Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(HONOLULU) — With the exception of President Obama’s morning solo trip to the gym, he spent most of Christmas Eve day with his family. First up was a hike up the Judd Trail with FLOTUS and the girls and friends. The Judd Trial “traverses through primarily bamboo, ironwood and eucalyptus forest” high above Honolulu, according to a local hiking website. The press didn’t see them, but reporters traveling in the motorcade said it was raining up there during the hike.
After hiking the trail, which was just under a mile long, they headed directly to the beach, the beach at Bellows Air Force Station to be exact. It’s not too far from their Kailua vacation rental and not only does the beach there have bright blue water and fine, soft sand, it also offers some privacy for the First Family and their friends since it’s on a military installation. They spent about 3 hours there before returning to their rental.
Later Thursday night the First Family headed to MW Restaurant in Honolulu for their Christmas Eve dinner. It’s billed as a trendy spot known for using local ingredients and serving Hawaiian cuisine.
In addition to family activities, the First Lady took about 40 minutes out of her morning to take phone calls from kids and discuss Christmas and NORAD’S Santa-tracker. In what’s become an annual tradition, FLOTUS spoke with about 22 kids (or their parents) about where Santa is in the world and what they hope to get for Christmas.
The White House releases a transcript of the calls and some of the exchanges could be filed under “kids say the darndest things.” This year was no exception and included this one from a child named Peyton who confided to the First Lady: “I’m probably going to ask my mom if I can take a pill that will help me sleep, because otherwise I’m going to stay up all night.” Mrs. Obama replied: “Oh, that sounds — it’s a little exciting, right? … All right. Well you try to get a good night’s sleep tonight. And have a great Christmas in the morning,” according to the transcript.
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