Ellen - check it off the bucket list

So about two months ago, I got the best email ever from my friend, Shannon.

She was so sweet to remember that at one time we had discussed our mutual love for Ellen.

I had mentioned going to her show was at the top of my California bucket list.

Well, how awesome is she for wanting to help me check it off?!

She had a family friend who helped her get tickets, and I was so appreciative and jumped at the chance to take a ride with her, Heather, and Carrie to Burbank.

I am such a rule follower.  I had wanted to bring my phone in the studio so badly to get some pictures, but worried that I'd get sent back to my car with it, so I left it behind.

Luckily, Heather brought hers and was kind enough to share some pics, because this kind of day must be documented, you know?

Here we are waiting to get into the "rif raff" room, where they line you up to enter the studio.

I had picked the brain of my friend Annie, and veteran Ellen attender, to find out the scoop on what to wear.  If you're interested....bright colors, and a shirt that doesn't lift when you raise your arms.

I was on a mission for my 15 seconds of fame.

Mainly, because I had no shame and wanted to get called up to do a crazy game and win some loot.

When it was finally time to enter the studio, her staff directs you where to sit.  Time to get my game face on and smile big!  He pulled us down in front to THE ROW.  The row she dances down....and you know this is THE ROW because it's twice as wide as any other row.  I was so excited, so I started to go in the aisle, and then the guy pointed at me and said, "No. You're right there."....putting me right on the aisle seat.

THANK YOU bright blue shirt.

This girl might get some camera time.

Then we waited and took lots of goofy pics.....we were slightly giddy.....it's ELLEN!!!!

And then it was showtime.

Ellen came out and did her monologue, and then the dancing began.
How fun is that?
(This show aired last Monday)

The whole experience was amazing...

and then it turned EPIC.

They told us that we were going to be filming two shows....only one show they just needed us for the opening monologue and dancing...because why wouldn't you want these mad dancing skills?

Well there was a lot of stand up, sit down, make some noise moments.

I guess Ellen thought she should give us something to keep us excited....not that I needed anymore excitement....but I will take it because....

SHE INVITED US BACK.

to 12 DAYS of GIVEAWAYS!!!

We pretty much fell on the floor with excitement.  We will going back for another show they will tape in December....and getting to take home what I'm sure will be some fabulous goodies.

So her plan worked....were were pretty pumped up for the entire second show (which aired last Wednesday)

and here is where I learned a big lesson for next time.

I suck at dancing. 

 You never look nearly or even a fraction as cool as you feel when actually doing it.

 But who really cares because we got to get jiggy with Ellen!!!!!  

GIrls weekend

This month has been full of absolutely wonderful and exciting events....not the least of them was the weekend two of my dearest friends flew out to visit from Houston.

Andy was kind enough to give me an "off duty" card for three days and we had the best girls' weekend.

The three amigos, Sheila, myself, and Kat

We ate at a bunch of great places you would never go to with kids,

drank coffee while it was still hot, and got a lot of shopping in.

It was pure perfection.

One of the best parts was seeing my friends get some time with my kids.

Sheila was like Addison's other mom in Houston, so I loved getting to see her have some time with G as well.  Now if I could just get to Houston so I could hug on Sheila's and Kat's boys...it makes my heart ache to miss out on seeing them grow.

It really doesn't get any better than when you have friends who are like family....can I hear an Amen!?

We went for a beautiful hike.

  

And by hike, I mean we walked up the hill from the car and ate our donuts while taking in the view.

The last day they were here, Andy played taxi cab and took us wine tasting.

Husband points earned.

 And then Kat and Sheila asked  if they could put the kids to bed.

I saw this on the monitor and had to go upstairs to document....still warms my heart to see.

We are hoping to make it back to Houston in March or April to hug on their families and spend more time reconnecting.  It was one of the best and shortest weekends I've had in a long time....it just went too fast.

The happiest place on earth...truly.

 A couple of years ago, I had another post with almost this same title.

However, that was the same place with kids.

Having a day at Disneyland with no kids makes it truly one of the happiest places on earth.

Sure, you don't get to see it through the eyes of your kids, their wonder and amazement, and starstruck moments of pure glee....but you know what you do get?
There are other perks.

Lines without kids....who cares?  You never have to say, "don't touch that!" ..."get off the ground"..."stop whining", "get down", "if you do that one more time, we're going home."...none of that.

And you get to ride the fun rides.

See? So happy!

Checking out club 33

Long lines? No biggie.

And we definitely stayed until dark....because there were times before when you wanted to make sure to get home before bedtime...but this time our strategy was different.....

for sure we were getting home AFTER bedtime....that's part of the point, right?

And a few other randoms from clearing the phone....

a quiet birthday celebration

Grandma & Papa

Oh, my poor little blog.

It's taken a backseat to life lately....but it's supposed to be about our life...

so let's get going on catching up.

Life has been crazy busy lately.  We've had three amazing groups of visitors over the last month, a short getaway for Andy and I, an encounter with Ellen, and I'm trying to keep my head above water with photo sessions lately.

But I'm finally getting around to putting up some photos from our first group of visitors (way back in September) when Grandma and Papa came to stay and we got to play...a lot.

So I wanted to try and get some pictures of the kids with their grandparents.  I took them to one of my new favorite spots.  How cool is this place?

But the kids had other things on their mind....

like not cooperating for crap.

so we just made do.

There was a visit to the zoo somewhere in there.

and a quick trip to Touch a Truck

at least one of them was up for some sibling love.

Quite the badass.

We took Grandma & Papa to the "peacock park".

and let the kids run off some crazy energy.