Inauguration Weekend...

What an amazing weekend! Friday after daddy got home from work, we packed up the car and started our drive East.  We made it as far as Morgantown, WV that night.  After a restful night at the Marriott on the campus of the University of West Virginia, and a yummy breakfast, we drove the rest of the way to our friends in Northern Virginia. The girls were absolutely thrilled to see their old friends!

The girls and Ame'lie...

Sunday morning we went to Mass on base at Ft. Belvoir with our friends before heading downtown.  We picked up our tickets to the Inauguration from Senator Brown's office, then did some sight seeing on the National Mall.  We were able to see a practice run-through of the bands and speakers for the ceremony on Monday.  We also went to the U.S. Botanic Gardens...always one of the girls' favorites. 

Got our tickets!

Look at these DC chicks...

Love them...

Listening to the bands...

 

 

So excited!

 

Botanic Gardens beauties...

 

 

 

Sunday night we went to the Army Navy Country Club for dinner...and BINGO!!!  We actually had tons of fun...gorgeous scenery, great friends, good food, and even a couple of bingo wins! 

The girls...

Bingo!

Dark and early Monday morning (we are talking 4:30AM), we were up and dressed and ready to drive to the Metro station.  It wasn't as crowded at the Metro as we had thought.  Having the tickets to the access gates that we had let us get a lot closer, but we were still standing room only.  Oh well, we could hear everything!  It was amazing to be able to take our girls to our Nation's Capital on such a historical day, and be part of an American tradition!!!  The girls were real troopers, and our hosts were the BEST!  And best of all, it was a lot warmer than it was four years ago.

On the Metro...

Bundled up and ready to be part of history...

Our slightly obstructed view...

Logan was not impressed ;)

Waiting for President Barack Obama...

The 44th President of the United States (somewhere under that red arch)...

 

So thankful to be present for the Oath of Office...

The girls thought they would walk in the parade ;)

 

 

This girl was asleep by the time we got on the Beltway to go home...

Our 44th President...

All day long my stomach had been in knots, but I remained hopeful!  Barry, on the other hand, was confident--he reads Nate Silver's blog religiously.  We were not disappointed watching the returns tonight.  Even the girls wanted to stay up.  We eventually sent them to bed, but woke them up after they called Ohio for Obama!  So awesome!!!

Before school...

Another historic night in America!  We are beyond thrilled with the outcome of this election!  Thank God we are not going back--this is moving FORWARD!

The First Family!

Up Close and Personal with the POTUS...

What an amazing day!  We picked Carsyn and Maren up early from school today to go downtown to see President Obama and Vice President Biden.  It was a huge turn out...upwards of 10,000 people.  But, luckily for us Barry has been canvassing and phone banking (a lot), and was given two VIP tickets.  He had meetings at work and wasn't able to go.  So I took Carsyn and Maren, who didn't need her own ticket.  Although we were standing up in the sun and heat for nearly four hours, it was so worth it!  Thank goodness we ran into one of my friend's parents, so they could watch one girl while I took the other to the bathroom port-a-potty...this happened twice.  We were about four people from the front row, but when Biden came out the people in front let the the girls go to the front.  While I am extremely grateful for that, I am a little bummed that I wasn't able to be with them when they got to meet Barack Obama and Joe Biden.  First through the line, the President took Maren by the cheeks and told her how cute she was.  He asked her name and age.  Then he hugged Carsyn and asked her name and age.  Then he asked both of them if the other was a good sister.  Mr. Biden came through the line next and had similar encounters with both of the girls!  They were beyond thrilled.  From a couple of people back, I also reached my hand up and got to shake hands with both of them.  But, that is nothing by comparison.  They could not wait to get home and brag to Logan, who stayed at school for a test.  Prior to today, Logan was the only one of the girls who had gotten to shake hands with Obama.  We are very optimistic for Election Day!

It was certainly crowded...

Waiting for the President...

Love it!

 

Mr. Vice President Biden...

 

VPOTUS and POTUS...

Mr. President...

 

Maren watching the Presdient's speech (captured by a photographer)...

 

  

Carsyn took tons of pictures and videos with my phone...

We Voted (Early)...

After Barry got home from work today we all went to vote early in-person.  I was a little reluctant to do it, because there is something neat about walking to our polling place on election day to cast our ballots.  But, since we have been encouraging everyone we talk to while volunteering to do so--we decided that we ought to walk-the-walk ;)  It feels great to have already voted!  I will definitely miss getting my sticker on election day though...good thing I saved an extra one of these to put on November 6th.

Joe Cool...

While the girls were at school today, guess who saw, and shook hands, with the Vice President of the United States today?!  This girl!  Joe Biden made a campaign stop at Wright State--which is literally down the street from us ;)  A friend and I went over with our tickets, and waited in line for almost two hours for the standing room only event.  I was very pleased with the large turn out.  Ohio native, Dave Chappelle was also there.  I finally talked my way up onto the VIP stage, and immediately jumped up to the railing when VP Biden started making his way down the receiving line.  I was so excited!  I have to admit that I got a little flustered.  The Vice President said, "How are you doing?"  And, all I could say was, "I'm fine.  How are you doing?"  How ridiculous.  But, it was awesome!  It's not everyday that you get to meet the Vice President!  The girls were so jealous.  I told them if the President comes, I'll take them out of school.

Before school this morning: wish me luck girls...

Fired up and ready for Joe!

Right after we shook hands...

 

Found this in the local paper...

Get Out and Vote!

Don't forget to cast your vote today! I voted early a few weeks ago, but it stinks because I didn't get to wear a cool sticker today ; )