Next year they will vacation in one of their five houses.
Via KFVS:
Michelle Obama kicked off her family’s final Christmas season at the White House on Friday by receiving a 19-foot Balsam-Veitch fir from Wisconsin as the official White House Christmas tree.
Joined by two young nephews instead of her teenage daughters, the first lady said she’s ready and excited for the holiday.
“Christmas begins. The holidays start,” Mrs. Obama exclaimed after “accepting” the tree from Dave and Mary Vander Velden, owners of the Oconto, Wisconsin, farm where it was grown. “We’re ready. Our last one. We’re excited about it.”
The Vander Veldens won the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual contest, earning the honor of supplying the White House with its official Christmas tree. Contest winners have provided the White House tree annually since 1966. A group of White House and other officials visited the Vander Veldens at their Whispering Pine Tree Farm in September to choose the perfect tree.
Late Friday morning, a horse-drawn wagon pulled the tree up the White House driveway. After a visual inspection, Mrs. Obama sought the opinions of her “replacement kids” – nephews Austin and Aaron Robinson.
“It’s great,” 6-year-old Austin said.
“It’s great. Should we accept it?” she asked. “Yes,” he said.
Mrs. Obama explained that the appearance by her nephews “is what happens when you get teenagers,” referring to 18-year-old Malia and 15-year-old Sasha, the daughters who in past years have joined her for the tradition of receiving the Christmas tree on the morning after Thanksgiving.
“One’s asleep,” she said, gesturing toward the White House. “These two are up,” she added, referring to the sons of her brother, Craig Robinson, who was visiting with his family for Thanksgiving.
Malia and Sasha also skipped their father’s traditional pardon of a Thanksgiving turkey this week; Austin and Aaron subbed for them, too.