The Governor Matt Blunt, First Lady Melanie Blunt and their son William Branch attended the final dress rehearsal before the official opening of the Nutcracker.  Pictured with Mrs. Blunt are Joe and Kari Manzardo.   The performance is collaboration between the Springfield Ballet, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and Southwest Children’s Choir.  

Mrs. Blunt hosts a holiday luncheon for the Governor’s Mansion docents to thank them for their outstanding contributions to the State of Missouri and their tireless efforts in giving tours of the Mansion.  

Governor and Mrs. Matt Blunt host the annual Missouri Mansion Preservation, Inc. Holiday Gala. Pictured with the Blunts are vocalist Miran Halen and concertmaster David Halen. The St. Louis Symphony, under the direction of David Halen, provided the evening’s entertainment.  

Governor and Mrs. Blunt attend the Christmas tree presentation and proclamation ceremony where second grade students from Lawson Elementary helped decorate a tree donated by the Missouri Christmas Tree Association.   

Governor and Mrs. Blunt attend the Springfield Symphony Orchestra holiday concert.  Governor Blunt speaks to the crowd about the importance of the arts in Missouri.  

Governor and Mrs. Blunt host an official State Dinner.  The Blunts are pictured with Miran Halen, Maryse Carlin, and Ken Kulosa who performed as the evening's musical entertainment.   

Governor and Mrs. Blunt attend the ribbon cutting of the U.S.S. Missouri and Missouri Veterans Exhibit opening.   

Gov. and Mrs. Matt Blunt visit St. Louis Children’s Hospital where they toured the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, read to children in the Child Life Center and presented books to children and their families.  

Governor and Mrs. Blunt visit with Mansion volunteers.  

Governor and Mrs. Blunt welcome over 2,000 visitors to the Mansion during this year's Candlelight Tours.  

Governor and Mrs. Blunt and Branch participate in the annual tree lighting at the Mansion.  

Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt help serve dinner to area residents in need of a helping hand and a hot meal at Springfield’s Victory Mission.  

First Lady Melanie Blunt joins Gov. Matt Blunt as he pardons a Missouri turkey at the Governor’s Mansion as part of this year’s Thanksgiving celebration highlighting Missouri agriculture and the many blessings that Missourians have to be thankful for this holiday season.  More than 24,300 Missourians logged on to the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Internet site to be a part of this year’s celebration by assisting in naming the Missouri Thanksgiving Turkey Gobbles.  

Governor and Mrs. Matt Blunt host a luncheon honoring Missouri Squires. The Academy of Missouri Squires is an organization honoring Missourians for their accomplishments at all levels- community, state or nation.  

Governor and Mrs. Blunt display blue and pink luminaries on the Missouri Governor’s Mansion grounds in recognition of Prematurity Awareness Day.  

Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt help celebrate the Heart Gallery’s success in finding homes for Missouri’s foster children. The Heart Gallery is an exhibit of professional photographs of Missouri children who are awaiting adoption. The Missouri Heart Gallery featured heartwarming photos of 240 children and was featured on display at 23 venues in 11 cities over the last six months.   

Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt host a reception to celebrate March of Dimes volunteers and officially recognize Prematurity Awareness Day in Missouri. To honor the occasion, the governor and first lady will display pink and blue luminaries on the Missouri Governor’s Mansion grounds this evening.    

Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt highlight the importance of arts to all Missourians.  Pictured with the governor and first lady are Tom Hillman, President of COCA Board of Directors and Dony’ae Snowden, the first recipient of the Rodney Hamilton Scholarship.  

Governor and Mrs. Matt Blunt are pictured with Representative and Mrs. Ron Richard.    

First Lady Melanie Blunt attends a proclamation ceremony for the March of Dimes in St. Louis.  Pictured with Mrs. Blunt are Joan Berkman, Chairman of March of Dimes, and March of Dimes State Director Debbie Kersting.  The three are on the traveling “Every Baby Story Tour” motor coach.  

Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt tape a PSA for Missouri's Children's Health Insurance Program.  

Gov. Matt Blunt, First Lady Melanie Blunt and their son William Branch welcome Missourians to "The Haunted Mansion …A Halloween Celebration at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion."  

First Lady Melanie Blunt presents plaques to organizations that have been partners in the Missouri Department of Transportation's Adopt-A-Highway program for 20 years.  

Gov. Matt Blunt, Mrs. Blunt and Branch view art on display on the State Capitol grounds.  

First Lady Melanie Blunt delivers remarks during a gala benefiting the Springfield Ballet.  

Mrs. Blunt is pictured with Mason and Angie Pinegar at a ceremony celebrating the most recent project milestone at the Darr Agricultural Center at Pinegar Arena.  

Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt participate in a ceremony lighting the Gateway Arch pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.    

Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt tour the Western Historical Manuscripts Collections. The collection is home to the world’s most extensive collection of George Caleb Bingham and Thomas Hart Benton artwork, Missouri’s two most prominent artists.   

First Lady Melanie Blunt helps celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month and promote the Missouri Women’s Council Pink Plate Campaign at a Schnucks "Paint the Stores Pink" event.  

Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt host a reception honoring organizations and individuals making a mark in the fight to find a cure for breast cancer.  As part of the ceremony that attracted more than 300 guests from across the state, Gov. Matt Blunt officially recognized October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Missouri.   

First Lady Melanie Blunt helps the Missouri Citizens for the Arts promote Missouri’s rich artistic venues and resources by honoring the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera. Mrs. Blunt serves as honorary chair for the Missouri Citizens for the Arts.  

Mrs. Blunt is pictured with Joan Israelite, the President of the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City.

Gov. Matt Blunt, First Lady Melanie Blunt and Branch tour the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis and visited the Systematic Landscapes exhibition by world-renowned artist Maya Lin.

Gov. Matt Bunt, Mrs. Blunt and Branch eagerly await as cyclists approach the finish line of the first Tour of Missouri.

Missouri's First Family watches as cyclists complete the fifth stage of the Tour of Missouri.  

Gov. Matt Blunt, First Lady Melanie Blunt and their son Branch help kickoff Stage Five of the inaugural Tour of Missouri that will take cyclists from Missouri's Capital City, through the heart of Missouri wine country and to St. Charles.

Gov. Matt Blunt, Mrs. Blunt and Branch cheer the Missouri Tigers on to victory.

First Lady Melanie Blunt addresses volunteers and community leaders at the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Luncheon.  Mrs. Blunt is the Honorary Chair for Missouri’s campaign, which strives to raise awareness among women about the risks of heart disease.

"It is easy to let our health and well being take a back seat but I urge Missouri women to make a promise to be heart healthy. We all need to remember, small efforts make a BIG difference.   Small steps today pave the way to heart health and a healthy future."

Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt today hosted a reception in honor of former Gov. Warren Hearnes and First Lady Betty Hearnes.

First Lady Melanie Blunt participates in Busch’s Florist 7th Annual Patriot Day Tribute to military and public safety personnel, where she helps distribute yellow hardy mums as a lasting tribute to honor Patriot Day.

"Patriot Day offers us a valuable opportunity to pause in humility and recognize the countless heroes who risk their lives to protect our safety."

First Lady Melanie Blunt helps Mike Moscato of River City Florist and Greenhouse in Jefferson City hand out roses for Good Neighbor Day.

The First Family holds an appreciation dinner to thank the Governor's Mansion staff and members of their family for their exemplary service.

Missouri's First Family joins Rams and Chiefs fans from around the state for the annual Missouri Governor's Cup.  This year the St. Louis Rams defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 10-3 in the pre-season game at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

First Lady Melanie Blunt attends the VFW National Convention in Kansas City.

Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt today visited Line Creek Elementary students to promote Internet Safety programs that are helping keep children safe from online predators.  Faux Paw the Techno Cat, the star of a book that helps teach children about the dangers of the Internet, joined the First Family to reinforce the importance of online safety.

Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt read a book to children during a visit to the Greene County Library Station.

Branch feeds the animals with his Mom and Dad.

Gov. and Mrs. Matt Blunt and Branch share in the tradition of the Governor’s Ham Breakfast at the Missouri State Fair.

First Lady Melanie Blunt visit with guests attending a Summer Gala at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art for the Hawthorn Foundation, a not for profit corporation that helps spur Missouri's economic growth and development.

Governor and Mrs. Matt Blunt and their son Branch are pictured with Build-A-Bear Workshop® founder Maxine Clark after unveiling the Tour of Missouri Build-A-Bear.  The special bear will follow in the tradition of the plush lion given to the daily stage winner during the Tour de France.

First Lady Melanie Blunt leads a team in the Susan G. Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure®. The race raises support for breast cancer education, research, support and treatment.

Governor and Mrs. Blunt are pictured with the new homeowner Cynthia Branch and her grandchildren.

First Lady Melanie Blunt attends the National Governors Association Spouses Workshop at the City Opera House in Traverse City, Michigan.

Missouri’s First Family tapes a PSA for the Children’s Trust Fund on the importance of not leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during the summer months.

Gov. Matt Blunt, First Lady Melanie Blunt, Branch and Leroy Blunt, the governor’s grandfather, celebrate the Fourth of July with Marshfield residents.

Governor and Mrs. Matt Blunt host a benefit auction for Missouri Mansion Preservation, Inc.

Gov. Matt Blunt and Mrs. Melanie Blunt help cut the ribbon to open Isabel's House, the Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks.

First Lady Melanie Blunt leads a team of more than 100 members in the Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure®. The race raises support for breast cancer education, research, support and treatment.

The First Family joins the residents of Kahoka for a Flag Day Parade.

The First Family visits the Garth Mansion in Hannibal.

First Lady Melanie Blunt, Governor's Mansion Chef Jerry Walsh and Cathy Rosell, Cookbook Committee Co-Chair from the Newcomers Club of Jefferson City, illustrate recipes from the Our Very Special Blend cookbook.

The First Family enjoys family time at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Mrs. Melanie Blunt visits with Liz Gibbons during a luncheon benefiting Forest Park.

First Lady Melanie Blunt and Branch prepare to board an Amtrak train for their trip to Kirkwood.

First Lady Melanie Blunt and Branch attend the Governor’s Reception at the City Museum during the Southern Growth Conference in St. Louis.

Gov. Matt Blunt and Mrs. Melanie Blunt host a reception for the Governor’s Mansion’s docents to thank them for their dedicated service.

First Lady Melanie Blunt is pictured with the 2007 Women of Achievement 2007 Honorees.

First Lady Melanie Blunt welcomes students, teachers and families who participated in the "My Favorite Teacher" Essay Contest to the Governor's Mansion.

The First Family hosts members of the Missouri General Assembly and their families to the Governor’s Mansion for the Annual Legislative Barbecue to thank the General Assembly for their dedication to Missouri and work during the 2007 Legislative Session.

First Lady Melanie Blunt, who serves as the Honorary Go Red for Women Chair for the State of Missouri, receives the 2007 Woman of Distinction Award from the Kansas City Go Red for Women Group.

Branch blows out the candles on his Birthday cupcake.