We have had a very busy year already! In January we went to the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas for my 10 year reunion. When I competed the pageant was in Atlantic City, NJ so the atmosphere is a little different, but mine and Ben's favorite place to travel to is Las Vegas so we make a wonderful trip out of it!
My parents also enjoy going so they came as well and were HUGE helps! Mom, Dad and I go to the pageant at night and Ben keeps the boys in the room. When the pageant is over, Ben and I get to do whatever we want which is usually player poker somewhere. The boys had such a fun time this year. Last year they were not even walking so this year they were able to run and take it all in! and I got to see over 20 of my Miss America sisters from the year that I competed. Time really goes by so fast and it is hard to believe that I am now married to a wonderful husband with twin two year olds.
One of the boys favorite things that we did in Vegas was ride in the Gondola at The Venetian. I thought it would be something that they would want to do. There is a four person limit, so mom and I were the only ones that could ride, but at least JJ got some cute pictures!
On the Friday evening before the finals, we had a big reunion at Koi at Planet Hollywood where we all enjoyed a delicious meal. I had some really great pictures on my "lost" camera so I hate I can't post the photos from that. But, the next morning we all met with our T-shirts that were customed designed for us (we even had to get permission from The Miss America Organization to use the crown) and took a group picture. The shirt says "Never Forget Miss America 2001" and I don't know who will ever forget that day. Being in Atlantic City, NJ is one of the things that has shaped me into the person that I am today. It was an unbelievable experience and the friendships that I gained from it I will never forget!
