Brace Yourself

After three years Megan finally got her braces off. What a smile!!!!

Kaitlin 1 of 10 in national contest

Johnson Wales University sponsors a competition for teenage chefs to compete for the grand prize of a full scholarship for the next four years. They choose from over 700 applicants. Kaitlin submitted this original recipe and has won a spot to be one of ten semi finalists who go to Miami to compete in front of a panel of top chefs. The competition is coming up on April 11. Wish her luck.

Trip to California

I made a quick trip to California last week (Saturday through Tuesday) with Lauren. We were met at the airport by Uncle Mark and went straight to the grocery store for lunch items and then to Marina Del Ray where we did a harbor cruise with Mark and Tony and their friends, Tom and Judy. Tom and Judy have a keyboard and karake equipment onboard so we did a little "Boat-e-oke". Tony and Lauren skipped out and took Ziggy for a walk (to avoid singing is my suspicion!). Saturday night the four of us attended the play, Wicked. Our seats weren't great but the play was very enjoyable. We went to a diner for a late night dinner after the show. On Sunday, Mark, Tony, Lauren and I went for a late breakfast/early lunch at Marmalade's in Malibu. After grabbing a dress at Lauren's dorm we headed for Kevin and Daisha's wedding which was held at a golf course in Diamond Bar, CA. The wedding was great fun (seeing Adam and all of his buddies was the highlight for me). Mark and I took Lauren back to Pepperdine late that night and then on Monday, I drove to Azusa to pick up Adam. He and I spent the day at Disneyland (compliments of Katie's neighbor). I spent the night at Adam's apartment that night and then on Tuesday morning I drove to Malibu to spend my last few hours with Lauren. We had lunch on the beach with our toes in the sand at Paradise Cove and then went back to Pepperdine to meet her favorite professor. We went to Malibu Yo for yogurt before she had to be at work and I had to be off to the airport! I got home late Tuesday night and then worked Wednesday through Friday at the school where I used to be a secretary. I took the new puppy with me to work and she was a big hit with all the high school staff and students!

I think all the pictures with Uncle Mark in them are in Lauren's camera! She will have to upload some for us!

Today, I am home enjoying the peace and quiet and trying to go through a week's worth of emails and mail! Happy St. Patrick's Day! Tonight's menu...Irish Stew, Irish Soda Bread and Green Rice Krispie treats! Love you all! Lori

Spence in movie John Adams

Be sure to look for this guy probably somewhere waaaaaaayyyyyy in the background of the newly released John Adams HBO movie. Our family got a chance to see Tom Hanks and Paul Giamatti up close and personal at the recent premier of the movie here in Richmond. Spence had a great two days of intense filming last April and May being a part of two scenes. He is part of a french mob in one and he is the vegetable vender at an open market. See you in the movies.

The Paynes

Sophie!

Ok we have decided that her name is Sophie! She is great...we love her! What a great surprise to come home to the most adorable little puppy I have ever seen! My Mom and Dad brought her to the ariport when they picked me up! I love you all and miss you tremendously! Happy belated birthday Kaitlin! I am so jealous that you got to go to NYC...that is awaesome! Hope you had a great trip! Love you!