Michelle Obama, the First Lady, celebrated her fiftieth birthday on January 17, with Oprah. Michelle’s early birthday party was celebrated in Oprah’s vacation, 12-bedroom Hawaii home. During the first week of her 15-day getaway, the first family celebrated with her. Michelle Obama enjoyed the rest of her 15-day vacation without children, a husband, or First woman duties. The White House has released a statement saying that all the costs of Michelle’s birthday vacation will be covered by the First Family. However, when Michelle returns home from her vacation, without her family, she will be arriving in a government aircraft that is paid for by the treasury.  And to add to the tab of the United States’ treasury, Michelle Obama will be driven around in bulletproof safe vehicles by the Secret Service. Some people have criticized the trip because tax dollars are going toward it.