The first family, plus one

President-elect Barack Obama's mother-in-law will definitely be taking up residence at the White House, at least for a while.

Obama's transition office announced this afternoon that Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama's mother, will join the family.

Katie McCormick Lelyveld, the press secretary for Michelle Obama, told the Associated Press that Robinson would decide in coming months whether she wants to stay in Washington.

Robinson played a key role during the campaign, retiring from her job as a bank executive secretary to help care for the Obamas' daughters Sasha and Malia, while the couple stumped across the country.

By all accounts, Obama has a good relationship with his mother-in-law, whom he has called one of the unsung heroes of his campaign.

When asked by "60 Minutes" if Robinson would move in, he quipped: "Well, I don't tell my mother-in-law what to do. But I'm not stupid. That's why I got elected president, man."

The AP says Michelle Obama also made another hotly awaited decision: She's keeping the White House chef. Cristeta Comerford took the job in 2005 and is the first woman and first minority to serve as executive chef.