Obama family makes rare trip home to Chicago

[June 18, 2012]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Sweet home Chicago. President Barack Obama is back in the city for the weekend with his wife and daughters in their first visit in two years to their home as a family.

After a late night catching up with friends in their Hyde Park neighborhood, the Obamas on Saturday attended the backyard wedding of top White House adviser Valerie Jarrett's daughter a block from the Obama residence.

Neighbors say they're glad to see the return of the president.

"I took pictures of every black car in the motorcade and waved to every one of them because I didn't know which the president was in," said excited neighbor Mary Ann Smothers, who was hoping to catch a glimpse of the president at his home.

"I want to see the dress Michelle Obama wears to the wedding tonight," she said Saturday.

Laura Jarrett is marrying Harvard Law graduate Tony Balkissoon.

The first family could be seen walking to the wedding. Also spotted arriving at the wedding were U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Washington insider and civil rights activist Vernon Jordan.

His national popularity may have taken a hit over the economy and other issues, but being back among friends gave Obama a welcome break from the bruising campaign trail and election-year politics.

Neighbors had to put up with extra security measures this weekend, in addition to the permanent security barrier around Obama's home.

The Obamas -- including 13-year-old Malia, 11-year-old Sasha and Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson -- arrived Friday evening. There were no public events announced for their weekend stay in Chicago.

Obama returned to Chicago for the NATO summit in May, and was back in the city early this month for a fundraising trip, during which he spent a rare night in his own house.

The president leaves Sunday for the G-20 summit in Mexico.

[Associated Press]

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