WASHINGTON (AP) – Michelle Obama is marking the days off the calendar for her favorite holiday tradition: traveling with family and friends to Hawaii.

The first lady said the family trip to President Barack Obama’s home state dates back more than two decades.

She said the two-week vacation also includes an annual talent show with their large group of loved ones that has included poetry, singing and dog tricks.

She said “because it’s such an important tradition, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world.”

Mrs. Obama shared her holiday plans Monday as she continued a first lady tradition of visiting with hospitalized children. She was joined by family dogs Bo and Sunny as she read “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

The Obamas will leave for Hawaii on Friday.