Crowning Little Miss Idlewild 2011!

On June 3, Grace Jeong was crowned Little Miss Idlewild 2011! This year her mother bid the highest amount to win a visit from not only one, but two Mrs. Washingtons! Lisa Bluhm, Mrs. Washington 2011 and myself, Mrs. Washington 2010 had the honor of being special guests at Idlewild Elementary to crown Grace - what a sweet girl! The visit included a pizza party for Grace's classmates which included root beer floats and more treats. We also had a blast playing Bingo and giving out prizes to the winners! I have sponsored this event for 5 years now - what fun it was to be able to come back this years as Mrs. Washington 2010!

Moses Lake Memorial Day Parade

Our truck is decorated and ready to go!
Little Miss Washington 2010 and local Moses Lake Princess's
2012 Contestants before the parade
Getting ready to roll!

What a great crowd!
What a fabulous time! I just loved sharing this experience with my sister Queen Lisa!

McCosh Park Before the Parade

Mrs. Washington 2010 and Mrs. Washington 2011
Posing with local beauties before the parade in McCosh Park.

Thank You Sporty's!

Posing with Paul and Chantel at Sporty's! These bears were named after the owner's of Sporty's Bar and Grill who are gracious sponsors of the Mrs. Washington Pageant. They were auctioned off to raise money for the Moses Lake Food Bank.

Meet and Greet at McCosh Park

Gathering for "Meet and Greet" at McCosh Park, Moses Lake
Mrs. Seattle, Tamara Deporter, being entertained by the amazing magician Jeff Evans!

Mrs. Washington 2010 (myself) and 2011(Lisa Bluhm) and our 2012 Mrs. Washington Contestants with Jeff Evans the Magician. He really is the best magician I have ever seen in action at such a close range.

Could not pass up on the opportunity to pose as Biker Chicks!
Mrs. Seattle (Tamara Deporter), myself, and Mrs. Moses Lake (Tiffany Carvo) getting ready for the Trampoline Bungee Jump!

What a blast!

Annual Moses Lake Lip Sync Contest Performance!

The 2012 Mrs. Washington Pageant Contestants waiting for the Lip Sync Contest to begin. It was absolutely freezing that night! As you can see we are huddled close and wearing our coats.

 Making sure our beach balls are pumped up and full of air. Wow, look at the crowd behind me - this is the largest community event of the year for Moses Lake.

 The Amphitheater where we perform every year in front of thousands of people!
Lisa Bluhm, Mrs. Washington 2011, speaking to the audience after being one of the judges for the evening.
 I just love this picture of our Director Pam Curnel and I doing the back stroke. We both love to dance!
Our Director Pam Curnel made all of the costumes as well as choreographed the dance routine for this performance. She did a fantastic job in having us represent the 70's here. Watch out Tina Turner - Pam is in the house!
Our Director Pam Curnel, myself, Pam's daughter Melissa, the Little Miss Washington Queens and the 2012 Mrs. Washington Pageant Contestants striking our end pose.  The crowd went wild!

A Royal Welcome! Memorial Day Weekend 2011 in Moses Lake.

 Well, it's that time of year for the reigning Queen to go back to Moses Lake (where she was crowned) for the annual Memorial Day Festivities to include the Lip Sync Contest Performance, Meet and Greet at McChosh Park and of course the Memorial Day Parade. As you can see, both Lisa Bluhm (Mrs. Washington 2011) and myself got a Royal Welcome from our wonderful Director as she opened up her home and turned it into a Resort just for us! We were spoiled with gifts galore! We are blessed! Since the state pageant was early this year, we got to both be apart of this fun weekend - honestly it was so much more meaningful to share this experience with my Queen sister rather than ride solo!
 Mrs. Washington 2010 - Carla Richards
Mrs. Washington 2011 - Lisa Bluhm

Chris Elliott Fund Auction

 On May 26, my successor Mrs. Washington 2011 Lisa Bluhm and I volunteered at the registration table during the Annual Chris Elliot Fund Auction to raise money for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research.
 We are honored to support our dear friend Tamara Deporter, Mrs. Seattle, who serves on the Board of Directors for the Chris Elliot Foundation in memory of one of her dear friends who lost his battle to this terrible disease years ago. We are so proud of Tamara for making the most of her platform and title to help find a cure to end brain cancer.
This is what the Mrs. Washington Pageant is all about.....Making a Difference!

Last Rehearsal! Thank You Lakewood YMCA!

On May 22 we had our last dance rehearsal before our big Memorial Day Weekend performance in Moses Lake. A huge THANK YOU goes out to the Lakewood YMCA for sponsoring a place for us to practice!

Welcome Home Lisa!

On April 23, the Mrs. Washington Pageant Family had a Welcome Home Party for our beautiful newly crowned Mrs. Washington 2011, Lisa Bluhm. She did a great job representing us at Mrs. America! We are so proud of our Queen! After the party, we then had to get back to work to rehearsing for our upcoming dance performance to be held at the Annual Moses Lake Lip Sync Contest during Memorial Weekend.

April Rehearsal

While our Mrs. Washington 2011 - Lisa Bluhm - was representing us at Mrs. America we still had work to do at home. Above is a picture of some of the current Mrs. Washington 2012 contestants and I practicing for the upcoming Lip Sync Contest held in Moses Lake during Memorial Weekend.

Idlewild Elementary School Auction

On Friday, April 29th I had the honor of being "Vanna White" for the anuual Idlewild Elementary School Auction Roundup. It was so great to come back as Mrs. Washington 2010 this year!

With our beautiful Emcee Holly Bocchi (a.k.a. Jesse!) getting ready to auction of " Miss Idlewild 2011"! This is always a popular item to bid on as Mrs. Washington herself comes to Idlewild School in person to crown the lucky girl. Also included is a pizza party, bingo and prizes for her classmates as well! This year the winner will have both Mrs. Washington 2010 (myself) and Mrs. Washington 2011 (Lisa Bluhm) come to crown her Miss Idlewild 2011!   

 Tempting the audience with a scrumptious dessert!
 With my faithful friend and fellow Cub Scout Leader Jane Starr!
With another dear friend and fellow PTA mom Darlene!

Visiting Lakeview Hope Academy

On Friday, April 29th I had the pleasure of visiting Lakeview Hope Academy during their school awards assembly.

My son Cody and I with Lakeview Hope Academy's Principal Michael Auton. 

 
During the school assembly I had the opportunity to share my platform "Embracing the Special Needs Child" along with promoting Music Education.

Kenny Receiving Recognition as WA/OR TS Youth Amabassador

Friday, April 29 Kenny received recognition at his school assembly for being chosen as the Washington/Oregon Tourette Syndrome Youth Ambassador.

From left: Moureen David, principal of Hudtloff Middle School; David Paul, assistant principal, Todd Henry, Chair/President of the Washington/Oregon Chapter Tourette Syndrome Association, and Kenny Richards, center. Henry presented Richards with a leadership award for his work with the Tourette Syndrome Association.

Cody Earns His Bear Badge!

This last May Cody earned his Bear Badge in Cub Scouts! Scouts has been an amazing confidence builder for Cody and has taught him valuable life skills that are not taught in schools these days. Despite his diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (PDD-NOS) he has accomplished so much thanks to Cub Scouts!

Cody presenting me with the Bear Parent Pin.

 
Cody - my adorable Bear Cub!

2011 All American Girl Washington State Pageant

In April, I had the honor of being the Emcee for the 2011 All American Girl Washington State Pageant which was held at the Everett Holiday Inn. What made my time here so special was the fact that it was at this very hotel that I competed in my very first pageant (Washington Miss American Coed Pageant) 25 years ago!


2010 All American Girl Washington State Royalty

With Lisa Williams - All American Girl National Director - having a blast with the girls at the notorious "Pink Party"!


With Linda Elledge - 2010 Ms. Ameircan Renaissance Classic!



Nothing a devoted Pageant Dad won't do to be the life of the party!



With our newly crowned 2011 All American Girl Wahsington State Royalty!

Day One - National Tourette Syndrome Youth Ambassador/ Leadership Conference - Registration and Orientation

As mentioned in an earlier post, my son Kenny was nominated and selected this year to represent the states of Washington/Oregon at the National Tourette Syndrome Association Youth Ambassador/Leadership Conference at our Nation's Capital in Washington D.C. At this conference both Kenny and I received training on how to advocate for those diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome by educating students, teachers, parents and the community on what this disorder entails and how we can provide support. Kenny meeting other kids around the nation also diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome.
New friendships made! - Evan and Kenny
Laura Preskin instructing parents and Youth Ambassadors on what to expect in the next two days while becoming trained.