Associated Press - President Obama's family is spending part of the last day of 2009 watching the futuristic adventure film "Avatar." The Obamas visited a movie theater near their rented vacation home in Hawaii on Thursday morning for a screening of the 3-D hit. Officials say the first family and their friends had the theater to themselves to watch director James Cameron's tech-heavy film.
Examiner.comAs is their tradition, the First Family is spending the Christmas holiday in Hawaii. The President spent a large portion of his own childhood in Hawaii and has returned there to celebrate with friends and family every year.
The family will celebrate with friends and family traveling with them in the same vacation home they rented last year on the island of Oahu. They will have a Christmas tree flown in from the mainland and plan to enjoy down-time on the beach. First Tweens Malia and Sasha Obama will share a room with a view of the home's pool and will reportedly receive books, video games, and iPod "stuff" as gifts.
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The first family are at an oceanfront home they are renting in Kailua, on the island of Oahu.
Malia and Sasha, along with Obama's sister, Maya Soetero-Ng, her husband, Konrad Ng, and their children opened gifts. A meal of roast beef and potatoes followed, aides said.
Malia and Sasha's dad began his 11-day vacation on Thursday afternoon, settling in for his longest break since becoming president and his first trip back to his childhood home since taking office.
Hawaii - The Island of Oahu
What do you get the President of the United States for Christmas? Peace on earth? The First Lady and daughters, Malia and Sasha, wouldn't go into gift details but admitted they had been doing some shopping for the President.
During a First Lady holiday tradition of reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" at the Children's National Medical Center, Mrs. Obama was asked by a young child what she was getting the President. She laughed and explained that she couldn't say it outloud because then he would find out. Eldest daughter, Malia, insisted it was "something good" and hoped her father would like it. Mrs. Obama would only say "sports stuff."
The First Family plans on spending their Christmas holiday in Hawaii with friends and family.
Updated: Friday, 18 Dec 2009, 11:39 PM EST
Published : Friday, 18 Dec 2009, 11:39 PM EST
ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The Lake Highland Academy Singers received a coveted invitation to perform at the White House this holiday season. Fourteen members of this elementary group will travel to Washington D.C. for a December 23rd performance at the White House.
"We have been fortunate to be invited to sing at the White House for seven performances. We realize how few people have the honor and privilege to see the White House," said Cheryl Sims, Director of the Academy Singers. "To be in that place…the history, the beauty…it's awe-inspiring."
Many famous musicians who perform at the White House have played on a Steinway piano, originally given to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The history is not lost on Pamela Reynolds, Associate Director of the Academy Singers, who said she is thrilled to have an opportunity to play on the instrument.
Reynolds said she is also hopeful to meet President and Mrs. Obama, while the children are "most anxious" to meet and sing for daughters Malia and Sasha.
The Academy Singers have traveled extensively throughout the United States and China. Performance venues include Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Constitution Hall, the Beijing Concert hall and the Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Chicago, Illinois.
President Barack Obama got some help lighting the National Christmas Tree.
First lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha assisted with this annual tradition on Thursday. They helped the president press a button and light the 40-foot Colorado blue spruce growing on the Ellipse, just south of the White House. The tree was planted in 1978.
Every president since Calvin Coolidge in 1923 has presided over the lighting ceremony.
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It is also known as the President's Park South.
The National Christmas Tree, which was permanently planted on the Ellipse in 1978, is lighted each winter by the President.
Do you see the White House in the photo above?
