LA BABY!!!

On Monday, March 30th at around 2 pm, I got a phone call from Amy, my sister-in-law, and she said that she had two tickets to a live taping of Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday March 31st, would I want to go. (Side story: I watch DWTS every week with my father-in-law and my aunt. It is definitely my favorite TV show) After a near heart attack, I told her I was definitely in. The only catch was finding airfare that we could afford and that the tickets weren't guaranteed. We would have to stand in line and get there early to get a seat. We found really reasonable airfare and took our chances on the tickets. If we didn't get in we could still have a couple of days in LA and who complain about that?? We then found a nice hotel that was directly across the street from the DWTS CBS Studios and started packing for our 6:35 am flight Tuesday morning.

This is us on our way from the airport to the hotel. LA BABY!!!

We arrive in LA at 11 am PST and had to take a cab to our hotel, change clothes extremely fast (cocktail/formal attire was required), and walk to the studio to get in line. Luckily we were in line at 12:30 pm PST and they started taking people through security at 3 pm PST, so we were pretty sure about our chances to get in. After we were through security we were seated on benches, but not in the same order we were standing. Amy and I have a theory that they were strategically placing people dressed and looking a certain way in certain parts of the audience. We were then escorted into the ballroom. It looks just like on TV, but the dance floor is very small. It looks much larger on TV. As we were filing in the ballroom, it looked like our seats were going to be at the back of the ballroom and we weren't real excited about it. We were then asked to step to the side and were escorted across the ballroom to our second row seats right at the stage. It was more than amazing or awesome or any word you could come up with!!!!

They taped two segments of the show before the live taping b/c of the different stages. We got to see all of that and the live taping. During the live taping, one of the professional dancers (Tony Dovolani) was waiting to dance while Boys II Men was performing and he sat down on my lap and gave me a hug. I was in complete shock and told him he made my year. If you aren't a fan of the show, this probably means nothing to you, but Amy and I were in amazement. Tony was also, my mother-in-law's favorite dancer so it really made it even more special for us. I inserted a picture of Tony. He is partnered with Melissa Rycroft from the Bachelor this season.

After the taping of the show, we went to The Grove/Farmer's Market that was also across from our hotel. It is an outdoor shopping center with restaurants and trolley that runs through it. Two of the professional dancers, Mark Ballas and Derek Hough, have a band. The band was giving a free concert at The Grove and were signing autographs after the concert. Of course, we were all over this!!!! Also, before the concert, I spotted Steve-O and got his picture. After the concert, Amy spotted her favorite American Idol Danny Gokey and two others and got her picture with them. Here are a few pictures.

Me and Steve-O

Amy and her Idols!!!

Mark Ballas (red shirt) and Derek Hough (gray jacket)

Our autograph session and picture with Mark Ballas and Derek Hough

This is while we were in line waiting to get Mark and Derek's autograph and picture. We had been up for 23 hours at this time. Exhausted!!

The next morning we woke up with an excitement hangover! Not like any other hangover I have ever had, but it was all worth it!! We had the entire day to do whatever we wanted so we sucked it up and got going to explore LA.

The tickets to the shows that are taped at CBS Studios are free, you just have to stand in line. We walked over that morning to see if we could see a taping of any other show and just so happen to get tickets to The Price is Right. Luckily for this show you could go and get a ticket that held your place in line and we didn't have to be back until 1 pm PST. So, we were off to the Kodak Theatre, Walk of Stars and Rodeo Drive. Here are some photos from that adventure.

Hollywood Blvd. (where the walk of stars and Kodak Theatre are located) That is the Roosevelt Hotel in the back ground.

This is looking down Rodeo Drive. Yes, the streets really are lined with palm trees just like in Pretty Woman. This made me supremely happy!

The Tiffany & Co. store on Rodeo Drive.

After Rodeo Drive we had to get back to get our place in line for The Price is Right. Here is a picture of us in line waiting for our interview to see if we would be called to "Come on Down". We did not get to be the next contestant on The Price is Right, but a lady behind us did and she won the Showcase Showdown. Our taping will air tomorrow April 14th, so check us out. You might see us in the audience.

The next morning we had to be on a flight at 8:45 am PST (11:45 am EST) and I pulled in my driveway at 11:00 pm EST. I had such a good time, but was glad to be home and rest. We went full force for 3 straight days.

Just a few thank yous.....Amy, thank you so much for asking me to go. I had the absolute best time and I am so glad it was with you! I love you dearly and we now know each other a little better after this trip. :) Trey, thank you for not being able to go and telling Amy to ask me. Equifirst, thank you for laying me off so that I had no excuse not to go. Big thanks to you! To my hubby, thanks for being excited for me and letting me go. I love you tons!!! OH and thanks to Tony Dovolani for sitting on my lap and making my trip complete. I love him too! :)