Presidential Inauguration 2009: Faces in the Crowd

Cheering above the crowd, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

I don't think I've ever seen so many happy faces in one place! Here are just a few of the smiles from inauguration weekend.

Big Smile, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

One face in a sea of many, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

Shoulder dancing, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

Happiness, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

Presidential Inauguration 2009: Inaugural Parade

President Obama approaches!, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

I was one of the fortunate few who got through to Ticketmaster and was able to get bleacher seat tickets for the inaugural parade. Even with a place to sit, it was a very chilly 6 hours between when I showed up in the morning (10am - I had to work a few hours from home that morning and nearly missed making it through security!!) and when the parade actually started (a bit past 4 pm - only 1+ hour late). My feet took the brunt of the cold, and by the time the President passed, I was happy to go warm up at home and watch the rest of the parade on TV! Still, it was exciting to be there and feel the energy of the crowd. I have a great deal of respect for the folks who showed up at the crack of dawn to claim their little piece of sidewalk and were tough enough to wait the entire day just to see President Obama pass by. That's dedication!

The Obamamobile!, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

President Obama and daughter Malia, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

Presidential Inauguration 2009: We Are One concert

Big turnout for the We Are One concert!, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

I'm still catching up (and warming up!) after a very busy and exciting inaugural weekend here in D.C. To be in the middle of it all and experience first-hand the optimism and excitement of the hundreds of thousands of people who descended on D.C. for President Obama's inauguration was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can see all of my pictures here, but I've selected a few of my favorites to share with you over the next several days!

U2 performs!, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

President-elect Obama speaks at the We Are One concert, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

Sheila

Sheila, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

Yesterday we lost our Australian Shepherd, Sheila, and I wanted to share this photo I took of her just a few weeks ago on Christmas day. She blessed our household for nearly 15 years, her unfailing good spirits bringing us much joy (and occasional frustration - she had a penchant for chasing squirrels that far outweighed any amount of concentration she might have had for obedience training, as well as an early love of chewy garden hoses...). She also gave us a beautiful daughter, Pesto, and the two were partners in crime for years until Pesto passed away from cancer in 2007. My parents are now left empty-nested and dog-less for the moment and may remain that way at least for a while - Sheila has left some very big shoes (paws?) to fill.

Boardwalk to Nisqually Beach

Boardwalk to Nisqually Beach, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

View of south Puget Sound on a wet winter day at Tolmie State Park, just outside of Olympia, WA.

Curious Jay

Curious Jay, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

This is a Steller's Jay that frequents my parents' backyard in western Washington state, harassing the little birds and generally being a nuisance! He was very intrigued by my whistling, however, which is how I kept him around long enough to snap a few shots. I love his little "eyebrows".

Head in the Clouds

Head in the Clouds, originally uploaded by soleil1016.

Beautiful Mount Rainier and a dusting of the snow in the foothills outside Orting, Washington. Nothing on the D.C. skyline can top this!