


Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!
As you know by now, the Obamas skipped a white Christmas in Washington to celebrate the holidays in sunny Hawaii. They boarded Air Force One on Thursday with winter gear but they stepped off the plane dressed for 80 degree temperatures awaiting them. Michelle changed into a sleeveless blue dress (designer unknown at this time). Reportedly, they were joined by immediate family (including the President’s sister, Maya Soetero-Ng, her husband, Konrad Ng) and at least two sets of friends from Chicago, senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and National Security Council Chief of Staff Denis McDonough.
On Christmas day, the first couple went to the gym at 6:40 AM (!!) and stayed for more than hour. When they returned back to their rented estate, all of the kids opened gifts. According to the White House, the first couple didn’t exchange gifts but we think they probably did so privately and didn’t want to share the details with the public. The Christmas meal consisted of roast beef and potatoes, a tradition for the family.
Mid-afternoon, Michelle accompanied the President to visit the Marine Corps base near their home and shook hands with troops for about half an hour.
At an appearance at the Children’s Medical Center, Michelle mentioned there were 26 Christmas trees scattered around the White House so why not post pictures of the decorations they left behind and a look back at a few festivities, appearances, etc…

The official White House Christmas tree (18 1/2-foot Douglas fir) lit with environmentally sound lights and hundreds of ornaments from past administrations

The First Family at the lighting of the National Christmas tree



The First Lady arriving in Cross Hall of the White House to debut the 2009 Christmas decorations and announce the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. This year’s theme – “Reflect, rejoice, renew.”

Tags: Appearances, Christmas 2009, First Family, Malia Obama, Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, Sasha Obama