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Post by elaine on Dec 23, 2014 4:42:21 GMT
After 11 years of living in the DC area, my dh finally got an invite to see the White House Christmas decorations! My eldest has had a GI bug since Thursday night, so we weren't sure that we'd be able to make it this evening, but we did. It was raining out, and there is quite a bit of outside time to get through security, so we all look disheveled, but it was magical! This was something on my bucket list - to see the White House at the holidays - so I was very happy. The gingerbread White House was one of my favorites. All the decorations were gorgeous and it reeked of fresh pine. It was absolutely stunning. My boys both have autism, so we never know how they'll do in big settings, but they were perfect. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!    |
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Post by freecharlie on Dec 23, 2014 4:43:05 GMT
So very cool.
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Deleted
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May 10, 2024 1:49:13 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2014 4:44:11 GMT
Aw, I am really glad you got to go and that it all worked out. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!
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Post by elaine on Dec 23, 2014 4:44:49 GMT
Thanks! It was amazing. I wish everyone could see it in person.  |
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Post by annaintx on Dec 23, 2014 4:45:24 GMT
I'm so glad you got to go!! It looks amazing. |
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Post by elaine on Dec 23, 2014 4:46:08 GMT
Aw, I am really glad you got to go and that it all worked out. Merry Christmas to you and yours!! Thanks, Monica! Have a wonderful Christmas! |
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Post by bc2ca on Dec 23, 2014 4:46:54 GMT
How exciting!
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azredhead
Drama Llama
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Post by azredhead on Dec 23, 2014 4:49:38 GMT
That is super cool! What a fun thing to do at Christmas!
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Post by elaine on Dec 23, 2014 4:52:20 GMT
I'm so glad you got to go!! It looks amazing. That is super cool! What a fun thing to do at Christmas! Thanks , everyone! We even splurged on the annual White House ornament this year to commemorate the visit. |
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azredhead
Drama Llama
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Post by azredhead on Dec 23, 2014 5:08:14 GMT
Was it crowded? We saw the making of the gingerbread house on the Christmas special. I still have D.C on my bucket list. I've done a lot of the east coast states but we have missed D.C. both times. I would love to see it in the holiday season.
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Post by elaine on Dec 23, 2014 5:15:34 GMT
Was it crowded? We saw the making of the gingerbread house on the Christmas special. I still have D.C on my bucket list. I've done a lot of the east coast states but we have missed D.C. both times. I would love to see it in the holiday season. It wasn't too bad, crowd-wise. It is hard to get an invite this time of year and the limit the number of people going through, so we were able to see everything without rushing and my kids didn't have meltdowns - which they are prone to do if it is too crowded. You should definitely see DC sometime - it is a beautiful city with all the monuments. |
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Deleted
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May 10, 2024 1:49:13 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2014 5:26:30 GMT
I'm glad you were able to visit and it sure sounds like you enjoyed yourselves.
I've toured the White House...but not at Christmastime. I'm sure it was beautiful. |
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Post by eebud on Dec 23, 2014 6:01:53 GMT
I would like to do that someday but since I never get up to DC, the chance of it happening are pretty slim. Last year, I did the next best thing. I went to the GWB Presidential Library. In their special exhibit room they had the 2001 Christmas tree replicated. Not many people were able to see it in 2001 due to the extra security right after 9/11. They also had replicas of presidential family homes that were display in the White House in 2001. This year, they have the 2002 Christmas tree along with Presidential pets paper-mache sculptures that decorated the White House. I am going to try to go before the exhibit closes. This is probably as close as I will ever get to seeing the White House Christmas decorations.
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Post by elaine on Dec 23, 2014 6:10:23 GMT
I'm glad you were able to visit and it sure sounds like you enjoyed yourselves.
I've toured the White House...but not at Christmastime. I'm sure it was beautiful. It was, thank you! I'm glad you've been able to visit the White House too - it is a worthwhile visit. I would like to do that someday but since I never get up to DC, the chance of it happening are pretty slim. Last year, I did the next best thing. I went to the GWB Presidential Library. In their special exhibit room they had the 2001 Christmas tree replicated. Not many people were able to see it in 2001 due to the extra security right after 9/11. They also had replicas of presidential family homes that were display in the White House in 2001. This year, they have the 2002 Christmas tree along with Presidential pets paper-mache sculptures that decorated the White House. I am going to try to go before the exhibit closes. This is probably as close as I will ever get to seeing the White House Christmas decorations. that sounds great! This year there were life-size animatronic versions of BO and Sunny. I love the White House dogs. They are on the Christmas card this year. We were at the White House for a concert last month and when we were leaving, I actually saw a Secret Service agent walking BO - it made my evening! I'd love to see the paper mâché versions of Presidents' pets. |
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Post by eebud on Dec 23, 2014 6:17:40 GMT
I'm glad you were able to visit and it sure sounds like you enjoyed yourselves.
I've toured the White House...but not at Christmastime. I'm sure it was beautiful. It was, thank you! I'm glad you've been able to visit the White House too - it is a worthwhile visit. I would like to do that someday but since I never get up to DC, the chance of it happening are pretty slim. Last year, I did the next best thing. I went to the GWB Presidential Library. In their special exhibit room they had the 2001 Christmas tree replicated. Not many people were able to see it in 2001 due to the extra security right after 9/11. They also had replicas of presidential family homes that were display in the White House in 2001. This year, they have the 2002 Christmas tree along with Presidential pets paper-mache sculptures that decorated the White House. I am going to try to go before the exhibit closes. This is probably as close as I will ever get to seeing the White House Christmas decorations. that sounds great! This year there were life-size animatronic versions of BO and Sunny. I love the White House dogs. They are on the Christmas card this year. We were at the White House for a concert last month and when we were leaving, I actually saw a Secret Service agent walking BO - it made my evening! I'd love to see the paper mâché versions of Presidents' pets. Fun!! I always love the presidential pooches!! LOL From what I have heard about the paper-mache pets, there are some pretty exotic pets..........not just our typical dogs and cats. If I make it there before the exhibit closes, I'll take pictures and post some. |
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Mary Kay Lady
Pearl Clutcher
PeaNut 367,913 Refupea number 1,638
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Post by Mary Kay Lady on Dec 23, 2014 6:27:47 GMT
How exciting! I'm so happy for you that your son was feeling better and could go, too. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us. It looks like it was lots of fun.
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Deleted
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May 10, 2024 1:49:13 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2014 12:15:07 GMT
So awesome! I record the HGTV special about it every year and watch it when no one is around. Such a lovely inspiring place.
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Post by miss_lizzie on Dec 23, 2014 12:29:25 GMT
I have toured the White House, but I would love to see it decorated. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Kerri W
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Post by Kerri W on Dec 23, 2014 13:02:41 GMT
That looks really neat. I'm always struggling to find holiday activities my older kids would like but are still festive. My history buff DS would LOVE to it!
May I ask how you got tickets or if you have any tips?
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TankTop
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Post by TankTop on Dec 23, 2014 13:03:50 GMT
Wow! What an awesome experience!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2014 13:34:06 GMT
How cool that you all got to go! This is something my family would love, too.
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Post by claire on Dec 23, 2014 13:39:49 GMT
That's so cool! And a very sweet first picture. |
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peppermintpatty
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Post by peppermintpatty on Dec 23, 2014 14:04:31 GMT
I am assuming it is by special invite only? I have lived here over 30 years and never knew they opened the house to view the decorations. I have been outside at the tree many times and I have done the regular tour but never the decorations. Very cool.
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Post by craftsbycarolyn on Dec 23, 2014 14:52:43 GMT
What a cool thing to get invited to!
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Post by elaine on Dec 23, 2014 16:46:28 GMT
It was, thank you! I'm glad you've been able to visit the White House too - it is a worthwhile visit. that sounds great! This year there were life-size animatronic versions of BO and Sunny. I love the White House dogs. They are on the Christmas card this year. We were at the White House for a concert last month and when we were leaving, I actually saw a Secret Service agent walking BO - it made my evening! I'd love to see the paper mâché versions of Presidents' pets. Fun!! I always love the presidential pooches!! LOL From what I have heard about the paper-mache pets, there are some pretty exotic pets..........not just our typical dogs and cats. If I make it there before the exhibit closes, I'll take pictures and post some. I can't remember which president, but I know that one White House pet was a raccoon! That looks really neat. I'm always struggling to find holiday activities my older kids would like but are still festive. My history buff DS would LOVE to it! May I ask how you got tickets or if you have any tips? I am not sure how/if the general public is able to get tickets. I think emailing and asking your Congress representative and senators is a good way to start. My husband retired from 23 years in the Navy in March and then took a job in the Department of Education. He is a presidential appointee and since he took the job in May, this is our third invite to a function at the White House. We didn't make the first one, but went last month and yesterday. I think that his regularly gets invites to White House events and they spread them around. Last month's affair was amazing because all of the rooms in the East Eing were actually open to us, and I spent 30 minutes eating appetizers sitting on a couch in the Green Room chatting about John Adams' tea service on the coffee table in front of us with a 3 star Air Force General! Yesterday was special because I got to bring the boys. Here are a couple of pics from last month: It is such a beautiful house/building. I feel very lucky to have seen it twice this year. Everyone should try to get tickets to see the inside when they come to visit DC. |
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Post by foolana on Dec 23, 2014 16:54:16 GMT
You have such beautiful boys!
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Post by SabrinaM on Dec 23, 2014 17:19:46 GMT
What an amazing experience! I'm glad it went well!! |
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Post by elaine on Dec 23, 2014 17:34:51 GMT
You have such beautiful boys! Thank you! What a sweet thing to say.  |
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Post by Anna*Banana on Dec 23, 2014 18:12:27 GMT
Cool pictures! Everyone looks to be having a good time. What a great memory. The White House celebrations are so impressive. And that Nativity scene is amazing!
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