Mrs. Idaho International

Deanna, Me, Liz, Jennifer

Lots of Royalty!!!

Amanda Peterson, Mrs. Idaho 2004

The Mrs. Idaho America Group!!!

Congratulating the new Mrs. Idaho International

Vicki Benson, Mrs. Idaho International 2007

Brittney Frick, Miss International

Another appearance today!!! Several of us went to the Mrs. Idaho International Pageant to support our good friend Vicki Benson - -(Mrs. Idaho America 2001) She looked fabulous and she won! I am so happy for her! It was fun to see Deanna, Jennifer Liz and Debby - - contestants from Mrs. Idaho America. Also, 6 past Mrs. Idaho America's were there. It was quite a reunion! I love that I will always be a part of the "Past Mrs. Idaho's!" After the pageant we all went to dinner at Chapalas Mexican Restaurant. Good Times!!!

Nampa's 41st annual "Parade America"

Look at my support group!!!!

Along the parade route with McCall (Marc driving & M'Kay in front seat)

The Columbia High School Wrestlers were with me in the parade!!!

"GO WILDCATS"

My children + one extra wreslter (Autsin Powell with sunglasses)

What's a parade without a clown!!!

McCall & I enjoying our first parade as Mrs. Idaho (and darling little miss!)

Look who was at the parade!!! McCall's best friends & our neighbors . . . Courtney, Paige & Aubrey Thueson

This morning started bright and early with our Columbia High School Wrestling Fundraiser. Marc & the boys were at the yard sale/car wash at 7:00am while McCall & I got ready for the parade. Some of the wrestlers walked the parade route with me and handed out flyers to direct people to the fundraiser. This was truly a family event since McCall got to ride with me, my wonderful husband Marc drove and my boys walked along side. It was long and a little warm - - but so fun to be in my hometown parade! Thanks Nampa!!!!

Race for the Cure

Mrs. Idaho Staff & Contestants - - Breakfast at Sher's

My mom & daughter

Anytime Fitness Owner & Staff

***OFFICIAL GYM FOR MRS. IDAHO AMERICA***

Running Man

Michelle Edmonds - - Channel Six

Signature Board

Signature Board

A couple of cute fans - - along the race route

Borah High "Cure Leaders"

Michelle Taylor, Suzanne Buchanan, Gloria Mann, McCall, Me, Beverly Christensen

Today was the Komen "Race for the Cure" Event!!! Several of the staff and contestants participated on the Mrs. Idaho America Team and we had a great time. It was so much fun to get to see everybody again. The day started early with breakfast at Sher's house (thanks so much for the fruit & muffins - - you are awesome!) After a few group photos, (we absolutely cannot do anything together without cameras) we all headed down to the race. Thank heavens for modern day technology - - namely cell phones! There were over 13,000 race participants this year. We were all able to find each other near the main stage and then waited until it started. We decided to be the last ones to take off and not get sandwiched in between so many people. We strolled along at our own pace and had a really good time catching up with everyone. I was so lucky to have my mom in her pink survivor shirt and my sweet daughter along for the day. It was overwhelming to see the number of racers out to support the cause. I felt bad that I didn't get a chance to tell everyone good bye, but it was hard to stick together. Beverly saved the day when my camera ran out of batteries - - you would have thought she was my own mother - - making get great pictures for this blog. Thanks Bev! Stay tuned for the next post -- and Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Komen Survivor Dinner

"Fill In" Emcee

My mom and I

BSU Athletic Director, Gene Bleymeir & Wife Danelle --Honorary "Race for the Cure" Chairmen

Guest Speaker - - Dr. Vincent Kituku

Mom & I with Brenda Williams, Survivor Dinner Chairman

With a very PINK survivor

Tonight was a GREAT night!!! My mom and I attended the Komen Survivor's Dinner at the Boise Center on the Grove. It was first class all the way. When we first walked in, there were trees lit up with pink lights - - so cool. Then, when we entered the main room there were probably 60+ round tables set to perfection! Every single chair was covered in a gorgeous, full-length satin cover with a hot pink organza bow tied around the back. There were lights hanging from the ceiling, centerpieces - - no detail was left untouched. Komen really knows how to throw a celebration!!! The silent auction tables were amazing - - you would not believe the generous donations. Several women (including myself) modeled clothing from Coldwater Creek and I loved mine so much that I bought it to take to Tucson!!! After a really nice dinner we were honored to hear from Dr. Vincent Kituku. When he was finished, the live auction began. It was so neat to see people dig deep into their pockets and support this great cause. Near the end of that, the emcee, Michelle Edmonds from Channel 6, told me that she had to get back to the station to broadcast the news and asked if I would finish out the evening. I was honored to do so! Congratulations to all of the survivors!!!

Coldwater Creek Komen Event

With Jeannie, Linda & Mary--Komen Board of Directors

Jill--Manager of Coldwater Creek

Amazing Cake!!!

Last night was my first official appearance!!! I attended the Fashion Show event at Coldwater Creek in the mall. 10% of all sales went to Komen for the Cure. They really went all out with balloons, a beautiful cake, discounts, raffles and gifts. It was fun to see Linda, Mary and Jeannie from the Komen office. I will be modeling for Coldwater on Thursday at the Breast Cancer Survivor's Dinner so I was able to select my outfit while I was there. It was a fun night!!!

Pictures

1) Suzanne Buchanan & I wait for the announcement
2) A dream come true
3) My parents Kent & Gloria Mann
4) My sisters Melanie & Michelle
5) My friend Tally Doty (2005 Contestant) with new baby daughter
6) Swimsuit Competition
7) Go Broncos (Costume Competition)

Mrs. Idaho America 2007

April 21, 2007 was a great night ~ Becoming Mrs. Idaho is something that I have always wanted to achieve. It was a goal even before I was married. I knew that I wanted to wait until my children were in school so that I could commit the time necessary to really be an active Mrs. Idaho. As most of you know, I competed last year and placed 2nd runner-up. I wasn't sure if I would compete again, but my boys reminded me that I always tell them to never give up and to keep trying - - I was put in my place.

Rehearsals began on Thursday. It was a really fun day (a little frustrating as we were learning the choreography for the opening number). All of the ladies are so amazing and we really had a great time together. Elizabeth Amar (Mrs. Idaho America 2006) hosted the Queen's Dinner at Johnny Carino's and boy was that delicious. I ate so much bread and dipping oil. It was a fun time to relax and just hang out with everyone. After that we went back to the hotel for a wonderful dessert bar (hello . . . swimsuit competition) We watched the slide shows of our families, and appearances as well as all of Liz's appearances. I can't believe how involved everyone was this year. What a difference we have made in our communities and throughout the state. After the slide show, we had our really fun gift exchange. Each contestant brought a gift for everyone that represents her city or herself. We got so many wonderful things - - chocolate, bath products, scrapbooks, potted flowers, bracelets, rings notepad, make-up, etc. It was so fun. Liz gave each of us a satin pillowcase with our name and title embroidered on it. Normally I would pack that away and "save" it for something special. Not this time - - I took it home and slept on it that very night. This year I took everyone a pink bag filled with Breast Cancer Awareness information and a small gift from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure office. I also gave everyone a stamp set with a beauty queen since I love to stamp and scrapbook. We were finally done around 11:00pm.

Friday arrived and we had a wonderful breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Mandi and her staff worked so hard to make this weekend really great and had gifts galore for each of us. Then, we were back at rehearsals. We continued to practice the opening number as well as costume, swimsuit, evening gown and awards. Our dressing rooms were so big this year and we all had plenty of room to get ready. (So much better than last year) We broke for dinner and then had our judge's interviews that evening. I left to go get my hair done and thought that I had plenty of time. I decided to stay at the salon to put on my make-up and gather my thoughts. When I got in the car to head back to the hotel, I realized that I had read my interview time wrong and was now really pushing it to get there on time. Plus, I wasn't dressed. I found a new talent - - I can undress, put on pantyhose, a skirt, and suit jacket all while driving down Eagle Road and the Freeway. Not really the frame of mind I wanted to be in for my interview. When I finally got there, they were running a little behind so I was fine - - WHEW. I felt like my interview went really well. The judges were personable and really easy to talk to. I think they made each of the girls feel comfortable.

Saturday morning came very early as we were to be at rehearsals again at 8:00 am. We worked really hard all day and it was fun to see things starting to come together. Our husbands arrived at 3:00 pm to rehearse evening gown with us. It was so nice to have that support. Everyone was busy downstairs getting their hair and make-up done. I had nerves throughout the day, but by the evening I was really calm and knew that whatever was meant to happen would happen. Finally, it was SHOWTIME. The opening number went great. I made a couple of mistakes but hopefully they weren't too obvious. Then it was costume time. It was so fun to see everyone's creativity. My costume was the same as last year - - a Boise State Football Player. Love those Broncos. Swimsuit was next and let me tell you how amazing everyone looked. Holy Cow. Idaho has some great looking women. Evening Gown soon followed and I must admit that I got a little emotional when I walked onto that stage and saw my handsome husband Marc. Winning his heart is such a much bigger prize than a crown. I am forever grateful for someone who loves and supports me unconditionally.

The big announcement - - First came the top 10. I was number 9 - - Whew Then came the top 5 and I was . . . Yup ~ You guessed it, number 5 - - HUGE WHEW. The on stage question is my scariest part of a pageant. I was asked "What is your favorite thing about Idaho?" I answered, "Aside from the Boise State Broncos, it would have to be the people." etc., etc., etc. Every single contestant did a really good job with their questions.

I haven't mentioned that at this point my feet have gone from sore to killing me to almost numb now. We are all behind the curtain while Elizabeth gives her farewell and takes her final walk. Susan and Carmen make sure that all of our trains are fanned out and that we are looking our best for the final moment. The curtain goes up, awards start to go out and we are now down to the end. I keep waiting to hear my name called out as a runner-up and before I know it I am standing in the center of the stage with Suzanne Buchanan. She is incredible and I am so proud of her - - it was her very first pageant!!! And the first runner-up is . . . Mrs. Blaine County - -the new Mrs. Idaho America 2007 is Mrs. Nampa, Lauralyn Salinas. Oh My Gosh I honestly could not believe that I had won. A dream that had been just that for so many years was finally a reality.

After lots of tears, pictures and hugs, it was time to go home. My kids were so excited for me and wanted to stay up to look at all of the prizes. I have such an awesome family. The weekend ended at 2:30am when we finally got to bed.

Thank you so much to my wonderful family & friends who came to support me. It was so nice to hear you cheer and know that you were behind me all the way.

I am looking forward to a great year

Lauralyn Salinas
Mrs. Idaho America 2007