Obama's Christmas getaway

Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Reuters Reuters

President Barack Obama's motorcade in Kailua, Hawaii, on December 29.

People hold up signs protesting the building of a Target as President Barack Obama's motorcade leaves his vacation compound on December 29.

President Barack Obama's motorcade leaves the Marine Corps Base in Hawaii after his routine morning workout at Semper Fit gym on December 29.

President Barack Obama picks up his ball after finishing the 9th hole at the Mid Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii, on December 28.

President Barack Obama smiles while driving a golf cart alongside friend Mike Ramos at the Mid Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii, December 28.

President Barack Obama looks down the fairway as he plays golf on the 9th hole at the Mid Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii, on December 28.

President Barack Obama holds up his golf ball after making his putt on the 9th green at the Mid Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii, on December 28.

President Barack Obama's motorcade passes a Christmas tree as it leaves the Marine Corps Base in Hawaii on December 27.

President Barack Obama eats a shaved ice with daughter Malia at Island Snow in Kailua, Hawaii, on December 27.

Sasha Obama admires her shaved ice at Island Snow, Kailua Beach Center, Hawaii, on December 27.

President Barack Obama eats a shaves ice at Island Snow in Kailua, Hawaii, on December 27.

President Barack Obama eats shaved ice with daughter Malia at Island Snow in Kailua, Hawaii, on December 27.

President Barack Obama poses for a portrait with store staff at Island Snow atthe Kailua Beach Center on December 27.

President Barack Obama rides in an SUV as he leaves the Marine Corps Base at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, on December 27.

President Barack Obama at the Marine Corps Base at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, on Christmas Day.

First Lady Michelle Obama at the Marine Corps Base at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, on Christmas Day.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet members of the US military and their families on Christmas Day at the Marine Corps Base at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive to greet members of the US military and their families on Christmas Day at the Marine Corps Base at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

President Barack Obama has a lei around his neck as he talks with Senator Daniel Okaka (C) and Rep. Mazie Hirono (R) upon his arrival in Hawaii for his vacation on December 22.

President Barack Obama boards Air Force One enroute to Hawaii for vacation on December 22.

« Previous« PreviousNext »Next »

Obama visits marines

Related Links

Obama visits marines Obama's Christmas holiday

Relevant offers

Americas

Five family members dead in shooting at US spa Informant dubbed a 'trailer park Mata Hari' Children tied to bed in US home Murder charge after lover repeatedly run over Stranglers lured victims on buses Starved girl's statement details horrifying life Gabby Giffords' husband writing children's book Nine-month-old killed in drive-by shooting Monaco prince bloodied after bar brawl Declared dead suspect wants charge thrown out

President Barack Obama is extending his vacation in Hawaii by a day to spend more time with his family after their departure from Washington was delayed last week, the White House says.

Obama will leave Hawaii, where he grew up, late on Monday evening (US time), arriving in Washington on Tuesday afternoon, spokesman Bill Burton said.

Previously, the White House said Obama would leave Hawaii on Sunday.

The president delayed the start of his vacation to stay in Washington while Congress was still in session.

The delay was productive. During the "lame duck" congressional session, the Senate ratified a nuclear arms treaty with Russia and passed a measure to allow gay men and women to serve openly in the military - top priorities for the president.

"After the extended lame duck and five-day delay of his trip here, he's just trying to squeeze in more time with his family before returning to Washington," Burton said in a statement.

Since arriving in Hawaii, President Obama and first lady Michelle have taken time from their vacation to drop by a Marine Corps base, where they greeted service men and women during Christmas dinner.

Obama, who has otherwise kept a low profile during the holiday, visited the same base the previous two years on Christmas Day.

The president and first lady shook hands, posed for pictures, admired babies and chatted with Marines and their families in the mess hall decked out in Christmas decorations for about 40 minutes.

Their own Christmas dinner consisted of steak, roasted potatoes and green beans, with pie for dessert, the White House said.

But, despite the low profile, the first lady stayed behind when her husband and daughters, Sasha and Malia, hit the beach on Christmas Eve to answer calls from children trying to pinpoint Santa's whereabouts.

The White House said the first lady spent about 40 minutes talking with children who called the phoneline - run by the military organisation Norad which says it uses radar, satellites, high-speed digital cameras and fighter jets to track Santa.

Obama and the first family also paid a rare visit to church on Boxing Day, joining about 100 other worshipers in the chapel on a Marine base nearby their Hawaiian vacation home.

The family sat in the front row of St. Michael's chapel, singing and clapping along with other parishioners to hymns that included "Oh Holy Night" and "Joy to the World".

Obama has not been a frequent church-goer since moving to the White House in January, 2009, which aides say reflects his desire not to inconvenience other worshipers with the inevitable disruption of a presidential church visit.

The president and his family will spend 12 days at their vacation rental at Kailua Bay. Each morning the president exercises in the Marine Base gym and receives daily intelligence briefings.

- Reuters