The president and first lady debriefed their holiday weekend with Al Roker on Monday, as they prepared to continue Easter celebrations with 40,000 White House guests.
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Joe and Jill Biden walk with their family, including their grandson Beau, arriving at Fort McNair in Washington, DC, March 31, 2024.
America could come first for president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Bidenbut family also has priority.
The commander in chief, 81, and Dr. Biden, 72, spent their Easter vacation spending time with their children and grandchildren at Camp David and enjoying their own family egg hunt before the celebration annual White House Easter egg rolls.
Talk to TODAY’s Al Roker Ahead of Monday’s festivities, the Bidens reflected on their busy holiday weekend. When asked how the holiday was going for the extended first family, the president told Roker, 69, that it was “great.”
“We spent it at Camp David, with the whole family,” Joe said. “My father said: family is the beginning, the middle and the end. We had them all up there. We went to mass on Saturdays.”
“We had a great Easter egg hunt,” the president added. “We also take these plastic eggs and put a few dollars in them.”
“We are still missing one,” the first lady quipped.
The Bidens have seven grandchildren – Naomi29 years old, Finnegan, 22 years old, Maisy, 21 years old, Nathalie19-year-old Robert “Hunter,” 17, Navy Roberts, 4, and Beau Jr., 3 — and at least a few were spotted in tow as the first couple left the White House for Camp David.
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As for Monday’s annual Easter egg roll, President Biden reflected on his favorite personal memories of the event as he marks his fourth term as president.
“My favorite memory is of a little girl who was having trouble with her egg. She looked at me, she’s about 3 years old, and she said, ‘Can you help me, Mr. Pre-da -tooth,’” Biden recalled jokingly. of the girl’s request. “It is my favorite.”
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While the Egg Roll has been around since 1878 thanks to Rutherford B. Hayes — whom the current president joked was “a classmate of mine” — this year’s theme is close to that of the first lady .
“I’ve been a teacher for over 30 years, so this is EGGucation,” Dr. Biden told Roker. “As you can see, there is something for everyone here. We have science projects, physical education classes, you can learn more about the upcoming solar eclipse, we have a reading corner, we have dinosaurs. Something for everyone.”
“Because education doesn’t just happen in the classroom,” she added.
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Jill and Joe Biden prepare to board Air Force One with their grandson Beau Biden and daughter Ashley Biden on March 29, 2024.
The White House announcement this year’s Egg Roll activities last week, and they include a “School Activity Zone, Reading Nook, Farm Field Trip, Photo Day, Physical ‘EGGucation’ Zone, Children’s Tent snacks and more.”
At the time, it was expected that 40,000 people would attend the festivities, which have since started at 7 a.m. ET and will end at 7 p.m. ET.
After speaking to Roker about the event on Monday, the president was asked about his favorite personal memories of the White House, sharing a family anecdote rather than a political achievement.
“Our kids jump into bed with us, our grandkids when they’re here,” he said with a smile. “I would sneak in and jump into bed with us. It’s my favorite memory here, they love it.”
“They love to wander the halls. There’s two stories upstairs, lots of rooms, it’s a private residence. And they love to come down.”
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