For all that you are and all you will be in 2012, we march onward, together, into the future...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

An Awesome Christmas Eve 2011

A business associate's unforgetable Christmas Party, at which we missed Mike, Mary and family who had left just before we arrived.

A moving, candle-light Christmas eve service at church,

with the S-C family joining us for our annual Christmas Eve Dinner...It was the perfect Christmas Eve, leaving us with great expectations for the morrow.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

P.S.  Mike: Tommy Malone, our host at Christmas Party, greeted me with; "your son is a great guy and I love him", making me feel so proud of your accomplishment.  It is so lovely for us when we hear sweet words like these about our children.  Sorry we missed seeing you, Mary and the children.

Elfin Mischief...

Wish for Elfie.

Elfie's thinking...

Elfie comes up with the answer!

Hark! The Herald Elfie Sings!

...and here ends another morning of Elfin magic.
Elfie goes back to the North Pole tonight with Santa.

More Sights and Sounds of the Season

Annual Mother/Daughter Christmas Tea given by a mother of one of Kim's high school friend.  Note photo on bottom left, it was taken the year I had cancer (1990) and Terr took my place at the tea. 

After the Tea came our annual S-C Caroling Party!

Christmas Day is almost here!

Sights and Sounds of the Season

Beth and Adrienne took the Pedersen/Kelley family to Horizon, a restaurant in Sausalito, to see and enjoy the holiday lights boat parade.

The S-C's invite us yearly to join them for brunch and a visit with Santa at their lovely country club.  William brings his list and the big kids see to it that Santa gets it!

A Christmas dinner with the S Crofts included all the lamb you could eat, good conversation and lots of game playing.

The Lawyers' Club Christmas Party was at the Fox this year.  We walked the red carpet, were greeted by wonderful carolers, toured the theater and met up with good friends (above is T's partner, Carlton).  One of the best parts of this party is running into my son Mike in the crowd.  It sure makes me proud (I would have taken a picture of him and his beautiful bride, but I didn't want to embarrass them).

Beautiful night of music at Westminster, hearing Kate sing Handel's Messiah.

I believe, I believe, I believe!

Natalie's story

 I don't usually go outside our immediate family with my news and information on Chatterbox (others tell their stories much better than I do); but today I read my sister-in-law's blog, Patchwork Palette, and felt the need to share this post with you...I don't think she would mind.

Natalie is a self proclaimed "incorrigible optimist" and has been a wonderful influence in my life.  She came to us from Ukraine, became my brother's wife and a loving family member.  She has used her gifts and her courage to get through the hardest of times and is a pillar of strength.   Natalie's blog is written in her native tongue so I have used a computer translator for the link.  I hope it works:  http://yxtishka.blogspot.com/2011/12/blog-post.html

A Little Elfin Mischievousness

Each year, the night the family Christmas tree goes up and is decorated at the Sabonis-Chafee house, a wish is made by one of the children and a magical elf comes to stay for the duration of the season to grant that wish and others made nightly until Christmas day.  Morning always brings an exciting surprise as everyone stumbles down the stairs to find out how their wish was granted…In Elfie style of course.

This morning was the first morning of Elfie’s return and he did not disappoint…

I'll let you know of any more mischievousness that is brought to my attention. :)

P.S.  I am hoping to let everyone see your Christmas tree!  Again this year I would like all our family trees to come together on Chatterbox.  Please send me a picture of yours.  I have three so far!

There is no Sorrow in this performance!

Andrew is the first soloist, number two "man" from the left and a pretty brave freshman, performing in front of the senior class, at a delightful concert this week at Wesleyan.  (Oh, it is his mother with the uncontrollable, contagious  laughter.)



Thought he might like to see the original...

O Brother Where Art Thou - Soundtrack - The Soggy Bottom Boys - I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow
- Watch more Videos at Vodpod.