Last week, the White House announced summer vacation plans for the Obama family. First, the entire First Family will return to Martha’s Vineyard for a 10 day vacation starting August 19th. No details on where the family will stay or what activities are planned. Last summer, the family stayed at the Blue Heron Farm and the president was seen playing golf and tennis while the First Lady, Sasha, and Malia shopped and frequented restaurants.
Prior to this vacay, the family minus Malia who will be at camp, will visit Florida’s Gulf Coast the weekend of August 14th. The region’s economy which relies on tourism continues to suffer due to the BP oil spill. Both the President and First Lady have encouraged people to continue to visit the Gulf Coast’s beaches that are still open and unaffected.
The First Family hosted a Fourth of July barbeque on the South Lawn where over 1, 200 military members and their families joined them for barbeque, music, and fireworks on the National Mall. The family also celebrated Malia’s 12th birthday.
The Obama family jetted from the White House on Thursday to head back to their Chicago home in Hyde Park. They’re expected back in Washington some time on Monday. No news on their plans.
Essence magazine is kicking off the first of its three-part education series, “Teaching Our Children,” with an interview with the First Couple (mostly the President). They discuss education and how they encourage First Daughters Sasha and Malia to love learning and excel academically.
MTV’s hit reality show “Jersey Shore” is one of those shows that’s so trashy you can’t help but watch the incoming train wreck every week. Snookie and the rest of the cast literally have become overnight celebrities. The network and cast are currently negotiating contracts (i.e. paychecks) for season two.
In an interview with People, Michelle admits she’s heard of the show but “not seen it.”
So, what do they watch? Well, the First Couple watch ESPN’s SportsCenter in the morning while they work out together. Sasha and Malia can only watch Nickelodeon and Disney on the weekends.
The First Family arrived back from their 10-day Hawaiian vacation earlier this week…Here are some photos of them leaving Hawaii and arriving in Washington.
The same day they returned, Michelle was informed of the birth of her nephew, Austin. His parents are Michelle’s older brother, Craig Robinson and his wife Kelly. Craig is the head coach of the Oregon State men’s basketball team. Congrats!
Happy New Year (and decade) everyone! We’ve found out a little about how the Obamas spent their New Year’s Eve. The Obamas made it to the theater near their vacation home yesterday morning to see the James Cameron-directed futuristic drama, “Avatar.” Unlike us who had to watch the popular film in packed theatres, the First Family and their friends had a private movie theatre to themselves to enjoy the 3-D version of the flick.
Later, Michelle was seen cheering on Sasha and Malia during surfing lessons at the beach in front of their house.
The First Couple were spotted leaving Alan Wong’s restaurant, known for its authentic Hawaiian cuisine) in Honolulu on Sunday (December 27th). It wasn’t exactly a romantic date-type dinner – they were joined by a large group which included the President’s half sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, and her husband, Konrad; senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and her daughter; Eric and Cheryl Whitaker; Chicago friends Marty Nesbitt and his wife, Anita Blanchard, the obstetrician who delivered Malia and Sasha; and the President’s childhood friends from Hawaii, Michael Ramos, Greg Orme, and Bobby Titcombe and their wives.
The couple had dined at the restaurant in the past and the renowned chef and restaurant namesake, Alan Wong, was behind the Hawaiian-themed menu for the White House annual picnic for members of Congress and their families held this past June.
Yesterday, there was panic when the President abruptly left his golf outing and sped away in his motorcade back to his villa.
It was reported the 9 year old son of the Whitakers who joined the family on the vacation, had suffered a minor injury. All was well and the President returned to the golf course.
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.”
For their first Christmas as the “First Family,” the Obamas opted to head to Hawaii for the second year in the row in lieu of celebrating the holidays at the White House (and the 26 Christmas trees). They left today at 10:30 AM to start their 10-day vacation.
Now on to the best part about writing about this vacay…the HOUSE they’re renting, aka “Winter White House.”
The 7,000 square foot five-bedroom beachfront estate is situated on a beach on the southeastern coast of Oahu. It’s on the market for $8.9 million. The Obamas are renting it for $4,000 a night in addition to renting two houses next door for family and friends.
“Good Morning America” reported the owner stocked the cabinets with sweet potato chips and taro chips, favorites of the President. A Christmas tree was also delivered to the home.
Couldn’t find any photos of the house but here’s the “Good Morning America” footage.
Via LA Times
Earlier this week, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha read Christmas stories to children at the Children’s Medical Center in Washington D.C. Before Michelle could even start “AVisit From St. Nicholas,” the First Dog, Bo, caused a comical distraction by barking at Santa Claus who ended up leaving the area so the dog could calm down.
The girls took turns reading “Snowmen at Night.” Afterwards (and surprisingly!), the audience was able to ask the well-guarded girls questions. The full transcript is posted here.
And lastly, here is the family’s official holiday card designed by American Greetings. The cards, featuring a gold foil-embossed presidential seal surrounded by a wreath, and a thin burgundy border around the edges, contains the message: “May your family have a joyous holiday season and a new year blessed with hope and happiness.”
Merry Christmas! Check back over the weekend for more holiday-related posts!
