It's # 13 for Emily!

Today Emily spent most of her day studying even though it was her 13th birthday, but it was yesterday afternoon at a very unusual "cocktail party" that the fun began...

The magic hour was 5:30, after all guests had arrived, that everyone took on the personality of the assigned character given to them in a special birthday invitation.  There was a preppy cheerleader who was always trying to cheer everybody on and jack them up with excitement, the queen of an unknown country that thought everyone was her subject, a crazy homeless lady who conveniently introduced a pillow as her baby, a French girl who spoke very little English and was an emotional wreck, somebody with a food obsession and a beauty queen has been; just to name a few.  Our birthday guest of honor was a gracious southern belle who talked of little but her dear, darling kittens.

Guests were greeted by the butlers (Daddy, Tom and brother, William), taken to the ballroom and served endless glasses of Shirley Temples.  Everyone got to know each other and then was escorted to a lovely sit down spaghetti dinner (still in character). 

After dinner everyone had to guess each person’s character and idiosyncrasies.  Prizes were given for the best portrayal, best costume and many other bests.  Dessert was served (Emily's favorite...PIE!), then a movie, ending with snacks and a sleepover.

A big shout out to party planners-coordinators; Mom and Dad who worked hard and did a terrific job!

What a special, fun way to mark #13!   HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS EMILY!!! 

T H I R T E E N ! Happy Birthday, Keegan!!!

Stay true to yourself and know that we love you.  

Can't believe you are a teenager!!

Kate's Egypt rebuilt on the Mountain!

 I got to Northcroft too late last evening to climb up the mountain to see the progress made toward rebuilding Egypt, which had been damaged when several large trees fell on top of it last Spring.

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 This morning I made the climb and was happy with the restoration of what once was.  

 Huge tangles of up-rooted trees, logs and massive limb debris still remain, but much has been cut up and stacked out of the way.

The roof and screen windows have been replaced.   Kate's ancient hieroglyphics are still intact...

and the Pyramids of Giza remain for other children to play in.

Although there is a bit more work to be done, I appreciate the efforts of a local neighbor and friend, Wayne Watkins, who has worked to clear the path and rebuild the little building, making it possible for us to climb to Egypt, again.

Honor Society Award

Speaks for itself...Congratulations Joe!

Kate says goodbye...

Kate is going out the door again. Headed off for at least a years commitment to teach English in another country. While she has yet to finish the process and sign a contract, she is hoping Korea to be her final destination.  Tomorrow she catches a plane for England where she will join Simon, complete final papers and wait for visas to come through.   I wish them safety, good health and success in all that they take on. We will all miss Kate terribly but look forward to hearing about  her adventures. Godspeed Kate, Skype whenever possible and know that you will be in my daily prayers.

Kim, Tom and family came over for lunch after church today. Shannon, Molly and family joined us for the Christmas gift exchange we missed with them during the holidays. As usual, we had a terrific time together. I love every moment with each individual in this family; each gathering is a special treat!

Beware!

This is what happens when you try to leave your mother and go to another country!
BEWARE!

(Okay, so Kate and I went to the Blue Ridge jail so she could
be fingerprinted...a requirement  for applying for a work visa for teaching job in Korea.)

Extra, Extra!

Please note and visit the new Pedersen - Kelley Family website!

Great job Kristin.  It is so nice to see and keep up with our West Coast Family.

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.

Our beautiful, Mary, has a birthday...

May it be a wonderful birthday.
May you know how much you are loved
and wished the very best life has to offer.

Happy Birthday to a daughter-in-law who lights up our lives and makes us smile.

That's what the promise is for...

Indulge me, I love this and want to forward it on to the ones I love. That's what the promise is for...

Thanksgiving

Add a little gravy, rolls and fresh bread (by William), phone calls, skypes from England and you have the perfect Thanksgiving dinner! My cup runneth over.

GRANDAD'S Thanksgiving Prayer:
Father God,
thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thank you for life, for our lives and for the lives of our loved ones.
Thank you for our health, our food, our homes, our work and our schools and teachers.
Thank you for our Church.
Thank you for this day of family and wonderful food, prepared by loving hands.
Thank you for the 102 original Pilgrims, who came to Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620, of whom only 56 survived that first, harsh winter. Thank you for the bounteous harvest in 1621 which they celebrated with a great feast, along with 91 Native American Indians, who had helped them survive that terrible winter.
We are grateful that President Lincoln, in 1863, established the last Thursday in November as our National Day of Thanksgiving.
Help us to be ever mindful of our many blessings and of the needs of others.
AMEN.

Mike, Mary, Joe and Isabelle went to Washington DC this year for a Thanksgiving, educational holiday. They have been exploring all day and were headed for a Thanksgiving dinner when we caught up with them by phone.

Shannon and Molly were also in Washington, visiting colleges and having Thanksgiving dinner with 33 members of Molly's family and their friends. What a celebration that must have been!!!

Kristin cooked for her family, Beth and Adrienne. Adrienne is healing nicely from her recent surgery; and she and Beth brought a delicious squash casserole to add to the table.

"We're going out on a limb this year, adding some new dishes to the rotation...cauliflower gratin and roasted brussels sprouts with red onion and bacon.  I can't wait to set the holiday table!" - Kristin



Kate did a reverse Thanksgiving in England! She prepared a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for Simon, her hostess (Simon's mother) and I am not sure what other family members were there. What a treat that must have been and I love the idea of our Kate sharing our family traditions in the mother country. The circle is complete and thanks to God for Skype!

Let me take a moment to thank, Kim, Tom, Andrew, Emily and William for giving thanks in church with us this morning, for bringing wonderful food to the house to add to the sumptuousness of our beautiful Thanksgiving table and for filling my heart and arms with love the rest of the day.

I am a blessed mother; you all honored me today in ways untold. I love you so much and in every way I am grateful. It has been the best of Thanksgivings and so good to think about all of us under the same bright sky.

I am thankful for beautiful, bright students that I call GRAND

Grandad and I were treated to a very special day today.   First an early morning stop for Grandparents' Day at St. Martin’s.  Isabelle greeted us, and confidently did her job as hostess, showing us the elementary students' art work and the plans and progress of the school’s new building program.  We were treated to a lovely breakfast, songs from the children and touching stories about their grandparents, told by a number of selected students.   It is plain to see why Joe and Issy are doing so well academically!

After leaving, we headed for Roswell to have turkey dinner with William at his school.  As he came off the play ground and spotted us, we were again greeted with a big smile and a welcoming hug.  It was pajama day at River Eves (last day at school before Thanksgiving break), anyway, William promptly pulled clean clothes from his book bag and hurried into the bathroom to change so he could properly take us to lunch.   It was a good thing too, since his classmates thought Grandad (dashingly dressed in a dark three piece suit) might have been a “presidential candidate”!  William follows suit on tie-day Friday and everyday he just plain shines.

These are indeed precious moments.  Ford, Andrew, Joe, Morgan and Emily, no longer have Grandparents Day; too old you know, but blessings abound and I wouldn't take a million dollars for one, past, present or future day with any one of the Magnificent Nine.

Joe's picture made it again in St. Martin's school magazine called Patterns.  This time he got a full page!  Looking good JOE!