National Christmas Tree lighting

The White House is seen in the background after the National Christmas Tree was lit during its lighting ceremony, on Dec. 1, 2011, at the Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington. The first family participated in the 89th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The 2011 National Christmas Tree is pictured with the national monument in the background after President and the First Family lit it during a ceremony on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington on Dec. 1, 2011.

President Barack Obama speaks before lighting The 2011 National Christmas Tree on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington on Dec. 1, 2011.

From left, Marian Robinbson, first lady Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama and President Barack Obama arrive for the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington on Dec. 1, 2011.

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Malia and Sasha leave the stage after lighting the 2011 National Christmas Tree on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington on Dec. 1, 2011.

President Barack Obama, right, Santa Claus, second right, Carson Daly, center, Kermit the Frog, first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha sing a song during the National Christmas Tree light ceremony on Dec. 1, 2011, at the Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington. The first family participated in the 89th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

First lady Michelle Obama and Kermit the frog read to children during the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree on Dec. 1, 2011, at The Ellipse in Washington.

President Barack Obama, left, daughter Malia and first lady Michelle Obama participate in the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 1, 2011, at the Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington. The first family participated in the 89th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Santa Claus and Kermit the frog sing a song during the National Christmas Tree lighting cermony, on Dec. 1, 2011, at the Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington. The first family participated in the 89th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

First lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha sing with Kerit the Frog during the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, on Dec. 1, 2011.

First Lady Michelle Obama is joined by Kermit the Frog as she reads a story during the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington on Dec. 1, 2011.

The cast of "Jersey Boys" perform during the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington on Dec. 1, 2011.

President Barack Obama sings with Santa during the finale fo the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree Dec. 1, 2011, at The Ellipse in Washington.

Singer Ellie Goulding, right, perfoms during the finale fo the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree Dec. 1, 2011, at The Ellipse in Washington.

President Barack Obama and daughter Malia, right, participate in the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 1, 2011, at the Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington. The first family participated in the 89th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Singer Ellie Goulding perfoms during the finale fo the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree Dec. 1, 2011, at The Ellipse in Washington.

Big Rush Time performs during the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington on Dec. 1, 2011.

First Lady Michelle Obama, second right, her mother, Marion Robinson, left, and daughters Malia, second right, and Sasha are seen on stage with singer Ellie Goulding, second left, during the finale of the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree Dec. 1, 2011, at the Ellipse in Washington.

President Barack Obama, center, and daughters Sasha, left, and Malia, second right, and first lady Michelle Obama participate in the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 1, 2011, at the Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington. The first family participated in the 89th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

OneRepublic performs during the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington on Dec. 1, 2011.

The 2011 National Christmas Tree is pictured after the President and the First Family lit it during a ceremony on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington on Dec. 1, 2011.

President Barack Obama, center, and daughters Sasha, second left, Malia, second right, and first lady Michelle Obama, right, participate in the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 1, 2011, at the Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington. The first family participated in the 89th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha, left, arrive on stage for the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree on Dec. 1, 2011, at the Ellipse in Washington.

From left, Marion Robinson, mother-in-law of President Barack Obama, Sasha Obama, President Barack Obama, Malia Obama and first lady Michelle Obama applaud at the start of the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree on Dec. 1, 2011, at the Ellipse in Washington.

President Barack Obama embraces Interior Secretary Ken Salazar after his introduction by Salazar at the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree on Dec. 1, 2011, at the Ellipse in Washington.