Episode 44: A New Hope

Today we witnessed an amazing, thrilling, wonderful moment in our nation's history, when Barack Obama became President Obama. As hard as I try, it's impossible to come up with the proper words to express what I felt today, seeing him take that oath of office and hearing his first speech as this country's Commander-in-Chief. Pride, hope, comfort, peace, exhilaration, joy, excitement, safety, love, awe.... The list could go on.

One of the benefits of living in Washington, DC, is the ability and option to participate in events like this. Though I wasn't keen on braving the crowds, my brother-in-law was able to get us passes to go to his office, which overlooks the parade route. We watched the inauguration itself on-line, and then my sister and brother-in-law went outside to watch the President's motorcade go past while my nephews and I huddled at the window and exclaimed over all the police cars and military bands. The kids were all angels, the crowds and wait time at the metro weren't bad at all, and the sun shone down brightly all day long.

Here are some photos from our exciting day.

Here we are at the metro station, getting ready to head out

And another one, with me this time. The metro was issuing special metro cards with President Obama's picture on them.

Elijah and I enjoy the ride into the city

Holly and the baby, all bundled up

Jonas and Jason chill out during the ride. The metro wasn't too crowded going into the city, but the trip took much longer than normal because we kept having to stop to wait for the train(s) ahead of us to move forward.




Elijah takes a silly-break at Jason's office while waiting for the parade to start. The boys were so well-behaved and entertained themselves all afternoon.

View from the office window: part of the police escort that preceded the President's car

The color guard ahead of the President

(Isn't it exciting to refer to him as "the President"?!)

A view of the crowd waiting for the President to arrive. Some of them had been there since morning.

Here's all the press coming down the parade route just ahead of the Obama family

THERE HE IS!!!!

Looking the other direction out the window, just after the President and First Lady had walked past

And here are the Vice President and his wife

Jonas takes a self-portrait during a down moment in the parade

All tuckered out on the ride home

A completely wonderful day!