Punkin Chunkin November 3, 2013

For the past six years, I have been a volunteer co-director for the Punkin Chunkin Pageant held in conjuction with the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association's annual festival.  I like to say that we bring some sparkle to the corn fields!

Dr. Ellie started this pageant and gained the permission and support of the Association.  The pageant assists in bringing new individuals to enjoy an incredible the fundraising Chunk festival, which celebrates unique innovations in throwing pumpkins.

I wish I would have put my crown and sash on for more photos, but it is dirty there....so as much as I wanted to wear the crown and sash all day, I also wanted a clean crown and sash to take home.  Nonethless, I regret not getting more photos - where else does your crown sit atop a fleece pumpkin hat!

On the Friday before the Sunday pageant, I learned that I was pregnant!!!!  After 2.5 years of trying to conceive, it was an understatement to say that my husband and I were over the moon!  We have since learned through DNA testing that we are going to be giving birth to Kevin Charles McNair, Junior!

So, before pageant festivities really started, I had the fun of announcing my pregnancy to my friends (who help make this pageant possible each and every year!).  I met Susan and Kim at a restaurant in Rehobeth Beach on Saturday night (we always stay overnight to have a quicker drive on Sunday morning).  I walked into the restaurant and showed them a picture of what Kevin got me while we were on vacation:

Needless to say, we were all crying....and then Kim and Susan enjoyed cocktails.....I watched ;-)

The next morning, I did the same with Ellie!  So exciting to share such wonderful news with close friends!

Punkin Chunkin Pageant Photos

Armed Forces Foundation Dinner in Richmond, VA; May 17, 2013

Returning to McGuire Veterans' Hospital in Richmond, Virginia was an incredible experience.  I really enjoyed speaking to a patient from the central plains.  I wish I had more photos, but this patient and I were busy discussing and solving the world's problems.  His background gave him unique insight and perspective.  It was a great conversation.

After the dinner, I was able to grab a few shots with some other volunteers.

What I Wore:

Coral Dress by Gianni Bini available at Dillard's.  I love how comfortable this dress is, but the sleeves were too hot for the Virginia humidity.

Shoes: I wore flip flops while serving the meal because you need to be comfortable and able to move quickly.  But, the shoe that matches this dress is by Antonio Melani (also from Dillard's).

Jewelry:  Sabika makes an appearance (heck, I am always mixing my Sabika with my other jewelry).  Below is a close up I snapped on the car ride.  I am wearing the Sabika Garden Party choker, cross pendant, and flower pendant.  These items are classics and are available to purchase.  The second necklace is a rainbow necklace purchased from Europe.  The heart pendant was purchased from Blessed Inspirations (search that name to friend request her).

LINK UPs:

Watch out for the Woestmans

Plane Pretty

The Pleated Poppy

Get Your Pretty On 

Ever want to help the troops by serving a meal in Richmond?  Email me at marci@papageants.com

Armed Forces Foundation Gala Dinner

I was so excited to volunteer with the Armed Forces Foundation for their Gala Event at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.

The volunteers were commenting that we had so much fun together!  Everyone has such great hearts and to volunteer and talk with these individuals was a treat.  Meeting some of the staff of AFF was an added bonus.  These individuals are extraordinary at their jobs and seeing them in action left me in awe (their organizational skills, professionalism, and energy was top notch).

With the color-guard leader and a group of fellow volunteers (Riki, the petite woman next to me, volunteers almost every month at the McGuire hospital in Richmond).  Monika organizes the hospital dinners and looked radiant in her pink dress.

This lovely lady was very kind and took some photos of me while singing ;-)

AFF asked me to sing the National Anthem.

I really enjoyed chatting with my tablemates - how cute are these two taking a photo of themselves on their iphone!!  Such an honor to be able to meet our brave military members and their friends/family.

These incredible ladies work with a computer company!  They need to do pageants - they are so beautiful!

I finally got a shot of me wearing the crown and sash ;-)

This soldier wanted this racing uniform.  He was outbid for it in the silent auction.  The generous lady who outbid him gave him the uniform!!!  It was so touching (I hope that she got to see his incredible reaction, because at our table, I was almost reduced to tears over his happiness!).

 Another adorable couple!!!

 Special thanks to this group for educating me on how to be a better volunteer!!

Recognize Brian Kilmeande?  He was genuine and patient.  He took time with every individual who wanted to meet him - and he was up at dawn for the news the next morning! 

 This lovely lady will be deployed soon - love, prayers, and good thoughts go with her!  She loved wearing the crown and sash.  I really hope that she considers competing some day!!!

I have met these great service members while volunteering in Bethesda.

 The best PR guy ever!!!!!!!

 "Uncle" Joe - his heart and service to our soldiers is only matched by his wife's (Monika) efforts!