This morning, President Obama saved two lucky turkeys from the roaster with an official presidential pardon. The turkeys wasted no time in taking advantage of their new lease on life. While they waited for the ceremony, the pair of 45 pound, 21-week-old turkeys were spotted vamping around the W Hotel, where they’ve been living in custom rooms with wood chip flooring and snacking on W Munchie boxes filled with corn meal and dried cranberries. It’s always heartening when a turkey has a more luxurious life than you do.

After the pardon, the turkeys—named Apple and Cider by Barry himself—will head to Mount Vernon. They’ll take part in the historic estate’s Christmas at Mount Vernon celebration before beginning a life of leisure at the site’s livestock farm.

Today’s ceremony marked the 63rd anniversary of the presidential turkey pardon, a tradition which Harry Truman started in 1947.

Rebecca Gross

Raised in nearby MoCo, Rebecca happily jumped the District line in 2005. When not stuck behind a computer, she can be found exploring the city’s many wonders, usually with her trusty canine sidekick Jasper Jones. Questions, comments, concerns? Email her at RebeccaGross (at) WeLoveDC.com.