The Washington Monument, rear, is illuminated behind the National Christmas Tree as seen from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington Monday, Dec. 18, 2006.
The National Christmas Tree at the Ellipse, near the White House, left, is seen during a ceremony marking the beginning of a three-week Christmas Pageant of Peace, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006, in Washington. The lighting of the National Christmas Tree is an unbroken tradition which begun in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit the first tree in the President's Park on behalf of all Americans.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush sing Christmas carols with Eartha Kitt, second from left, and Cathy Rigby, fourth from left, during the Christmas Pageant of Peace Opening Ceremony on the Ellipse in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006. Also with Bush are Attiyah Jenkins, 9, left, Stephen Scott, 8, center right, and Dana Bederson, 7, in front of Laura Bush. The boy at far right unidentified.
The Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony takes place on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006. The 37-year-old Silver Fir from Olympic National Forest in Washington is 65 ft. tall and is adorned with about 3,000 ornaments and special energy efficient LED lights.
President and Mrs. Bush are framed by Christmas tree lights as they speak to children during the Children's Holiday Reception and Performance in the East Room, of the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 4, 2006.
Holiday ornaments surround the entrance to the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006, with the White House Christmas tree in the center of the room, during a media preview by first lady Laura Bush of the 2006 holiday decorations at the White House.
First lady Laura Bush hosts a media preview of the 2006 holiday decorations at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006.
A ginger bread White House is on display as first lady Laura Bush hosted a media preview of the 2006 holiday decorations at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006.
Holiday decorations are seen at the North Portico during a media preview of the White House holiday decorations Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006, in Washington. The theme of the White House holiday decorations this year is "Deck the Halls and Welcome All."
The official 2006 White House ornament is seen during a media preview of the White House holiday decorations Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006 in Washington. The theme of the White House holiday decorations this year is "Deck the Halls and Welcome All."
Chris Botek, far left, and his parents, Francis and Margaret Botek, of Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Pennsylvania present first lady Laura Bush with the National Christmas Tree at the North Portico of the White House Monday, Nov. 27, 2006. The Botek's children and grandchildren ride in the back of the cart with the tree. The 18 1/2-foot-tall Douglas fir will stand in the White House Blue Room for the holidays.
First lady Laura Bush makes a brief statement after receiving the National Christmas Tree at the North Portico of the White House Monday, Nov. 27, 2006 in Washington. The tree is from the Crystal Spring Tree Farm located in the foothills of Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains.
Workers raise the Capitol Christmas tree into place on the West side of the Capitol building Monday, Nov. 27, 2006 in Washington. The 65-foot-tall Pacific Silver Fir is from the Olympic National Forest in Washington state.