Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop) and I had the honor and privilege of hosting the Send-Off Party for our client (and my Mrs. MN America pageant "sister") Wendi Russo - Mrs. Minnesota America 2008. Sarah was unable to attend but was certainly there in spirit and helped us put on a great night. The party was held poolside on a beautiful August evening and the weather could not have been more perfect! Wendi looked gorgeous and I have to give special thanks to Donnell Rank - Mrs. MN International 2007 for all of her help (she was a godsend!). It was so neat to see some former Mrs. Minnesotas, some of whom I had never met! Wendi received some wonderful gifts and hopefully she felt like the true queen that she is!
Me proudly showing off our new addition to the family, our 8-week-old basset hound Toots Louise Lollipop Ernst (guess who named her--yes, our 3 1/2 year-old daughter Ava!). We had just gotten Toots a week earlier...is she cute or what!?! (not that I'm biased or anything, but there are not many things cuter than a basset hound pup!)
My husband Matt was actually not fishing for once and was a great help at the party! In addition to Matt's "regular" job, he is also a professional walleye fisherman and fishes in many tournaments in the spring, summer, and fall. When I said I wanted to marry someone who was passionate about "something," little did I know how true that statement would be! I am very proud of him and incidentally, he has invented and patented a special strike sensor rod holder, so check it out! www.carterday.com/bulldogstrikesensor/
Former Mrs. Minnesota America queens gather to wish Wendi good luck!
Wendi's cake. How the heck do they DO that?!?
Partygoers wishing Wendi the best of luck!
L to R: My friend and client Tamara Jett, me, and helper extraordinaire Donnell Rank (Mrs. Minnesota International 2007)
Wendi's gift opening...I got her a personalized picture frame with her name and title, and a Juicy Couture "good luck" necklace.
Wendi holding her cake!
Melissa Hall-Young - Mrs. MN United States 2008 (and former Mrs. MN America 2004), Wendi, and I celebrate. I did Melissa's paperwork for the Mrs. United States pageant and am happy to announce she placed as 3rd RU! Way to go Melissa!
L to R: Jason Young (YoungQuest Fitness), Melissa Hall-Young, Wendi, my hubby Matt, and me holding our very squirmy daughter Ava
I had to include this photo of Ava "helping" bring the balloon decorations inside after everyone left. She was SO excited and my house smelled like latex for a week, ha ha!
