Asher's 2nd trip....to DC!

(I started this email DAYS ago and am just getting around to finishing it...ahhhh...motherhood!)

Yes we DID! We made it out to DC for Obama's Inauguration. Two years ago when Kevin and I became active with our local democratic party, we decided that if we won (no matter who our candidate was) we would go to DC....and we did (with baby Asher is tow!). Many thought we were crazy to take an infant, but he was so easy and someday we hope that he appreciates the fact that his parents lugged him across the country to witness this historic and important event in our country's history.

My cousin Donna and her husband David were terrific hosts. Having a local tour guide was fantastic! We spent time at their cabin about 90 miles out of town in George Washington National Forest. It was nice to get away from the crowds, plus my friend Mariah and her family were able to join us for the night which was a really special treat!

On the day of the Inauguration we woke up at 5am to catch the Metro into town. The trains were packed and we were so grateful to get on and get downtown with ease. There was some confusion after getting off of the train of where to go. Streets that were suppose to be opened were closed etc., but everyone was in good spirits and helping each other out. When we made it to the Mall they were playing the concert from Sunday on the jumbo-trons. People were dancing (some crowds of the electric slide broke out!) and singing--it was America's biggest party! We were about half way down the Mall--too far to really see Obama, but we were in good site of a jumbo-tron and happy to be in the midst of the crowd. It actually sounds like people with tickets had a harder time, so maybe we were lucky.

Asher was great. I pumped a few bottles for him the day before, so we had plenty of food for him and he was probably the warmest person there. We had so many random people taking pictures of our precious guy! One woman said she was trying to get a pic of the oldest and youngest person she saw. The oldest was 98 and Asher was 2 months--it is so interesting to think about what the 98 year old woman has seen and how different that will be for Asher who will grow up with an African American president....it will be "no big deal" to him--which is so cool.

It is so hard to describe the feeling of being in the midst of 2 million people so excited about the future of our country. Thank you to everyone who helped us along the way....every door knocked, phone call made, discussions with neighbors and friends--it all mattered. So many people that we met on trains and in restaurants were people who worked all over the US to get Obama elected--and now we will all work to make these dreams a reality. The work can't stop now.

After the Inauguration, we headed to a "Hill Party" two blocks from the capitol. It was so nice to warm up, eat and relax. Originally we thought we may try to catch the parade, but after standing with Asher for 8 hours, I was pretty beat!

The next day we did some sightseeing and enjoyed the city--even though it was pretty cold!

Overall we had such an amazing time and are so proud of what our President has done so far (in just a WEEK!). I watched him sign the Lily Ledbetter Act into law this morning, which is so amazing and well overdue!

Hope you are all doing well,
A, K & A