Occupation: I'm a stay at home mom. I was a first grade teacher in Mahopac, N.Y., but that was before I had four kids.
Occupation: Iâm a stay at home mom. I was a first grade teacher in Mahopac, N.Y., but that was before I had four kids.
Family: My husband Scott and I have four children. Bryce is 11 years old, our twins Kyle and Camryn are 8 years old, and Emily is 7 years old. My mom, Georgine Nicolai, lives with us, too.
Pets: We have just Holly, our 3-year-old yellow Lab mix.
How long have you lived in Newtown? Weâve been here for seven years.
What do you like to do in your free time? I run, three to four times a week. And I sometimes volunteer at the schools, but itâs harder to do that now with four children. Taking care of the kids and the house keeps me busy. I am involved with the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation. Our daughter, Emily, has Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS), a rare but severe physical developmental delay syndrome. On November 7, I ran in the New York City marathon, my first ever marathon, as one of ten runners racing for awareness of CdLS, for the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation. Our team raised over $25,000 that will go to support the foundation. People can continue to contribute, though, through December, at firstgiving.com/lorigriffin1. I also take signing class so that I can learn to communicate with Emily. She has verbal issues and hearing problems. When I have time, I love to read, too.
Do you have a favorite book? Right now, Iâm reading Promise Me, by Nancy G. Brinker, the sister of Susan Komen and founder of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Itâs heart wrenching.
Do you have a favorite travel destination? With the kids, probably Florida. Disney World is there, and we get to visit their Grandma there. We love to go into the City, too, visiting museums, eating out, and visiting family there. My husband and I went to Europe in 2009, and Iâd love to go back.
What is the best thing about Newtown? Itâs very family oriented. The people are really nice. Itâs not as fast paced as Westchester County, where I grew up.
If you could travel to the past or future, which would you pick? To the future, definitely. It would be interesting to see how my children grow up. Iâd see if I go back to teaching, which I would love to do someday.
Do you have a personal philosophy? Try and do your best. We try to teach our kids that you can do anything, and to give it their all.
What makes you laugh? My kids make me laugh. They always say such funny things. My husband has a great sense of humor, too, and he makes me laugh.