Christmas Parade

December 10th

Being from a small town has many perks and one of my favorites is the closeness we share as a community. There are many gatherings, celebrations, events, and parades in our town of Parker. The town has been so wonderful and encouraging to me over the years and I am honored to represent them. Being a mom and having my children share in the traditions of the community is important to me and my husband, it creates a sense of pride, a feeling of unity, and gives them a foundation.
With the holidays in full force our town is gearing up for many special events one of which is the Holiday Parade.
"Another Parade?" my oldest son says with a roll of his eyes, I respond with a simple, "Yes".  While it may be just another parade to my kids, I am always happy to see the smiling faces of the children enjoying our local parade and waving at a real live "princess". For me wearing this crown is about what I can give to others and sometimes that is just a friendly smile and a wave.

with the Boy Scouts, what an amazing organization doing great things for our young men.

with Santa and Mrs. Clause.  (Mrs. Clause was a teacher at the elementary school I attended)

Care 4 Kids Worldwide

December 7th


Earlier in my reign I had attended a Care 4 Kids event and was impressed with their organization. One of the co-founders is a friend of mine, Valentina Anderson, whom I met competing in the Mrs. Colorado pageant. She is extremely passionate about finding funds and other ways to help orphans all over the world. This event was a luncheon held at a wonderful little Russian Cafe, Teremok-Russian Crepes Cafe. It was an emotional afternoon for the two founders of the organization because they had a very generous donor match their efforts when they reached $5,000. Alex Bourlakov graciously wrote out a check at the event and I was honored to receive it on behalf of Care 4 Kids. The funds will be used to build a playground at an orphanage in Russia.

Watching as Alex writes out his generous donation.

with Alex, Valentina, and Julia.

Picture Clue

CLUE: This place has been opertating since 1920.  In 1999 they opened to the public, offering free tours and an annual Candy Cane Festival, an event which is still held the first Saturday in December.



Congratulations to Rita Case for guessing Coors Field.
This next one is going to be a little more difficult.  If there are no correct guesses by Sunday I will add more clues.  Good Luck!

Where in Colorado,

is Mrs. Colorado?

No it is not your computer, it is a horrible photo.



Picture Clue

Congratulations to Melissa Kraft for guessing The Old Spaghetti Factory on the last picture clue! She will be receiving a $25.00 gift card to the famous restaurant.

Remember some of the clues have prizes attached and unfortunately, some do not.

 

 

Where in Colorado,

is Mrs. Colorado?

 

 

 

Good Luck!

Don't forget to answer under comments on our blog

Queen's Christmas Party

December 3rd

What an amazing holiday tradition I now get to be a part of every year, the Mrs. Colorado Queen's Christmas party. I have heard stories for the past four years about this party and how special it is for all the former queens to gather and celebrate the holidays together. As you can imagine I was a little nervous being the "new" girl attending the party, but riding in with Emily, our director and Mrs. Colorado 2002, and seeing so many familiar faces, I was immediately put at ease. Besides, I had competed with three of them and knew them quite well. It is customary for the former queen to host the gathering and Shalon Polson went above and beyond. As part of the tradition, she gave everyone a special gift, a robe embroidered with the Mrs. Colorado emblem. It was a beautiful evening!

with Debbie Moore (94), Marney Duckworth (06), Emily Stark (02), Elisabeth Cartmill (03), and Christina Sacha (08)

The beautiful table setting.

with Laurie Kole (86) and Megan McCarter (09) wearing our fabulous gifts from Shalon.

An amazing group of women!

Body Statement Gym

December 2nd

Tiffany Yee owns the Body Statement Gym in Denver and was a guest judge last year at the Mrs. Colorado pageant. She has also recently signed on as a sponsor. Tiffany and her knowledgeable staff have been helping me get back and stay in shape with this crazy schedule I am maintaining as wife, mother, volunteer, and Mrs. Colorado. I have always been active and looking for ways to stay in shape, these guys have stepped my abilities up to a whole new level. It was great to be able to celebrate the holidays with them at their Holiday Open House. Looking for a little motivation? Need help getting over that plateau? Or would love some nutritional resources? Then check out The Body Statement Gym. I would highly recommend Tiffany and her staff. www.bodystatementgym

 

with the amazing trainers, Carissa, Justin, Tiffany, and Brandon.

 

Parker Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 25th

It is no secret that I know, and have become very good friends with the Mayor of Parker, Mr. David Casiano. We have partnered up for many events in the Parker community, which is really special to me because this is where I grew up and it is the town I represented before winning the title of Mrs. Colorado. Every year the town of Parker gathers for the annual tradition of lighting the Christmas lights in our town. There are vendors selling delicious treats and warm beverages, carolers singing, and friends and families gathering to celebrate. It is an honor to be invited as a guest to these events where I used to come as a child with my parents.

 

with David and my daughter Miale.

 

United Way

Turkey Trot

 

November 24th

United Way is an organization my family has supported for many years. My husband Billy and I have been running the annual United Way Turkey Trot since before we were even married. We now participate with our three little ones. Every year we get up early and head down to Washington Park for all the excitement. We usually run the 5k race, but this year we were asked as the "Royal Family" to lead the Family Fun Run. The kids thought it was pretty great that we were asked to come up front to the start line and be introduced. I thought it was pretty great that my two boys were 2nd and 3rd to cross the finish line. I was one proud mom.

 

with Tom the Turkey at the Start of the race.

Disabled racers kicked off the start of the 5K.

with my fabulous family ready to kick off the family fun run.

 

Ad Pages

November 20th

I have always loved working with Megan Anderson from Graphique Photography. She is the official photographer for the Mrs. Colorado pageant, but through the years we have become very close, and I respect her talents and treasure her friendship. I have been planning and preparing my final ad pages for some time and was looking forward to collaborating once again with her. It was just as I had hoped it would be and I look forward to sharing it with everyone in the 2012 pageant program book.

Parade and Tree Lighting

 

Southlands Mall

November 19th

I have mentioned before the importance of making and creating relationships. I believe that people are brought in and out of your life for reasons, some are meant to stay and others are only meant to pass through for a short time. I am in the eighth month of my reign and many of my current appearances have come about because of relationships or appearances I had done in the earlier part of my year. I have been invited back or met someone new at an event and they invited me to be a part of something they were creating, nonetheless here I am back at Southlands Mall. I was here in September judging the Project Style Fashion Show. Joyce, the event coordinator called and invited me to ride in the parade with the winner of the Project Style Fashion show, Karly. It was great seeing her again and it was nice to share another event with my family who cheered on the side as we rode by in our horse drawn carriage, after the Grinch but before Santa.

 

(Pictures to come soon)

Where in Colorado?

 

 

November 6th

This beautiful Sunday was spent with my best gal pal and booking agent, Becca Smith. I thought it would be fun to create an interactive game online to showcase some of Colorado's hot spots. We traveled around taking pictures all over town in front of well known places in Colorado and then planned on posting the pictures once a week for individuals to guess where I was. I have had so much fun each week posting and watching as people participate. Many of you really know Colorado!

 

Look for the next picture clue Wednesday, January 4th as we get back on track!

Brass Ring Luncheon

Children's Diabetic Foundation

November 1st

I have a few very special people in my life who live with Diabetes, which made attending this event that much more meaningful. From family to friends we all know of someone who lives with diabetes. Many people don't know, but it causes more deaths than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
I was thrilled to be invited by a close friend of mine, Karen Foos, to the Brass Ring luncheon which benefits the Children's Diabetes Foundation. Karen has a son who was diagnosed with diabetes at 9 years old, now in his mid 20's he has an insulin pump which helps regulate his blood glucose levels. She has worked closely with the Barbara Davis Center which helps nearly 6,000 children and young adults from all over the world receive diabetic care.
The event, which hosted 800 individuals, began with an amazing display of silent auction items. I was honored to help with the live auction by wearing a gorgeous $19,000 Amorist necklace and then asked to walk the runway, while the necklace was vigorously bid on by a few gentlemen in the audience who were obviously looking for that special gift. After, the fashion designer from Vancouver, RozeMerie Cuevas, brought an amazing line from her fall collection for the cat walk, which was all part of the entertainment for the afternoon. We also heard from a few key note speakers on the importance and need for this wonderful organization.

with my friend and date, Karen Foos

with Ed Greene, the emcee for the afternoon.

Walking the runway for the live auction. Notice the beautiful necklace!

with Judy McNeil, the president of The Guild and her husband Charlie.

Her Life Magazine

 

November 2011

When I first shot with Her Life Magazine last year through Donna Baldwin Talent, I had no way of knowing our lives would cross many more times throughout the year. I have been blessed with the connections I have made with many of the individuals who work for the magazine. My sister- in- law and her family have even graced the cover of the magazine, when they did an article on them about their decision to use in vitro fertilization. The magazine covered my Send Off party for Mrs. America in the May issue, and I was so excited they featured our Stop Child Trafficking race for the Scene and be Seen section which hit news stands in November. Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming issues in the new year, there just might be a fabulous advertisement for an organization which is really close to my heart.

 

Shooting for Her Life and advertising for Soignee Boutique

Playing around after the shoot.  This was just one week before leaving for Mrs. America.

My sister in law, Anne and her family on the cover.  It is a great story!

 

2nd Picture clue.
No one has guessed correctly, so I am adding another picture clue.  Good luck!

Picture Clue

Congratulations to Erin Feltes for guessing: Denver Art Museum

Where in Colorado,

is Mrs. Colorado?

We need to start making these picture clues a little harder

 because you guys seem to really know Colorado.

Good Luck!!

Picture Clue

Congratulations to all of you who guessed Union Station!!

Bill Morgan was our first to post his answer, he will be winning
two tickets to this year's Mrs. Colorado Pageant on February 25th.

Where in Colorado,

is Mrs. Colorado?

Where in Colorado,

is Mrs. Colorado?

 

 

Union Station

is the correct answer!!

Watch for the next photo clue tomorrow afternoon!!!



Let the Game Begin!

Where in Colorado,

is Mrs. Colorado?

 

Mrs. Colorado 2011, Janell Ames, has been on the move all over town- a local hot spot? a historical landmark? 

Do your best to place your guess - we will be posting every Wednesday- so be sure to check back to see if you are a winner.

Here are the rules:

-You must make your guess under the comments on the Mrs. Colorado blog. Guesses on facebook will not count.

-One guess per day per person.

-If no one has guessed correctly by Saturday we will give a clue.

-Some of the weeks will have a prize attached

 

Here is our first photo.

 

 

Shopping Day

October 28th 2011

Ok so I have to admit that although I had a great time meeting and hearing all about what the amazing titleholders are up to, I was slightly envious of the planning and excitement of pageant preparations. Don't get me wrong I love being on this side, but there is something so thrilling about preparing for competition and I am somewhat sad that I will never experience that again.

Now that I am done with my mini pity party I can share with you the benefits of being the "queen" at shopping day.

What an incredible group of women I was able to meet with on shopping day, some returners I had never met, some new, and some returners I have competed with in previous years. I am beyond the moon excited for each and everyone one of them.

The opening number dresses looked fabulous and with three different colors to chose from each lady could pick the perfect hue. I had the chance to help a few with their evening gowns, and talk with some of the new gals about pageant week. It was nice to be able to visit with Emily and Raeanne, the owner of Royal Image Boutique and Mrs. Colorado 2000.   Hearing about some of the surprises Emily has prepared for the big show makes being on this side even more exciting, and I still get to be a part of the coming events just on a different level. Looking forward to seeing all the gorgeous ladies at ticket sales and during pageant week.

 

with two of my queen sisters, Emily (2002) and Raeanne (2000) Emily is our State director and Raeanne owns Royal Image Boutique

Three current titleholders, Erin Feltes, Roni Bibb, Valentina Anderson

with Amy Austin Kramer, Valentia Anderson, and Erin Feltes

 

Breast Cancer Awareness

Martinis and Mammograms

October 27th 2011

October is breast cancer awareness month and this was a fabulous free event provided by SkyRidge Medical Hospital.

Self breast exams are extremely important, but making sure women see a doctor by the age of 40 to get a regular mammogram is even more essential, unless you have a family history in which case you should schedule them sooner.

Marlene Tendler, the current Mrs. Douglas County, invited Emily and I to this event because she works with Sky Ridge and she too wanted to help spread the word. Denise Plante was the emcee for the evening festivities where we could sip martinis and shop the vendor booths. I even won a pink logoed water bottle as a door prize. 

It is never to early to educate yourself on early detection.

 

Pictures to follow at a later date.

 

Children's Museum

 

October 19th 2011

Family Read

I have always loved going to the Children's Museum with my little ones, there is always so much to explore and they do a great job of creating new and exciting hands on exhibits. I was asked as a "mom" to come down and do a family unit read to the toddlers. We chose books about families and talked about the people who make up our families. It was fitting that my three children were able to come down so they could be introduced as individuals in my family. I think my kids had just as much fun as the toddlers.

 

with a few of the adorable children who came out for story time.

 

reading from a Todd Parr book, one of my favorite children's authors.

with my three little ones