This page has temporarily been renamed 2009 - Year In Review. It is going to be just that - a review of the various things we did and accomplished in 2009. A lot happened, from Karen becoming a Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League to Markell and Steve visiting Orlando again to our losing our precious Maurice. So, sit back and enjoy The Raphaelson 2009 Year In Review.
NOVEMBER 2009
Thanksgiving....what a great meal. For after the turkey meal, Mark and Karen visited several of the Disney resorts to view the gingerbread displays. As usual, they were all very impressive. All that is except for Disney's Contemporary Resort which really did not put any effort into their gingerbread display. Also during Thanksgiving weekend, The Raphaelson Christmas Tree was assembled and decorated with the help of Flannery and Finesse.
The Raphaelson Christmas Tree decorated with presents waiting to be opened on Chrsitmas morning.
The 2009 Raphaelson Family Photo: Karen is holding Finesse, and Mark is holding Flannery.
11-29-2009 -- Karen ready to put the Hershey Hot Cocoa ornament on the tree.
Karen and Flannery posing for the camera.
Karen letting Flannery sniff the ornament before it goes on the tree. She is also instructing her that if she bats it that it will jingle.
Mark putting the Snoopy Sherlock ornament on the tree.
Kisses for our Whirly Girls.
Since Mark and Karen had Thanksgiving lunch out, Mark made a special bird for them to enjoy after the tree decorating.
Flannery and Finesse sacked out on the couch after some wonderful Thanksgiving turkey. Do you think it was the triptophan that knocked them out?
Flannery supervising Mark while he assembles the Christmas tree.
Finesse laying in the snow under the tree.
Finesse playing in the snow.
Flannery with her paw on the tree branch.
Finesse chewing the tree.
Disney's Boardwalk Resort has the best gingerbread display of 2009 in Karen's opinion.
Chip and Dale toasting marshmallows over a fire in a small segment of the gingerbread display at Disney's Boardwalk Resort.
The ingredient list made of gingerbread at Disney's Boardwalk Resort.
Disney's Beach Club Resort's Gingerbread Carousel -- This is the 10-Year anniversary of the gingerbread carousel. To commemorate the year 2009, there are 2009 pieces of gingerbread in the display.
A close-up of Ginger as she gallops by.
The ingredient list actually made out of gingerbread and chocolate as well.
The Chip and Dale gingerbread house at Disney's Beach Club Resort.
This is the 11th year for the gingerbread house display at Disney's Grand Floridian.
The store inside the gingerbread house at Disney's Grand Floridian.
Words really can't describe the disappointment at seeing this gingerbread display put up by the Disney Contemporary Resort.
Karen sporting a Snowman Mickey Ears hat at Disney's Contemporary Resort.
Mark and Karen at Cafe Gaugain at the Rosen Plaza for Thanksgiving lunch.
OCTOBER 2009
In mid-October, Karen and Mark attended The International Food And Wine Festival at EPCOT. Boo! That's right -- October brought another Halloween and a wild hair and nail job by Karen.
Halloween 2009 -- Karen sporting orange hair and a black and orange nail job.
Halloween 2009 -- Karen and Mark at the OMBC.
Gloria McCain with Karen at the OMBC on October 31, 2009. Gloria is Karen's Wednesday Morning Fast Pairs Partner.
2009 Internation Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT
The EPCOT entrance decorated for the 2009 International Food & Wine Festival with Spaceship Earth in the background.
Mark at the New Delhi food kiosk. The New Delhi offerings were: a mango lassi, gulab jamun, and a rice and lentil crepe with potato and onion filling. Of course we tried them all!
Karen set to drink the mango lassi.
Karen and the gulab jamun.
Karen outside the American Adventure with funnel cake. Karen ended up wearing some of the powdered sugar as she and Mark enjoyed it by the lake, which had a breeze blowing off it toward them.
Karen ready to serve Edy's ice cream.
SEPTEMBER 2009
What an exciting month September turned out to be. Mark and Karen attended their first Boston Red Sox game when the Red Sox played the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg. In addition to that excitement, later that same week, Markell and Steve made a return visit to Orlando.
Karen has THE TICKETS!!!!
Karen and Mark at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida to watch their Boston Red Sox take on the Tampa Bay Rays.
David Ortiz in the batting cage before the game whie Jason Bay and Kevin Youklis look on.
The Tampa Bay Rays mascot riding around the field before the game.
Red Sox manager, Terry Francona before the game.
Jon Lester was the starting pitcher for the Red Sox on this night.
Jacoby Ellsbury throwing the ball back into the infield.
Lester pitching with a runner on first.
Ellsbury showing some speec on the bases.
J.D. Drew hits a homer against the Rays.
Alex Gonzalez runs the bases.
Billy Wagner comes in for an inning of relief.
Even though we did not see him pitch, Daniel Bard sets to warm-up in the bullpen.
Bay and Ellsbury returning to the dugout after the top half of an inning.
The Chick-Fil-A spot the cow in the crowd. Can you spot anyone else?
Mark on the Jumbotron.
Hideki Okajima comes in for an inning.
Kevin Youklis playing first base.
Jason Varitek did not play on this night. However, he did come in to warm-up some pitchers while Victor Martinez got his gear on.
Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez.
Manager Terry Francona leaving the field after bringing in Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon and Martinez talk strategy on the mound.
Papelbon pitching.
After a two inning save, Papelbon gets the save for the Red Sox and gives Martinez a high-five.
Mike Lowell set to celebrate with David Ortiz after the victory.
The final scoreboard, and a VERY NICE ONE!!!!
Iavarone's With Markell and Steve In Tampa, FL 9-3-2009
Steve and Markell
Karen peeking over the menu.
Karen and Mark set to order.
The Bananas Foster
The Cannoli
Le Coq Au Vin With Markell and Steve 9-5-2009
Elliot and Markell outside Le Coq Au Vin
Mark and Markell looking over the menu.
Steve
Karen trying to decide what to order.
The Souffle Buffet
Finesse trying to catch the feather.
Finesse set to get it.
AUGUST 2009
Camping?!? That's right....camping at Disney's Fort Wilderness with Jeff. Okay, not spending the night out there but just grilling out and having S'mores.
Mark all set to grill the steak and hamburger at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground.
Jeff gave Karen a plush camping Pluto to commemorate her camping outing.
Karen holding a freshly made S'more.
Karen biting into the S'more at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground.
What a gooey mess! But boy was it tasty!
Flannery licking her chops.
Finesse
JULY 2009
On July 10th, Mark enjoyed his very first Jaynormous sandwich at the Too Jay's at Dr. Phillips. This sandwich yielded several nice lunch sandwiches for Mark's week of work.
On July 23, 2009, I saw what I thought was a small puppy on Corrine Commons which is the park across the street from our city home. Well, upon closer inspection, it turned out to be this little bunny.
Karen at the Magic Kingdom trying on a Goofy pirate hat. What style!
JUNE 2009
The end of June turned out to be a very trying and sad time for the family as we lost Maurice.
Bobby Pinback outside The Museum of Pin-Tiquities Disney annual pin event at EPCOT.
Bone Thief Pluto guarding the dinosaur exhibit at The Museum of Pin-tiquities.
Archaeologist Mickey at The Museum of Pin-tiquities event.
APRIL 2009
The month of April brought another birthday for Karen. On April 5th, Karen and Mark went to EPCOT to enjoy the annual Flower and Garden Festival. In addition, Karen became a Bronze Life Master, and Mark became Silver Life Master in the ACBL rankings.
Sorcerer Mickey topiary at EPCOT during the 2009 Flower & Garden Festival.
Karen imitating Cogsworth with Lumiere in the background.
The Lady & The Tramp topiary display in Italy at EPCOT during the 2009 Flower & Garden Festival.
Karen and her birthday cake. Charley's Buttercream icing....yummm!
FEBRUARY 2009
February brought a Life Master party for Karen at the Orlando Metropolitan Bridge Club as well as Karen receiving her Life Master certificate and gold card in the mail on the same day as the party.
Karen posing with her New Life Master cake at the Orlando Metropolitan Bridge Club.
Lynn Mix and Karen with the Life Master cake. Thanks to Lynn for providing the wonderful cake.
Karen with her Life Master certificate issued by the ACBL.
Karen with her Life Master Gold Card issued by the ACBL.
JANUARY 2009
During the first week of January there is always the annual Orlando Regional Bridge Tournament. On January 10th, Karen achieved the status of Life Master by earning the remainder of her gold points. She accomplished this with the help of a terrific Knockout Team that consisted of Mark Raphaelson, Elliot Raphaelson, Laurie Pastrano, and Lance Marrou. The KO began on Friday, January 9th at 1 PM. On Friday, Mark partnered with Lance and Karen partnered with Laurie. They won the first round KO despite a minus 1290 (Mark is still blaming Lance). The second session began at 7 PM that night, and the team won again. Now Karen was just over 1 point away from becoming Life Master. On Saturday, January 10th, the third round of the KO started at 1 PM. This time Mark partnered with his father, Elliot, and Karen again partnered with Laurie. If the team could win this round Karen would be Life Master. Without a doubt, the team won handily. The team and some friends celebrated over dinner at The Black Angus steakhouse before returning for the final round. Karen even sported a "crown" during the fourth round of the KO. Our team blitzed the other team giving Karen lots of extra gold points. Thanks to a wonderul KO team and to numerous partners and friends over the years for all the great games and support to help me achieve this goal.
Mark and Karen happy after she became Life Master by winning the third round of the KO.
The KO team that played the first two rounds: Mark Raphaelson, Laurie Pastrano, Lance Marrou, and Karen Raphaelson.
The KO team for the third and fourth rounds: Mark Raphaelson, Laurie Pastrano, Elliot Raphaelson, and Karen Raphaelson.
Karen and Laurie after the celebratory dinner at The Black Angus. Karen now sporting her "crown" for the fourth round.
All Hail, Queen Karen!!
Karen and her friend Jomi, a service dog in training at the Orlando Metropolitan Bridge Club.
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