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Make Memories & Travel Safely with the Toyota Tacoma #Giveaway

This is a sponsored post. I received compensation in exchange for writing this review. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.

There are many reasons to buy a new vehicle. Looks, interior, special features, etc. But for me, the most import thing in purchasing a new car would be the safety features and how they relate to our experience. The 2016 Toyota Tacoma comes with a plethora of safety features.

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See I live in Oklahoma. Land of the unknown and crazy weather. This year we have already experienced an ice storm. While I am sure most of the native Oklahoman’s aren’t too effected by this type of weather, this little ole California girl gets quite nervous at traveling the roads during snow, ice or any type of major weather circumstances. So anything that helps keep my babies safe while I brave the roads is a huge plus in my book.

While I know a defroster may not be a big deal for some it’s big for me. To have a fully functioning defroster that not only works, but works good is an amazing thing when it is freezing cold outside, and half your vehicle is frozen solid in ice. The same goes for the mirror defrosters. Um genius!

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I have a serious love hate relationship with technology. I love the endless possibilities it brings, but I don’t like the distractions they can cause. But I have to gush about the technology in the Tacoma for a moment. With every new vehicle comes a new blind-spot to get used to. But that was not something that was an issue with the Tacoma because of the Blind Spot Monitor & Rear Cross-Trafiic Alert. It pretty much eliminates those heart racing moments we’ve all had when you may accidentally merge into a lane and not see a car in your blind-spot. A warning light will illuminate on your mirror should this situation arise. And then there is the back up camera. The Rear Cross Traffic Alert will sound off if you are too close to an object or a car.

I think too often we get stuck in the hustle and bustle of daily life that we forget to slow down and enjoy. Toyota helped give that moment to my daughter and I. We were able to attend our first college football game. Not only was this a first for both of us, but it was also her birthday! Now while I may get shamed for going to an OSU game and LOVING it (I live in Sooner land aka Norman), we were just in awe of feel and experience. It is something we will be able to look back on for many, many years to come.

 

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Toyota would like to help you create your own memories. Enter for a chance below to win one of three Visa gift cards.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Our first time in the shelter

My babies were a little worried but handled it much better then I had originally anticipated.

Today was our first time using our tornado shelter and man am I glad we have it. A tornado touched down in our town around 4 pm today. It was only a few miles away from us and my husband was able to view the funnel cloud from our house. The tornado went down parts of Main street and did some damage. I don’t believe it was devastating damage but in a time like this damage is damage. The storms are predicted to get worse tomorrow for Oklahoma so good thoughts, positive vibes, prayers, anything, the people out here can use them, as well as the people of Kansas since it will be heading there tomorrow night.

Being a Cali born and raised girl the thought of tornadoes scare the crap out of me. I have never wanted to experience once but I knew once moving here it wouldn’t be something we could avoid. That’s why when we went on the hunt for a home having a storm shelter was number one on our priority list. We didn’t have too many must have’s because we were realistic in our home purchase, but having a shelter was not something we wanted to budge on. Would you believe that out of all the homes we looked at there was only ONE with a shelter. None of them even had a basement. Guess which house we bought? Yup the one with the shelter.

Now I don’t know if we were just being paranoid seeing as were Cali folk and all but this is my/our thinking. If all hell breaks loose and we ended up being in the path of a tornado we wanted the absolute safest option for our family. One were the possibility of us coming out completely unscathed was at it’s highest and for that to be accomplished you either need to have a basement or some type of shelter. So if you can get one why the heck wouldn’t you try to?

Since spring and summer are the season for storms I am thankful we made the decision not to budge on our priority list. While the shelter makes me claustrophobic and it’s hotter then a mofo with five people shoved in there I wouldn’t be able to take comfort in the fact that we have a place to take cover.

If you live in Oklahoma please check out Red Dirt Ready for information on preparedness, volunteerism, youth education and neighborhood security for Oklahoma weather.

Also if you are interested in getting a shelter but worried about the cost Oklahoma now offers a Storm Shelter Rebate up to $2000 for most cities and some cover up to $2500.

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