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.

National Anthem Project Finale

I spent the better part of last week in Washington D. C., attending the final event of the National Anthem Project. Thursday's event at the Washington monument was a sight to see. From where I was standing (on stage with the Oakridge Boys), I experienced one of the most spectacular views...on the monument lawn stood over 5000 children from all over the United States singing the National Anthem. That very moment made every ounce of work put into the project worth it. I had the chance to catch up, even if only briefly, with other titleholders who were in attendance. I think we all signed over 1000 autographs that day!

On Friday, Mrs. Michigan 2007, Laura Loveberry, her husband Mark, my mother-in-law, Marcia and I had the pleasure of taking a private tour around town to many of the national monuments. At each stop, I spent time speaking to folks gathered, listening to the concerts taking place, and taking pictures with people from all of the country and world who were visiting our nation's capitol.

Friday evening, we attended the Marine Barracks Commandant's Reception and Sunset Parade. I had the opportunity to speak with Congressman Poe of Texas and others about the National Anthem Project. The parade was amazing!

I spent Saturday at the DCI Summer Music Season kick-off, presenting awards on the field, announcing the official "Let the 2007 Music Season Begin," and enjoying the show in the skybox with others.

with Dr. Mahlmann, MENC Executive Director

with David and Elaine

with Marines outside the barracks

with Marcia

with Patty (Mrs. Maryland '06), Laura (Mrs. Michigan '07), Danielle (Mrs. Indiana '07)

with Victoria (Mrs. Nevada '06), Christina (Mrs. New Jersey '06), and Patty

with Marcia

speaking about the National Anthem Project

at the WWII Memorial

Stadium Stampede

The Stadium Stampede is a community family event featuring a 5K run, a 5K walk, a 1K kids fun run, and the Huff & Puff 1K Challenge to raise money for the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation. The course for all events goes through the Denver Broncos' INVESCO Field at Mile High and participants can see themselves on Thundervision, the giant video screen. This is the beginning of the 1K kids fun run, and I gave all of our runners some words of encouragement over the loud speaker just before they took off.Pictured above with one of the volunteers who helped out tremendously during the Stadium Stampede.

Pictured with two happy little runners!

Pictured above with two of the huff and puffers that finished the race!

Ft. Carson Army Birthday Ball

Since its establishment on June 14, 1775 the United States Army has played a vital role in the growth and development of our nation. I was proud to be a VIP guest at Ft. Carson's 232nd Army Birthday Ball. I'm pictured above with Major General Robert W. Mixon, Jr., the Commanding General of Division West at Ft. Carson.

Nathan and I enjoyed getting to know our Mayor of Colorado Springs, Lionel Rivera, and his lovely wife Lynn at the Army's birthday party.

Ladies' Nite Out

I was honored to be a guest at the first annual Ladies Nite Out in Colorado Springs at the Sheraton Hotel on Thursday, June 14, 2007. Ladies Nite Out offers women an evening of discovery, learning, and just plain fun. Myself and many other ladies enjoyed a gala evening of entertainment, food, products and services especially geared for today's woman. I'm pictured above with Bobby from Sensational Sounds DJ Service.

Michiele Stapleton, Mrs. Colorado Springs 2007, also joined me in the fun. We're pictured with Corey from Sensational Sounds.

Corinne Wymann-Solano, President and Designer from Aleks Pret-a-Porter, Inc., asked me to wear one of her custom designed necklaces during the night to show off her work.

Corey from Sensational Sounds thought it might be fun to trade hats for a while! I decided I liked mine better and made him give it back :)

Media at Miss Nebraska Pageant

I joined Jennifer Bradley, Mrs. Nebraska 2006 at the Miss Nebraska Pageant on Saturday, June 9th. We met with local papers and television media to talk about our "Mrs" pageant experience and to promote upcoming events such as the final National Anthem Project celebration in D.C. and the 2007 Mrs. Nebraska Pageant June 30th.

Sunday, June 10th North Platte Telegraph article http://www.nptelegraph.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18454793&BRD=377&PAG=461&dept_id=602468&rfi=6

Tuesday, June 12th North Platte Telegraph article about the National Anthem Project

http://www.nptelegraph.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=18460394&BRD=377&PAG=461&dept_id=601696&rfi=8

with Mrs. Nebraska group

with Ashley Bauer, Miss Nebraska 2007

Colorado State H.O.G. Rally

Each year the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) holds their state rally for their members to get together and have fun riding while showing off their bikes. As a Harley rider myself, I enjoyed handing out awards at their awards ceremony this past Saturday night in Colorado Springs. I'm pictured above with my bodyguards for the night, which would be my husband Nathan, and our friends Jerry and Sam.

Pictured above with Regional Manager, John Schmidt, from the Harley-Davidson Corporation.

Le Vian in Las Vegas

Jewelers from all over the world took part in the JCK event last week, so I traveled to Las Vegas on behalf of Le Vian. Saturday night, I caught up with Diane Tucker, Mrs. World 2007, Victoria Broz, Mrs. Nevada 2006, and her friend Kelly. I still can't get over the incredible food we enjoyed at Strip Steak!

During the Le Vian Fashion Show, I interviewed participants, buyers and friends of Le Vian on the "Red Carpet," live on Le Vian Television. This year's Le Vian event showcased the new chocolate diamonds, which I had the privilege of also modeling. Diane, Julie Love-Templeton, Mrs. America 2005 and I also wore designer gowns from Junko Yoshioka. I joined Eddie Le Vian at the Jewelers for Children benefit dinner in the evening at the Bellagio, spending time talking with Le Vian, COO Vin Vajjhala and others.

with Eddie Le Vian

with fashion designer, Junko Yoshioka

with Kelly, Victoria and Diane

with Diane

with Julie after make up and hair

Gov. Ritter Signs Senate Bill 146

Pictured above with Sen. John Morse who initiated Senate Bill 146, which establishes a pilot program in the Pikes Peak region to offer low-cost mental health services to family members of recently discharged veterans. Veterans can receive such care through the Veterans Administration, but their families cannot. This bill allows families, for a $20 co-pay, to tap into services paid for through a special $300,000 fund.

Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter came to the Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs to sign four bills that were all of interest to the military community. The bills signed today will help service members and families who have endured the Iraq and Afghanistan war.