Mr. Obama (and family) goes to Washington

CHICAGO, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama returned to Chicago from his family holiday vacation for a few days before moving his family to Washington, aides said.

Obama departed his native Hawaii Thursday, after spending 13 days there with his wife, Michelle, their daughters and several friends from Chicago and their families, The Washington Post reported.

During his last stop at an area gym, Obama told a crowd of onlookers, "I wish I could hang out with you, but I've got to go home."

The Obamas were scheduled to spend about 48 hours in the Windy City before moving to Washington Sunday, in time for daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, to begin classes Monday at Sidwell Friends School, the Post said.

The future first family will call the Hay-Adams Hotel home until Jan. 15, when the Obamas will move into Blair House. After Obama is to be sworn in as the nation's 44th president Jan. 20, he and his family will call the White House home for at least four years.

The Hay-Adams facility has 21 suites, including a Presidential Suite, the Post reported, and is about 200 steps away from the White House. The Presidential Suite's midweek rate of $5,000 a night reportedly will be paid with private transition funds.