Happy birthday, Ellie! :)

Happy birthday to the best pageant big sister a girl could ever ask for!!  Ellie, you are an amazing young lady - so genuine, intelligent, beautiful, and kind! You're one of a kind! Happy birthday to such a special girl! I love you so much, and I hope you had a terrific birthday girly!! 

Fan Voting/Prepping for Miss Teen USA

I've been preparing like crazy for Miss Teen USA! We had our final bootcamp last weekend - complete with fashion walking, makeup lessons, mock interviews, and a super fun photo shoot! I'll post the photos from the shoot below! It was a weekend of learning info and lots of bonding time with my pageant sisters whom I'll never forget!

This past week the official contestant packet as well as my opening number dress and shoes came in this past week! Wooo hoo! It's all becoming so real! :) I leave for Miss Teen USA 2 weeks from tomorrow! :) 

The fan vote for Miss Teen USA is also now live! Today is now the 7th day of the 2013 Miss Teen USA fan voting! You can vote 10 times a day per email address! Voting ends August 10th. You can go to missteenusa.com, the contestants tab, 2013, and then scroll down to Nebraska! Please take a moment and vote for me to secure my spot in the Top 16! It would mean so much! Thank you for your love and support! God bless! (:
 

Rachel Imdieke Photography
MUA - Lindsey Starcher
Hair - Bryan Wood

4th of July Parade

It was so neat riding in the 4th of July parade in my hometown and having my whole family experience it along with me! I even was lucky enough to have my brother and some of his friends throw out candy while my sister Desi rode along in the convertible! :) I fully enjoyed getting to see so many people that I know and adore! I'm so thankful to live in such a wonderful country with so many freedoms and opportunities! I hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day! God bless the USA!