A Baby Shower for Alexis!

October 6, 2013 ~ Today would be a very special baby shower for a good friend! Roni and Josh Spicer would soon become parents and in order to get ready for this huge life event we needed to have a baby shower! Kayla and I would be the hosts of this fun day and we worked around some dates that worked for Roni. She would have a couple of out of town guests that would be coming in town and today was the best day for all of us! (I love how plans come together and I love planning stuff! Oh and huge thank you to my momma and Kayla's little sister for helping to pull this off with us!)

We had her baby shower at The Lodge in Rothwell Park in Moberly, MO! 

We wanted to "SPRY-ize" Josh and Roni and when we got done with decorating we asked them to come up to see it before everyone else arrived. When they walked in this is what they saw.... I had taken maternity photos of them just last week to use at the baby shower and had them blown up in various sizes and placed on the wall with a removable tape (so we didn't damage the walls). 

We went with a simple country theme (which totally speaks our language) and I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out! It truly looked awesome and it spoke "It's a Girl" to anyone that was there!

All in all I think this wonderful couple was impressed and even more excited to meet this little girl! 

I loved all the pink hydrangeas!

This was my favorite table... but I love sweets! 

What I failed to do was two things... to get a picture of the hosts with Roni and a picture of all the amazing food that Kayla prepared! Oh my goodness .... she did an amazing job and I can't believe I forgot to get a picture! (Seriously Michele... old age is taking a toll on you girl) 

Roni had the motherly glow and looked beautiful! 

This was taken just before the baby shower started... 

I think little Alexis will have everything she needs from those that love her so much! 

Roni's sister, Shannon helped document all the wonderful gifts received! I'm pretty sure by the smile on Aunt Shannon's face that she can't wait to meet this wonderful little girl! 

Thank you to everyone that came today! What a great party and I am pretty sure we are all waiting patiently for December 5, 2013 when little Alexis is supposed to arrive!

37th Annual Mid-Missouri Emmy's

October 5, 2013 ~ You know I have been pretty lucky to be involved in some wonderful things in life and this year was no exception! Of course it would be no fun if I couldn't drag my best friend, Misty McKee along with me (since my hubby doesn't do the "black tie" stuff)! As many of you know I have been honored to be able to work along side Sarah Hill, Scott Schaefer, Dani Wexelman, Chad LaFarge, Bruce Garber and John Butterill in an exciting, emotional and educational part of history. We have been working directly with veterans that are too sick/frail to travel via an Honor Flight to see their respective memorials but because of dedication, passion and giving back is in our blood we are all part of something called Virtual Veterans Tours. A wonderful partnership among friends and an amazing journey using a wonderful platform of social media called Google+ has allowed this to be possible.

 This year marked the 37th Annual Mid-America Emmy Awards

This year was truly amazing and I can't tell you how awesome it felt to have an Emmy nomination! This Emmy nomination wasn't for me but rather the lives we have positively touched throughout the various Virtual Veterans Tours and/or Hero Tours we have been a part of. It felt good to have our name in the hat and knowing this was truly a team effort to make all of this possible for our true heroes... our courageous veterans!

One of the highlights for the evening was to actual meet these two wonderful guys! I met them both on Google+ but never in real life! Bruce Garber (left) is from Boston and John Butterill (right) is from Canada and we were all so glad they made the trip! (After all... their name was also on the Emmy nomination!) What wonderful people and I hope to see them again in real life! 

I love this woman! I am so glad our paths in life have crossed and she is someone that I look up to. Her passion and dedication towards our veterans is truly amazing and I truly enjoy working with her every chance I get! 

I had a hard time figuring out what dress to wear!

(From someone that never dresses up)

My beautiful date and bestie for 21 years...

Misty McKee! 

Walking on the red carpet! 

Grabbing a quick picture in front of the screen! 

Bruce and I totally photo-bombing this fun group! 

Dani Wex and her beautiful momma Mary!

Once inside the Emmy's getting ready for dinner! 

Can't tell you how much fun it was meeting these guys! 

Besties forever! Love this girl! 

This is what they served for dinner....

and dessert! (I liked the dessert best!)

I can't tell you how hard my heart was beating when it was our turn to be up for the Community Service Emmy.... You want to win so bad but you are happy just being nominated. Sadly we didn't win but not many people can say they have had an Emmy nomination! It was a really cool experience and one I am honored to be a part of! 

Sorry this picture is really blurry but what an amazing group of people! Congratulations to everyone on the Emmy nomination and just because we didn't win doesn't mean we will stop doing what we love! After all... it's for our veterans!

One of the sponsors was Skinny Girl wines... I took the two bottles on our table home to remember this evening! Looks good with my special collection! (No I don't drink wine but love wine bottles)

We even got "Emmy Swagga" 

I truly can't even tell you how much this whole experience has meant to me. To be around some of the most talented, passionate, caring and compassionate people that we all have something in common has been wonderful! I hope 2014 brings just as much fun 'cause sugars... count me in! 

 I found this picture on the main page of the Mid-America Emmy's website... this was from 2012 when we surprised Sarah Hill by attending the event to cheer her on! (She ended up winning an Emmy for interactivity!)

VAC Calendar Unveiling & Signing!

September 29, 2013 ~ What an honor to be one of 12 people in the Voluntary Action Center's calendar. They were looking for a new way to tell others about the various programs that they provide as an effort to educate others in our community. Each of the 12 calendar models would represent or highlight 12 different programs that they provide throughout our community. (They offer way more than 12 but this was a great start)

I was very surprised when they unveiled the cover photo for the 2014 VAC Calendar.... 

Out of all the truly wonderful and amazing people that were a part of this campaign I would have never dreamed of getting this honor! A huge thank you to everyone that was involved with this fun campaign and everyone that supported or donated.... what an experience! 

A special congratulations to each of our calendar models... y'all are rock stars in my book! 

Bob Burchard, Director of Athletics/Men's Basketball Coach at Columbia College

Representing: VAC's Prescription Assistance Program

Kat Cunningham, President of Moresource, Inc.

Representing: VAC's Hygiene Pack

Don Stamper, Lobbyist Stamper Consulting

Representing: VAC's Gasoline Assistance

Paul Land, Owner Plaza Commercial Realty

Representing: VAC's Rental Assistance Program

Vicky Riback Wilson, Community Leader and Daughter of VAC Founder (Hazel Riback)

Representing: VAC's New Uniforms

Joe Moseley, Vice President Public Affairs at Shelter Insurance

Representing: VAC's Summer Fan and Air Conditioner Exchange Programs

Bob McDavid, Mayor City of Columbia

Representing: VAC's Christmas in July

Dr. Chris Belcher, Superintendent Columbia Public Schools

Representing: VAC's School Supply Program

Teresa Rouse Maledy, President and CEO Commerce Bank

Representing: VAC's Warm-Up Columbia

Cathy Scroggs, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at University of Missouri

Representing: VAC's Diapers and Baby Formula

Michele Spry, President Midway Electric, Inc.

Reprsenting: VAC's Youth Enrichment Program

Chris Kellogg, Host Kellogg and Friends for Soft Rock 101.5 KPLA

Representing: VAC's Holiday Program

A very special thank you to LG Patterson... I wasn't so sure when I heard the idea however these pictures totally rock and I think they all fit our personalities perfectly!

Cubs/Cardinals Game with the Greenings!

September 27, 2013 ~ Tonight was date night with the Greenings! Jill had scored tickets to the Cubs / Cards game at Busch Stadium and invited us to go with them! I have to admit... this would be the first game in the 2013 season that we would be at the stadium. (How is this possible you might ask... well sugars, I've been just a little busy this year!)

I do love our St. Louis Cardinals! 

I also love when the whole stadium does the wave.... 

"Well boys... I think we've got this one!"

That's a winner folks! 

7-0

Your St. Louis Cardinals just won the 2013 ML Central Division!

Get loud folks, get loud!

As we all say... Go Big or Go Home!

Until next time.... Congrats boys!

Windmill Painting!

September 26, 2013 ~ I have loved painting at The Canvas on Broadway in Columbia, MO and love taking someone who has never been to try their hand at being creative! Jessica is our receptionist and recently moved here from Lake of the Ozarks. I have had fun showing her some of my favorite places in Columbia!

A friend of mine, Scott Schaefer took this photo of an old windmill in Cedar Falls, IA with me in mind! He knows I love windmills (currently own 2 of them) and thought this was a perfect photo!

 The girls at The Canvas on Broadway saw the picture that Scott posted on my Facebook page and decided to turn it into a painting! How awesome was this! 

Jessica was ready to paint!

Looking good! 

Our finished product! What a fun night and I know we'll go back to paint again!