With the White House in the background, the National Christmas Tree waits to be lit.  Barack Obama and the First Family later flicked the switch to light up the National Christmas Tree  before an estimated crowd of 17,000 on the Ellipse, just south of the White House in Washington D.C. on December 6, 2012  (Photo by Jeff Malet)
Barack Obama and the First Family flicked the switch to light up the National Christmas Tree  before an estimated crowd of 17,000 on the Ellipse, near the White House in Washington D.C. on December 6, 2012  (Photo by Jeff Malet)
The Midtown Men, stars from the original Broadway cast of "Jersey Boys" entertain at the 90th annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree. President Barack Obama and the First Family flicked the switch to light up the tree before an estimated crowd of 17,000 on the Ellipse, near the White House in Washington D.C. on December 6, 2012  (Photo by Jeff Malet)
U.S. Navy Band Commodores entertain at the 90th annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree. President Barack Obama and the First Family flicked the switch to light up the tree before an estimated crowd of 17,000 on the Ellipse, near the White House in Washington D.C. on December 6, 2012  (Photo by Jeff Malet)
The Midtown Men, stars from the original Broadway cast of "Jersey Boys" entertain at the 90th annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree. President Barack Obama and the First Family flicked the switch to light up the tree before an estimated crowd of 17,000 on the Ellipse, near the White House in Washington D.C. on December 6, 2012  (Photo by Jeff Malet)
Irish Prime Minister Edna Kenny pauses in the Halls of Congress for a brief news conference with Rep. Peter King (R-NY). President Barack Obama welcomed Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to Washington as part of an extended St. Patrick's Day celebration. At the US Capitol in Washington DC on March 20, 2012. (Photo by Jeff Malet)
Irish Prime Minister Edna Kenny pauses in the Halls of Congress for a brief news conference with Rep. Peter King (R-NY). President Barack Obama welcomed Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to Washington as part of an extended St. Patrick's Day celebration. At the US Capitol in Washington DC on March 20, 2012. (Photo by Jeff Malet)
President Barack Obama welcomed Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to Washington as part of an extended St. Patrick's Day celebration. In photo  Irish Prime Minister Edna Kenny (left), and Rep. Peter King (R-NY), walk back up the steps of the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, following the departure of President Obamal. The leaders all wore green ties and were serenaded by the United States Air Force Reserve Pipe Band. (Photo by Jeff Malet)
President Barack Obama welcomed Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to Washington as part of an extended St. Patrick's Day celebration. In photo, President Barack Obama shakes hands with House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) before entering his limo. The leaders all wore green ties and were serenaded by the United States Air Force Reserve Pipe Band. (Photo by Jeff Malet)
Irish Prime Minister Edna Kenny pauses in the Halls of Congress for a brief news conference with Rep. Peter King (R-NY). President Barack Obama welcomed Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to Washington as part of an extended St. Patrick's Day celebration. At the US Capitol in Washington DC on March 20, 2012. (Photo by Jeff Malet)
Irish Prime Minister Edna Kenny pauses in the Halls of Congress for a brief news conference with Rep. Peter King (R-NY). President Barack Obama welcomed Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to Washington as part of an extended St. Patrick's Day celebration. At the US Capitol in Washington DC on March 20, 2012. (Photo by Jeff Malet)
Irish Prime Minister Edna Kenny pauses in the Halls of Congress for a brief news conference with Rep. Peter King (R-NY). President Barack Obama welcomed Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to Washington as part of an extended St. Patrick's Day celebration. At the US Capitol in Washington DC on March 20, 2012. (Photo by Jeff Malet)
See photo in original gallery.