Dad & Gina's Honeymoon!

May began on a great high note: we finally recieved the long-awaited payment for the work Laurie did in March, just in time to entertain Eric'c father, Walter, and his new wife, Gina, on their honeymoon in Los Angeles. Eric was especially happy that they were able to see him perform in Henry IV. We spent one day doing a "beach tour" of Venice, Santa Monica, and Malibu. The day ended at a bar called Moonshadows where we sat over the ocean and watched the dolphins play. On the way home we stopped at an authentic taco stand called Tito's Tacos.

Dad & Gina took a bus tour on their own to see the "hot spots" of Hollywood and west LA. We also took them to Paramount Studios, Griffith Observatory, and Fisherman's Wharf. Finally, we spent 2 days driving up the coast to San Simeon. On the way up the Pacific Coast Highway, we stopped in Santa Barbara and stretched our legs walking on the pier, and ate lunch in Pismo Beach at the Splash cafe (the best Clam Chowder in the world). In San Simeon we took a tour of Hearst Castle, once owned by the publisher William Randolph Hearst.

It was a great feeling to have family out here on the West Coast!
Pictures here.

Henry IV Wraps Up

The run of Henry IV Part I ended at the end of May, however both of us had to miss the last weekend to attend Laurie's mother's wedding. The cast made it through a tough run, especially when the actor playing King Henry took ill and the director had to fill in for him at the last minute! We made some great friends, and are grateful for Eric's first opportunity to work as an actor in LA!
Pictures Here.

Mom & Jerry's Wedding

On Memorial Day Weekend Eirc & I flew into Philadelphia for Laurie's mother's wedding to Jerry. It was a whirlwind of activity as we tried to help with wedding preparations and visit family and friends.

Mom had an ice cream party to celebrate Laurie's 30th birthday, we stopped at the farm to visit Laurie's Dad, and spent a night catching up with our friends Kim and Dan who had a barbeque dinner for us. Eric took a "side trip" to Harrisburg where he met our friend, Tommy for an afternoon, as Laurie helped Mom finish the wedding favors and seating chart.

The day of the wedding it rained cats & dogs (remind you of anyone else's wedding?), so the ceremony was held indoors instead of the garden, but it was beautiful just the same. Laurie's niece, Abby, did a great job as flower girl, and a bagpiper escorted them down the isle at the end of the ceremony. Everyone danced and had a wonderful time at the reception, and Laurie sang, "From this Moment" as they cut the cake.

We felt so fortunate to be able to fly "Back East" and share this very special day with them, and we wish them all the best!
Pictures Here.

Mark Whitehead's Visit

It always happens this way- the one weekend we are on the East Coast at Mom & Jerry's wedding, a friend from Pittsburgh is on the West Coast! We managed to spend one day with Mark Whitehead, and the theme was death! We visited the cemetary where Marilyn Monroe is buried (see picture above), as well as other celebrities. Then we took a tour of Hollywood's Museum of Death. It has exhibits about unusual and not-so-unusual deaths. It was good to see Mark again, if only for a short visit.