Obamas host White House Egg Roll
US President Barack Obama has welcomed thousands of children and families to the White House Easter Egg Roll, calling it "one of the greatest White House traditions".
Mr Obama and his wife Michelle appeared on a balcony overlooking the South Lawn where thousands of children and families took a break from participating in the festivities to listen and cheer enthusiastically for the first family.
The president's daughters, Sasha and Malia Obama, were also there, along with his mother-in-law Marian Robinson.
Mr Obama initially could only wave to the crowd, thanks to non-functioning microphones. He looked around for help, and finally the sound system started working just as Malia leaned into the microphone and asked "is it on?". The president called her his technical adviser.
During the technical delay, Mrs Obama waved enthusiastically to the crowd and the President pretended to whisper in the giant ears of a person wearing a rabbit costume, drawing laughter from those on the lawn.
Mr Obama greeted the crowd, extolling the event as one that "reminds us that this is the people's house."
Shortly after kicking off the event, the first family walked to the storytime stage to read to a group of children.
The White House allotted tickets for the event to gay and lesbian parents as part of the administration's effort to reach out to diverse communities.
Representatives from Family Equality Council, Human Rights Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and other groups confirmed earlier that they were invited and encouraged to have their members participate.