Sunday, December 5, 2010

Christmas tree arrives at White House

A horse-drawn wagon delivered the White House Christmas tree on Friday, with first lady Michelle Obama and her children Sasha and Malia on hand to receive it as a military band played "Oh Christmas Tree."

The family gave the tree -- a Douglas fir from Lehighton, Pennsylvania -- a thumbs up before heading back into the White House on a cool day under overcast skies.

Reporters watching the arrival spotted President Barack Obama through an upstairs White House window holding what appeared to be a compress against his mouth.

Obama was accidentally elbowed in the face while playing basketball on Friday and received 12 stitches to his lip.

The tree will be set up in the White House Blue Room to be decorated by floral department staff and volunteers, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, which has been presenting a tree for the Blue Room annually since 1966.

It said in a statement the tree came from the Christmas Tree farm of Christopher Botek, who earned the honor at an NCTA contest in August.

Daring adventure in St. Kitts