From Vegas to the Bahamas!

Michele with Susan Hollins (Sarah's Mother) before finals night.

Susan and Ron Hollins before finals

The Nebraska cheering section
(L-R) Ron, Michael, Susan, Andrew, Nick, Jeff Allgood, and Michele

Michele with Micheal Hollins - and yes that is his real hair. You only get one guess on who did better in the beer drinking contest?

As you can tell, I am practically choking on my BUD HEAVY - but everyone else seems to be doing just fine.

Michele with "Action" who was our tour guide. This was a quick stop at Senor Frogs for some Nachos. Check out Action's T-Shirt - he made me one just like it! I am soooo lucky :)

Action called me "sugar lips" and "princess" all day - too funny. In this pic, he was trying to pose like a beauty queen...

August 2, 2009 - I am finally home from my whirlwind of travel. After spending over a week in Las Vegas for the the Mrs. US Pageant, I had a couple of days to regroup in Omaha. Then it was off to the Bahamas for the Miss Teen USA pageant. I feel like I have been gone for the past month, but I can say I had a fantastic time at both events. In addition to that, Colin took the kids along with him on a work/vacation trip to Calgary for about 10 days in early July so I really feel like I have been without all of them for close to a month. I am looking forward to getting back to a regular routine.

The reason for the trip to the Bahamas was to be with Sarah Hollins, Miss Teen Nebraska USA, who was competing for the title of Miss Teen USA. I had so much fun staying with her family and lounging on the beach. And the most fun was cheering Sarah on.

Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of Sarah yet since she was swamped with rehearsals and pre-pageant activities. I am hoping to get some pictures of her posted that she took with her own camera during her preparations.

As you can see from the pictures that I did take, I participated in many activities throughout the week - and most of them were a little out of my element. Isn't trying new things what you do on vacation? The beer drinking contest was especially interesting given the fact that I don't even drink beer - never mind chugging it! I kind of got roped into that one! Needless to say, I was dead last in that contest. In fact, I didn't even finish a quarter of my drink, but it was worth some good laughs!

One of the other days, we had a private boat tour with a guide that goes by the name "Action". He took us anywhere we wanted to go. Action Jackson was a character to say the least and is known throughout the island. He even had the word "ACTION" shaved into the back of his head. Apparently, he is known as the Limbo King throughout the island and he eventually demonstrated his skill by wiggling underneath a flaming bar that was set at 1 foot off the ground - it was incredible. Our first stop on Action's tour was Rose Island. We were the only people on the island and the sand was pink - yes pink. I spent most of the day laying on the beach eating coconuts and watching the group snorkel. Snorkeling is not my cup of tea because of a fish phobia - I know very silly. Then it was off to Senor frogs to refuel. We finished the day off at another deserted island that was covered with HUGE sea shells. I could have brought back thousands of them for the kids, but I figured I could only fit 2 in the suit cases. Why would I have two 50 pound bags to visit the beach? One would think that you only need a swimsuit and flip flops?

Finals in Vegas

Custom Sherri Hill gown from the Winning Crown Boutique

With Cindy Mowery - she is one of my great friends and golf league partner

With Nici - best friends since 5th grade. Nici did my hair and did an awesome job!

With my husband Colin

With my parents Chuck and Pat

With Jodi who came all the way from New Jersey

Cindy, me, Jodi, and Nici after finals

After the competition, Colin checked us into the Paris Hotel for a couple of nights.

This was the first view from the room looking down at the "Arc de Triomphe" and then down the Vegas strip. If the condos under construction across the street look like they are leaning, it is because they are. The plan for them is to be built at a 7 degree angle to the strip below - what a view that would be.

The other view - looking at the "Eiffel Tower" and then across Las Vegas Boulevard with the fountains of the Bellagio and Caesars in the background.

Me and Cindy at Tryst - the nightclub at the Wynn Hotel. This is quite the place to see if you ever get the opportunity to go while in Las Vegas. It has a beautiful walkway/patio just off the dancefloor where the backdrop is a waterfall that is about 100' high.

Giant Slots = Giant Payout? Nope - unfortunately my luck was no different than it was on the regular slots

Before the final production number in our red dresses

Nici Bravo (my best friend and stylist) put me together and did a fantastic job!

July 23, 2009 - Tonight was the finals for the Mrs. US pageant. After spending a week with this group, I have to say what an elite group of women this was - and all of them had amazing stories. On top of that, they all looked fantastic and had outstanding bodies! I am honored to have been associated with each of these competitors and and very fortunate to have been named to the Top 12. I would like to congratulate all of the ladies on a fantastic week - it was wonderful getting to know all of you. I would also like to acknowledge the others in the Top 12 (CA, FL, HI, MO, NC, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WY) and congratulate the finalists too (4th RU-Missouri, 3rd RU-Florida, 2nd RU-Texas, 1st RU-Wyoming). And of course, all my best to the winner from South Carolina - Mrs. Tammy Johns-Brown.

I would also like to say how very blessed I have been to have had the support and encouragement from my family, friends, and sponsors. I appreciate how this group has believed in me every step of the way.

I hope you have enjoyed all the pictures from the event. It was so much fun being a part of this event and it was certainly an experience I will never forget. Most importantly, I know I have made some new good friends.

Interview!

Just before interview

Nici is getting me ready for interview

July 21, 2009 - Tonight was interview with a panel of 5 judges. The entire interview was very quick - only 3 minutes. In order to maximize my time with the group of judges, I really had to be quick and concise with what I wanted to say. Nevertheless, I think it went really well. And I can say that at the very least I had a great time and it surprisingly did not feel overly stressful!

Swimsuit Shoot & Tour of Vegas

White suits...

My Neighbor state

Red, White and Blue

Some of my favorite gals

More white...

Not sure why I am holding his hand... :)

On the bus...

July 21, 2009 - Last night was a really fun night because we were able to get out of our hotel and hit the town a little bit. We drove down the strip and landed at Caesar's Palace for some shopping. Nikki (my roommate) and I went to Spago and had an awesome dinner!

Today we had the traditional swimsuit photo shoot. We were down at the pool bright and early for some individual pictures as well as the group shot.

Registration and Dinner

Gretchen and I competed together at Mrs. America in 2007...So nice to see her again!

Mrs. Tennessee, Mrs. Nebraska, and Mrs. Louisiana

New Hampshire, Mrs. Iowa, Mrs. Tennessee,Mrs. Alabama, Mrs. Nebraska, Mrs. Guam

Mrs. Iowa and Mrs. Nebraska

Nikki and I before dinner

Mrs. Nebraska and Mrs. Alaska

Mrs. Iowa, Mrs. Tennessee, Mrs. Nebraska, and Mrs. North Carolina

July 19, 2009 - Finally...everything has begun. Today we had registration and a nice dinner with all of the delegates. I have had a chance to meet almost everyone and it's been so much fun getting to know them better.

Las Vegas!

Family Picture :)

July 18, 2009 - I made it to Las Vegas! You have to love this city because of the excitement that is in the air everywhere! I was able to get settled in tonight and now I can relax a little bit prior to the formal registration tomorrow. However, the day got off to a shaky start when I tripped over a suitcase in the bedroom and dislocated my pinky toe. It think it may be broken and it has turned many shades of purple, but I think I am going to live.... :).

Earlier today when my family dropped me off at the airport, they were showering me with kisses and well wishes. As I was leaving, Ethan was yelling in the airport, "bring home the crown"! Pretty smart for a 4 year old I'd have to say.

I can't wait to start meeting all the lovely ladies and I am also very excited for the start of the pageant.

Mrs. Nebraska Silent Auction

Catching a hug and photo with my 5 year old daughter Emma

Alongside my husband Colin

My Dad Chuck

Katie and Brittany Jeffers, Miss Nebraska 2009

With our neighbor Katie

With Rachel Seidel

With Madison and Emma

Fawnia, Best friend and Owner of Rumor's Hair Studio in Lincoln

With Shelly Keene (former Mrs. Nebraska Contestant)

Michele with Brittany Jeffers

Brittany and Emma

June 28, 2009 - Tonight was the Mrs. Nebraska US Silent Auction held at the Winning Crown Boutique. I am so blessed to have had so many awesome items donated for the auction by friends, family, and local businesses. I was fortunate to have so many of my friends and family in attendance including my dad. Thank you to all those who attended and helped out with the day. On the other hand, my mother broke both arms and sprained her ankle a few weeks ago and was not able to make the trip. It just didn't seem right not having her there! I hope she gets better soon so she doesn't miss out on more fun events!