Our new home

Sorry to post so much on one day, we had an extremely busy summer. We sold our home in Anchorage, and bought at new home in Eagle River, Ak. (Can I still be Mrs. Anchorage?? teehee)

I have to say I was a little worried about moving from the "city", but I love Eagle River. We are about a 10 minute or so drive from Anchorage, and we have everything we need right here! Even though we are so close to town, it seems so much quieter, and easy going out here!

Angela, Mrs. North Dakota International, I would love some pics so I could post them!! I am so proud of you, being a wonderful mother, writer, student, and advocate for women, I need to sing your praises, and put up a smashing photo of you!!

Our daughter started high school this year, yes 9th grade! Wow is all I can say, they grow up so fast, we are very lucky, she is such a wonderful girl............. hope that lasts!!

Congrats!

Congratulations to Kim Huitt, Mrs. Alaska America, for winning the state costume award at Mrs. America! Her costume represents the "Spirit of Alaska" with the wood carved salmon representing the sea, the Bear representing the earth and the eagle representing the sky.

State Fair

We took the RV out to the state fair and spend the weekend. We had a great time, Ellana took her friend Linnie with her and we walked around, looked at all the animals and exhibits, and had lots and lots of fair food! Curtis even had a pork chop on a stick!

A sad day....

We had to put our shepherd down... first animal I have ever had to put down........never want to do it again.... His name is Felson, and he was an AMAZING dog, he had bone cancer and went down rapidly. We had him for 7 years and he was such a sweet dog, never growled, never got angry, loved our two cats, smart as a whip! I liked to call him "Big Harry"! I felt safe having him with me the year my husband deployed to Afghanistan, although he would not hurt a flea, he is very dangerous looking!! He even slept in our bed that whole year hubby was gone, I woke up some nights spooning him!!
Our entire family will miss him......

Fish ON!

Just another beautiful day in Alaska. Curtis, my hubby, and I went down to Seward the Russian river to do some fishing, and I caught my first salmon!!!! I was so excited, I have been trying for the past 6 summers to no avail, and had made my mind up, this was the year, and it was!! We had an amazing time out on the boat, we saw orcas, puffins, dolphins, and eagles. The beauty of this state just takes me away sometimes.

Miss Alaska Coed pageant!!

Curtis and I are so proud of our daughter, Ellana!!! She competed in the Junior division of Miss Alaska Coed this summer!! She had an amazing time, and looked so wonderful on stage! She won the sportswear award, the academic award, and took 3rd place!! The pageant was so much fun for all of us, Miss Tina and Ms. Bellamy put on a wonderful production, and I would encourage all young girls to compete! This pageant is about community service, grades, and interview!! The girls were all very impressive and we wish all the winners luck at nationals over the Thanksgiving holiday!

Congrats!!

Congrats to Erin Lynn Gray for winning 2nd place in the Mrs. Photogenic contest for Mrs. United States!!!! I am sure she had a wonderful time at nationals, and we are very proud of her.

July 4th

Our annual 4th of July celebration!!! How much fun we had!! Beautiful flowers in bloom, and lots of wonderful food. Here I am with Kim Huitt, Mrs. Alaska America, such a sweet and wonderful lady.

Story time at Tidal Wave May 31st

Today I was able to read to children at Tidal Waves' Saturday story time!!!! It really brought back some wonderful memories from my childhood. I was able to read Good Night Moon, my absolute favorite childhood book, I had my mother read it to me every night for a year!!!! It was so cute to see the little children, what fun. Of course one little girl was just in awe of my crown, she kept staring at all of the rhinestones, I am sure she is a future queen!! Thanks to all at Tidal Wave for letting me participate.

Simply Stunning Make-up Seminar

On Sunday, May 25th, Kristina Bellamy, owner of Simply Stunning, organized a make-up seminar for her clients. She brought in professional make-up artist Molly Hutchinson!! We had such an amazing time, and learned so much from Molly! I have to give her a huge thank you, I enjoyed being your "model" so much!!! When we got to the session about applying fake eyelashes all Molly had brought with her were some "fun" lashes!!! So we proceeded to apply them!!!! Wow, it felt like I had trantulas on my eyes!!! But hey, we all need assistance in applying those fake lashes!!!! Thanks to all the ladies there for making it such a fun experience.

I have to say I enjoyed taking the class with my daughter Ellana, it is so great to be able to spend time with her, and have the hobby of pageantry that we enjoy so much together!!!

Photo Shoot

I have to say a huge thank you to Jeff Nordby!!! Today I had a photo shoot at his studio and it went great!!!! I generally always hate my photos, but today we got some really wonderful shots! I am so excited!!! He is an amazing photographer, an artist in the true word. I can not wait to see the finished photos!!!

thank you Jeff,

Devona

My Sponsors!!!

I have to take a moment to thank all of my wonderful sponsors, they all gave so generously!!!

Janice and Barnard Moore- Thanks mom and dad for always believing in me!!!

Jean and Johnny Cain- You all both so supportive, thanks!!

Suzanne Cole- You inspire me!

Kathy Carbaugh- I hope everyone has a friend as wonderful as you are!!

Kremer Chiropractic- Thank you for the kind, generous donation!!

Jonathon Lack- Thank you so much for the gift card!!

I apprecaite each of you taking the time to help me persue my goals, it is wonderful to have so many supportive people in my life!!

Devona Cain

The pageant

Well, it was extremely fun to compete again!! After 3 years being away from pageants I had a blast preparing for competition. The big surprise of the evening was that the 1st runner up was also named Mrs. Anchorage. It will be a fun year making appearances as Mrs. Anchorage, in a city I love so dearly.

I was able to meet 7 other amazing women, I thank all of you for the experience!

Laura and Jeanine, thank you both as well for a memorable pageant, you both worked tirelessly to put on a professional production, which you were able to accomplish!!

Congratulations Erin Lynn Gray!