The White House is releasing today the first official photo of the First Family which was shot last month by famed celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz (who has been struggling with HUGE debt problems lately). Here is our first look at the official White House photo of the First Family — President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Malia Ann and Natasha (Sasha) Obama:

The Obamas have released a new official first family portrait this morning. As you can see at left, Barack and Michelle Obama are seated in the Green Room of the White House, along with their daughters Sasha, age 8, and Malia, age 11. The portrait was taken last month by famed photographer Annie Leibowitz, who has taken a number of Obama family portraits in the past.

Such a beautiful family, such a beautiful portrait. If you would like to have a high-res copy of this photo suitable for framing or what have you, you can download the file HERE at the official White House Flickr photostream. Great photo!!

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This past Sunday morn, we got our first look at Bo Obama, the new First Dog, and today we get to see Bo running and frolicking with the First Family on the White House lawn … which is now his new home. Yesterday was Bo’s official coming out party as members of the US and worldwide press corp came out to the White House to get the first official look at the newly expanded First Family:

He may be the leader of the free world, but he still has to walk the dog. “We all have to take turns walking the dog,’’ President Obama declared Tuesday, as Bo Obama, the newest – and only four-legged — occupant of the White House, made his much-anticipated Washington debut. Then again, the president had his two young daughters with him. What else could any self-respecting father and new dog owner say? “We’re trying to be responsible dog owners,’’ he later confessed. In this city of jaded journalists, about 100 members of the Fourth Estate turned out to watch the Obamas — President Barack, First Lady Michelle and First Daughters Malia and Sasha – scamper around the South Lawn with Bo and entertain dog-related questions. This we now know as a result: Bo has not yet had any accidents in the presidential mansion. “We’re trying to keep her from having accidents,’’ Mrs. Obama said, mistakenly using the female pronoun even though Bo is a boy. (No offense intended, Bo, but with your curly black hair, white front paws and carefully-groomed tail, you do kind of look like a girl.) Bo, a gift to the Obamas from Senator Edward M. Kennedy Jr., is a Portuguese Water Dog. The president allowed that Porties, as they are called, like to eat tomatoes. “Michelle’s garden is in danger,’’ Mr. Obama declared. Not to worry, Mrs. Obama said – the garden doesn’t have any tomatoes. Here, Sasha Obama, 7, weighed in, changing the subject. “He doesn’t know how to swim!’’ she exclaimed. (Water dog or not, Bo will apparently require swimming lessons.) Bo joins a long line of presidential pooches, the most recent being Barney, President George W. Bush’s dog, who once bit a reporter. (For the record, some say Barney was provoked.) Barney was allowed in the Oval Office. Will Bo have similar privileges? “Of course,’’ Mr. Obama replied. Will he sleep in a bed? “Not in my bed,’’ the president said.

It is really nice to see that we can focus on something this whimsical and happy during a time of some strife. Of course, the acquisition of a new dog isn’t and shouldn’t be front page news but sometimes I think a story like this is a welcome one. Seeing the First Family in a more “normal” light makes us all feel closer to them. I’m sure having Bo come home to live with them is the best news ever for Sasha and Malia Obama. After the jump, check out video of Bo’s introduction to the press yesterday afternoon …

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The US has a new First Pet, a dog named Bo, and everyone is a-twitter about his arrival. Late Friday, TMZ scooped the DC media with all the deets about the new First Dog days ahead of a supposed exclusive that was to come from the Washington Post. Here is our first look at Bo Obama (named after Bo Diddly) and the First Family Barack, Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama welcoming him into the fold:

Forget about hunting for Easter eggs. The president’s daughters have a much better treat in store this holiday weekend: a new dog! After months of anticipation, a 6-month-old Portuguese Water Dog named Bo is now calling the White House home. First, the name. According to the Washington Post, which published confirmation of the White House dog news Sunday, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, chose the name because their cousins have a cat named Bo and because Mrs. Obama’s father was nicknamed Diddley, as in Bo Diddley. The dog is a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy, who owns three dogs of the same breed, known for high spirits and said to be a good fit for kids with allergies (such as Malia). Kennedy had been lobbying the Obamas to get a Portuguese Water Dog (or PWD) for months. The newspaper reports that the Obama girls are delighted – they’ve been waiting anxiously since their dad promised them a dog during his presidential campaign – and that the family, first-time dog owners, are still deciding where Bo will sleep and who will walk and feed him. Under a veil of secrecy, the Post reports, Bo actually made a trip to the White House earlier to meet the family. “The Meeting,” as it was called by staffers, was a success. But the highly-orchestrated canine delivery procedure didn’t go without a few hitches. First, news began to circulate that a Portuguese Water Dog by the name of Charlie had been selected for the First Family after a Web site called firstdogcharlie.com posted the information, and a photo, Saturday. The White House called the photo “bogus” and told news organizations (including PEOPLE) that the First Dog would make its debut Tuesday – although Bo, it is now apparent, was already at the White House over the weekend. Then there are the questions about the dog’s origins that are sure to bedevil the Administration. The Obamas originally discussed rescuing a dog from a shelter. But valuable and highly-bred PWDs rarely show up at shelters. Bo is said to have lived with a family that decided not to keep him, but that won’t likely satisfy animal rescue advocates who wanted the Obamas to take in a stray. To help ease disappointment, according to the Washington Post, the family will make a donation to the District of Columbia Humane Society.

So much drama over such a little guy. While I understand that the new Presidential pooch had to be allergen-free so that the Obama girls (who are allergic) could live with him, all of the hoopla about his pedigree and where he came from is a bit ridiculous. All of the “top secrecy” of his procurement is equally ridic. But, at last, Bo has joined the First Family and now, hopefully, we can move on. Welcome to the White House, Bo!

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I think it’s pretty safe to say, by all accounts, that yesterday was an historically momentous day. The swearing in of Barack H. Obama as our 44th President of the United States of America was a day that was a long time coming … and when the moment was at hand, the US and the world at large paused to bear witness. A lucky 2,000,000 were able to attend the Inauguration swearing in ceremony in person in Washington DC … including my dear friend Jordan, who made the trek from SoCal to attend the Inauguration events in DC. Here are a few photos that Jordan sent in from DC yesterday:

As you can see, Jordan managed to squeeze his way to the front of the podium where President Obama was giving his Inauguration Address. I chatted with him briefly on the phone yesterday morning while we were waiting for the events to get underway and he sounded so happy and excited to be there for the historic event.

Here are a few photos of the Obamas as they made their way in the Presidential motorcade along the parade route after the swearing in ceremony … as you can see, the First Family were stylin’ along in the new Presidential Cadillac Limousine created by General Motors (which we learned a bit about yesterday), straight from Motown — Detroit, MI:

Not only is this Presidential Limo the safest one ever but it, in my estimation, is the slickest ride any president has been fortunate enough to own.

But after the long day’s activities were completed, it was time to get the party started. President and First Lady Obama (who was dressed in a beautiful white gown designed by 26 year old Jason Wu) made their way to 10 Inaugural Balls and both looked stunning as they danced the night away. Here are a couple photos of the Obamas as they made their grand arrival at the Neighborhood Ball, the first of many balls the couple attended last night:

After the jump, check out a bunch of photos (and video) of the First Couple enjoying their first dance together as they were serenaded by Beyoncé who sang the Etta James classic At Last …

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On the eve of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day today, dignitaries, politicians, celebrities and everyday citizens convened on the mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC yesterday to participate in the We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration to celebrate not only tomorrow’s Inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President but to also honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who, very famously, gave his I Have A Dream speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial back in August of 1963. Here are a few photos from yesterday’s We Are One concert event and some info about what went down:

Barack Obama and his family had a star-studded – and musical – introduction to Washington, D.C. On Sunday afternoon, the President-elect was feted on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration. The two-hour event was broadcast live on an open signal on HBO, and it featured a mix of historical speeches, presented by stars like Tom Hanks, and classic anthems like U2’s surging Martin Luther King, Jr.-inspired “Pride (In the Name of Love).” Equally powerful, Beyoncé closed out the festivities with a stately, soaring version of “America the Beautiful.” The singer beckoned all the earlier performers on stage, leading a star-studded sing-along. Said Beyoncé as she concluded, “America, we are one.” Denzel Washington kicked the festivities off with an introduction, telling the crowd, “We are inspired by the man we’ve elected to be the 44th president.” Then, the actor ceded the stage to Bruce Springsteen and a full gospel choir in red robes. Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, the troubadour performed “The Rising” – and delivered a message of unity. “Come on up for the rising,” he sang. “Come on up, lay your hands in mine.” As he performed, the cameras panned to the awe-inspiring sight of thousands of spectators huddled in the cold, packed around the Reflecting Pool and stretched all the way east to the Washington Monument. Much closer to the action, Obama and his family – including wife Michelle and their daughters Malia, 10, who snapped photos of the massive crowd, and Sasha, 7 – took in the festivities from a front-row perch, in a box just off the stage, next to Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill. Obama also took the stage to thank performers and audience members for sharing in the celebration. “Welcome to Washington, and welcome to this celebration of American renewal,” he said. “As I stand here tonight, what gives me the greatest hope . . . is you: Americans of every race and region and station who came here because you believe in what this country can be and because you want to help us get there.” Mary J. Blige got concert-goers dancing – even Obama, who grooved in his seat – during her soulful version of “Lean on Me.” And Jamie Foxx inspired plenty of laughter – including a chuckling Obama – with his pitch-perfect impression of the President-elect as he recited lines from Obama’s post-election victory speech in Chicago’s Grant Park. Sheryl Crow teamed up with jazz legend Herbie Hancock and will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas for a spirited take on Bob Marley’s “One Love.” “Let’s get together and feel all right,” they sang while audience members frantically waved their hands in the air. Later, during his performance, Garth Brooks sang his Obama-inspired original composition, “We Shall Be Free,” which the country star melded into a medley of recognizable favorites like “American Pie” and “Shout.” And Usher took the stage with Shakira and Stevie Wonder for the soul luminary’s “Higher Ground.”

I was able to watch a small portion of yesterday’s celebration and it was quite a sight to see … the party was jumpin’ and it’s only the beginning. Our President-elect was deffo in fine spirits at yesterday’s event as he spoke to the assembled crowd about how hopeful he is for our country on the eve of such a monumental achievement:

Barack Obama said he’s “as hopeful as ever” about the future of the U.S. as thousands of Americans converged on Washington’s Lincoln Memorial for a free concert to celebrate his inauguration as the first black president. “Only a handful of generations have been asked to confront challenges as serious as the ones we face right now,” Obama said today. “Despite the enormity of the task that lies ahead, I stand here today as hopeful as ever that the United States of America will endure, that it will prevail, that the dream of our founders will live on in our time.” People gathered hours in advance for the event at the same site chosen by civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. for his 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech. The concert featured songs by Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, U2 and Mary J. Blige; Martin Luther King III spoke, along with actors including Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks. Obama sang along as Garth Brooks performed “American Pie.” He and his wife, Michelle, rocked along to Blige and jumped to their feet as Wonder sang and played the keyboard. Interspersed in the event were clips of past presidents, including the inaugural addresses by John F. Kennedy and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Obama and his wife followed incoming Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, down the steps of the memorial and waved to crowds that stretched down the National Mall to the Washington Monument before the concert. They took seats to the side of the stage with the Obama children, Sasha and Malia. “Change has come to America,” actor Jamie Foxx told the roaring crowd, quoting Obama and doing an impression of him that drew laughter from attendees and the president-elect himself. Biden spoke about 40 minutes into the program about the value of work, saying it was about dignity and respect. “I see a country built by men and women who believe in the dignity of work, who take pride in providing for their families,” Biden told the crowd. Obama, 47, for the second day chose to invoke the spirit of Abraham Lincoln, the president who led the U.S. through the Civil War and ended slavery. Obama arrived in Washington last night after a “whistlestop” train trip that began in Philadelphia; Lincoln arrived by railroad in 1861 for his own inauguration. Both were elected from their adopted home state of Illinois.

Click HERE to read the full text of Barack Obama’s speech yesterday, in case you missed hearing it aloud. After the jump, watch Beyoncé’s stirring performance of America the Beautiful, she really nailed the song and gave a performance that is not to be missed …

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Parade magazine has published a very sweet, very poignant letter that President-elect Barack Obama wrote for his young daughters Malia and Sasha. In Obama letters to his daughters, he explains to them why he decided to take their family on the extraordinary journey to the White House and shares his hopes for their future and for the future of all children in the US. Here is the Obama family on the cover of Parade magazine and an excerpt from his letter to his daughters:

“When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me—about how I’d make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn’t seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn’t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that’s why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation. I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential—schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college—even if their parents aren’t rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity … I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you’ve had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much—although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential. These are the things I want for you—to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That’s why I’ve taken our family on this great adventure. I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.”

What a very sweet letter. At first I thought it was weird for a magazine to publish a letter that was written for the Obama girls but reading it clears up any misgivings I initially felt. The letter is really a letter meant for the children of the US and is a promise for a more hopeful future for our country. Speaking to (and thru) his children, President-elect Obama is trying to remind folks, again, that there is much work ahead for our country to get back on the path to prosperity. After the jump, read the full text of Obama’s letter to his children — and to us as a nation …

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Whew … what a week it’s been. Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States of America just 5 days ago and I know that so many people are still rejoicing at the news. I happily posted the pics sent in by Pink readers of their celebrations around Election Day and today we get to check out a few intimate, behind-the-scenes photos of the Obama family waiting for the election results on Election Night. President-elect Obama had a bunch of private photos posted to his official Flickr photo album to share his family’s Election Night activities with the world. Here are a few of my faves:

Click HERE to see a whole slew of Election Night photos of the Obama family. I’m pretty sure that Tuesday November 4, 2008 is a day that millions of people will remember for the rest of their lives. Obvs it was a big night for the Obamas and I think it’s very cool that they are sharing their intimate (and prolly jittery) moments with the world. I suspect that the new First Family is going to be very open about their lives and will do everything they can to share their experiences with all of us. The site Change.gov has already launched and I understand there will be an official blog of the new President when he takes office. Leadership in this country looks like it’s about to take a giant leap forward of inclusion with the people. I can’t wait to see what’s in store in the coming months and years.

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