Our Adventure Continues

Well - unfortunately I find myself with a bit of time to add to my blog. I say unfortunately not because I don't want to write, but for the reasons that I have several hours with nothing to do... but I will get to that later... where did I leave off... oh yes - our trip to AZ!


So Cynthie had a mini van to take us from the UT state pageant to the AZ state pageant - sounds good right? Well... the only problem was that the mini van had a rather small trunk space and there were 6 of us riding in the van with all our luggage. That really only left 1 seat area and a small trunk... we were able to fit both of Taylors bags in the trunk, one of my smaller bags and one of Cynthies smaller bags. Yeah! Progress... but looking at the 2 carts still full of luggage was not a good feeling. We found someone else on their way to vegas that we thought would be able to take some of the bags then meet up with the Cowens and transfer... great idea but they weren't leaving until much later than us. So - with about an hour of work and some help from Tommy Douglas, we finally loaded ALL of the luggage into the van. You should have seen it! We had to put luggage in every space we could find. We created little walls between each person and each seat such that no one could see anyone else in the car! It was floor to ceiling. Messages had to be relayed from one person to the next and of course Kennedy was about as far away from me as possible. But we were all in with our luggage! Now for the 5 hour car ride! WHOA! Have you tried circulating air under those conditions... lets just say I was frozen and Kennedy was roasting.... 4 hours later we arrived in Vegas and met up with Donna and Tori. Taylor, Tiare and Kennedy all piled in there car and we were able to spread the luggage out. Then we made the hour and a half trip to the AZ state pageant... YEAH!


But again - we arrived with very little time to get ready... 1 hour to park, check in and be ready to be introduced and then perform talents... Well - we ran like crazy - had to take all our own bags up to the room because the bell desk was requiring half an hour... no time for that! Quick change and back downstairs to the Charm pageant. The Charm pageant was wonderful! Lots and lots of beautiful girls and Kennedy ran into some old friends - Erica Heistand and Madison Curtis! She was so excited to see them both again and it looked like they were excited to see her too... lots of hugs, smiles and talking. Kennedy performed My New Philosophy at the pageant... it's getting better. =)


Arizona Day 2 - Interview day for the contestants... pool day for us! Mrs Denise opened up her house to us for the day and she has THE MOST amazing pool and house you have ever seen! Mr Bob showed us around and it was AWEsome! The girls enjoyed a few hours playing in their 3 tiered pool and even managed a couple of quick jumps into the Colorado river... Brrrrrr! Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the Welcome Banquet and Prince Gilbert Party. The food at the banquet was AMAZING! Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables with chicken and prime rib! WHOA! The prince gilbert party was international quality! Miss Natalie puts on an amazing prince gilbert show - just the cutest show ever! The state and international royalty sat on the stage and signed autographs before the show - it was quite an event! Different contestants brought different items to autograph including pillow cases, bags, posters - all kinds of creative ideas. Another late night for the queens though... day 2... complete


Arizona day 3 - We started off with Tot personality - those tots always say the cutest things. =) Then we had another AMAZING lunch - western style. The Emcees taught the kids sorts of different line dances and things. Parents got involved - emcees performed... another really fun party with great food. Then it was time for Talent! I think Mrs Denise said she had about 140 contestants.... I think 100 or so did talent and BOY OH BOY does Arizona have talent. Wow! Lots of really great dancers of course... wonderful singers, musicians and other talented girls. It was just wonderful to watch all that competition. And of course the big beautiful stage... just wonderful! Since Taylor and Tori were planning on leaving bright and early the next day, we went to a mexican restaurant in the hotel after talent. We were joined by several of the AZ state royalty - so that was fun to have a chance to just hang out with them. Kennedy met Alyssa and Maryssa Mezzatesta - and FINALLY put it together at dinner that they were sisters. Even though it took quite a bit of convincing since she doesn't think they look anything alike. LOL. I thought that was pretty funny. Ahhh... full belly's and day 3 is complete!




Arizona day 4 - Day 4 started with Casual Wear in the morning... followed by the GROOVY 70's party... and finally party wear. During Casual Wear Kennedy was invited to perform. That was really nice - since their stage was so nice and big - Kennedy always loves a big stage and a big audience. She sang "Tomorrow" and did a smashing job! =) The 70's party was really fun too - again - pretty sure this party is more for the adults - they were totally into it. The Emcees lead the kids in several more dances and the contestants were even treated to a YMCA performance by the male judges - that was definately a hit! Party wear was next and is always a wonderful event to watch. During party wear they had the royalty do a little dance with their dads... then between later groups they did a tribute to their mothers. Both were just beautiful and so sweet.... even the judges got a little teary eyed. After partywear we ran upstairs to get our bags so Mr Coddington could take us to the airport... next stop TN!




Which brings me to where I am now..... stuck in the airport!!!! We got here at 11pm to catch a flight - my bright idea was to get full fair tickets in and out of Vegas then fly standby to TN - who flies in the middle of the night on a wednesday night right? I figured my chances were pretty good - and I could save a little cash... BAD IDEA! I sorta forgot that for MOST people - school recently got out and everyone is flying... at least that is what I figure the problem is. There was one empty seat on the flight last night - Kennedy was so bummed! But - lots of flights out today so we thought our chances were good. The next flight was at 5:50 in the morning. Considering it was already 12:30am - we figured we would hang out in the airport. Kennedy didn't really like that idea - but I didn't like the thought of trying to find a hotel at that hour only to have to turn around and come back. So we found a corner and took a little nap. Well.. the 5:50 flight was totally full. They still had about 10 people on the list above us.. then the 7:00am flight - no standbys got on that one... the 9:55am flight just left and only 2 standbys got on that one... we are now around number 35 on the list and there aren't 35 seats left on flights to Atlanta all day! Just our luck! So - I had to buy a full fair ticket - just one way - hopefully we can fly standby home... ugh! Hopefully that isn't another disaster... one step at a time though. I am sad we will be missing Talent and the PJ party in TN... the girls have the CUTEST PJ's! But... we will get there tonight and have 2 days at the TN pageant...



So back to AZ... we just had the best time! Carlie (2008 AZ Mini Miss) was so sweet to Kennedy! She invited her to practice their orientation dance and kept her up to date on things going on and what was coming next. She was just the sweetest! All the queens were - just so nice. Kennedy and Erica met up again after seeing each other last at Internationals and hit it off right away. I have so many cute pictures of them. Then there was Madison Curtis - Kennedy still thinks of Madison as her queen. I think Dana is right and they will always have a special connection. HUGE thank you to Mrs Denise for inviting us to her pageant!!! What an awesome show you run - your staff was amazing - your contestants and royalty all so sweet - a real tribute to you! We had the most amazing time and can't wait to hear the results! Someone text me! =)