My First Trip up North at Lake Mille Lacs!

Last week my husband and I and a bunch of our friends decided to rent a house up north in Onamia, MN on Lake Mille Lacs for a few days. It was my first trip up north so I wasn't sure what to expect. I began packing like I was going to the Caribbean and didn't realize that the temperatures there are at least 10 degrees colder, especially at night. We had a beautiful house right on the water with our own dock for fishing and boating. I was amazed that you couldn't see across the lake! It reminded me of the Atlantic ocean. So the first day we decided to do some fishing and let's just say the beginning for me was a challenge on throwing the line. I ended up catching the hook onto my husbands knee, then after that I caught a huge log. But after a few swings, I got the hang of it and I actually enjoyed it. I was so close to catching 2 big fish within 2 days but I didn't know how to hook the fish quick enough so I was losing them. I was determined though to catch something before I left.





So, two days later we decided to go on a fishing launch which I had no idea how big or small the boat was going to be and to my surprise it was a good size. Here I am on Terry's Boat, we decided to do the 8pm-12midnight fishing. It was a great time, we packed up tons of sandwiches, drinks, chips, and snacks. So many hours went by, my husband caught 3 fish, my girlfriend caught 1, her boyfriend caught nothing and I was at zero.









Here I am getting ready for the fishing launch!

So we began our fishing journey and the sunset was just gorgeous that evening. At this point, 4 hours was coming to an end and after many sandwiches, chips, and a whatchamacallit bar, I was not about to give up. The boat began to move and I was the last person to pull up my fishing rod when all of a sudden I felt a tug and I hooked the fish just right and began reeling it in! It was 2 minutes before midnight and I had caught the last fish of the night, a 20 1/4 inch walleye!! The guy that helped put it into a net wanted me to hold it, but I screamed and said "no way, I think I will just touch it with my hand". Unfortunately, I had to let the fish go because you cannot keep a fish that is over 20 inches. The law is the fish has to be under 20 inches or over 28 inches, so we let it go.







Here I am with my walleye!



All in all, it was a great time. Below are some more fun pic's for you to enjoy!

Husband Sam, with his walleye!

Mrs. Minnesota America Coronation Party!

After the pageant everyone was invited to attend the Mrs. Minnesota America coronation party which was held at the Embassy Suites hotel. It was SUCH a blast to finally get to talk to everyone and take some great pictures. I was talking and taking so many pictures that I didn't have enough time time eat anything. After the party was over which ended around 2am, I finally got into my room, grabbed a handful of some goodies that I had brought with me, Goldfish and Oreo cookies :) and ate them like they were the best thing I had ever seen! Thank you to everyone who attended the party that evening.

Pictured Above:
Friends Ann Marie Moore Miss Minnesota USA 2001, Sarah Moses owner of Michaels Pageant Shop, Me, and Holly Ernst Mrs. Minnesota America 2006.

Ann Marie Moore Miss Minnesota USA 2001 and me

Me & Sarah Tichich Mrs Minnesota United States 2007

Mrs. Minnesota Pre-Pageant Events 2007

A few months before the pageant we attended a few pre-pageant events that are always so much fun because you get to meet all the wonderful ladies who are competing and a time to make new friends. Here is the first party on Saturday, April 28th at the best pageant shopping place around Michael's Pageant shop owned by Sarah Moses. Sarah was so nice in hosting such a fun party where all the contestants met for the first time.
The next weekend on Sunday, May 6th Panera Bread was nice enough to host a Sunday brunch for all of us. As we all know, Panera has some of the best soups, sandwiches, and desserts around! On May 12th we had one of my favorite events, attending the Twins game. It was great sitting in the stands with our banners on as we watched Holly Ernst, Mrs. Minnesota America 2006 throw out the first pitch! Great throw Holly! As we all ate our hot dogs and peanuts we watched a great game of baseball. The next day was the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walk at the Mall of America which always has a huge turnout, I think this year there were 50,000 people attending. On May 17th the Xtension Generation salon held a party for us where we could all try on hair extensions. That was really fun and I think we all liked how our hair looked, full of volume!
As time got closer to the big pageant weekend, the last event was on May 19th at the 2nd Annual Big Cocktail Party for all the contestants and their spouses. Wow, what a great night, the food was fantastic, anywhere from shrimp cocktail to a large chocolate fountain fondue station! I realized at that time that this was it, no more events to attend and I was a little bummed out about it because I had made so many friends and we were having a great time.
Then came June 1st, the big Mandatory Rehearsal where we practiced our opening dance routine, walking in swimsuit and evening gown. When we finally couldn't feel our toes anymore from those 5 inch heels, we had a break for dinner and everyone brought in some fantastic food to share! The events leading up to the big pageant weekend is something I would never miss and they are soooo much fun. I am so glad to have met all 13 of these wonderful, intelligent, and beautiful women. I feel like I have made friends for a lifetime!

Panera Bread Brunch in Eagan














Xtension Generation Party!














Katie Thiry, Me, Wendi Russo, Dessi Urban

Me, Shonna Ochu,Holly Ernst Mrs. MN 2006, & Wendi Russo



2nd Annual Couples Cocktail Party! Group shot with Holly Ernst, Mrs. MN 2006

June 1st, Rehearsal Night!

Pageant Weekend Arrives! June 8th & 9th at the Embassy Suites hotel & Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, MN

What a weekend this has been! Friday, June 8th we had prelim's competing in interview and swimsuit and that was a wild day I think for all of us. Saturday, June 9th was the day we all were waiting for, the Mrs. Minnesota-America pageant! We had a fantastic opening number and danced to "I'm Lookin' for Something" from the Dreamgirls soundtrack. We were all dressed in beautiful white cocktail dresses and we all look like stars of some big broadway show!


After we competed in Costume which each girl chose what she wanted to represent, I chose the famous Mall of America and won Best Costume that evening.











































Next was the swimsuit competition, I think for most of us it felt weird parading around in a bikini in front of 800 people but we pulled it off. Lyndsey K. won the swimsuit award that evening, Congrats Lindsey!!

Finally the Evening Gown competition arrived and all of us looked gorgeous, there were SO many beautiful gowns to chose from and everyone looked fabulous! This is one of my favorite parts of the competition because you really get to show your style and grace on stage. I couldn't believe it when I won Best Evening Gown! There were so many dresses their that I would of LOVED to have worn.




Me, Nichoel Richards, & Katie Thiry backstage!






Then the moment we all waited for, the announcement of the top 5. They were Katie Thiry, Lyndsey Kurhajetz, Nichoel Richards, Tina Godes, and myself. We were all rushed to the side of the stage where we were each given big headphones to place on our ears as we listened to a very loud and almost ear ringing "Glamourous" by Fergie. We each got a chance to answer the same question (which at this moment I couldn't even tell you what it was since it's still all a blur). After we answered our question, Mrs. Iowa and Mrs. Wisconsin was chosen and then it was time for Mrs. Minnesota. In fourth place, Katie Thiry who also received the "Mrs. Congeniality" award, Way to Go Katie!! 3rd runner-up was Nichoel Richards, 2nd runner-up was Tina Godes, and then it was between myself and Lyndsey Kurhajetz. I remember Lyndsey wishing me good luck if I won and me wishing her the same. Then when I didn't hear my name I was in complete shock, I wasn't sure if it was really real, it all seemed like a dream and for a split second I couldn't hear anything except for Holly saying "hears your banner and there is your husband"! I went to hug my husband Sam and he picked me up and twirled me around and I felt like I was 5 feet off the ground and he said how proud he was of me. That was one of the most special moments in my life.




Newly crowned Mrs. Wisconsin, Me, & Mrs. Iowa








Me, Sarah Moses owner of Michaels Pageant Shop, & Holly Ernst Mrs. Minnesota America 2006



































Me & Dessie Urban