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Michelle Obama Welcomes White House Christmas Tree
The 19-foot Fraser fir arrived on a horse-drawn carriage. "Perfect," the first lady says
Sunday, Nov 25, 2012 | Updated 7:23 AM EDT
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First lady Michelle Obama leans down to smell the official White House Christmas Tree after it was delivered to the White House, as her daughters Malia Obama (R) and Sasha Obama look on, on November 23, 2012 in Washington, DC.
First lady Michelle Obama officially kicked off the holiday season -- just one day after Thanksgiving -- by welcoming the White House Christmas tree.
Mrs. Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha and first dog Bo greeted the arrival of a 19-foot Fraser fir from Peak Farms in Jefferson, N.C.
The tree arrived Friday on a horse-drawn carriage. It will be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House.
The first lady says the tree is "perfect."
The fir tree comes from the farm of 2012 National Christmas Tree Association grand champion winners Rusty and Beau Estes.
Members of the association have presented the official White House Christmas tree every year since 1966.
On Wednesday, Malia and Sasha joined their father for another White House rite, the annual pardoning of the national turkey. Cobbler, the newly designated national turkey, and his alternate, Gobbler, each scored a reprieve.
"The American people have spoken, and these birds are moving forward," President Obama said.
The birds are set to "spend the their twilight years," as the president put it, at George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, Today.com reported.
The tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey at the White House started with President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
