Memorial Day - FoxTrot walk for Youth Scholarship Fund

Fox Valley Fox Trot for the Youth Scholorship Fund 2008

Well, Tony the Kids and I woke up bright and early Monday Morning to walk as a family for the 31st Annual FoxTrot in downtown Elgin.

Next year we hope to run the 5k with the kids, but it was a great start to get out these with 350+ walkers at 8:10 am, and watch the official race start for the 10 mile and 5k at 8:00 am with hundreds of runners from all over Chicagoland.

Laurie Faith and Tony on the Walk.. havin a good time...

Jimmy and Ali progressing at a good pace on mile 1.5

Football Coin-Toss and supporting Armed Forces Day

I was honored to be asked to perform the Official Coin-Toss for the May 17th Chicago Slaughter Arena Football Game. Our kids had won tickets as part of school honor roll rewards, and we wanted to go on Armed Forces Day to support the "Operation Care Package" charity and also have fun with the Navy, Marines and Army officers at the game. When the Time came, on the field I gave the coin to Marine Major Barrett - who had just finished a tour in Iraq. In my mind, he outranked this Queen... ;-)

The staff at the Chicago Slaughter were so very kind and professional gameday, it was a great privlidge to be there to 'represent' the Mrs. United States pageant system, support our troops and meet hundreds of Fans, Kids and Parents at the beautiful Sears Centre Arena. If you are looking for good Family sporting in the Chicagoland area, I highly suggest the professional events at the Centre. ;-)

Ali was very excited to get an autograph from Slaughter-Girl GINGER after the game.

Jimmy got to meet his favorite player in the Game Defensive Lineman Phil Alexander, #47.


Special Thanks to my Husband Tony for being such a fantastic Camera-man, Cheering Father, and Ultimate escort for this Mrs. Illinois. ;-)

May Flowers - Summer is creeping in...

On Monday, I received an invitation from a downstate City to appear in their Independence Day parade -it was a surprising and flattering offer (thanks for thinking of me!) - but I had to decline, I live in a community that has one of the most 'rocking' 4th of July parades in chicagoland, Elgin! ;-)

I spoke with our Parade Organizers and they have excitedly arranged to have Mrs. Illinois United States help Marshall the almost 2-hour parade route. I was also invited to assist in awarding the Parade Contest prizes at the Rib Festival with Concert immediately afterwards. I'm excited, little Ali and I had a lot of fun in the parade with the YMCA last year, and looking forward to getting some 'backstage access' this year for the family too. ;-)

The 'nice' season has kicked off in Chicagoland as well - this past Sunday our Family enjoyed the Cinco de Mayo Festival, and I got to meet Jalitza Conlon - Miss Hispanadad as well (totally deserving of a 10k scholarship!). Jimmy being 10 was a little braver this year to try the 'scary' rides - and Ali was pretty brave herself to try the harder 'spinning' rides at the festival grounds.

Tony and the kids were a great support earlier in the day attending my first 'Guitar Concert'. About 37 adults from our Westridge Center for the Performing Arts started a Guitar 101 course about 5 weeks ago, and I'm so proud with how far we've all come and progressed - goes to show it's never to late to learn a new skill or update those musical chops. My fellow Pageant Ladies, I highly recommend a music class when you have some time - and I'm looking forward to Guitar 120 to start in June. ;-)

Initial Mrs. Illinois Photoshoot is a success!

After some much contemplation on what to wear, when to take it and crown or not... I FINALLY made it into the studio and got my "Official" delegate photos completed. SUPER THANKS to Jim Peirce of Downtown Photo in Crystal Lake, Illinois for putting me at 'ease' and making the lighting and poses perfect. ;-)

My BIO and Headshot / Bodyshot is off to the www.MrsUnitedStates.com website - so I hope to see lots of delegates up there soon! I also started a Yahoo!Group for our 2008 delegates to get to know each other better - EMAIL ME and I'll give you the address to check it out! ;-)

My husband Tony was a great support on photo day as well, he always knows how to help me get the most flattering 'look' going before we head on out the door - and he looks pretty good in his grubby handyman outfit for the day as well. Love you Baby!!!! ;-)