. Yo ..read more

The original Top Gun movie debuted in theaters when I was in fifth grade and I saw it at the drive-in theaters with my family. As you know, it was a huge hit and immediately became part of popular culture. Roughly 36 years have passed since then, so one has to wonder if a Top Gun sequel is something people want to see. Keep reading to find out what I and others in the early screening audience thought (and for my family-focused review). Before I watched Top Gun: Maverick I wondered how a sequel based so many years after the original could possibly tell a compelling story that made any sense. H ..read more

As an Arizona native I have a love for the desert that just comes naturally. But there is something inside of me that loves greenery, water, colorful flowers, and shade. I cannot always hop in the car and drive up north so  I am comforted by the fact that just 30 minutes east of Apache Junction lies Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park which boasts the best of the desert as well as many non-native plants. Summer’s hot weather often causes us to shy away from outdoor activities but I would encourage you to take a trip out to Boyce Thompson Arboretum this summer. I recently t ..read more

The latest installment of the Fantastic Beasts series is out with even more allusions to the Harry Potter series. But is Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore appropriate for younger kids? Read this family-focused review to decide for yourself. The third installment of the Fantastic Beasts series is finally out after a four year wait. The movie picks up months after the events of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Here is the official synopsis: Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unabl ..read more

Batman stories have been done over and over again and the list of Batman actors keeps getting longer and longer. With the recent release of The Batman, moviegoers may be asking themselves if they should go see this newest iteration. My answer is a qualified yes. We meet this newest Batman (played by Robert Pattinson) two years into his crime-fighting efforts. He is young, trying to make a difference, and tragically lost in his quest to rid Gotham of its criminal element. If you have seen the trailers, you already know this film is gritty and rough.  The Batman is not just a movie that sho ..read more

I remember going to watch monster trucks battle it out when I was a kid. It was some real rip-roaring excitement and was always fun. Today I enjoy taking my family out to Monster Jam events. Monster Jam is coming to the Phoenix area where I live, but also has many shows planned around the country. Details for the Phoenix event are below, but you can go to the Monster Jam website for a full schedule of events around the country. Monster Jam in Phoenix Monster Jam® returns to the State Farm Stadium in Glendale for an action-packed event on Saturday, February 12. Your family will enjoy witnessi ..read more

Modern times can seem so rushed and hectic. Sure, we have running water, antibiotics, and deodorant, but sometimes I wish I could unplug and go back in time. Maybe that is why I simply love the Renaissance Festival and have made it an annual tradition in my family. If you are an Arizona resident, I encourage you to do the same.  If you live outside of Arizona, why? But seriously, even if you live outside of Arizona, be sure to swing by and visit the Renaissance Festival next time you visit. It is hard to sum up such a fun, eclectic, and entertaining destination, but it is a rousing journe ..read more