Post Inauguration let down

Yesterday was a very, very exciting time to be on the Hill and in DC.

We watched the swearing in on TV, then realized that W's helicopter was about to take off from the "east side of the Capitol" ... oof! That was 8 blocks from our home! We dashed outside and were greeted by neighbors standing in the middle of the street, waiting for the send off.

It was hard to judge what people were happiest about: That W was leaving, after 8 clunky, poorly lead years; or that Obama was entering, for 4 hopeful, potentially successful years.

When W's helicopter ascended the Capitol, the cheers were loud.
"GO HOME!"
"Asta la vista, W!"
"Au revoir!"
"Auf weidersehen!"
and, mostly, "Good Riddance!"

We won't get into the cries of 'YAYYYYYYY!!!" that cheered through the Irish Times pub -- where we went to get warm -- when Air Force One lifted off.
The cries of joy in the Irish Times at W's departure were simply ear-splitting.
Is there any doubt that God created the Irish after his own image?

As Terence and I walked back home, we stumbled upon the start of the parade route...and Obama leaving the Capitol...we walked alongside The President's limo as it crawled slowly, oh so slowly, along Constitution Avenue, to the start of the parade...and we watched as our new President waved and waved, his adorable little girl also waving...

We saw the mounted horses of the Park Police trail behind the marching bands (for obvious reasons, bringing up the rear)...and the Marine Band march on by. It was one of those moments in history which we will never forget. All of this, without having to buy a single ticket, or to wait brutally in line (or for the parade to start) to be let into anything!

Ah..the luck of...

We then hosted friends at our home, popped champagne to celebrate a new regime, and feasted on Terence's delicious chicken pizzaiola...

As we were so excited when we ran out the door that we forgot our cameras (!!!), I'm posting 2 recent favorite photos of our babies...

And, yes, Julia has chapped cheeks that are eternally red due to the dry air. Poor girl inherited Irish skin as well ;)