Obama Family Christmas 2012

It was a "Mele Kalikimaka" for the first family yesterday, who enjoyed some down time in Hawaii. On Christmas Day, Michelle and Barack paid a visit to a Marine Corps base, where they wished a Merry Christmas to the troops enjoying their holiday meal. The Obamas and their girls left Washington DC on Friday for a warm-weather Hawaiian holiday. Now the president is already heading back to work on the fiscal cliff talks.

The holiday season has been a jam-packed one for the first family, as the Obamas — including Barack, Michelle, Sasha, Malia, and perhaps the favorite family member, Bo — took part in the many Christmastime traditions at the White House and beyond. On Christmas Eve, the first lady chatted with children across America by phone and helped track Santa Claus with NORAD.

Back in Washington, the busy season began with Michelle and the girls accepting the official White House Christmas tree, a 19-foot Fraser fir, upon its arrival by horse-drawn carriage. Then Michelle took part in another first-lady holiday tradition by hosting the debut of the White House Christmas decorations, along with this year's theme, "Joy to All." Next up was the 90th annual national Christmas tree lighting on the White House lawn, where the Obama family had a sing-along with Neil Patrick Harris and Modern Family's Rico Rodriguez. And then Barack, Michelle, and their daughters attended the Christmas in Washington charity concert, a star-studded event featuring performances by Diana Ross, Psy, Demi Lovato, and more.

See all the photos of the first family enjoying seasonal soirees now.