First lady Michelle Obama with daughters Sasha, left, and Malia welcome the arrival of the White House Christmas tree Friday at the White House. AP

First lady welcomes 2012 Christmas tree
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — First lady Michelle Obama is kicking off the holiday season by welcoming the White House Christmas tree. Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha and first dog Bo greeted the arriv­al of a 19-foot Fraser fir frand Beau Eom Peak Farms in Jef­ferson, N.C. The tree arrived Fri­day on a horse­drawn car­riage. It will be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House. The fir tree comes from the farm of 2012 Na­tional Christmas Tree As­sociation grand champi­on winners Rusty stes. Members of the asso­ciation have presented the official White House Christmas tree every year since 1966.