By the CNN Wire Staff

(CNN) - President Barack Obama shook hands with Marines, took pictures, and heard Christmas tales from eager children during a visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Obama, who is on a family vacation in Kailua Bay, Hawaii, made an unannounced visit to the base on Saturday afternoon. The visit was hardly a surprise - he stopped by the base during his Christmas vacations in 2008 and 2009.

The first family is renting a vacation home in Hawaii, the president's home state.

At the base, Obama and the first lady posed for group photos and shook hands with diners.

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