Chef Morrison Constructs the 2010 Gingerbread House

In this photograph, taken by Chuck Kennedy on November 29, 2010, Assistant Pastry Chef Susan E. "Susie" Morrison assembles the official White House gingerbread house in the China Room. Modeled after the White House, the 350-pound creation was made from a foundation of gingerbread with a sculpted white chocolate façade. The elaborate decoration also featured a model of Bo, the Obama family's Portuguese Water Dog. Gingerbread houses have been a beloved annual tradition during the White House holiday celebrations since 1969, when White House Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert created a gingerbread house in the German A-Frame style for First Lady Pat Nixon's holiday decorations.