Wednesday, November 12, 2008

America, America, this is you! (doo-doo-dut-doo)

Okay, most of you figured it out. We were at America's Funniest Home Videos in Los Angeles, California. A couple of months ago, by the urging of Jaclyn Tubre (we give her full credit for being on the show AND for us missing the LSU/Bama game), we submitted a video to AFV. It was the one where all 4 babies were lying on the floor screaming bloody murder until we played Johnny Cash's song, "Folsom Prison Blues" for them. Forrest, if you can recall, was especially grumpy that day, so we had to keep replaying the first part to keep them all calm. Unfortunately, that clip now belongs to AFV and we had to remove it from our blog in October. I still have a copy on the computer for safe keeping, but we are not allowed to post it. So you'll just have to wait until the show airs on January 11th to re-watch it. We'll send out another reminder when the air date gets a little closer.

We found out last week that our video had been chosen as a finalist for the show. We only had that time to prepare for our trip, which was unfortunately scheduled for the same weekend as our Baton Rouge trip.

This is how our weekend went down:

On Friday morning we boarded our first of four flights. We had a connection in Dallas, so it was only about an hour flight. AFV bought seats for the 4 babies, Billy, myself and 2 extra adults. We asked Aunt Lainie (Billy's sister) and Ashlyn (good family friend that helps us out ALL the time with the kids) to be our helpers on the trip. The babies were AWESOME on the flights to L.A. and slept a good portion of the time.

Sleeping beauties, Aunt Lainie and Pius

The devilishly handsome Forrest and Billy. Or maybe they're just devilish.

The pretty princesses Ashlyn and Danna (sidenote: Ashlyn and I got asked alot if we were sisters on this trip. Must be the short, dark hair and sideswept bangs.)

Last but not least, Laineman and Mama


When we arrived in Los Angeles, we felt like rock stars because there were suited men in black holding "Graf" signs. Things started going downhill after the chauffeurs helped us with our luggage. I guess in California, they have some sort of law that states parents are responsible for latching in car seats. Well, they brought 4 very different (some older than me) car seats and pretty much said, "Have at it!" After buckets of sweat, curse words that would make a sailor blush and pure frustration, we finally got the kids (who were screaming and hungry by this point) loaded into the 2 vehicles. We arrived at the Manhattan Beach Marriott and got settled. The hotel provided 4 pack-n-play cribs for us, and the babies were ever so grateful. They had hit the proverbial wall and were SO ready for bed.

Saturday morning we lounged around, got the kids fed and bathed and ready to head to the studio by 1:30 p.m. Of course, it took 2 car rides to get all 8 of us there. After meeting the other contestants and the producers, they took us to hair and make-up for any necessary touch ups (Billy was totally not digging this). Then Lainie, Ashlyn and I headed out to the studio audience to watch the show while Billy hung out in the "green room" with the rugrats. He was glad to take baby duty because his brother, Ryno, was constantly sending text updates on the score and time of the Alabama/LSU game. While in the green room, Billy had lots of help from the producers and the other contestants (including their 6 year old daughter who sang to the babies). We weren't allowed out on the stage until all the voting was complete. When it was time, all the contestants marched out onto the set, where we were met with all sorts of oooooh's and aaaaaah's. The babies totally stole the show!

Back in the Green Room after the show (Moni holding Danna, Lainie holding Forrest, Billy holding Pius and Ashlyn holding Laine). Didn't they look so cute all pimped out in their dress, cords and sweater vests?!


We had to sign privacy agreements that will not allow us to reveal the outcome of the show. However, be sure to mark your calendars for Jan 11th so you can see the Graf Quad Squad in action on national T.V.

We finished up with the show around 4:30 p.m. and headed back to the hotel. We had to leave for the airport at 5:45 a.m. the next morning, so after walking around the neighborhood strip mall and eating at Johnny Rockets, we called it an early night.

Sunday went off basically without a hitch. Our flight from LAX to DFW was pretty uneventful. Our flight from DFW to Wichita went fairly smooth with the exception of Lucifer, uhhhh, I mean Forrest acting up. Ashlyn was the sucker that ended up holding him. Despite Forrest's fussiness at the end, the babies were SO good. We got comments from people on all the flights about how well they did and some said they didn't even know there were babies on the plane! They were such dolls at the show that the host, Tom Bergeron, told us they were the most well-behaved kids he's ever had on! How's that for a compliment. Good job, babies!

Gramma Vicki and GG Bucko picked us up from the airport. We came home to a delicious pot roast dinner from Bucko and a clean house with laundry done by my mom and dad. Those two even got my tulip bulbs planted while we were away! Thank you also to cousins Steph and Cole for bringing over lots of kick-a** baby books and a HUGE train table, complete with tracks and trains! I'm sure Eason had a hard time parting with it. Be sure to tell him that the babies were IN AWE over it!

I'm sure we missed a bunch of details, so feel free to ask questions and I'll try to get them answered (either in the comment section or a new post). I'm pooped.

Love,
Moni and Billy

25 comments:

Jac Tubre said...

Championship! First to post!

Jac Tubre said...

Ok, love the title...you are so funny girl!

The babies look absolutely adorable in their preppie little outfits! All the adults were looking good too...must've been the makeup Billy :)

I am still so sad yall weren't able to come, but so happy you got to have this awesome experience. You guys rock!

I am still trying to see if I can pull off a trip to the Land of Oz next weekend...hopefully by the end of the day I will know something.

Love yall,
Jac

LovinTimInMi said...

How very cool!! I will mark Jan 11on the calendar. So sad you had to miss the weekend with the Tubre's. I bet it sucked even more since your team beat theirs. ;-)

Andrea said...

I thought of something...Could you tell us what the other finalists videos were?

How exciting! You all looked great and the babies looked cute as ever. Can't wait to see it Jan. 11th! Andrea

Andrea said...

They will be one in one week!! Exciting:) Andrea

BUILDING WITH 6 said...

That is awesome and soooo exciting. Can't wait to see!
Kami

The Carlsons said...

awesome! how cool is that? glad to hear the babies did well (and i assume the adults too ;) ). can't wait to see the grafs on tv in 2 months!! i wonder if i can tivo it already? hm...

-fellow quad mom of GGGG and a 4yo boy

Anonymous said...

Questions: Did you get a picture of the quads with Tom? How about a picture of them in the studio with the audience? Did you get looks of "Oh sh__!!" from any of the passengers when they realized not ONE but FOUR babies were boarding on their flight? Btw, I've always been amazed at how well the babies are in public. Is it because you told them they'll get a pony for their birthday? Aunt GGr

Misty said...

I"m so excited for you! Looks like the trip went really well. Glad to know ya'll are finalist! YEAH!!!!! Hoping that means it is a great start to the college fund ( or diaper fund!)
Misty

Anonymous said...

I bet you guys won!!! Videos of babies always seem to win, everyone just falls in love with babies, especially if there were four quads in it. So my guess is you WON!!

Andria said...

So it's all Jac's fault! And of ALL weekends to tape the show! Poor Billy in the green room. You all look fantastic. What a memorable experience! You gotta keep a ticker going to remind us of the airing! My 6yo LOVES AFV and thinks Dancing with the Stars is just another version of it! LOL.

HansonTriplets said...

I can't wait until Jan 11th I have it on my calendar for sure. My guess is you had no problems winning because that video is halarious! I do need your expertise though. Brent and I are flying with the triplets to California in February so I need all the help I can get. We are staying with Brent's sister but her kids are to old to have all the baby stuff we will need....aka car seats, high chairs, strollers etc. Any advise would be greatly appriciated. Brent's parents are coming with us so we will have one person per baby but I just need to know what worked and what didn't work for you guys. From your story it sounds like we should check our car seats. :) I will e-mail you about this too. Talk to you soon!

Charity Donovan said...

How flippin' awesome! Can't wait until 1.11.09!!! Yay....go Graf Quads!

EMO said...

They look ADORABLE all dressed up. Are you having a BIG 1st b-day party, or something low-key? I can't believe it will be here so soon.

Anonymous said...

OMG! Congratulations!

And Jac, You get to go to the Land of OZ? Where is my invitation? JK!

Happy early B-day Graf Quads!
Michelle

Lianna Knight said...

I'm so excited for you guys!! please remind us of the show...can't wait to see the results:)

And your hair is gorgeous short like that...love it!

Shelia said...

Ok, of course that adorable group of four stole the show! DUH! We wouldn't have expected less. I can't wait to watch in January... but I am going to miss that video clip because it was so much fun to watch!

Shelia

Ashley Wasser said...

I've got it on my calendar! That prize money will help w/ the quad's college fund! :)

We're celebrating Lexi's birthday this Saturday. When are you celebrating your kids' birthday?

Rick and Jenn Payne said...

I've marked our calendar! That is so COOL! You guys are awesome! You looked great in all the pics! I know that it was an experience that you'll never forget! You guys are admired by us! Love, Jenn - momma of the herd!

Anonymous said...

Moni -
We've spent the last half hour or so getting caught up on the blog and reminiscing at how much has happened in the past year. Seems like it was only yesterday that Cole drove Kel and I to the airport to visit you and Bill in Phoenix. The pictures and videos you've been taking will be such an incredible gift not only for your kids, but for you and Billy as well. Thanks for letting us take peeks into your lives. Hope the beggar enjoys his beverages, am so glad the kiddos enjoy their literature (I was stoked to see the books in the background of some of the pictures) and love you so much!
The Goldens (Steph & Cole)

Jac Tubre said...

Check your email! I am locked, loaded, booked, packed (well, not yet) and heading your way next Friday. Well, unless we decide to go on AFV :)

Love you,
Jac

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to watch the show!

Great pictures! The smile on Billy's face seems to be giving something away. Oh- how I hope I'm right!!!

Love, Courtney

Andrea said...

Are you guys going to inform the local media of your Hollywood debut? Andrea

still wondering what the other finalist videos were. Are you allowed to tell?

jag said...

January 11th!?!? I'm not sure I can wait that long. Oh well. I'm on pins and needles until then. The pictures were great!

Shannon said...

I can't wait to watch. Good luck! I check out your blog that I found through another blog mama!