Obamas look forward to White House life

CHICAGO, N.Y., Nov. 27 (UPI) -- President-elect Barack Obama and his family say they are looking forward to life in the White House, an at-least four-year adventure that begins Jan. 20.

A tennis court will be modified to accommodate a couple of basketball hoops for the soon-to-be president to enjoy. Daughters Malia and Sasha will be getting a dog. Malia has dibs on using Abraham Lincoln's desk for her school work. And wife Michelle, apparently, gets the last word.

"When Momma's happy, everybody is happy," Obama said.

Those are just a few of the insights gleaned from the Obamas' interview with ABC's Barbara Walters.

"Malia ... said, 'You know, I thought this was was going to be an untouchable place. You know, the kind of place where you can't touch anything ... . But actually the White House is kind of homey,'" Michelle Obama said.

Barack Obama said Malia told her parents she think's Lincoln's desk will provide inspiration when she has "an important paper, a history paper" to do.

"I'm going to sit at that desk because I'm thinking that will inspire big thoughts," he recounted her as saying.

Obama expressed good-natured concern that the family may wind up with a "yappy," "girly" dog and he wants a "big, rambunctious" canine.

said.

Michelle Obama said she's getting out of cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 60 guests in Chicago Thursday.

"Don't you think ... my husband ran for president ... that I should get an out on cooking something for dinner? Don't you think, Barbara?" she playfully asked.