These wooden Easter eggs, decorated with President Bush's and Laura Bush's signatures, are given out Monday, April 21, 2003, to those who take part in the Easter Egg Roll at the White House. Mr. Bush and wife missed the annual event, returning later that day from an Easter weekend stay at their Crawford, Texas, ranch.
Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, center, blows the starting whistle, Monday, April 21, 2003, for the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House. Mrs. Cheney hosted the event in the absence of the president and first lady.
Katherine Dryer, center, watches as her daughter Maggie Dryer, 3, right, and Ethan Frietze, left, take part in the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House. This year, only military families are allowed to attend the event. Dryer's husband is stationed on the hospital ship USS Comfort.
Air Force Maj. Diane Lent-Tucker cheers on her 4 year-old daughter Sarah Tucker at the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House.
Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, center, laughs at the start of the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House.
Lucy Hayes, shown in this undated portrait drawing, started the custom of inviting children for egg rolling at Easter on the White House lawn 124 years ago. First lady from 1877-81, Hayes also enforced a ban on wine and liquor at White House functions.
The event has grown so popular that thousands of eggs are boiled and dyed for the event every year. In this March 29, 2002 photo, White House chefs prepare more than 7,000 eggs for the Easter Egg Roll. Left to right are chefs Randy Chamblee, Nathan McMackle, William Taylor, David Luersen, and Alex Moran.