america's got talent

Last week Derek and I took Emily and her friend Mackenzie to LA to a taping of America's Got Talent.  TV tapings are always a fun outing and this one was even a bit more fun because there was a special performance during the taping by Selena Gomez of Disney fame (Wizards of Waverly Place).  She was adorable and her shoes were to die for but nothing tops the cuteness of these two...

This was the only picture of the day since cell phones and cameras are a big no, no!  We did snap this one photo though because we thought it was so funny to have a chicken crossing sign in LA right behind the studio.

Glad Derek and I could spend time with these two who will soon be heading off together to BYU for EFY.  I get one girl home (Megan comes home today) only to send another one off.  I hate when my kids leave!

this is....american idol

 Last week as I lay confined to my bed with vertigo I got an email on my phone letting me know my name came up on the wait list for the final performance show of American Idol (cue teenage daughters giddy with excitement)  We made plans to go - the girls and me along with am American Idol loving cousin who was going to come in from St George.  Without going into a big long story...cousin couldn't make it, it was becoming clear that there was no way I was going to make it (the vertigo kicked my behind) and since the person whose name is on the ticket must be present Megan and Emily were not going either.  

I decided to call the ticketing place just to see if they would take pity on a woman suffering with vertigo with two teenagers that really wanted to see Lee and Crystal.  They did!  They let me transfer the tickets to Megan as long as the girls came with an adult.  To avoid any friend favoritism I decided to find two adults willing to take my girls so we wouldn't have to choose any of the girls friends and their mom.

Big thanks to these two that stepped up to make the long drive to LA and were willing to endure long lines and hours in the sun...

The girls in their outfits adhering to the must follow dress code

Live from the Nokia Theater

Big Mike 

Remember him?

Does this picture help? 

How about this one?  Norman Gentle.

Hello Blake Lewis, you are one of my favorites and I'm not the least bit embarrassed to tell the world I own your album and that I love to run with your beat boxing melodies playing from my ipod.  Blake lovers of the world stand up and be proud!

Could Brooke White be any prettier?  We saw a rehearsal show the year she was on - she is gorgeous in person.  And look who is with her...curly haired Justin from Season 1 - I'm glad Kelly won that year.

Little David Archuleta was busy with the press so this was as close as the girls got.

Before heading in to the theater the girls had to lose the camera, phones, etc so no more photos of the night.  The had 5th row seats after the pit so they got to see the show from amazing seats.  They got their fill of star sightings and even got to sit near Mr Blind Side as well as some old American Idol alum.

They finished the night at LA Farmers Market for dinner and then headed home to do homework, study for a seminary test and pack for a trip.  They had a long night!

olvera street and chinatown

During Spring Break we boarded Metrolink and headed off to Los Angeles to spend the day at Olvera Street and Chinatown.

Lunch was the always yummy taquitos.  When at Olvera Street you must eat these and a churro - it's part of a gringo pack made with the people of Mexico billions of years ago.  Failure to eat these fried golden rolls of love is punishable by time in jail.  I warned you!

At the end of the day we stop for an impromptu photo shoot.  Megan and her friends...

Our family.  Notice anything off?  Take a look at Nathan.

He's sporting these...his big purchase from a gumball machine in Chinatown.  Two mustaches (one ripped in half for eyebrows)  The looks he got from people was hilarious.  

I always love a trip to Olvera Street and this was an especially fun one.

we interrupt the trip photos

to bring you Megan's trip to LA. 

A few weeks ago a group of youth from church along with a couple of moms headed out on the train to LA.  Their first stop was Olvera Street for some shopping and lunch.  You have to try the taquitos if you are ever in town - seriously so good!

After wards the group hit the subway and took in the sights in Hollywood.  They visited a few of the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The King of Pop.  This trip was after his death as evidenced by the make shift memorial by hi s star.

Everyone's favorite movie stars...the Munchkins.  Do you not love that they have a star?!?!  My question about this picture is why are Megan's two shortest friends in this picture?  Offensive :)

After the stars it was all about the footprints (or wand prints as the case may be) at Grauman's Chinese Theater (info here and here)

Are we at all surprised by the next picture?  

Megan gave the trip "two enthusiastic thumbs up"  A personal thumbs up to the person that can tell me where that quote is from and no, it is not Epert and Roper or whatever their names are.