First Mrs. Washington Rehearsal

Thank you Lakewood YMCA and Carla Richards, Mrs. Washington 2010, for hosting the first opening number rehearsal.  It was really nice to see everyone and learn some amazing choreography thanks to our fearless leader and pageant director Pam Curnel.  Hope to see everyone at the pageant on November 19th it will be an amazing event. 

September 23rd ValleyFest Hearts of Gold Parade

Friday night I was able to ride in the Hearts of Gold Parade kicking of ValleyFest 2011 in Spokane Valley.  The people and weather were amazing.  I was joined by Mrs. Spokane County, Amy Clark, on the back of a Eclipse thanks to the Appleway Auto Group.  Thank you to all the volunteers and parade goers who made this evening possible.

Big Brothers & Big Sisters Bowl for Kid's Sterling Style

I was joined by fellow Sterling Savings Bank employees as we played hookey from work and went bowling to benefit Big Brothers & Big Sisters.  Fun was had by all ~ even those on my team who suffered through my double digit bowling average.

Cobra Classic for Ronald McDonald House

This memorable Sunday was full of celebration, remembrance, amazing hats and some beautiful polo ponies as Ronald McDonald House celebrated the 7th annual Cobra Polo Classic.  I was blessed to to help out at the event and witness Spokane at its finest.

The day started with a memorable tribute to 9/11 and included skydivers holding banners of children who had stayed at the house during their battle with cancer.  I was able to witness my first polo match and help serve champagne to all during the stomping of the divots.  For all of this I have only word AMAZING.

Thank you to Ronald McDonald House for allowing me to be part of this amazing day!





Leslie and I working the silent auction tent




Getting ready to serve during the 'stomping of the divots'



Match in progress

Moses Lake Fashion Show

Walmart in Moses Lake was the venue for a recent back to school fashion show to benefit Children's Miracle Network.  I was lucky enough to be joined by several other Mrs. Washington contestants and their daughters.  Amy Evers (Mrs. Pierce County), Tiffany Carvo (Mrs. Moses Lake), and Amy Clark (Mrs. Spokane County) with their daughters modeled the latest back to school fashions.  My daughter Haley helped me at the face painting station creating a true mom/daughter event.  Pam Curnel served as MC and was truly amazing!  Fun was had by all as we raffled a BBQ with all proceeds going to Children's Miracle Network.  Thank you Walmart and Mrs. Washington team for making this a memorable Saturday afternoon.

Getting ready for the show!

Haley hard at work

Amy Evers, Mrs. Pierce County

Concentrating on a basketball design

Grant County Fair

Had a wonderful Saturday afternoon visiting the Grant County Fair with the Mrs. Washington posse and my family.  Everytime we get together I realize how much fun it is to catch up ~ amazing group of women.  We met some great folks from Moses Lake and visited amazing animals.  Got to pet bunnies, snuggle with a few lambs, visit some local award winners, and hit the rides.  A complete day in the sun with great people.  


Mrs. Washington, Lisa Bluhm




FFA Grand Champion and a Spokane connection ~ Kelsey Kasparek




Mrs. Washington posse along with the Little Miss Royalty




An incredibly soft bunny




Royalty on a ferris wheel













After leaving the fair we hit Michael's for a quick bite to eat with Moses Lake family before hitting the road.  Amazing service, food, and atmosphere.  Thank you Moses Lake for an amazing Saturday!



Michael's on the Lake



Unity in the Community

Amazing evening last night helping out with setup for the event today.  Tons of fun in the heat with a fellow Sterling employee, Dan, and other local community members.  Unity in the Community is truly a celebration of the many cultures that make up our Spokane community.  Thanks to Jim for doing his best to herd all of the cats.  In addition to the many adult volunteers it was wonderful to see the large contigency of young future leaders with their clipboards and take charge attitude. 

My only regret is not being able to see the event today especially the completed tipi thanks to our own Spokane tribe.  Listening to the tribal member in charge of construction was truly a blessing.  Each piece of the structure was created using materials from the Spokane area cured in the same manner used for decades.  The pictures truly do not do it justice.  I urge you to take just a few hours to visit the event. 

Creating the cover

Tipi

Dan and me ~ did I mention it was very hot!