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Joe and Jill Biden Spent Easter Weekend with Grandkids Before Opening White House for Easter Egg Roll

The president and first lady debriefed their holiday weekend with Al Roker on Monday, as they prepared to continue Easter celebrations with 40,000 White House guests

<p>Mike Theiler/AFP/Getty</p> Joe and Jill Biden walk with family, including grandson Beau, while arriving at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. on March 31, 2024

Mike Theiler/AFP/Getty

Joe and Jill Biden walk with family, including grandson Beau, while arriving at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. on March 31, 2024

America may come first for President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, but family takes priority, too.

The commander in chief, 81, and Dr. Biden, 72, spent their Easter holiday hanging out with their kids and grandkids at Camp David and enjoying a family egg hunt of their own before the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll celebration.

Speaking to TODAY's Al Roker ahead of Monday's festivities, the Bidens reflected on their busy holiday weekend. When asked how the holiday was for the extended first family, the president told Roker, 69, that it was "great."

"We spent it up at Camp David, the whole family," Joe said. "My dad used to say, family's the beginning, middle and end. We had 'em all up there. We went to mass on Saturday."

"We had a great Easter egg hunt," the president added. "We also take these plastic eggs and put some dollars in them."

"We're still missing one," the first lady then quipped.

The Bidens have seven grandkids — Naomi, 29, Finnegan, 22, Maisy, 21, Natalie, 19, Robert "Hunter," 17, Navy Roberts, 4, and Beau Jr., 3 — and at least a few were spotted in tow as the first couple departed the White House for Camp David.

Related: Barack Obama Tells Voters Why He Picked Joe Biden for VP — and How It Applies Now

As for the annual Easter Egg Roll on Monday, President Biden looked back at his personal favorite memories of the event as he marks his fourth as president.

"My favorite memory is [of] a little girl having trouble with her egg. She looked at me, she's about 3 years old, she said, 'Can you help me, Mr. Pre-da-dent,'" Biden jokingly recalled of the girl's request. "That's my favorite one."

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While the Egg Roll has been going on since 1878 thanks to Rutherford B. Hayes — who the current president joked was "a classmate of mine" — this year's theme is one that's close to the first lady.

"I've been a teacher for over 30 years, so this is EGGucation," Dr. Biden told Roker. "As you can see, there's something for everybody here. We have science projects, we have phys-ed class, you can learn about the solar eclipse that's coming, we have a reading nook, we have dinosaurs. Something for everybody."

"Because education doesn't just happen in the classroom," she added.

<p>Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty</p> Jill and Joe Biden prepare to board Air Force One with grandson Beau Biden and daughter Ashley Biden on March 29, 2024

Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty

Jill and Joe Biden prepare to board Air Force One with grandson Beau Biden and daughter Ashley Biden on March 29, 2024

The White House announced this year's Egg Roll activities last week, and they include a "School House Activity Area, Reading Nook, Field Trip to the Farm, Picture Day, a Physical 'EGGucation' Zone, a Snack Time Tent and more."

At the time, it was projected that 40,000 people would take part in the festivities, which have since begun at 7 a.m. ET and wrap at 7 p.m. ET.

After opening up to Roker on Monday about the event, the president was asked about his personal favorite memories of the White House, sharing a family anecdote rather than a political achievement.

"Our kids jumping in bed with us, our grandkids when they're down here," he said with a smile. "Just sneaking up and jumping in bed with us. That's my favorite memory here, they love it."

"They love wandering through the halls. There's two floors upstairs, a lot of bedrooms, it's a private residence. And they just love coming down."

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