On the set with David Betterman!

Tonight we travelled to BYU to attend Honors Night.  It is a welcome orientation for incoming freshman.  Why were we going you ask?  To meet David Betterman!  Shae Hunsaker was working on this program all summer and David Betterman was none other than our very own B-rad Robins!  We didn't know what to expect but thought we would go to support both of them.  Besides we could check out where our season football tickets were after the show!

When we arrived at the set (Marriott Center) the band was playing.

David Betterman made his grand entrance and after doing the BYU "Top 10" settled in behind his desk to interview his guests.  He interviewed a variety of the school leadership and they discussed issues new students might face concerning the honor code such as:  cheating, dress standards,  dating challenges, etc.  After each segment David would break for commercial and the 'Honor Code Angels" would drive home the point of the interview.

"That's against the Honor Code, That's against the Honor Code, That's against the Honor Code!"  Thanks to Brent Wesson, Emily Van Bloem and the other angel!

Even Cosmo the Cougar made a guest appearance on the show.  His tumbling stunts were amazing!

After the show Shae and David Betterman posed for pictures with guest Tyler Haws, BYU basketball player, and Cosmo.

A one-on-one photo with Cosmo the Cougar.  Only a celebrity the caliber of David Betterman and the show's director were given this opportunity.

David was sporting new BYU cufflinks on his french cuff shirt!  A nice detail.

A close up shot of David's note cards.  David only had a script for the top 10 portion of the show, the remainder was spontaneous!  I was amazed by his level of energy, poise in front of the camera, and the way he engaged the audience and the guests.

Up close and personal with David on the set.

David interviews Kevin and Shae, the program director after the show.

After the show the four of us walked over to the football stadium to check our our season football seats.and the new video scoreboards.  The freshmen were forming a human "Y".  It was impressive to watch it form and  then watch "the wave" start at the bottom, travel to the top and then back down to the bottom of the Y.  Thanks for a wonderful night Brad and Shae--we truly are a  "Better Man and  Better Woman" for having attended!

Off to Pickleville!

Brad invited me to join Shae and Angie Hunsaker on a day trip to Garden City to see "The Hanging of El Bandito" at Pickleville Playhouse.

Since we had tickets for the 1:00 p.m. show they picked me up at 9:30 a.m. and we set off for the north country.  It was fun to get to know Angie better as we chatted on the ride up to Logan. We stopped at Einstien's in Logan for cinnamon/raisin bagels and juice before continuing on to Garden City.

It was my first trip to the Pickleville Playhouse established in 1977 by Grams and Grandpa Larsen, relatives of my boss, Paul Larsen.  It is a rustic intimate theatre located near Bear Lake.

 It was fun to see so many familiar faces:  Whitley Osborne, Megan Bagley, Eric Sackett, Derek Davis, Jessica Jenkins, T.J. Davis, and Whitney Davis.  They seemed genuinely excited to see familiar faces and to have us in the audience.

Shae, Jessica, Derek, Brad, Eric

 After the show we were hungry so we drove back to Logan and went to one of Angie's favorite "Aggie hangouts", Francesco's for their lunch special:  a 6 inch pizza and salad.  It was delicious!

All too soon I was being dropped off at home and the rest of them continued on to Provo.  It was such a delightful way to spend a summer's day!

Stadium of Fire

When I heard it announced 4 months ago that the Beach Boys would be the headliners for Stadium of Fire 2012 as part of their 50th anniversary tour I told Kevin we had to be there!  They didn't disappoint!  I have wanted to see them in person since we were first married so this was a long anticipated event!  The one stipulation Kevin made was we had to get chair seats on the west side--done!  We drove to Provo and hooked up with Brad and Shae Hunsaker.  After a Subway meal it was off to the stadium to check out our seats for the show.

This gigantic flag was draped over the new south  end zone screen.

We found our seats and settled in for the show.

The stage was set and soon the festivities began.

Colorguard and presenting of the flag.

Then the 4-16 flyover--a personal favorite!

Finally the headline act--The Beach Boys!  About an hour of familiar music to enjoy!  Brad asked me about halfway through why he recognized nearly every song--I explained that we had listened to their "greatest hits" album for years and that is what they delivered!  It was amazing.

The evening concluded with a huge fireworks display.  The stadium truly was on fire!

Happy Independance Day America!

South Africa Tour Lesson

Today Kevin and I traveled south to Provo to listen to Brad and his roommate, Spencer Park, teach a joint Priesthood/Relief Society lesson.  They were asked to share their experiences on their recent tour to South Africa, Swaziland, and Botswana.  They took turns sharing experiences, photos, and video clips from their tour.  They stressed that Young Ambassadors is not so much about the performing of the show but rather has a much greater mission:  service, example, and testimony.

Brad and his roommate, Spencer Park

They bore powerful testimony of how the Lord puts people in the right place at the right time if we but submit to his will and get out of our comfort zones to be instruments in his hands.  At the conclusion of their remarks, Spencer played and Brad sang the solo that he sang in the YA fireside.  It is a powerful testimony of the power of  the Atonement to heal us.  It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Winterfest Surprise

Ashton and Shyann spent the day with us while Rick brought Tina and Alex home from the hospital and got them settled at home.  We took the kids home just before my mom brought dinner to their family at 5 p.m.  About 4:00 p.m. Kevin asked me if I wanted to try to catch the last show of the Young Ambassadors at Winterfest tonight.  I went online and purchased two tickets on the aisle!

Kevin wanted to surprise Brad and Shae with some candy.  We stopped and bought two packages of Cadbury mini-eggs--one bag for each of them.  I texted Brad at the end of act one to let him know we were there.  He was so excited and surprised!  His solos were amazing and brought tears to my eyes.

After the show we were making our way across the theater to meet up with Brad when we encountered Shae Hunsaker and her family.  She introduced us to her parents, sisters, and some other relatives.  Brad seemed so pleased that we would come to his final local show.  Since this is his final year as a Young Ambassador, each performance is a treasured opportunity.

Winterfest 2012

We bought tickets to see Brad and the Young Ambassadors perform at the LDS Conference Center Theater at Winterfest for my parents, and the girls and their spouses as part of their Christmas.  To go along with the tickets I invited everyone to come to dinner before the show.  Brad called on Wednesday and said he was in need of children to be in the show and asked if Shyann was coming.  He wanted her to be the "princess" in the first act.  I went online and got her a ticket.

With the birth of Alex last night, we lost Tina and Rick for dinner but Rick brought Shyann over for dinner and took Ashton home for the night.  After dinner, Katie and Mark drove Shyann to the theater so she could do a quick run through.  We followed about 30 minutes later with my parents.

Shyann and Uncle Brad backstage before the show.

Shyann was all smiles as she played the "princess" role in the show.  Her eyes sparkled as Brad came on stage as a tree and smiled down at her.  She was glowing as they placed the glittering crown on her head at the end of the number.  It was such a special moment for her.

Shyann with Alexis Flake, her stage mom

A princess and her prince!

After a great show and a fun night with family, Shyann came home with us for a "sleepover" at grandma's.  It was a special evening with family.

HARMONY - The Music of Life

Young Ambassadors rehearse prior to "green room".

Last evening we traveled to Provo to watch Brad perform with the Young Ambassadors in the DeJong concert hall at Brigham Young University. I had the opportunity to attend "green room" prior to the show. This was my first "green room" experience and it was amazing!

Randy Boothe and Eric Hansen review final show details.

Living Legends attend "green room"

The Living Legends attended the Thursday night performance and came to "green room" to commend and encourage the group.  They brought a basket of chocolate and  expressed how much they loved the spirit of the show.

Stretching and preparing for the show in "green room".

Brinton Dinnell gives tech notes.

Brad, YA President, addresses the group in "green room".

What a treasured experience to hear my son bear his testimony and acknowledge his love for his Savior, his parents, family, director, and the members of the cast and crew!

Final group cheer and it's showtime!

We purchased tickets for the entire family so Mark and Katie, Tina, Rick and Shyann joined us for the performance. Shyann had the opportunity to be the "princess" in the show--complete with a tiara. Her smile was ear to ear! It was so much fun to have everyone together enjoying these memories as a family!

Brad and Kevin talk after the show.

Rick, Tina, and Shyann are all smiles.

Katie and Mark Bradshaw

Following the performance we went to Los Hermanos for a late dinner. Brad and Shae Hunsaker joined us and Mark and Katie. The food was great and the company lots of fun. We stayed overnight at our home away from home - the Provo Marriott Residence Inn and will attend the Saturday matinee before heading back home later today!

YA's 40th Anniversary

Last weekend we travelled to Provo. The Young Ambassador's were performing with past alumni commerating the 40th anniversary of their group. Several alumni have performed on Broadway and did cameo performances. I loved Dallin Bayliss' rendition of "Bring Him Home" from Les Mis!! I am partial to that portion of the show anyway because it showcases Brad singing the solo "Do You Hear The People Sing" and wearing the vest I made him in high school as Enjoras!

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Brad sings the National Anthem at the Utah Jazz

Zach and Matt met Brad courtside before the game to support and encourage him. What great friends they are!

Zach Nyborg, Brad, Matt Peay

Brad sang the National Anthem at the Utah Jazz/76'ers basketball game on December 29, 2008. It was Grandma Olsen's birthday. Both Grandpa and Grandma Olsen were there to cheer him on! Also attending the game were Tina and Rick who got tickets from a customer of the pharmacy, and Nancy and LeeAnn who won third row courtside tickets to the game before they knew Brad would be singing!

Music Makers!

Last night Kevin and I drove to Orem to watch the Young Ambassador's perform their show at Orem High School. What an amazing show it was! The jazz band, tech crew, costumes, performers, and music were incredible. With familiar music from the sixties, seventies, and eighties as well as beloved show tunes how could you not love it? Songs by Abba, Diamond Rio, and music from "Wicked", "Spamalot", and "Tarzan" had the audience mesmerized!

I personally am in love with Tarzan and would love to be Jane for just a moment! The YA's go on tour this next weekend to perform at Tuachan in southern Utah. If you get the chance don't miss the show--you will fall in love with the music all over again!