MomBomb Meet & Greet

Saturday afternoon MomBomb hosted a Meet & Greet for all married women who were interested in learning more about the Mrs. Arizona America Pageant system. I had a great time catching up with some former Mrs. Arizona's, a few sponsors, and of course meeting all the beautiful young women who have decided that they would love to be Mrs. Arizona America 2011. A special thank you to Diane Ritter for hosting a great event... and of course for sending me home in style with a cute MomBomb dress!

Arizona Pageant & Evening Wear's Holiday Event

On Sunday, my family and I had the chance to attend Arizona Pageant & Evening Wear's Holiday Event.  Suzanne Demski invited titleholders, models, friends and family to a fantastic holiday event filled with great food, drinks and good times.  Suzanne thank you for the invitation to attend, but more importantly thank you for making sure that all of Arizona's "pageant gals"  always look breathtaking! 

Miss Arizona Send Off Show

This past Saturday, I had the honor to attend Miss Arizona 2010's Send Off Show.  Katy Bulkley showcased her Miss America wardrobe and let me just say it was FABULOUS!  I was very excited when Katy first contacted me to borrow my state costume dress for the traditional Show Us Your Shoes Parade.  This parade has been an annual tradition since Miss America's founding days, but was temporarily discontinued when the pageant moved to Las Vegas.  This year will be the first year of the parade since leaving Atlantic City.  Unfortunately, the dress didn't work out perfectly for Katy but we did detach my train so she could have it attached to her own dress!  After seeing Katy's wardrobe, I've already called "dibs" on a few items in exchange for borrowing the train - Hehe!  I wish Katy the best of luck at Miss America.  I'm thrilled to not only have her represent our state but also to call her a Miss Arizona sister!  Katy, no rock that stage and bring home the "big" crown!

Festival of Lights Electrical Parade

This past Saturday evening, my family and I were invited to be in the Festival of Lights Electrical Parade on Mill Avenue.  Thank you to Scottsdale Lexus for generously donating a beautiful black IS350 convertible for me to light up in the parade.  My husband, son and both of my parents crowded into the convertible to join me in this beautiful parade.  5 strands of lights, a lit crown and a packed car - we were quite a spectacle.

Pictures coming soon!

Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade

Thanksgiving morning I bundled up, put on the sash and crown and headed to Fountain Hills to be in the Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade. I was fortunate enough to be offered a ride in the Wells Fargo Stagecoach. As a Wells Fargo employee of over 6 years, this was the first opportunity I had been presented with to even get up close to the legendary stagecoach. Greg and Jackson were able to join me in the stagecoach during the parade. By the end of the parade, Jackson had gotten down waving to people – it was so cute!

Ronald McDonald McNight to Remember

I somehow missed posting about my wonderful evening at the Ronald McDonald House McNight to Remember Charity Gala.  I was asked to model a beautiful 18 carat diamond necklace from Schmidtt Jewelers.  I had a great time selling raffle tickets, modeling the amazing necklace, but getting to know loacl Ronald McDonald House volunteers.

2011 Miss Arizona USA Pageant

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the 2011 Miss Arizona USA Pageant at the Mesa Performing Arts Center.  I was thrilled to be there cheering on my "gal" Kalysha Manzon, Miss Mesa USA.  Kalysha you did amazing and I hope you enjoyed your first pageant.  I have a feeling you might have caught the "pageant bug".  Congratulations to Molly Argue, Miss Arizona Teen USA 2011 and Brittany Dawn Brannon, Miss Arizona USA 2011.

For more pictures, go to http://arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/photo-gallery.html?func=detail&id=53718

2010 Gilbert Days Parade

A special thank you to Superstition Springs Lexus for donating a beautiful silver IS350 Lexus convertible for the 2010 Gilbert Days Parade.  My husband was sweet enough to drive me and Mrs. Gilbert 2011 Lori Skutnik in the parade.  I've been going to the Gilbert Days Parade for years, so it was so much fun to be in it this year.

2010 Runway For Research

This past Sunday afternoon, I was invited to model and speak at the 2010 Runway For Research benefitting Steele Children's Medical Center.  This organization is amazing at how much it gives to Arizona's pediatric cancer patients, their families, survivors and local medical facilities.  I was so glad to see "The Dananator" and her family again!  This little girl has won her battle with cancer -  Congrats Dana!!!

Celebration For A Cure for the Susan G Komen Foundation

 A special thank you to my friend and former Mrs. Arizona America for the invitation to attend the Celebration For A Cure event at the amazing Superstition Mountain Golf Club in Gold Canyon.  I was part of the "Volunteer Dream Team" tasked with selling raffle tickets, encouraging higher bids for the Silent Auction and spotting bidders in the live auction.  The venue was amazing, the people were fun and the cause was great!  Thank you to Cherly, Lori, and Tammy (Mrs. Arizona 2011 contestants) for coming out to help with the event.  A special thank you to our server, Joe, who waited hand and foot on us - talk about service!!!

Gilbert Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association Golf Tournament

On Saturday, October 30th I was asked to attend the GCPAAA Golf Tournament at the Western Skies Golf Club.  Lori Skutnik, Mrs. Gilbert and I headed out to the Golf Course at 6 am to sell raffle tickets.  Let me just tell you - these guys had no chance to walk by our table and not buy a ticket.  I was shocked when I was able to convince a gentlemen to buy 100 tickets at $1 a piece, rather than $20 worth of tickets.  We had another gentleman that said "So if my wife was in this pageant, would she look this good at 6 am".... we both just chuckled and joked "oh yeah, we always look like this at 6 am!".  Here is a photo of Lori and me a this great event!

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Breath of Life Gala

Oh, who doesn't love a night at the Ritz!  Saturday night I worked the Breath of Life Gala for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  I was put to work selling Mystery Raffle Boxes - surprisingly this was easier than selling checking accounts at my job!  During the Gala, I was invited to model the Dierks Bentley autographed guitar that was being auctioned off.  I enjoyed being Vanna and was glad to help in getting over $2700 for the guitar!  After the aution, I assisted in the Bid 4 A Cure where participants bid for a personal donation towards Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  It was wonderful being part of an event where hundreds of individuals were donating to such a great cause, even with the economic challenges we are all facing right now. 

Tonya Allen Foundation Red Carpet Fashion Show & Gala

   

On Friday, I was invited to attend and model at the Tonya Allen Foundation Red Carpet Fashion Show and Gala.  Everyone had such a great time at the event!!!  When I first arrived, I was interview by Channel 3's Brittney Shipp!  Then I had the chance to work the red carpet with several other pageant gals - America's Outstanding Mom Melanie Britton, Kirin Christianson, Elisa Rister Mrs. Arizona America 2009, Cheryl and Allie. 

Thanks to my amazing sponsor, MomBomb, I rocked the runway in the cutest clothes. 

Tombstone's Helldorado Days Parade

This past weekend my family and I attended the Helldorado Days Parade in Tombstone.  We started the weekend off by 4 wheeling in Florence, then stayed the night in beautiful Sierra Vista.  We enjoyed breakfast with the National Guard who are currently protecting our border and then headed off to Tombstone.  At the Parade, I joined Kathy Lauer in the "Ladies of Pageantry" parade entry.  We had a great time throwing candy and ironically enough watching all of the parade attendees dressed in their period wardrobe. 

 

Susan G Komen Race for the Cure

On October 10th, I got my husband and son up early and headed down to the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure 2010 at Wesley Bolin Plaza so I could run in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.  I have ran in countless races, but this race had to be the largest I've ever participated in.  It was awesome to see the thousands of supporters as well as breast cancer survivors.  I ran in celebration of my mother and in memory of my Aunt Betty.  Thank you to all who showed up to run, walk or simply cheer on participants at this year's race!  With organizations like Susan G Komen I know we will one day find a cure for breast cancer!

2nd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Ride

This morning, I had the joy to attend the 2nd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Ride in Peoria.  This event is led by Teresa Fillemann, a 16 year breast cancer survivor!  Teresa and Southwest Bike did a phenomenal job organizing an event for a very worthy cause.  Over 125 riders showed up this year! 

Eddie Money's BizBash benefiting HopeKids

This past Thursday night, I was invited to be a part of Eddie Money's BizBash benefiting HopeKids.  Wow, what a fabulous event!!!  It was held at the Venue of Scottsdale - which is set up so you feel like you are outside on a New Orleans street.  This event was amazing - great entertainment, fantastic food and a very very worthy cause.  HopeKids is a group that provides children with terminal illness and their families hope, support, and fun.  The organization hosts dozens of events every month ranging from concerts, sports games, formal parties, pool parties, etc for the kids to participate in.  During the BizBash I had the chance to meet several of the HopeKids.  One particular HopeGal really inspired me.  Rosie was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor when she was a young teenager.  Doctors told Rosie she wouldn't live past 18, and she simply responded "I'm not done here".  Rosie is now 20 years old and still let's people know that she is not going anywhere anytime soon, that she is not done here.  She is an amazing young woman who has overcome such adversity and has one of the best attitudes I've ever encountered.  What a fighter!!!!

Mrs. America-Day One

Mrs. America _ Day six

Mrs. America _ Day Three