Mrs. America Photos Aug. 31

Mrs. Virginia and myself head off to the tennis and golf competitions in our golf cart at The Lodge.
Hanging out with the girls at the golf competition. My buddy Michele came in 2nd place in golf!
My tennis partner, Kelly McBee, Mrs. Wyoming (NOW MRS. AMERICA!!!) and I are working hard on the tennis courts. I came in 3rd place in the tennis competition.

CNBC Interview

This morning I met with a crew from CNBC to talk about Mrs. America, the relevancy of the pageant and what's next for me. The interview will air next Wednesday, September 5th. What a great way to start the day!


Mrs. America Photos Aug. 30

Today all 51 of us saddled up at the Tanque Verde Ranch for a trail ride and authentic pancake breakfast.

Mrs. Colorado and Mrs. Vermont hanging out in between our trail ride at breakfast.
Mrs. Colorado and Mrs. America, Marney Duckworth, trying to stay cool after breakfast
On my white horse getting ready to round up some cattle for a team roping activity.

Thought I might try team pinning one more time, this is fun!

Our team, "Three brunettes and a blonde", Mrs. Nebraska, Mrs. Colorado, Mrs. Louisiana, and Mrs. West Virginia before the scavenger hunt. We had two little surprises outside our room tonight...tarantulas!!!

Is anybody else itching? The hotel staff came and got them with a 10 foot pole, seriously. The scary thing is they just threw them back out in the area near our room. I'm sure we'll be seeing these guys again soon. :)

Mrs. America Photos Aug. 29

Hola from Mexico! Today we traveled to Nogales, Mexico to meet some government officials and tour the town. We were greeted with paparazzi, news media, and a mariachi band. Then we drove out to one of the most beautiful ranches I have ever seen called "La Esmeralda Rancho-Resort". I learned how to make a local cheese, and also a flour tortilla from scratch.
With my buddy, Michele.
With one of the government officials in Nogales.
With another government official.
Here is the fence we saw as we were crossing back into the U.S. Our bus was stopped for an inspection at the border and we all had to unload for about a half hour. Everything turned out fine and we were back on our way to Tucson.

Mrs. America Photos Aug. 28

Michele and I getting ready for our first big competition of the day...Baby Diaper Changing Contest
After my round of competition...I definitely was not the fastest! Mrs. D.C. showed us all up!

The competition was narrowed down to Mrs. Nevada and Mrs. D.C. for the finals.
And the winner is...Mrs. D.C. with the fastest time!
Mrs. Nevada, Mrs. Nebraska, and Mrs. Colorado in the lobby before leaving for dinner.
Mrs. Nevada, Mrs. Colorado, Mrs. Kentucky, and Mrs. Nebraska.
Our table of ladies at dinner.

Mrs. America Photos Aug. 27

Yesterday we rounded ourselves up on the bus for a trip to Old Tucson Studios and the Sonoran Desert Museum. Picture above on stage at Old Tucson Studios is Mrs. Pennsylvania, Mrs. Kentucky, Mrs. Kansas, Mrs. Wyoming, Mrs. Nebraska, Mrs. Colorado, and Mrs. Arizona
Mrs. Vermont and Mrs. Colorado at Old Tucson Studios
Mrs. Arizona, Mrs. Arkansas, Mrs. Utah, Mrs. Idaho, and Mrs. Alaska
We are inseparable if you haven't figure it out already.
I got thrown in jail for being hot...literally, it was 107 degrees.
I was surprised when I actually hit the targets and all these bells and whistles started going off!
At Old Tucson Studios with the actors. Mrs. Nebraska, Colorado, Indiana, Arizona, Delaware and New York at the Sonoran Desert Museum.
I could only get as close as 3 feet from the Barn Owl, so I was being careful!
Mrs. Nebraska and Mrs. Colorado stylin' at the museum in our cowgirl gear.
Getting ready to load onto the bus for Old Tucson and the Sonoran Desert Museum.
In front of the butterfly garden. Thank you Kathy for taking us on a tour of the Sonoran Desert Museum.
I couldn't resist taking a picture with the Colorado River fish.



Mrs. America Photos Aug. 26

With my roomie, Michele, before rehearsals this morning.
Mrs. Colorado, Nebraska, California, Hawaii, and David Marmel
Taking a photo inside one of the planes at the Pima Air and Space Museum.
A rattlesnake was right outside our rehearsals! I'm definitely paying attention to where I step from now on!!!

Mrs. America Photos Aug. 25

Diane Tucker, Mrs. World 2007, and Tiffany Sawyer, Mrs. Colorado, at the Loews Ventana Room for the Presidents Dinner. We all dined in Loews' 5 Star restaurant and the food was delicious! After dinner we all presented our state gifts to Brian Johnson, the manager of Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.
Mrs. Colorado and Mrs. MississippiMichele Strom, Mrs. Nebraska, myself, and Missy Soto, Mrs. Oklahoma
Mrs. Colorado and Mrs. Ohio
Mrs. Kentucky and Mrs. Colorado
Michele and Tiffany

Mrs. Colorado, Mrs. Arkansas and Mrs. Oregon

Mrs. Nebraska, Mrs. Illinois, Mrs. Wyoming, Mrs. Colorado and Mrs. Utah

Sorry about the fuzzy quality of the picture, but I wanted you all to meet our choreographers Frit and Frat! They are so much fun.

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.





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.

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