APRIL 24, 2007
JUDGE FOR THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS CHEERLEADER TRYOUTS AT THE MALL OF AMERICA (BLOOMINGTON, MN)

OK, I admit it, I'm a Packers fan! Yes, you read correctly, your Mrs. Minnesota cheers for the "enemy" (but I have an excuse...my family moved to Wisconsin from California when I was 5 years old, and I graduated from the U of WI-Madison, so I'm a cheesehead at heart!). But my good friend (and fellow Mrs. Minnesota America 2003) Tami Krause, who happens to be the Head Coach of the squad, was able to look past this and asked me to be one of the judges for the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders final audition. I am always so impressed with Tami...she's a wife and mom (to three adorable little boys) and has done an INCREDIBLE job as the head coach (which is a very time consuming position). Two of my fellow judges were Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop by Michael's and one of my best friends) and Shannon Devine (Mrs. United States 2006). Sarah and I of course managed to fit in some shopping before the auditions (I got a cute dress from Cache and some great earrings at Aldo)...my shopping habit unfortunately is not going away! It was fun to spend some more time with Shannon--she's a blast! I also got to see Kim Dorn's (Mrs. MN America 2005) new baby girl Kayla, who arrived two weeks early. I wish I would have looked as good as Kim two weeks after having a baby! Anyway, it was a REALLY tough decision narrowing the field of 54 contestants down to 34 who would make the 2007 squad. Tami ran a great show and there was a great audience turnout, and I hope to be asked back next year. Congrats to all of the girls who made the 2007 squad--this Packer fan thinks you ALL were great! :)

PHOTOS:
1) At the judges table (L to R): Sarah Moses, me, Shannon Devine (Mrs. US 2006)
2) The final 54 girls hoping to make the 2007 MN Vikings Cheerleader squad
3) L to R: Ellen Sendlebach (Mrs. MN US 2006), Shannon Devine (Mrs. US 2006), me, and Sarah Moses
4) Getting to meet Kim Dorn's adorable two-week-old baby girl Kayla! Kim was my predecessor as Mrs. Minnesota America 2005. CONGRATS!
5) Shannon Devine (Mrs. US 2006), Tami Krause (head coach of the MVC & Mrs. MN America 2003), and me