Adventures in Hollywood

During Spring Break we decided to get out of town and spend a few days in that land of the stars - Hollywood. We hoped for stardom!

It didn't take long to get discovered! Before we even walked into the front gates of Universal Studios we got our chance behind the camera - no kidding. Some filmmakers pulled Alex and I aside and wanted us to do a little bit on camera for ABC Family TV. They asked Alex to tell why his mom was "mommalicious". He said I was mommalicious because Alex is the oldest of 6 brothers, and that mom does taekwando with them all and is almost a black belt. I just stood there and smiled, of course. It was such a fun and unexpected way to start our Hollywood adventure. The mommalicious segments will air during the commercial breaks of the movies about moms during Mother's Day weekend. Look for us!

We had a fun day at Universal, but it was SO crowded! We have passes, so we didn't mind too much. We'll be back.

Shark Attack! (It happens every time we come here.)

Since we were celebrating Nathan's birthday, we bought him some pins for pin-trading. He had fun trading them for better ones all day. Dennis was the big winner at the basketball booth earning a huge stuffed frog for Caleb, our resident frog-lover.

After Universal Studios our adventures took us to what we really came to LA for - the food. And that gastronomic adventure began, of course, at Pink's, the world famous (and rightly so) hot dog joint. The line, as always, went down the street and around the corner. We waited for more than an hour for our dogs, and when we finally got them, Nathan had inhaled his before we even sat down. They were that good! I got the Martha Stewart Dog - a plump 10" dog topped with kraut, tomatoes, bacon, and sour cream. HOT DIGGITY DOG!

We made our way back to our hotel right on the Hollywood Strip. We enjoyed a bit of the crazy nightlife, and I did my best to practice my low-light photography (I didn't have my tripod, so it was really hard!)

Hollywood is a crazy place. You can run into anyone! Even several dead rock stars.

Dennis and I snuck away to a little dessert date at a 50's diner.

More deliciousness!

And more fun low-light subjects to shoot.

We had an awesome view from our hotel room. It gave me a chance to try one of those moving headlights/tail-lights night shots. Without a tripod it was tough because the shutter has to stay open for several seconds, but I finally got a decent one.

The Rennissance Hollywood, where we stayed was very nice, with a funky retro feel. We had fun exploring it the next morning.

I loved the colorful retro furniture...

and the kids dug the huge free M&M dispenser in the lobby.

Then we decided to hit the star-studded strip - Hollywood Blvd! It was every bit as wild and crazy as it had been in the night, and was crawling with even more Hollywood icons.

And the center of all the madness is the home of the Oscars - the Chinese Theater where the stars through the ages have left their hand and foot prints.

The kids had fun trying to fill their famous shoes.

The old theater was really cool on the outside...

so we couldn't resist catching the feature - Clash of the Titan's 3D - so we could experience the inside. What better adventure could you do in Hollywood that to take in the latest blockbuster at a theater from Hollywood's hayday?

I couldn't help but wonder what famous movie stars have sat in my seat.

Hurray for Hollywood!

Then we decided to hit the beach at the Santa Monica pier. The water was cold and full of sticky tar. Yuck! But that didn't stop the boys who are always ready for more adventure.

I opted out, and took pictures instead.

The twins were so funny laying for the longest time with their faces in the sand. Not sure if they were asleep or not, but they weren't moving.

While everyone else was swimming, Nate and I went to explore the pier.

Adventures at the hat stand.

And the amusement park.

And the pier.

Nate was facinated by the fishermen and spent a long time watching them work.

It was fun spending a little one-on-one time with the birthday boy!

Then, more food. I have no pictures, but we had dinner at our other favorite LA world-famous food stand, Tito's Tacos! I cannot come to LA without a stop there. Best salsa EVER! That's why there is always quite a crowd in line in front.

Then, just to finish our Hollywood adventure with desert at another local favorite - Didy Riese in Westwood, where you pick out the huge handmade cookies you want and your favorite ice cream flavor to have your own custom ice-cream sandwich - all for only $1.50. No wonder the line went out the door and down the block!

(This post s making me hungry!!!)

We have a policy of only eating in places with long lines going down the block!!!

Good policy.