Five Years of Wedded Bliss...

Five years down, right? Oh, yes. Steve pulled a crazy little trip to St. George for our anniversary to see Kurt Bestor's "A Night at the Movies" concert. Bestor has performed this concert several times with the Utah Symphony and other bigger orchestras. It was a neat concert. He gave some history about film scoring (movie music). He also moved through periods of film starting with silent films (Charlie Chaplin movies) and then up to today's grandiose scoring for big films like 'Avatar' and "Lord of the Rings". The concert was at Tuacahn. It's a little amphitheatre nestled in the nook of a canyon just outside St. George. It's SUPER nice. The area is really well to do so they can afford to get people like Kurt Bestor to come and perform. The night before was Credence ClearWater Revival which would have been an absolute blast!!! Bestor also had clips of films showing while they played along. When film scoring is recorded the composer goes through the movie and sets a 'click track' to the film. This establishes tempos (speeds) for the music when they are ready to record. This helps fit the music to the fast and slow and all emotion to the film. A few they played were Gone with the Wind, Psycho, Titanic, Star Wars, and a bunch more. He also did a little tribute to John Williams who is one of the most prolific film score composers alive today. He is one of my favorites and has done a ton!!! You will most likely be humming his melodies leaving the theater.
We stopped by the St. George Temple to stretch our legs while they finished getting our room ready. Livie wouldn't stay by Taylor for a photo. He was in 'freeze' position.
Her hat covers everywhere! She enjoyed running around. It's not a short trip to St. George from Rexburg. Eight hours later we were ready for a long break.
Taylor wanted to go up the steps. This was actually the original entrance for the temple but they wanted to make the Celestial Room bigger. So they moved the entrance to the other end.
We took our friend Kristin Rock along with us. She is a dear friend and has helped watch our kids a lot. Taylor calls her 'Tistin'.

Steve surprised us both by taking us the short 1 1/2 hour drive over to Las Vegas. We went to lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, La Cantina. It's to die for!!! It's inside the Tuscany Resort and Casino. No gambling for us!!
Most of you may not know but Steve really likes Celine Dion. I don't mind her but she wasn't someone I went out and bought her music the day it came out. Well, Steve is a little obsessed. We are going back next year for her concert at Caesar's Palace in April 2011. Her concert is the best in the world. Hands down. We're super excited to go, again. This will be Steve's 4th time, I think...

Since Celine's five year contract expired at Caesar's Palace Cher has taken the stage. Here a few of her exotic costumes...

Probably the most exciting part of the trip was that Steve surprised us with tickets to see Phantom at The Venetian. This hotel is my favorite and Phantom is my favorite musical. Yes, it's really not an opera. It only takes place in an opera. As one of my professors has told me, "it's musical theater with operatic elements". Super funny for you music people!!! We had fantastic seats and it was Kristin's first time seeing it on stage. She LOVED IT! Her missionary is actually serving in Vegas so it was surreal for her to be there. He'll be home June 22.

Most of all a big thanks to Steve for taking us. We love you and are thankful you are our husband, dad, and friend. You are my everything.

Last we had Livie try a lemon at Olive Garden on our way home. It is quite funny. We were surprised she wanted more!