President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Sasha and Malia, center, join extended family for a group photo in the Blue Room of the White House on Inauguration Day, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. Joining the First Family from left are: Craig Robinson, Leslie Robinson, Avery Robinson, Marian Robinson, Akinyi Manners, Auma Obama, Maya Soetoro-Ng, Konrad Ng, Savita Ng, and Suhaila Ng.
The adorable First Family looks on as President Barack does is sworn in to his second term.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administers the oath of office to President Barack Obama during the Inaugural swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21, 2013.
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, and Marian Robinson listen as Megan Hilty performs at the "Christmas in Washington" concert taping in Washington, D.C., Dec. 9, 2012.
Christmas in Washington is a benefit concert for Children's National Medical center attended by the Obama family every year. President Obama had this to say about the event:
Tonight is a chance to get in the Christmas spirit, to spread some joy and sing along with artists who have much better voices than we do. But it’s also a chance to make a real difference in the lives of some very brave young people being treated at Children’s National Medical Center. Many of these kids and their parents are going through tough times right now, and your support helps give them a reason to hope – not just during the holidays, but all year round.
The First Family took some time the day before Thanksgiving to volunteer at the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington DC.
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha, and Marian Robinson greet people as they fill care packages with food for Thanksgiving at the Capital Area Foodbank in Washington, D.C., Nov. 23, 2011.
In March Michelle, Barack, Sasha, Malia, and Grandma Marian Robinson took a trip to El Salvador.
As you'll see below, the First Lady's wardrobe choices on the trip were excellent, even by her always high standards.
The standout garment choice was a white and gold L'Wren Scott. In fact, you voted it as your favorite piece of the First Lady's formal evening gowns in our recent poll. Almost unbelievably, it received nearly half of all votes cast. Talk about a runaway winner!
(More Pictures Below)
I can only imagine that the presence of Halloween decorations and trick-or-treaters are a result of one thing: a young family in the White House.
Barack and Michelle Obama hosted children from the Washington DC area and kids from military families for a trick-or-treating session with the President and First Lady.
Videos
The video is long, but it's worth watching the first minute or two to see the adorable little fireman who forgot his candy bag.
The White House also did a short piece on what went into putting together the Halloween decorations. Over 60 people volunteered their time.
Recipes
The White House handed out some freshly baked Sweet Dough Butter Cookies in fun Halloween colors to the trick-or-treaters, and they've shared the recipe.
Mix butter and sugar until they're soft and well beaten. After that, put in eggs, vanilla, salt and half of the flour. Beat the ingredients on low speed until mixed, then put in remaining flour and continue mixing until incorporated.
Push the dough onto a cookie sheet until it is flat and place in the refrigerator overnight. Roll the dough out until it is 1/4 inch in thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutter to make individual cookies.
Put them on a cookie sheet and place in the oven for fourteen minutes at 350° Fahrenheit. Allow to cool before eating.
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, and Marian Robinson tour the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial before the dedication ceremony in Washington, D.C., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011.