Obama Family's First Air Force One Trip Departs For Chicago (SLIDESHOW)

The Obamas boarded Air Force One for the first time together on Friday afternoon en route to Chicago. The family plans to spend the long holiday weekend at their Hyde Park home, which they jokingly refer to as their Kennebunkport, a reference to the sprawling Bush family estate in Kennebunkport, Maine.

The President's weekend plans include a Valentine's Day dinner on Saturday night with his wife and a likely basketball game with friends. Michelle's mother, Marian Robinson, is with the family.

See a slideshow of Presidential Retreats: Past and Present.

See a slideshow of the family's return to Washington on Monday.

SLIDESHOW:

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The Obamas leave the White House Friday afternoon

Comments

[Ellabean]

COOL LOOKING BOOTS..., Sasha !!!!

[destruct1]

zzzzzzzzzz­zzzzzzzzzz­zzzzz

[Majormarj]

For all of you who think Bush took 9 weeks off during his terms, it was, in fact (wait for it!) THIRTY TWO MONTHS OFF. Really. Look it up yourself. No reason to go into it at all, but imagine the damage done had he "worked" more than that. Clinton was the one who took around 9 weeks off; the average American gets a couple of weeks off a year.

[Liberty Belle]

I never see Gramma Robinson smile?!

[mimspoot]

Cause this isnt her cup of tea.

[mamekibr]

Beverly, I'm really sorry for your hard times. But be careful your sounding very bitter. I didn't celebrate the day either, so what. I'm happy to look at people and see much love.

[jakie]

THESE REPUBLICANS NEED TO SHUT THERE MOUTHS

[Beverly Maple]

I wanted to post this when I first saw this Saturday. It must be nice to be able to take your family out for Valentine's Day to a nice restaurant and have a nice meal. To not have to worry about how you were going to pay for the dinner, or the sitter, or any of those things. I'm not going to harp on Obama's use of the helicopter and the jet to get his family away from Washington after a stressful first few weeks in office. Sure, he deserves it. Meanwhile, I'll sit here waiting for my husband's unemployment payment to clear and try to be supportive while he looks for a job for yet another week. We didn't celebrate Valentine's this year. We didn't have any extra money. So, I hope the Obamas had a pleasant weekend.

[Wanjiru]

you jest, surely.

.

[trisha08]

President Bush took over 9 weeks of vacation a year!!!! 9 weeks!!!!! More than any President in history. The world was burning and he was on vacation.

I'm sorry you couldn't go out on Valentine's Day, but why aren't you angry at the GOP? They were in charge for the last 8 years and their failed policies got us in this mess.

Seriously, Bush started a war and then went on vacation, and you want to diss President Obama?
At least he is trying to help American's. Can you say the same for the Republicans and Bush?

[ngannon]

I think that it was a lot more than 9 weeks a year- forget the exact numbers but I was under the impression that he was out of the White House at least a third of the time that he was president. I do agree with you- people who said nothing about the way the Bush family and the Repubs in general spent huge amounts of tax payer money criticize Obama constantly.
Who did they think paid for all of the Bush's running around?

[luzzp25]

Right on trisha08 - Beverly Maple wants to dump on Obama and lay all the problems at his feet! But is somehow silent on the past 8 years of Bush's failed policies. Some Americans have such a dis-connect.

For the next 4 years - yes let's hold Obama's feet to the fire BUT let's not forget 8 years of disastrous policies - not the least of which was an unauthorized war. Hmmm. I wonder how many Iraqi families celebrated Valentine's Day this year.

[sbrown80]

The Pres. took office on January 20, 2009. If you don't have enough money, first take personal responsibility for your predicament. Isn't that what you tell minorities? Second, thank Bush for your predicament. He was in office for 8 years. You didn't just lose your job b/c Obama got into office. And thank Obama for signing the Stimulus package to extend you unemployment insurance so that you can sit around and complain about him.

[Just2stressed]

Right on!!!

[Just2stressed]

Beverly, you could have celebrate the day without the 'extra' money. It's not all about going out to dinner or going anywhere at all. People can find creative things to do at HOME.

I can understand you being upset about your husband being unemployed, but, don't expect the President to sacrifice his personal life because somebody, like you, may be upset at him for taking his wife out.

[Just2stressed]

Beverly, you could have celebrate the day without the 'extra' money. It's not all about going out to dinner or going anywhere at all. People can find creative things to do at HOME. I can understand you being upset about your husband being unemployed, but, don't expect the President to sacrifice his personal life because somebody, like you, may be upset at him for taking his wife out.

Times are hard on most Americans, but try not to be so bitter.

[Vinny1234]

This is for all of the republicans making a big fuss about President Obama taking the weekend off. If they don't recall, President Obama promised the American people that he would get this bill passed by Mid-February because the American people are hurting and want something to be done soon. He pushed to get the bill signed and made his deadline of February 13th. He will now sign the bill into law on February 16th. That is good executive leadership to hold to deadlines. He still had time to speak at several cermonies celebrating Lincoln's birthday and he still made time to maintain his family life balance by traveling to his original home to celebrate with them. That is stunning and amazing organizational skills which we have lacked in congress. He has accomplished more in three weeks than many presidents have done in six months. So to all you republicans who try to twist that into something negative, good luck trying. It only makes you look more stupid than you really are!

[capeman2]

Sign the bill already, the sky is falling and new social programs need funding. Yes, all hail the Great One. How does it feel to be in love?

[Vinny1234]

capeman2,
You should seek out professional help to enable you to deal with the real world. He basically kept another promise that he made to the American people. Are you so use to being lied to that when someone comes along and keeps a promise that made to you, it is unacceptable. What is wrong with you fellow countryman! The American people gave President Bush a chance even though it was controversial in how he came to power. You owe it me and to all other Amercans to give every president a chance to succeed.

[trisha08]

Actually it feels pretty good.

[capeman2]

The guy's been on the job for a month and he's arleady going home for a long weekend - are you kidding me?! If that stimulus bill is so important and must be approved immediately to avoid financial devastation, why is he waiting until Tuesday to sign it…in Denver! You suckers!

[DMHendrix]

Do people tend to stare at your really small head?

[capeman2]

Poor little liberal person, you know I am right....G­o on now, get off the computer and go back to saving the world, buy some carbon credits or something.

[AbyssinianLion]

Too funny! LOL!

[lilkunta]

Since the Obamas bought their house outright, do they only have 2 pay property taxes?

What is done with the house everyday while they're in DC? Do they have relatives live there? Or did they hire a caretaker?

[Gerald Martin]

Auntie moved in

[scottMontgomery]

We miss you Obamas! Chicago loves you!

[majii]

The Obamas remind me of my family:
1. A mom and dad who were married for 52 years until my mom passed (the Obamas haven't
got there yet, but I hope and pray that they do)
2. A family focused on their children being properly reared to be good citizens and ensuring
that they get a good education.
3. A father and mom who love each other and make sure their children know it
4. A man who provides for his children economically
5. Parents who nurture and encourage their children to reach for the moon

Yep, they remind me of my African American family.

[capeman2]

Yes, they remind me of the Clintons too, another wonderful Democrat family.

[AbyssinianLion]

capeman2 - it is apparent the you are lonely bitter person. Try therapy and medication, it may help you.

[trisha08]

Bush took more vacation than any President in history. Were you railing at Bush everytime HE left for his ranch? Did you get on right-wing sites and demand that your President work every day? I doubt it.

Bush started a war and then went on vacation, so you don't have a lot of credibility bashing Obama for taking a few days off with his family.

[mahatma301]

yes. bush did next to nothing in his last six months. that was good in that he did not cause any more disasters. but he failed to do diddly to deal with the many he started early, mostly by lazy and stupid and corrupt. at least Barack did a lot of good, works hard, is honest, and certainly deserves a weekend off.

can u imaging mccaine and palin doing anything but causing mass panic and more disasters?

[LisaO8]

wolf hunting and oil drilling, that's about it...

[mahatma301]

and mcc/ain is forever rubbing up against pa/in

[DemsDeBreaks]

This president has done more work in three weeks than many did in three months, heck, he did more work BEFORE he became president than any other before him. I have no problem with him taking the weekend off, and getting in some family time.

Get off your high horses, Republicans. Good old George W. took an average of NINE WEEKS of vacation per year. But at least nothing important was going on during his terms like a war or financial crisis...o­h, wait....

[janeyu]

he rushed that bill through on Friday so he can take the weekend off? and sign it on Tuesday?

The president plans to spend the Presidents' Day weekend in the Windy City, and is not expected to sign the bill until Tuesday, when he travels to Denver to discuss his economic plan.

Does he have a clue? he's taking the weekend off? Ok all you Kool-aid drinkers lets hear how he needs a break after 3 weeks in office, how he should have a chance to take his lovely wife out.. we are not talking about the HS Prom king .. He pushed the bill through. so no one had a chance to read it-although he promised the country it would be out there for 5 days, then 48 hours . And now he needs to take a break>>>WOW!!!

[dct1999]

LMAO, it really bothers you doesn't it? He took the weekend off because the legislation passed. His first three weeks in office have been tremendously successful, despite the best efforts of the deranged republicans and their media enablers.

Yes, he earned a break and he should have a chance to take his wife to a Valentine's Day dinner in their hometown.

You republicans should stop electing slow readers, maybe then you'll know what's in the bill.

[postman606]

Can you guys come up with another term besides Kool-aid. It is overused, illogical, and oh so tired. It reflects a desperate and unoriginal person. What liquid substance was consumed by people who voted fro Bush twice?

[dct1999]

Rubbing alcohol

[JoeJC]

He was elected by people who said he seemed like the person they would most want to have a beer with. There's you answer. Too many beers.