The Year in Review: Our 17 Favorite FLOTUS Moments in 2013

Erin Lindsay
Erin Lindsay
December 28, 2013
01:11 PM EST

As 2013 draws to a close, it's time to take a look back at some of our favorite digital moments with First Lady Michelle Obama this year. It's been a big year (both online and off) for the First Lady, she broke new ground by starting the first official First Lady twitter account (@FLOTUS), Instagram (@MichelleObama) and recording her first Vine. She celebrated the 3rd Anniversary of Let's Move! by "mom dancing" with Jimmy Fallon, hanging out with Kelly Ripa and by answering your questions during her first twitter chat. She also continued to welcome thousands of Americans to the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll, Kids' State Dinner and tours. 

Check out all these moments and more (including the arrival of a second "first pup") below or on Storify and be sure to follow the First Lady on Twitter (@FLOTUS) and Instagram (@MichelleObama) for exciting updates and news in the New Year! 

Related Topics: Healthy Kids, Veterans, Working Families, Additional Issues

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 26, 2013

Statement from the President and the First Lady on Kwanzaa

Michelle and I extend our best wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season. Today marks the beginning of the week-long celebration of African American culture through family activities and community festivities that bring attention to Kwanzaa's seven principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Though each principle represents the essence of this holiday, they also represent the shared values that bind us as Americans.

As families and communities across our country come together today to light the Kinara, our family sends our hopes for a prosperous and healthy new year.

Weekly Address: The President and First Lady Wish Everyone a Happy Holiday Season

Megan Slack
Megan Slack
December 25, 2013
06:00 AM EST

In this week’s address, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Transcript | Download mp4 | Download mp3

Related Topics: Inside the White House

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
December 24, 2013

Photo & Remarks from the First Lady's Conversations with Children While Tracking Santa with NORAD

Via Telephone

11:06 A.M. HAST

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello?

CHILD:  Hi.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, is this Kileen?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Kileen.  How are you?  This is Michelle Obama.  Are you calling to find out where Santa is? 

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, you’re looking for Santa?  I am at NORAD, where they track Santa, and I’m looking at the computer, and right now, as we speak, Santa and his sleigh are flying over Egypt.  Can you imagine that?  That’s all the way in another part of the world.  But I can see him on the tracker -- I see Santa, and his sleigh, and I see eight tiny reindeer, and I think I see one with a little red nose -- that might be Rudolph.  So I think he’s coming your way, okay?  Are you excited?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?  How old are you, Kileen?

CHILD:  I’m six.

MRS. OBAMA:  You’re six?  What’s the number-one gift you asked Santa for this year?

CHILD:  (Inaudible.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?  Well, have you been good this year?  Have you been a good girl this year?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?  All right, well, I think that Santa is on his way to your house so you better go to sleep because he won’t come until you’ve gone to sleep, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  Have a merry Christmas, okay?

CHILD:  You too.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, thanks so much, sweetie.  Bye-bye.

***

 

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Sofia and Jessica, it’s Michelle Obama, the First Lady.  I’m helping to track Santa with NORAD.  I’m helping NORAD tonight.  How are you guys doing?

CHILD:  Good, how are you?

MRS. OBAMA:  I’m doing really good -- I’m so excited it’s Christmas Eve and I’m watching Santa on the radar.  How old are you guys?

CHILD:  Eleven.

MRS. OBAMA:  And --

CHILD:  Eleven, and my sister is nine.

MRS. OBAMA:  And nine?  You guys want to know where Santa is right now, as we speak?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  I am looking at the tracker.  I see the screen and he is in Sudan.  He is all the way in Africa, and he’s moving at the speed of light.  He is going so fast and delivering all kinds of gifts all over the world.  Pretty exciting, huh?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes.  Yes, what, sweetie?

CHILD:  Okay, do you know when he is going to come to Boston, Massachusetts?

MRS. OBAMA:  He darts all over the world, and he doesn’t come to your house until you guys are fast asleep, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, so he’s looking -- so he’s going to know when you guys are out and your eyes are closed, and that’s when he’s going to make it to your house, okay?  But right now he’s delivering some gifts to some little kids all the way in Africa, as we speak, because they’re asleep right now, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  So as soon as you close your eyes and go fast asleep, he’s going to come and deliver gifts to your house -- isn’t that exciting?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, so I know you guys have been good girls this year.

CHILD:  Yes.  Merry Christmas to you and President Obama.

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you, sweetie.  Merry Christmas to you and your family, too, okay?

CHILD:  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Have fun tomorrow.

CHILD:  Bye, thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Bye-bye.

***

 

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, is this Ella?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Ella.  This is First Lady Michelle Obama.  I’m here today helping the folks out at NORAD track Santa, and is that what you’re calling for?  Are you calling to find out where Santa is?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?  Well, I’m looking on the radar screen and I see his sleigh.  I see his sleigh with eight tiny reindeer and he is over Sudan -- South Sudan.  That’s in Africa.  And right now, he’s delivering some gifts.  He’s going down, swooping down to some little kids who are in South Sudan, okay?  That’s where he is right now.  It’s really, really very cool, don’t you think?

CHILD:  When are you coming to Kansas City?  (Laughter.)  When is Santa coming to Kansas City?

MRS. OBAMA:  Santa is going to come to your house, Ella, when you are fast asleep -- that’s how he works.  I think he is in Sudan now because there are some kids over there who are already tucked in bed with their eyes closed.  So he is going to come to your house as soon as you’re asleep.  Are you getting ready for bed any time soon?

Ella, I think that if you go to bed right now and you shut your eyes, and you go to sleep, he might just show up at your house now, okay?  Because he can go anywhere in the world at the speed of light.

CHILD:  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, well, have a good night’s sleep and merry Christmas to you and your whole family, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.  Merry Christmas.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, bye-bye.  Thanks for calling.  Merry Christmas to you guys. 

CHILD:  Merry Christmas.

MRS. OBAMA:  Thanks so much, you guys.  Enjoy your holiday.  Bye-bye.

***

 

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, this is First Lady Michelle Obama.  I hear that Wyatt and Alex are on the phone looking for Santa.

CHILD:  Hi.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, is this Wyatt?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  How are you, Wyatt?

CHILD:  I’m good.

MRS. OBAMA:  You’re good?  How old are you?

CHILD:  Nine.

MRS. OBAMA:  You’re nine?  Is Alex there, too?  Are you excited, Wyatt?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?  What do you want for Christmas?

CHILD:  A Zoomer.

MRS. OBAMA:  A Zoomer?  That sounds exciting, that sounds fun.  Well, I’m here at NORAD, and I’m helping them track Santa.  And I’m looking on their radar screen and right now, Santa is headed to the Republic of Rwanda -- that’s in Africa, that’s all the way in Africa.  Right now, he is delivering toys to some little girls and boys all the way in Africa.  Can you believe that?

CHILD:  No.

MRS. OBAMA:  He is flying so fast -- at the speed of light -- and from the satellite radar tracker, I can actually see his sleigh and I think I can make out two, four, six -- eight tiny reindeer and there’s -- oh, they just turned, and there’s one leading the way with a red nose.  It’s flashing.  They just turned.  They made a sharp turn.  I think that’s Rudolph that’s leading the sleigh.  Really exciting, don’t you think?

CHILD:  Yes.  What I want for Christmas is the Transformer -- whose name is Metroplex.

MRS. OBAMA:  That sounds good.  If you guys have been good this year, I know that Santa is going to come and deliver some great toys.  But you know what -- you have to be fast asleep before he comes to your house in South Carolina, okay, because Santa only comes when you guys are fast asleep.

CHILD:  My cousin said we were going to sleep at eight.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, that sounds good.  That sounds like a really good bedtime.  All right, well, you guys have a merry, merry Christmas, okay?

CHILD:  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, you guys give your whole family my best, okay?

CHILD:  All right, thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, take care.  Bye-bye.

***

 

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, is this Daisy?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Daisy.  It’s First Lady Michelle Obama.  I’m here at NORAD, and I’m helping them track Santa tonight -- is that why you’re calling?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  How old are you, Daisy?

CHILD:  Five.

MRS. OBAMA:  You are five?  What a big girl!  Oh my goodness.  Well, let me look on the radar screen and -- oh my goodness -- I see his sleigh.  And I can make out a little man with a little white beard, and there are eight reindeer.  And one in the front, I think it’s Rudolph.  You know where they are right now?  They’re in a place called Burundi, all the way on the other side of the world in Africa.  Can you imagine?

CHILD:  Uh-uh.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, I think there are some little kids there in that country that are fast asleep now, and he’s dropping off lots of presents.  Right now, he has delivered over 3 million presents -- already.  Can you imagine that?  How much work it takes?

CHILD:  Three billion?

MRS. OBAMA:  Hm?

CHILD:  Three billion?

MRS. OBAMA:  Right now it’s 3 million -- yes, it’s 3 million.  He’ll probably get to 3 billion before the night is out, but right now, he has delivered 3 million.  He still has a lot of work to do.  He has got to get all the way to your house tonight, right?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  But he’s not going to come until you’re fast asleep, okay, sweetie?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  So make sure you go to sleep, close your eyes, get a good night’s sleep, and as soon as you’re fast asleep, Santa is going to know and he’s going to turn his sleigh around and he’s going to come right to you, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  Be a good girl, all right?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  And have a merry, merry Christmas, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, thanks for calling, sweetie.

CHILD:  You’re welcome.

MRS. OBAMA:  Bye-bye.

CHILD:  Bye.

***

 

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, is this Anthony?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Anthony, it’s First Lady Michelle Obama.  I’m here at NORAD.  I’m helping them track Santa tonight.  It’s one of my most favorite things I get to do on Christmas Eve.  Is that why you’re calling?  You’re trying to find out where Santa is right now?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Right now I’m looking at the radar screen and he is flying over a country called Burundi, which is in Africa.  Right now I see his sleigh and you could make out these little hooves like feet moving and it looks like his reindeer are pulling him.  He’s moving so fast.  But the NORAD tracker can track him.  So he is in Africa right now because there are some boys and girls that are fast asleep there in that country, and he is dropping off toys.  And I think he is going to come to your house, Anthony, as soon as you go to sleep.  What time are you going to go to bed tonight?

CHILD:  Eight-thirty.

MRS. OBAMA:  Eight-thirty?  That sounds like a great bedtime.  Do you know what you want for Christmas this year?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  What’s your number-one toy?

CHILD:  (Inaudible.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?  That’s exciting.  I think if you get to bed and you shut your eyes, Santa is going to be there as soon as he knows you’ve fallen asleep, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, well, you’re going to have a merry Christmas tomorrow, right?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  Be a good boy.  You sound like a really smart kid so have a great Christmas, okay?

CHILD:  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, merry Christmas, sweetie.  Goodnight.

CHILD:  Merry Christmas.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  Bye-bye.

***

 

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Kailean, it’s First Lady Michelle Obama.  How are you doing?

CHILD:  Good.

MRS. OBAMA:  I’m at NORAD tonight and I’m helping them track Santa.  And I’m manning the phones, I’ve talked to a lot of boys and girls tonight who are looking to find out where Santa is -- is that why you’re calling?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  So right now, I’m looking at the radar screen and I see -- I see his sleigh.  I can make out his sleigh, and I can make out reindeer.  And I see eight reindeer and one in the front -- who do you think that one is?

CHILD:  Rudolph.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes -- his nose, you can see his nose flashing right now.  He is flying over the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- do you know where that is?

CHILD:  No.

MRS. OBAMA:  That’s all the way in Africa.  Right now, he is flying over Africa, and I think he’s there because there are some boys and girls that are fast asleep right now.  And you know Santa only comes when you’re fast asleep, right?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes.  So as soon as you go to sleep, sweetie, as soon as you shut your eyes and Santa knows that you’re fast asleep, that’s when he’s going to come to your house, okay?

CHILD:  I have a question.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, sweetie, what is that?

CHILD:  When is he going to come to Virginia?

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, he comes all over the country at different times, all over the world at different times, and it depends on when kids are asleep.  So I think first he is going to figure out whether you’re fast asleep and when most of the kids where you live in Virginia are fast asleep.  So what time do you think you’re going to bed?

CHILD:  About nine.

MRS. OBAMA:  About nine?  And I’ve talked to a couple of other kids in Virginia that are going to bed at about 8:30, 9 o’clock, so if a lot of kids in Virginia are starting to go to bed right around then, that’s when he is going to come, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, are you excited?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, me too.  I love Christmas.

CHILD:  Merry Christmas.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, merry Christmas, sweetie, and the best to your whole family, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, bye-bye.

CHILD:  Bye.

***

 

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, is Marcus there?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Marcus, it’s First Lady Michelle Obama.  How are you?

CHILD:  Good.

MRS. OBAMA:  I’m here at NORAD tonight.  Every Christmas Eve, I help them track Santa.  And I’ve been taking calls from boys and girls all over the country -- is that why you’re calling, to find out where Santa is?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  I’m looking at the radar screen right now, and I see Santa.  He is headed -- in one minute, he is going to be flying over Zambia.  And that’s a country in Africa.  Right now, he’s been spending a lot of time in Africa.  From the calls I’ve been getting where he’s traveling -- he has spent a lot of time in Africa because a lot of the kids in that part of the world are fast asleep.  Isn’t that exciting?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  How old are you, Marcus?

CHILD:  Five.

MRS. OBAMA:  You’re five?  Wow, you sound like a big boy.  What do you want for Christmas this year?

CHILD:  (Inaudible.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?  Have you been good? 

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  I bet you have.  I can tell -- you sound like you’re a good boy.  Well, as soon as you go to sleep -- what time do you think you’re going to go to bed tonight?

CHILD:  About nine -- or earlier.

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, the earlier you go to bed, the quicker Santa gets there, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  I told you there are a bunch of kids right in your area that have told me they’re going to go to bed about 8:30 or 9 o’clock.  So if you get to bed at that time, that’s probably when Santa is going to try to come -- when all the kids in that area are starting to go to sleep.  Okay?

CHILD:  Cool.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, you have a merry Christmas.  It’s exciting, isn’t it?

CHILD:  Yes, you too.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, thanks, sweetie.  Wish your whole family a merry Christmas for me, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, bye-bye.

CHILD:  Goodnight.

MRS. OBAMA:  Goodnight.

***

 

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, is this Caitlin?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Caitlin, it’s First Lady Michelle Obama.  How are you?

CHILD:  Good.

MRS. OBAMA:  I’m here at NORAD.  I spend every Christmas Eve helping them track Santa.  Is that why you’re calling?  You’re calling to find out where Santa is?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, let me look on the radar screen.  Right now, I’m looking -- I’ve spotted him again.  I can see him, I can see him with his sleigh, and I can make out some little hooves moving -- I think that’s the reindeer.  I see eight reindeer and one leading the way -- do you know who that could be?

CHILD:  Rudolph.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, it’s Rudolph, he’s got Rudolph tonight leading the way.  And right now, he is headed -- he is in Africa, can you believe that?  He is over a country called Zimbabwe right now, right as we speak.  He’s dropping off toys for some boys and girls in Zimbabwe all the way in Africa.  And a lot of the boys and girls there have already gone fast asleep, that’s why he is in that part of the world right now.  So what time do you think you’re going to go to bed tonight, Caitlin?

CHILD:  Eight.

MRS. OBAMA:  At eight?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  That sounds like a great bedtime, because you know what, I’ve talked to a lot of boys and girls tonight in your part of the world and they’re planning on going to bed right at that time, too.  So I think as soon as all of you guys are fast asleep, that’s when Santa is going to shoot over and he is going to deliver some gifts.  Right now, he has already delivered more than 3 million gifts already tonight.  Can you believe that?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, and he is going to keep going.  He is delivering them really fast.  Have you been a good girl this year?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  I know you have.  So you get to bed, all right, get a good night’s sleep, close your eyes, and as soon as you do, Santa is going to come your way, okay?

CHILD:  I will.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  You have a great Christmas, okay?  And wish your whole family a merry Christmas for me, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Have fun tomorrow, okay, sweetie?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  Bye-bye.

CHILD:  Bye-bye.

***

 

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Cal.  It’s First Lady Michelle Obama.  How are you?

CHILD:  Good.

MRS. OBAMA:  I’m here at NORAD because I’m helping them track Santa.  Is that why you’re calling?  You wanted to call to find out where Santa is right now?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Right now, I’m looking at the radar screen -- (gasps) -- oh my goodness, I can see his sleigh.  I see Santa in his sleigh.  I see eight tiny reindeer, and I see one leading the way.  Do you know who that one is?

CHILD:  Santa!

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, that’s Santa, and he’s got Rudolph with him.

CHILD:  Rudolph!

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, he’s got Rudolph and right now he is in Africa.  He’s flying over a country called Botswana.  Do you know why he is in Africa right now?

CHILD:  Why?

MRS. OBAMA:  Because there are a lot of little boys and girls there who have already gone to bed.  And Santa doesn’t come until you’re fast asleep, okay?  What time do you think you’re going to go to bed tonight, Cal?

CHILD:  Nine o’clock.

MRS. OBAMA:  Nine o’clock?  You know what -- nine o’clock?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  That sounds like a perfect time, do you know why?  Because I’ve talked to a lot of little boys and girls who live right in your area, and they’re planning to go to bed at the same time.  So as soon as a lot of kids of Wisconsin, in your part of the world, have started to go to sleep, that’s when Santa is going to shoot over.  And he is going to drop off toys at the houses in your part of the world.  So the sooner you go to bed, the sooner you go fast asleep, the sooner Santa will come and deliver toys, okay?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  Well, you have a merry Christmas, all right, Cal?

CHILD:  Merry Christmas.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, tell your whole family merry Christmas for me, okay?

CHILD:  Merry Christmas.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, thank you, sweetheart.  You sound like a sweet kid.  Have fun tomorrow, okay?

CHILD:  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, bye-bye.

CHILD:  Bye.

***

 

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, is Anderson there?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Anderson, it’s First Lady Michelle Obama.  I’m here at NORAD.  Every Christmas Eve, I help them track Santa.  Is that why you’re calling?

CHILD:  Yes?

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, I’m going to take a look at the radar screen and -- oh my goodness, I can see him.  He’s moving fast.  Right now, Santa is flying over Africa, and he’s flying over Johannesburg, South Africa.  Right now, he has just reached South Africa, the southern part of Africa.  Can you believe that?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  How old are you, Anderson?

CHILD:  Six.

MRS. OBAMA:  What do you want for Christmas from Santa?

CHILD:  A bicycle.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?  That sounds pretty cool.  Tell me, Anderson, where do you live?

CHILD:  Uh --

MRS. OBAMA:  You’re in Pennsylvania?

CHILD:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, guess what, Anderson.  I’ve talked to about five or six other kids who live in Pennsylvania, and they plan on going to bed at about 8:30 or 9 o’clock.  What time are you going to go to bed?

CHILD:  Nine.

MRS. OBAMA:  Nine?  That sounds like a great time because I think as soon as you go to bed, there are all the kids in your part of the country that are going to go to bed and that’s when Santa is going to shoot over and deliver toys to you guys -- as soon as he knows you’re fast asleep, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, well, you have a good night’s sleep, okay, sweetie?

CHILD:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  Merry Christmas, okay?  You all have a very merry Christmas, okay?

CHILD:  Okay.  Bye.

MRS. OBAMA:  Bye-bye.

END
11:36 A.M. HAST

*** Photo available here: http://bit.ly/1gVaGu6 ***

First Lady Michelle Obama Helps NORAD Track Santa

Megan Slack
Megan Slack
December 24, 2013
06:38 PM EST

Anxiously wondering when Santa and his sleigh full of toys might arrive in their neighborhood, children from around the country phoned NORAD today for Christmas Eve updates on his whereabouts. 

A few kids got a special holiday treat on the other end of the line: First Lady Michelle Obama, who was helping out with  NORAD's annual Santa tracking program.

First Lady Michelle Obama reacts while talking on the phone to children across the country as part of the annual NORAD Tracks Santa program.

First Lady Michelle Obama reacts while talking on the phone to children across the country as part of the annual NORAD Tracks Santa program. Mrs. Obama answered the phone calls from Kailua, Hawaii, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

To join in the fun, follow Santa at www.noradsanta.org or by calling 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723). NORAD’s “Santa Cams” will also stream videos as Santa makes his way over various locations around the world. You can follow NORAD Tracks Santa on Facebook and Twitter. 

Related Topics: Hawaii

Mrs. Obama just finished answering calls from children from across the country asking where Santa was located as part of the annual NORAD Tracks Santa program run by the North American Aerospace Defense Command. This is the First Lady's fourth year participating in this Christmas Eve tradition.

Mrs. Obama started the calls at around 11:00am local time, and spoke to children for about 30 minutes.

A transcript of the call will be released as soon as it’s ready. In the meantime here is a photo taken by Pete Souza: http://bit.ly/1gVaGu6

Background on the NORAD Tracks Santa Program: The NORAD Tracks Santa program began in 1955 after a phone call was made to the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The call was from a local youngster who dialed a misprinted telephone number in a local newspaper advertisement. The commander on duty who answered the phone that night gave the youngster the information requested - the whereabouts of Santa. This began the tradition of tracking Santa, a tradition that was carried on by NORAD when it was formed in 1958.

The NORAD Tracks Santa program has grown immensely since first presented on the Internet in 1998. The website receives millions of unique visitors from hundreds of countries and territories around the world. In addition, a live Operations Center is occupied for 25 hours with more than 1,200 volunteers each year who receive hundreds of thousands of phone calls and emails from families around the world. 

First Lady Michelle Obama and Toys for Tots Team Up for the Holidays

Posted by Col. Rich Morales on December 20, 2013 at 03:29 PM EST
First Lady Michelle Obama participates in the sorting of toys

First Lady Michelle Obama participates in the sorting of toys during a Toys for Tots service project at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Toys for Tots Distribution Center in Washington, D.C., December 19, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. to deliver hundreds of toys that Executive Office of the President staff donated to the United States Marine Corps' Toys for Tots campaign, an annual holiday toy drive. 

While there, Mrs. Obama welcomed home a  group of Marines that just returned from Afghanistan:

I hear that there are four Marines at this base that just returned home from Afghanistan last week, right in time for the holidays.  So I just want to take a moment to say on behalf of myself and my husband, your Commander-In-Chief, welcome home. 

Then Mrs. Obama thanked military families for all they do throughout the year, while still finding time to run programs like Toys for Tots.  

Most people don’t understand that you do all of this service on top of all of the challenges that you face as service members and as military families. And that’s the example that I think the rest of the country needs to see -- that even in the midst of your challenges, you find a way to give back to those less fortunate. 

And that’s what makes me proud. That’s what makes me want to step up and do whatever I can to support this effort and to support you all as men and women, and as young men and women -- young heroes, our military kids, who do so much sacrificing. And I really don’t know how you all do it....But I am grateful that you are who you are, and that you make those sacrifices. 

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West Wing Week: 12/20/13 or "26 Candles"

Adam Garber
Adam Garber
December 20, 2013
12:00 AM EST

This week, the White House honored those lost at Sandy Hook on the one year anniversary. The President met with newly elected mayors and executives from America's leading technology companies, discussed the benefits of health care reform with a group of moms, and celebrated the holidays with Christmas in Washington.

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West Wing Week: 12/20/13 or "26 Candles"

December 19, 2013 | 3:52 | Public Domain

This week, the White House honored those lost at Sandy Hook on the one year anniversary. The President met with newly elected mayors and executives from America's leading technology companies, discussed the benefits of health care reform with a group of moms, and celebrated the holidays with Christmas in Washington.

Download mp4 (162.6MB)

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
December 19, 2013

REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY AT TOYS FOR TOTS SERVICE PROJECT

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Washington, D.C.

2:38 P.M. EST

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello everyone, how are you all doing?  You excited?  It's almost Christmas!  Do you feel the excitement? 

CHILDREN:  Yes!

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?  Are you guys out of school yet?  Are you on vacation? 

CHILDREN:  No.

MRS. OBAMA:  When do you get out?  On Friday, tomorrow?

CHILDREN:  Yes!

MRS. OBAMA:  Will you be excited about that?

CHILDREN:  Yes!

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, me too.  Thumbs up, thumbs up.  (Laughter.) 

Well it is always a pleasure to be here with you all.  And I just want to say on behalf of my family, what we do is a drop in the bucket of what happens -- what you all do to make this happen.  And it is always an honor and a privilege for me to play this small role to do whatever I can to lift up this effort at the very end of the drive to make sure that we get our numbers and that folks are aware. 

But I want to start by, of course, thanking Lieutenant General Osman, not just for his kind introduction, but for his passionate leadership of Toys for Tots.  He is a phenomenal spokesperson, and a true believer in the meaning of Christmas, and that is giving back to families and children in need.  So I think we should give him a round of applause.  (Applause.)  It's always a pleasure working with you. 

And I also want to recognize Staff Sergeant Perez -- yes, indeed -- (applause) -- who is leading up this effort.  As you all know, she is your fearless leader in this effort, and you all sacrifice so much I'm sure your family hasn't seen much of you because you've been here making this happen.  So I want to personally thank you, as well as all of the other Marines who have been a part of this effort.  You all are outstanding individuals, and I'm very proud and honored. 

I also want to thank Lieutenant Colonel Strickland as well, for his outstanding leadership not just here in Washigton, but across this country; and also, Captain Calandra for hosting us here at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling today.  Thank you, as always.  It's good to be back.  It feels like home.  So thank you for making this happen. 

One other thing that I want to mention -- I hear that there are four Marines at this base that just returned home from Afghanistan last week, right in time for the holidays.  So I just want to take a moment to say on behalf of myself and my husband, your Commander-In-Chief, welcome home.  We're glad to have you back.  Where are -- do we have these individuals here?  Let's see who you are.  Yes!  (Applause.)  Welcome home.  We've got five of them.  We are so proud.  We are grateful for your service.  And we're just so glad you could be home in time for the holidays.  Thank you all so much, we're really proud.  And thank your families, as well. 

And finally, I want to thank all of you and all of the volunteers and donors for Toys for Tots running year after year.  One thing I always say is that I don’t know if people realize everything it takes to make this happen -- the thousands of hours that go into making this drive possible.  I think people just see the nice commercials, they donate a toy, and they think magically it just happens. 

But the truth is that you all spend hours manning those donation boxes in the freezing cold, you then spend hundreds of hours sorting those toys by age so that it make it easier for those toys to get to the kids that need them.  And then you do the work of actually getting those toys out there.  It is a herculean task, and you all do it with grace and poise and efficiency, just like the Marines.  So it's good that you all are handling this.

And because of all of you, the work that you do, Toys for Tots has grown from collecting 5,000 toys starting back in 1947 when this program, this initiative first started, to collecting nearly 16.8 million toys last year.  That’s how much this effort has grown over the decades, and it's because of you.

And that kind of success, the kind of dedication to the mission and your commitment to service, that’s really the reflection of the spirit that I see in military families all across this country.  That’s why one of my most important issues is working for your families, Jill Biden and I.  Because we see that commitment and dedication in every single thing you do.  And the holiday season is just one more reason for you all to find a reason to serve this nation. 

And I always want people to know that you're doing this on top of the stresses and challenges that you all face just every day as families -- don’t worry about it.  Your mom is about to get you.  (Laughter.)  They are still children.  I see you, you've got a dagger in the back of his head.  (Laughter.)  You've got to watch it.  Mom's still watching you.  (Laughter.)  But the kids are involved, too, because while you're doing this work, you're not spending time with them.

What most people have to understand is these men and women and their spouses, they're doing this maybe in the face of the fifth or sixth deployment that their family is experiencing.  You're doing it all on top of maybe trying to still unpack from your most recent move to another base.  You're trying to get your lives in order, scrambling once again to enroll your kids in another school.  Maybe your spouse has just returned home and your family is still readjusting.

Most people don’t understand that you do all of this service on top of all of the challenges that you face as servicemembers and as military families.  And that’s the example that I think the rest of the country needs to see -- that even in the midst of your challenges, you find a way to give back to those less fortunate. 

And that’s what makes me proud.  That’s what makes me want to step up and do whatever I can to support this effort and to support you all as men and women, and as young men and women -- young heroes, our military kids, who do so much sacrificing.  And I really don’t know how you all do it.  I am amazed, I'm fascinated.  But I am grateful that you are who you are, and that you make those sacrifices. 

So I just want to make sure that while we have our press here that we make sure that people know that Toys for Tots is still looking for donations.  We are -- these folks work until the bitter end.  And if you want to donate, you can go to the Toys for Tots website, you can donate online.  Or you can look up the nearest location in your community online, and just use the drop-off method. 

I try to emphasize each year sort of the age groups that are falling short, and I understand from General Osman that this year, we're still looking for gifts for kids -- young infants 0-2.  Those are the gifts that folks need.  And also, I always try to make a push for our teenagers, because oftentimes we forget that these families are made of all ages.  And it's fun to buy the Barbie doll and the cute little toy, but there are a lot of young people out there who are going to need toys and who go without. 

And that’s one of the areas -- when we do donations from our family, we try to hit the teenage market.  I've got teenagers, and if anybody is thinking of ideas, just think of your own teen, what do they need.  They want clothes; girls want makeup; maybe they need a nice pair of shoes, a good coat, any kind of electronic gadget, something for their education.  Just think about what your teens need, and that’s the same thing that these young people need on this holiday season.

So I hope, for those of you who are still out there watching, that you know these donations are real.  They go to real families.  And we need your help and support.  So go to the Toys for Tots website and make it happen.  We still have a few more days, right, to make it happen.

So again, I want to thank you all.  And I think it's time for us to get to work, don’t you think?  We're going to start with the young people in the front row.  I'm going to come and collect some gifts from you guys, and then we'll get to sorting. 

You guys, thank you again.  Happy holidays.  You all be safe, be good -- because Santa is still watching.  (Laughter.)

                        END                2:47 P.M. EST

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