Birthdays, Tailgates and a Rivalry.

From Turkey Day to my Birthday.It was a perfect day spent with my family, my horse (I know)and a fantastic dinner downtown at MK. Even the dessert, with a mini shake, was adorable. The next morning we got up and got organized. Barely. Then John, Summer, Scott and I headed over to Northwestern for the annual NU vs. MSU game. As stated before, my hubby's mom was a professor at NU and he grew up there. However, my brother played football and my sister-in-law played golf at MSU. Trash talking anyone? So we concocted a tailgate complete with jello shots (green) and Bailey's pudding shots (really great and very easy to make)and braved the cold rainy weather. We are wusses though and left at halftime to watch the rest of the game from a nearby pub where it was dry and warm.

Miss Illinois and Miss Teen Illinois USA 2012

For the past few years, I have been a chaperone for the Miss Illinois and Miss Illinois Teen USA competitions. This year, I missed the beginning of the weekend so we could spend time with my parents. Still, you know I wouldn't miss the chance to spend time with the contestants and the other chaperones. So, I dropped off the kids at home and turned back around to head downtown for the day of finals. This year former Mrs. Illinois America Michele Barber was there with us to round out the groups of gals I adore. Every year the production crew runs a flawless show that is so well organized and even though there is only one special person who will win each title, it seems most of the others ladies have a great time and understand the journey is the most important part. Congrats to the new Miss Illinois USA Ashley Hooks and the new Miss Illinois Teen USA Alexandra Plotz. I was lucky enough to work with Alexandra back stage and she was so calm and cool. She was also very sweet and appreciative. All the ladies were a delight and I can't wait to see how the queens do at Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Thanks to Tim Kretschmann and The Pageant Cast for these pictures as we were too busy to snap many of our own.
1)The Miss contestants in their team photo.
2)The new Queens!
3)Two of my faves, Tim Kretschmann and fellow chaperone, Robin Khayat
4)Sarah Bertrand who is just dynamite. Keep your eye on her!
5)MacDuggal and Nikki Huber in one of his designs. Nikki was in Playboy Club and has some big things on the horizon. She is somethin' special.

Fast but Fun Weekend, and Then Some.

The kids and I ventured down to Carmel, Indiana for a couple days to visit my parents who came in town where my brother and sister-in-law live with Lucy and Sullivan. It was time to celebrate Lucy's 7th birthday as well. There were party hats, swimming and a ton of fun for the kids and us grown-up kids.
1)Party hats courtesy of Nana
2)Lucy's long awaited wheel chair for her American Girl doll.
3)Kiddos with Grandpa
4)Nana and crew
5)Gogles on! Time to Cannon ball.