Mrs. America Photos Aug. 24

Last night we all loaded up on our bus and headed out to the Rancho Valle Milagro, a beautiful mansion in Tucson, for a cocktail party. We all had a great time getting to know each other better as well as meeting Mayor Walkup and his wife again, and many other business people from Tucson's Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors Bureau.
Mrs. Mississippi and Mrs. ColoradoTiffany and Michele

Preparing to leave for the Fox Theater to present out state gift to the mayor. I presented Mayor Walkup with a signed Colorado Rockies baseball from Garrett Atkins, our 3rd basemen, a certificate of authenticity, and a crown pin for his wife from the Royal Image Boutique. Every year the Colorado Rockies travel to Tucson for their spring training.

Mrs. Colorado, Mrs. Wisconsin, Mrs. Nebraska
Michele and Tiffany at breakfast before rehearsals with Frit and Frat.
Mrs. Rhode Island, Mrs. Nebraska, Mrs. Colorado, Mrs. Minnesota, Mrs. Georgia
Mrs. Nebraska, Mrs. Oregon, Mrs. Colorado, Mrs. South Carolina

Mrs. America Photos Aug. 23

Sitting with some of the contestants today in the lobby before a promotional interview that may be used during the Mrs. America television production on the W.E. Network in late Sept.

At lunch today with the girls.

Mrs. Virginia and Mrs. Colorado

Mrs. Nebraska, Mrs. Colorado, and Mrs. Missouri

With Michele this morning bright an early at 7am before a 1.3 mile walk to "The Greens" to workout and have breakfast.

Don, our official photographer, is taking a picture of us while we're taking a picture of him.
With Diane Tucker, Mrs. World 2007. Orientation dinner.
Michele and I at orientation dinner last night.

Mrs. America Photos - Aug. 22

Hello from Tucson!!! This is the view from my room at the beautiful Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. As time permits I will post as many pictures as I can! Thank you to everyone for all the phone calls and warm wishes before I left!

Me at lunch today after checking in.

My roommate Michele Strom, Mrs. Nebraska, and I had some free time so we decided to take advantage of it and go tanning!
Pictured with Michele and the official car of Mrs. America.

New Life Church Women's Ministry (Keynote Speaker)

On Aug 16th I spoke to the Women's Ministry Group at New Life Church during their monthly meeting. I talked about setting goals and most importantly believing in their goals and themselves. "Everything is possible for him who believes" Mark 9:23.

Chatting with some of the ladies afterwards.

Mrs. America Send Off Dinner

I had a great time at my Mrs. America send-off party at the Chinook Tavern with 9 former Mrs. Colorado's! They all gave me great advice and kept me laughing the entire night. I'm so blessed to have the support and encouragement from my new sisters.
Tricia had this photo of my Nana and myself framed for me. Nana has made the trip from Virginia to Colorado three times to watch me compete for the title. She's always been my best supporter!
Tricia and I are admiring the beautiful flowers my husband sent to me...oops, I mean the flowers Janet's (Mrs. Colorado 1992) friend sent to her! Tricia gave these to me at the end of the night and she thought my husband, Nathan, had sent them to me at the restaurant when in fact Janet's friend sent them to her! The card read "To the wisest queen of them all", and of course we all thought they were ours.

J. David Barba Golf Tournament

I played golf with a great group during the annual J. David Barba Golf Tournament, organized by CHFA (Colorado Housing and Finance Authority). Proceeds benefited Urban Peak, http://www.urbanpeak.org/index.html, and Energy Outreach Colorado, http://www.energyoutreach.org/.

presenting awards with Natalie Tysdal, CW2 Morning News

Camp Cartwheel in Nevada

Thanks to everyone at Camp Cartwheel at the Torino Ranch in Nevada for having me visit! I had a great afternoon visiting with campers and camp counselors, as well as getting the chance to participate in many activities. For more information about Camp Cartwheel, visit http://www.nvccf.org/camp.htm

During my travels to Nevada, I had the opportunity to meet the new Mrs. Nevada, Angela Phillips . I also stopped by for an interview at KPMZ Channel 41 on the 6 o'clock evening news and to tape a segment for the fall series of NightBeat.

Thank you to Victoria Broz, Mrs. Nevada 2006 for hosting a great time in Nevada!

Grapevine Radio Interview

Listen LIVE this Thursday,
August 9, 2007
“An Afternoon of Giving”

With Special Guest: Marney Duckworth, Mrs. America 2007, founder of Mrs. Colorado Foundation.

Listen live this Thursday,
August 9th at 3:00pm (MST)

www.grapevineradio.com

with hosts: Kristen Lamb-former Mrs. Utah, entrepreneur, wife, founder of The Foundation House and Andrea Preuss- former Mrs. United States, Mrs. America 2006, wife

Other Guests:
Tracie Stafford - Wife, entrepreneur, mother, Gov. Schwarzenegger appointee, Mrs. California
Lori Donaudy- Mrs. New York United States 2007, involved in 'Safe at Home’ Foundation

Fandies Candy Co. GRAND OPENING!

On Saturday, July 30 I traveled to Canon City for the Grand Opening of Debi Moore's (Mrs. Colorado 1994) brand new "Fandies Candy Company" candy store! I enjoyed greeting customers and signing autographs for the kids. If you're ever in Canon City you really should stop by for a visit and try some of her homemade fudge! She is open Tues-Sat. 10am-6pm.

Nebraska Rally for the Cure

Although, I won't divulge my "sub par" golf score (no pun intended), I will tell you that we had absolutely the best weather possible yesterday for the annual Rally for the Cure in Lincoln, Nebraska! After a beautiful morning of golf, we enjoyed a luncheon filled with great conversation and invaluable information about breast cancer and the efforts of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I had the pleasure of speaking to the group of women golfers during the luncheon, sharing with them my connection with the Foundation and my experience as Mrs. America. Thanks to everyone at the Lincoln Chapter of Susan G. Komen for inviting me to golf and speak.

with Team "Queen"

with local golf pro

speaking at the luncheon

with event organizers

Nebraska KLIN Radio to promote Rally for the Cure

Mrs. Nebraska 2007, Michele Strom and I started the day early by visiting the KLIN morning show to talk about the Rally for the Cure Golf Tournament & Luncheon that we will be involved with tomorrow. In addition to raising money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Rally for the Cure event will honor a number of local breast cancer survivors.

with Michele

with Jack and Ashlee of KLIN

VFW Post #6331 Flag Retirement Ceremony

On July 13 I had the opportunity to be a part of a Flag Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post #6331 in Aurora. The community is asked to bring worn or tattered flags to be properly retired at a formal service. Below are several pictures from the flag burning ceremony.

Tough Enough to Wear Pink Fundraiser

I joined Lisa Henry, Mrs. Gunnison, for Gunnison's Cattlemen's Days "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" raising money for local breast cancer treatment through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and local chapters of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. For more information please visit http://www.toughenoughtowearpink.com/who_benefits.html

Even the tough guys wore pink!

Lisa's prize-winning pig, Digger, couldn't take his snout off me!

Picture with the Miss Rodeo Queens from Gunnison.

Motorcycle Rally benefitting the Ronald McDonald House

On July 14 many motorcyclist and members of the Canon City community came out to the Creekside Shopping Center to participate in the 1st Annual Rally to benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

Visiting Camp for Girls in Indiana

Thank you to Eileen Taylor (Mrs. Indiana State Director) and Danielle Vale (Mrs. Indiana 2007)for inviting me to visit some of the young campers during the summer activities at Cathedral High School in Indiana. Danielle and I spoke to the girls about individuality and imaging, by sharing stories from our childhoods, as well as stories from our year as titleholders. It was great to see Indiana and all that the city of Indianapolis has to offer!

Highlands Ranch 4th of July Parade

Pictured with my buddy Jennifer Rindahl, Mrs. Highlands Ranch, at the Highlands Ranch Parade on the 4th of July.

With Jennifer in our beautiful BMW Z4 provided by Schomp Automotive.

Sherri Hill in L.A.

I had the opportunity to fly to Los Angeles on July 5 to meet with the amazing designer, Sherri Hill (center) in person to design my gown for Mrs. America! I'm also pictured above with Mrs. Nebraska, Michele Strom, who was able to come along too!!!

Pictured with Raeanne Duca (right) from the Royal Image Boutique (www.royalimageboutique.com) and Sherri Hill.

Looking through some of Sherri's beautiful gowns.

Mrs. Nebraska Pageant

I had a great time co-emceeing (with Rod Fowler of KLKN ABC Channel 8 in Lincoln) the 2007 Mrs. Nebraska Pageant this past weekend. And although it was emotional to see my dear friend Jennifer Bradley, Mrs. Nebraska 2006, give up her crown, it was exciting to see it go to Michele Strom of Omaha. Congrats Michele!

To kick off the pageant weekend, Jennifer and I stopped by both the 98.5 FM Morning Show with Pat and JT and KLKN Television studios for media.

We made a special visit to Children's Hospital in Omaha to visit a number of patients and their families. It was a wonderful way to spend our time together in Nebraska.

with Rod Fowler

with JT and Pat

at Children's Hospital

outside Billy's restaurant before finals

with Michele

Media at Mrs. New York

I'm having a great time at the Mrs. New York pageant! I've spent the past few mornings making media appearances with Lidia. It's been so much fun catching up with her! Tonight, contestants will compete in preliminaries, with finals set for tomorrow.

VFW State Convention

Today I attended the VFW Colorado State Convention held in Colorado Springs and had the privilege to address the audience as a guest speaker. I shared my experiences as a military spouse, an Auxiliary member of Post 3917, and my work for the Children of Fallen Soldiers' Relief Fund with many other vets and their families in attendance. Many posts joined us today from across the state and I was grateful to be able to thank our vets personally for their sacrifices. I'm pictured above with my friend Ken Vegoren from Post 3917 in Colorado Springs.

Our Jr. Girls Ladies Auxiliary Members.

Addressing the convention.