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Michelle Obama, her daughters and her mother plan a week-long solo visit to China this month that includes meetings with China's first lady and high school and university students - and will likely cost U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars. The Obamas' trip to Africa for Nelson Mandela's funeral cost taxpayers $11 million while the president was only in the country for 13 hours A 2013 trip to Africa for the president cost taxpayers more than $100 million .

CBS/Reuters January 5, 2014, 8: 26 AM Obama’s birthday gift to his wife? Time off, alone HONOLULU - President Barack Obama is going to give his wife the birthday present that many parents can only dream of - time off, alone, without the children. The White House said on Saturday first lady Michelle Obama would stay in Hawaii, where the family has been on vacation for the last two weeks, rather than return home with her husband and their two girls. "As part of her birthday gift from the president, the first lady will remain in Hawaii to spend time...