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Obamas' Christmas: Steak Dinner and Michelle Tracking Santa

2 years ago
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Lynn Sweet
Lynn Sweet
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Steak, roasted potatoes, green beans and pie were on the Christmas dinner menu for President Obama and his family Saturday at their oceanfront holiday home in Hawaii. On Christmas Eve, Mrs. Obama helped kids track Santa Claus' travel around the world with the assistance of NORAD radar.
The Obama Family Christmas in Hawai
For years, the Obama family has traveled to Hawaii, Obama's native state, to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. The Obamas' are staying in a rented a house in Oahu about 12 miles from Honolulu. In years past, Obama would also use the trip to visit his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham and his half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng and reconnect with school friends. Dunham died just before polls opened in the 2008 presidential election.
Chicago pal Eric Whitaker and his family are vacationing with the Obama's in Hawaii -- they were together last year -- and another Chicago friend, Marty Nesbitt and his family will be joining them. On Friday, Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha hung out at the Pyramid Rock Beach on a military base. On Thursday, the president played golf.
Mrs. Obama Tracking Santa
Since 1955, the North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Command in Colorado Springs, Col. has tracked the progress of Santa Claus as his eight (or nine, some years) reindeer fly around the world. The tracking started by accident; a newspaper Christmas ad misprint featured NORAD's number, prompting a youngster to call asking about Santa. NORAD has played along ever since.
For 40 minutes on Friday afternoon Hawaii time -- already dusk in parts of the U.S. -- Michelle Obama took calls coming into NORAD's Santa tracking line. The first lady talked to kids and traced the big man's whereabouts: when she started on the call Santa and his sleigh were in South Africa. And he was flying mighty fast because by the time she finished, he had flown over several African nations and was already moving above Italy, Slovakia and Austria.
Several times, Mrs. Obama, mindful of her healthy eating agenda, urged youngsters to not only put out cookies for Santa's reindeer, but veggies too. Talking to an eight-year-old girl, Juliana, Mrs. Obama said that her daughter Sasha, 9, is "bouncing off the walls. I know you are, too."
One caller, Sean, told Mrs. Obama he got an e-mail from Santa.
"You got an e-mail from Santa? Well, he's really moving up. He's pretty high-tech now," Mrs. Obama replied. "... The important thing to remember is that he doesn't come to your house until you're fast asleep, no matter where he is in the country. So you've got to make sure you get a good night's sleep. Leave out your cookies and some vegetables for the reindeer and you should be good to go."
In one exchange, a child named Austin asked Mrs Obama if being first lady was a hard job.
"You know, it is not as hard as being the president. My job is fun because I get to do stuff like this. I get to come to NORAD and look at the radar and help them track Santa. I get to work with kids like you guys and help make sure they're staying healthy. So it's a fun job. Thanks for asking," she replied.
Austin had another question. "Is it hard to have all that security around you?"
Said Mrs. Obama, "No, because the security -- the Secret Service, they're really professional and they're really nice guys. So they're fun. They're good with the girls... they do their jobs, but they're really nice guys. It's almost like they're family after a while. So it's not that hard having them around. And they're there to keep us safe, right? You can't be mad at that, right?"
Mrs. Obama asked Austin, "What else do you want to know?" And he said, "Is it hard to like be married to the president?"
Answered Mrs. Obama, "No, he's a pretty good guy. I mean, it's a tough job and sometimes you want to do everything you can to help him, but it's pretty easy being married to him. He's kind of funny -- fun to hang out with."
After that, Mrs. Obama gave Austin a Santa whereabouts report.
"All right. Hold on, let me look at the radar. Okay, it looks like -- all right, they've got a lock on a glowing object and they can confirm that it is in fact Santa's sleigh. It's over Africa right now -- Algeria, Africa. And they can see from here that it's pretty full of toys. Pretty full. So hopefully you've been good this year. But Santa is not going to come to your house until you go to sleep."

President Obama and Michelle Obama at the White HouseThe Obamas' Christmas Message
In a rare joint appearance in a Saturday video address taped at the White House, the Obamas urged support for the nation's military families. Helping soldiers families is one of Mrs.Obama's key agenda items.
"As first lady, I've had the honor to meet members of our military and their families on bases and in communities all across the country. I've gotten to know husbands and wives doing the parenting of two while their spouse is on another deployment... children trying their best in school but always wondering when mom or dad is coming home... patriots putting their lives on hold to help with a loved one's recovery... or carry on the memory of a fallen hero," she said. "When our men and women in uniform answer the call to serve, their families serve, too. And they're proud and glad to do it. But as long as that service keeps the rest of us safe, their sacrifice should also be our own. Even heroes can use a hand, especially during the holidays."
The president added, "So we're encouraging Americans to ask what you can do to support our troops and their families in this holiday season. For some ideas on how to get started, just visit Serve.gov."
Filed Under: Humor, Obama Administration, The Daily FLOTUS with Lynn Sweet, Michelle Obama, White House, Barack Obama
Tagged: dailyguidance, santa claus
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Filter by:
we love mario!!!

Who pays for all these vacations , the taxpayers?

December 27 2010 at 9:24 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
walkingman50

When I heard about Obama going to his birth place for Christmas I was surprised there was no news about his trip to Kenya. When I saw he was in Hawaii I realized he had ,in fact, traveled to his (certificate of live)birth place.

December 27 2010 at 11:25 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to walkingman50's comment
Ali Grimes

Did they attend church during the Christmas season?

December 27 2010 at 1:21 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
efleishman

IT AMAZES ME THAT THE PEOPLE WHO HATE OBAMA HAVEN'T EVEN THE DECENCY TO WISH HIS FAMILY WELL FOR THE HOLIDAYS. THEY'LL FIND ANY KIND OF AN EXCUSE TO AVOID ACTING
WITH CLASS AND DIGNITY. ONE OF THESE BLOGGERS ACTUALLY BELIEVES THAT OBAMA
CAUSED THE DEFICIT. HE INHERITED THE DEFICIT. ASK GEORGE BUSH WHY? CLINTON LEFT BUSH A HUGE CASH RESERVE. JOHN MCCAIN STILL HASN'T FIGURED IT OUT..HE DOESN'T HAVE TO...HE'S A HERO.

December 26 2010 at 3:34 PM Report abuse -8 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to efleishman's comment
Frosty7530

I think it's totally OK for Americans who are not Pro-Obama, to send Christmas Cards & Holiday Greetings to people we know and care about. I have never heard of Americans being called upon to send Holiday/Christmas Greetings to the POTUS as a private gesture.

Just because people participate in lively discussions, in places like this, on the net, does not make them "haters". What on earth does having concerns, fears, opinions about the Economy have to do w/Americans being obligated to send personal Holiday greetings to the WH? There is nothing wrong w/Obama supporters such as yourself, sending our President a personal greeting. I do think, however,you are very mistaken in trying to impose this obligation on All Americans. We are still a Free, democratic nation.

December 29 2010 at 4:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
efleishman

traumanwk7 REPLY

IT GOES MUCH FARTHER BACK INTO HISTORY THAN VICTORIA. THE ANCIENT DRUIDS WOULD FESTOON THEIR TREES ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS.

December 26 2010 at 3:28 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
Sieben

Wishing the President and his family a very Merry Christmas may the good Lord continue to bless and protect our President God Bless America and God Bless the President and his family

December 25 2010 at 7:29 PM Report abuse -21 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Sieben's comment
Rogell

I couldn't say it any better than you Sieben!

December 25 2010 at 9:07 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
zip3265

What is WRONG with spending Christmas in the White House? One would get the idea that he soes not want to celebrate a Christian Christmas, lighting the Christmas tree and going to a Christian church.. Just questions??

December 25 2010 at 7:24 PM Report abuse +20 rate up rate down Reply
4 replies to zip3265's comment
mopsy1

I hope their Christmas was wonderful!

December 25 2010 at 6:48 PM Report abuse -30 rate up rate down Reply

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