night everyone

A year ago.

The song

See you tomorrow.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave to the crowd from the Truman Balcony of the White House during the annual Easter Egg Roll, April 25

endeavour

(The President and first family will travel to Florida on Friday to view the launch of the space shuttle Endeavour)

phew, no hard feelings

2010:

2011:

Friends

😎

dublin dan

Irish Times: When Air Force One touches down in Dublin next month, a frail but sprightly gentleman nearing his 80th birthday will be on the tarmac to greet President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. For US ambassador Dan Rooney, that moment will rank right up there with his Pittsburgh Steelers winning the Super Bowl.

The first time Rooney met Obama (then running as a candidate) was in Pittsburgh in September 2007: “I told him, ‘You gotta go to Ireland.’ He said, ‘I will, and I’ll go with you.’”

….Rooney used his prestige as the owner of the Steelers to win over crucial working-class areas of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia for Obama’s election. He arrived in Dublin, as the ambassador of a grateful president, on July 2nd, 2009, with two goals: to visit every county in Ireland, and to welcome a presidential visit.

Obama “is a friend, in addition to being the president”, Rooney explains. “I want him to have a good time . . . enjoy himself. He’s got a hard trip following.”

…The US president and first lady are expected to reside with the Rooneys in the ambassador’s residence in the Phoenix Park. On Saint Patrick’s Day in 2010, Rooney recalls, Obama said, “Yes, I am coming to Ireland, and I’m staying at his house.”

As the ambassador notes, it already has very good security. Built in 1776 by a British colonel, the ambassador’s home is rented from the Irish Government for a symbolic one dollar each year. Presidents Kennedy, Clinton and George Bush snr have slept in the presidential suite, as well as Princess Grace and Bing Crosby.

…The ambassador loves his life in Ireland, but as Obama’s unconditional fan, he’s thinking of returning to the US soon. “I would probably have to resign to campaign for President Obama’s re-election,” Rooney says. “I think that would be the number one thing I can do for him, and I’d be willing to do so. He’s the best man for the job, without question.”

Full article here

show time

First Lady Michelle Obama and Jada Pinkett Smith watch Jada’s daughter Willow Smith perform

President Obama hugs White House Visitors Office Director Ellie Schafer as they listen to Willow Smith perform during the White House Easter Egg Roll

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Video of Willow Smith performing here – thank you Collegekay 😉

food for thought

First Lady Michelle Obama is joined by chef Jacques Pepin and TV personalities Kelly Ripa and Al Roker at a Play with Your Food session at the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll

strategy

Campaign Manager Jim Messina provides a first look at the 2012 campaign plan – a plan to build an unprecedented grassroots campaign to win, with you leading it.

collegekay’s pics!

You’re a star Collegekay, thank you!

Collegekay’s report here

egging them on!

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama read a book titled “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” to children during the annual Easter Egg Roll

President Obama participates in a ‘Let’s Move’ basketball clinic with members of the NBA, WNBA and the Harlem Globetrotters

President Obama shakes hans with retired NBA player Darryl Dawkins

First Lady Michelle Obama flips a crepe at a cooking station as Al Roker, Kelly Ripa and Chefs Jacques Pepin look on

message from ‘proud of obama’

From our dear friend, ‘Proud of Obama’:

Hello, Chipsticks and TOD family. I wanted to drop in to thank you all for your prayers and hugs on the untimely passing of my beloved husband, Will. I felt them as I traveled to Chicago to lay him to rest where we were both born and raised. Will was the love of my life. He supported me in everything I did, including my campaigning for PBO (he loved and admired the president) in this ugly state of Indiana. On election night 2008, I skipped the campaign gathering and raced home so we could watch the returns together. We cried tears of joy together as PBO won in a landslide.

My beloved had heart problems relating to diabetes, but he had recently seen his cardiologist and we thought he was doing well. So his passing at the young age of 62 was a complete shock. It has left a hole in me that I know will never be filled.

Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all so much. I’m sure I’ll be posting again soon.

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So lovely to hear from you Proud, our thoughts are with you in this painful time. May Will rest in peace. Take care of yourself, see you soon.