Christmas at the White House

My neighbor Alli works at the White House and invited a friend and me to come enjoy the White House Christmas decorations! I love my new neighbors, and I love living in this town!!! I have been on a White House tour before, and you usually can't take a camera inside. However, during the Christmas season, you may snap as many pictures as you want! So let's get started . . . .

This was a cardboard tree made of little holes. All the bright little colored pieces of paper are notes. Each visitor writes a message, rolls it up, and stuffs it in a hole.
These were the most beautiful wreaths in the entire place. They are made of magnolia leaves that have been painted red.
At the end of the magnolia wreath hallway, there were two large topiaries made of pine cones. They were very elegant but at the same time whimsical due to their size.
Here is a Christmas tree in the Vermeil Room. The painting just to the right of the tree is Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. I know you can't really see it, but it's a little creepy looking if you ask me.
This is the fireplace mantel in the library. Love it!
Next up the East Room. Kristin and I hanging out in front of another beautiful mantel. The vases were full of fresh hydrangeas and roses.
Here is a close up of one of those vases:
The Green Room was next. (Hmmm . . . I love the names of the White House rooms - Green Room, Red Room, Blue Room, Oval Office.) Anyway, each window in this room had one of these trees made out of berries.
I LOVE the color green of this room. It is so peaceful and relaxing. Here is a funny story about the couch pictured below. Alli and her husband, Brad, attended a Christmas party a couple of years ago at the White House. They open all the rooms, roll out the carpets, and take down all the you-can't-go-there-velvet-ropes. So Brad was sitting on this very very very old couch eating shrimp with cocktail sauce, RED cocktail sauce!! The nerve . . .
Finally we get to the big Christmas tree in the Blue Room. The tree was big, the room was small - this is the best shot I could get of the entire tree without laying down on the ground. Just to get this shot I was holding up traffic.
Each of those ornaments had been decoupaged to represent a state. Here are a couple of the ornaments up close and personal:

The tree also had these glass ball things that Kristin and I loved. I wonder where the common folk can get some of these?
Vaughn, Alli, me, and Kristin holding up the traffic again for a picture.
Here is a view you don't see very often . . .
Hmmm I wonder what this room is named??? Yep, it is the Red Room . . . and Kristin and another gorgeous tree.
The famous gingerbread house is located in the State Dining Room. The vase on the table was covered with leaves. Such a cute idea - I might have to try it the next time I have people over.
The gingerbread house complete with Bo the dog and a miniature version of the room that we were in.
Nothing to do with Christmas, but since you can't take pictures on a regular tour, I thought I would snap a couple of pictures of famous presidential paintings.

Kristin and I striking a pose in front of the Blue Room Christmas tree and underneath the Presidential Seal.
**side note: picture taken by a secret service man
Yep, we are dorks, but WE ARE AT THE WHITE HOUSE AT CHRISTMAS TIME!!!
And just in case you don't believe us . . .
we really were there - inside those gates!

And now I must apologize for making your eyes bleed because of this way too long blog post!!