4th of July Parade

Jennifer, Deanna, Lauralyn, Peggy, Maleana

On our float!!!

Deanna & Lauralyn

Elbow, Elbow, Wrist Wrist Wrist!

McCall is LOVING the parade!!!

Happy Birthday America!!! Today I was in the Boise "Liberty Day Parade" with four other Mrs. Idaho America contestants. Even though it was about a million degrees outside, we had a really fun time! We quickly decorated a trailer, added our children and Voila! We had a float! It is a blast doing things as a group. We have become such good friends and that is the best part of this entire pageant experience. We have a new contestant for next year's pageant - - welcome Peggy! And a huge thanks goes to her husband Ross for sharing these pictures he took. He just might be named the official appearance photographer!!!

Mother/Daughter Health & Beauty Fair

Guest Speaker at Health & Beauty Fair

Colleen Ursenbach - - Event Coordinator (and my friend!!!)

Brianna Ursenbach & Brittany Walker

Carol Driebergen - -Breast Health Specialist

On Thursday I was the guest speaker at a mother-daughter health & beauty fair for the Boise Cloverdale Ward. I spoke to them about "The seven magic keys to looking your best." Aside from outer beauty secrets, I also spoke about the inner beauty that each of us posses. My friend Colleen was in charge of the event and did a great job putting it together. After I spoke, the women had the opportunity to go around to different booths to learn about health, make-up, different hairstyles, breast cancer awareness, mental health and more. There was also a smoothie bar! It was a great night!

Cub Scout Day Camp

The boys and their covered wagons - - made out of leather

Trying my luck at archery!

(By the way, I hit the fake deere - - close to its heart!)

Me with my cute Cub Scouts!!!

When I am not being Mrs. Idaho, I am a cub scout leader!!! I am a den leader for the wolves - - eight year old boys. Today was day camp and I thought you might like to see how I spend a Saturday when I am not in a parade!!! The boys were great and had a really good time!

Miss Idaho America

The Group!!

Jennifer Boals, Me, Deanna Curtis

Liz, Jennifer, Me, Deanna

Darla & Darelyn

Liz & I

Tonight several of us attended Miss Idaho America & Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen. It was really fun to sit in the audience and not be on stage!!! The talent for both groups was absolutely outstanding! 24 Miss Contestants and 8 or 9 Teen Contestants. Idaho has some very tough competition! It was so fun to see my good friends Darla & Darelyn. I met both of them 19 years ago at the Idaho State Senate. I was a senior in high school and they were Senate secretaries. (Darelyn still is today for the President Pro-Tem) Darla has directed the Burley Jr. Miss Program for a few years and earned "Best Director" this year! She is headed to Mobile, Alabama to watch their locaal winner compete as Idaho's Junior Miss. Enjoy the pictures!

Governor Butch Otter

Mrs. Idaho and Governor Butch Otter

The Salinas Family with the Governor of Idaho

This morning I had an appointment with the Governor of Idaho, The Honorable Butch Otter. I took my entire family to meet with him and we had a great time. When I was a senior in High School I was a Senate Page and he was the Lt. Governor and then I also spent several more years working in the Senate as a committee secretary and he presided over the Senate. I love the political arena. My boys loved looking at his pictures - - especially the BSU one's. As soon as he was sworn in as Governor, he flew to Arizona to watch the Bronco's capture the Fiesta Bowl Title. What a way to spend your first day as the head of Idaho! Thank you Governor Otter for a memorable day today - -- both for me and for my family!

Wonderful Sponsor

Cowgirl Consignment is one of the Mrs. Idaho's sponsors and I was able to use my gift certificate at the store on Saturday. They have lots of fun items with BLING!!! I picked up two belts - - a black one and a white one - - both with lots of rhinestones! Thank you so much Angi! If anyone is interested in contacting her or her shop, call (541) 881-9922.

Old Fort Boise Days

Judging at the Old Fort Boise Queen Contest

Proud to have been raised in Parma, Idaho!!!

Big Foot

Memorial

Memorial

Firefighter from Sandpoint, Idaho -- in Parma for a big competition

Fort Boise Replica

Sacagawea - - At the replica of Old Fort Boise

Riding the "Gator" in the Old Fort Boise Parade

My whole family!!!

(Grant, Taylor, M'Kay, Marc & Spencer - - McCall in the back)

The girls are so excited to wave and through candy!

My daughter McCall and 2 of my nieces - - Brooklyn & Kennedy

My grandma came to the parade!!!

Parma High School Cheerleaders

(I used to be one!!!)

Today was "Old Fort Boise Days!" It is one of my fondest childhood memories growing up in Parma, Idaho. In fact, I was Miss Old Fort Boise in 1986!!! So long ago!!! The event celebrates the Old Fort that once stood near Parma. It was abandoned due to Indian attacks and floods and a replica was built in town. The walls are concrete and not adobe like the original, but the new fort gives visitors the feel of the Old West. The annual Old Fort Boise Days brings visitors from across the Boise Valley. Admission is $1. The week started out on Monday with the annual Old Fort Boise Queen's contest and I had the honor of being one of the judges. The girls were great! On Saturday morning my family headed back out to Parma for the parade. Instead of a fancy gown and a sleek car, I chose to be casual and ride in my dad's John Deere Gator. My parents still live in Parma where they run a feedlot with 11,500 head of cattle. To me it seemed very fitting that I take the "farm girl" approach rather than go glam!!! It was such a fun parade. There were so many people along the parade route that I knew - - even some of my teachers!!! My oldest son chauffeured me along with my daughter and two of my nieces. My husband and three other sons rode in the other gator. I love that my family is such a huge part of this entire Mrs. Idaho experience. I try to include them in as many of my appearances as possible. Enjoy the pictures of my wonderful little hometown - - PARMA!