"A Very Obama Christmas"

[Clio the Leo]

First lady Michelle Obama says her family is putting some distinctive touches on the traditional White House Christmas
Wearing a bright, emerald-green sheath, the first lady spoke about this year’s holiday theme: “Reflect, rejoice and renew.”

The White House has been planning its holiday festivities since summer. Over the past few days, 92 volunteers from 24 states spent more than 3,400 hours decorating. They hung garlands, put up wreaths in the windows and decorated fireplaces with dried flowers, berries and breaded fruit.

“For the Obama family, Christmas and the new year has always been a time to reflect on our many blessings, to rejoice in the pleasure of spending time with our family and our friends and to renew our commitment to one another and to the causes that we believe in,” she said. “And I wanted to continue that part of the tradition during our first holiday season here at the White House.”

This year, the Obamas are supporting local food banks and Toys for Tots.

Starting Wednesday, more than 50,000 visitors will walk through the White House during the holiday season. And the first lady pledged to continue inviting as many people as possible to events at the first family’s residence — “So that everyone feels like they have a place here at the White House,” she said.

In a nod to conservation and the economic downturn, the White House took 800 leftover ornaments from previous administrations and sent them to 60 community groups across the country for refurbishing. The Blue Room tree’s glass ornaments came back painted with people’s favorite American landmarks from the Statue of Liberty to the Kennedy Space Center to the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

(more)
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/1209/very_obama_christmas_c01fd9a8-b8d7-4d6e-8531-f604461e4df7.html

(video)
http://www.politico.com/singletitlevideo.html?bcpid=19407224001&bctid=53668024001

[silverweb]

1. "Reflect, Rejoice, and Renew."

I like it.

Those are 3 R's that will do us all good and I can definitely get into.

[Cha]

3. Those are three good words to act on.

“For the Obama family, Christmas and the new year has always been a time to reflect on our many blessings, to rejoice in the pleasure of spending time with our family and our friends and to renew our commitment to one another and to the causes that we believe in,” she said. “And I wanted to continue that part of the tradition during our first holiday season here at the White House.”

[babylonsister]

2. Aww, this is sweet.

“So that everyone feels like they have a place here at the White House,” she said.

It's so nice to have a family in the WH who feels and shows compassion for others, especially during the holidays when it seems more necessary.

Now how long will it take for the howlers to bemoan the fact that they're spending too much anyway. You know it's coming.

[Cha]

4. Thanks for the two videos..S.O.B.

& Michelle giving a very important Holiday Message.

Did you notice the differnt looks on the faces of the two Marines behind her?