First lady welcomes White House Christmas tree

WASHINGTON (AP) Christmas has come to the White House. Michelle Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha and the family's two dogs on Friday accepted an 18-and-a-half-foot (5.6-meter) Douglas fir as the official White House Christmas tree.

It was presented by Christopher Botek, a second-generation Christmas tree farmer from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Pennsylvania.

The tree was hauled up the driveway by horse-drawn wagon and taken to the Blue Room, where it will stand as the main attraction of the White House Christmas decorations.

Mrs. Obama, holding the leash for dog Sunny, and her daughters walked around the wagon to inspect the fir.

"It looks good. It looks beautiful," she said, turning to ask Malia: "What do you think?"

"Love it. We'll keep it," replied Malia, who held the leash for Bo, the family's other dog.

"We will keep it," Mrs. Obama said.

An army of volunteer decorators and White House staffers will participate in a weekend marathon of tree trimming, wreath hanging and other decorating to transform the building in time for a preview of the holiday decorations that's set for next week.

As in past years, many of the decorations will honor military families, who are getting a first look at the decorations on Wednesday.

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