From Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania Avenue, the Christmas tree adorning the Blue Room of the

arrived Friday from Carbon County.

Pulled up to the door by four Clydesdale horses adorned in jingle bells, the 18 1/2-foot-tall Douglas fir hails from Crystal Spring Tree Farm, 2370 Mahoning Drive East in Mahoning Township, outside Lehighton, Pennsylvania.

American tree farmers from around the country have been presenting the White House with an official Christmas tree since 1966, according to the White House. For Crystal Spring owner Chris Botek, the White House tree is becoming a bit of a family tradition: His parents, Francis and Margaret, won the White House Christmas Tree competition in 2006.

Greeting Botek and his family Friday were first lady Michelle Obama; her and President Barack Obama's daughters, Sasha and Malia; and pets Bo and Sunny.

The tree will be decorated and ready for viewing in the Blue Room on Dec. 3, when the First Lady will welcome military families to the White House to get a first look at the holiday decorations. As in years past, many of this year's decorations will honor military families for their service to our country, according to the White House.

Last year,

to adorn the presidential mansion.