Miss America 2012

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!

Lost Camera

So...I have lost my camera. I had it in Las Vegas and I thought that I had it on the airplane, but I can't find it anywhere! Maybe Jack threw it away in the garbage can with the remotes, old work cell phone and whatever else I missed. I'm not sure! At any rate, the trash can has been moved out of the den and I will hopefully update soon with pictures from my phone and my mom's camera! Never a dull moment! :)

Christmas Eve and Morning 2011

Being home on Christmas Eve and morning is a tradition that Ben and I wanted to start when we had kids. Even though Jack & Max don't comprehend that "Santa is coming" we still both want to have the memories of being in our home. This home on Turrentine is already very special to me because we brought Jack & Max home from the hospital here and we plan on living here as long as God has planned for us!
We started off Christmas morning showing the boys one of their gifts from Ben's parents which was a wonderful big slide that is in our playroom. They were very excited because they love playing on the slides at the church and our gym.


Captain Jack and Max

We then went downstairs to see what Santa brought. Coco and JJ gave the boys leather chairs with their names on them and they have really enjoyed sitting in them in their playroom. Some of their favorite gifts were a talking Woody, (Santa only brought one so a second was purchased the VERY next day!) a Wonder Pets fly boat, Star Wars figurines and legos. The joy of Christmas with children is so very special and I am thankful for the memories in the past and for the ones yet to happen!

Blessed with GREAT friends!

Rose, Me, Kelli and Holly at Holiday Club Ball

Claire, Alli, Holly, Amy and me before Santa Claus

2 sets of BFF's. Holly, Farrah, me and Catherine at Bal D'or
Just a post with recent pictures with special friends!

Fun with Friends!

The month of December was just fun! We attended Christmas parties, birthday parties, friend get-togethers and spent time with family! I am always a little sad when Christmas is over, but in January we are going to Las Vegas and back to Disney World in February so there is plenty to look forward to!

On Tuesday, December 6th Amy Gladden opened up her beautiful new home for our Service Guild Christmas Party. It was such a wonderful evening and many past Presidents were able to join us. Here I am with Amy next year's President and Alie Causey president 2009-2010.



On Thursday, December 8th my Circle group at church went to dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant in Jacksonville called Effina's. Gadsden's only Italian restaurant closed recently (I'm sure it had nothing to do with us eating there a few days before and having 6 adults and 8 children) so it is a rare treat. We exchanged ornaments and my best friend Jenny and I both bought the same one at the Peppermint Pony. So, I was able to steal "My" ornament back without going home with my own. It was such a wonderful evening of girl talk and reflecting on how blessed our group is to have such great, Christian friends.

Christmas Card 2011

I knew that is was going to be really, really hard to get a picture of all four of us this year! I like to have us all in the picture if I can knowing this would be very challenging. My friend Holly took on the daunting task of trying to capture my sweet family. Well...it turned out great and probaby my favorite pic today of all of us. Holly...you are HIRED!!!

Thanksgiving 2011

This was a wonderful Thanksgiving and it was especially nice because I didn't have to cook! :) Since our kitchen is under construction we decided to eat at the Country Club and it was absolutelly delicious. Mimi, Coco and JJ joined us and it was a nice lunch, but I'm looking forward to our traditional Thanksgiving meal returning next year. We had such a fun time visiting with Mimi and my two little men loved spending time with all of our families. Thanksgiving Day while the boys were napping Ben and JJ took me shooting! Yes, with a shotgun. I know that that doesn't sound like me, but I LOVED it! It was really cool shooting skeet and my dad called me Annie Oakley because I did a pretty good job.

Friday morning we got up very early and drove to Lake Oconee to have Thanksgiving with Ben's side of the family. There were over 20 people there and the boys had a great day running around and getting some delicious food. Friday lunch was for Ben's mom side of the family. She is one of five so we got to visit with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins and had a very nice day.

Now...it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!