Qcumbers with the girls!

We had a chance to meet up with the other ladies at Qcumbers in Edina to catch up and talk about the upcoming pageant.  It was fun to see how the others are doing and how their preparations are coming. Having been through this before it was fun to offer some insight to the weekend and other issues they may have questions about.
Two other former queens were there which were fun to see as well! I can't wait until the pageant to see how all of the hard work pays off!

Feed our Starving Children

We all joined at Calvery Luthern Church in Golden Valley to put together bags of soup which will be shipped to Haiti. We created 28,944 bags of soup which consist of rice, soy, chicken flavor and dehydrated vegetables.  When the food arrives they simply boil water and the soup provides nutrious meals for 6 and only cost about $1.15 to produce!
For more information on the organization or to volunteer please visit http://www.fmsc.org/

Another volunteer and I at the prep station scrubbing up!

Ooh La La

Ooh La La is a fashion boutique downtown Excelsior, MN and it is my FAVORITE place to shop when I need fun accessories and clothes for myself or gifts for others. I have had the opportunity to get to know the owner Connie over the years so she calls me whenever she needs a favor. She wanted to showcase some of her new arrivals in the store and I was more than happy to help! I highly recommend stopping in to say "hi," to Connie and to shop!! Then hit up some of the great restaurants Excelsior has to offer.
Be sure to find Ohh La La on Facebook as well!

The signature shirt!! SO comfortable to wear!

They have a lot of things with crowns on them.

 Jackets with stones and prints come in a variety of styles

Myself with the owner Connie

Mrs Minneapolis sporting the MN Twins shirt..in rhinestones of course!

They have great funky hats there too!

Banner Presentation in Excelsior

I went to Excelsior, MN to support my fellow contestant Elizabeth Hopfenspirger, Mrs Excelsior International 2011, for her official banner presentation by the Mayor of Excelsior, Nick Ruehl. With her was her husband Mike and adorable son Evan. (hes good at silly faces!) Elizabeth is a wonderful person and I am so happy to be on this journey with her. Excelsior can be proud now to have such a great representative in the Mrs Minnesota International pageant!!!

Myself, Elizabeth Hopfenspirger Mrs Excelsior 2011, and community member Natalie Hagemo (Mrs Excelsior 2008)

I was given a chance to speak on my platform as well. How generous!!!

Happy Holidays!

I attended the first annual Meet and greet Holiday Party hosted by Pageants Unlimited. It was an excellent opportunity to meet other contestants and people involved behind the scenes in the pageant. Everyone in the family was invited and my daughter, Hopkins Raspberry Festival Jr. Queen, loves to come to the "big girl" events. She is especially in love with my coach Cheri Kennedy.

All of the Mrs. MN International contestants attending the party

Kelsy, Claire my daughter, and Miss Teen MN International Jenna O'Rourke

Myself and Cheri Kennedy, my coach

Miss Teen Minnesota International Jenna O'Rourke and myself

In front of the Christmass tree!

Augsburg College Finals Break!

It's that time of year....finals for college students! I was asked to help at Augsburg College for "breakfast at night" study break where all of the students could come and get pancakes, hashbrowns, eggs, etc before going back to hit the books! Everyone was so grateful for us coming out so late (10pm-midnight) to support them in their study efforts.

We are ready!!

The students taking a break to grab some food.

 Paul Pribbenow, the president of the college, and I after our shift.

ND International Pageant

This is the 2nd year my friends and I have driven to Fargo, ND for the weekend to support the women of North Dakota who were competing for their titles of Teen, Miss and Mrs North Dakota International. A girls weekend away is always fun and a bit adventurous!!

We almost ran out of gas but made it to this gas station where they also sold bait. We all got a kick out of it and the store patrons thought we were odd I'm sure for taking pictures of fish.

At the pageant we stopped to take a photo with Paula Preston, the official photographer. She is also the photographer of the MN pageant. She is awesome!!

After the pageant we all went to Grazzi's for the after pageant celebration where more awards were announced. Carolina Reyes, Miss Minnesota International 2010, was one of the judges as well as Tina Monosmith, Miss Minnesota International 2008. Minnesota was representing!