The Welcome Concert and Lincoln Ball

I finally got the kids out of the room at 2pm... (the movie Ghost was on TV and they became obsessed with watching the whole thing. Shawn even made fun of me when I cried. I told him everyone cries at Ghost.. and he made me a bet that I have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about).

By the time we made our way past the road blocks and the army... the gates to the Welcome Concert at the Lincoln Memorial were closed! (who knew they would close them at 2:30!?). Thankfully there were many other places along the National Mall to stand with thousands and thousands of other fellow Americans and watch on big screens as right up the street the concert was going booming.. we danced and sang and watched as artist after artist paid tribute to this joyous occasion. The hope and excitement in the air was so beautiful...

Brittney, Shawn and I were all standing right next to the Washington Memorial during the concert.. so if you saw it on TV.. that's where we were. James Taylor, John Mellencamp, Garth Brooks, Usher, Stevie Wonder, U2 all rocked the place.. I was amazed at how many thousands and thousands of people, with no fights, no drunks, no problems that i could see anywhere. Everyone was just joining together in this common knowing that we were experiencing a beautiful part of history. The shift is in our country I think is becoming obvious to many...

The concert was over at about 4pm and we worked out way back to our hotel.. via the Whitehouse and a Subway sandwich shop.. It's pretty cold but not unbearable. Porto potties line all the streets! The bleachers are set up all along Pennsylvania Avenue for the parade. Signs everywhere welcoming Obama and his family to Washington DC. Very cute.

We had about 90 minutes to get all Black Tied up to head to the Lincoln 2.0 Ball at the Smithsonian Institute. Shawn wore his tux, Brittney wore her one of kind Grammy dress (Uli). The site of the ball was also where Abraham Lincoln had his 2nd Inauguration Ball.. pretty cool. Tickets were compliments of the incredible Keb Mo who rocked the house right before Anita Baker! The theme was Victorian so there were alot of folks dressed up in that era in glorious gowns and even some confederate uniforms... Fun dancing and good food and wine...

Probably the coolest aspect of this Ball was that it was in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, so we got to explore several floors of the museum almost in complete privacy. The special Lincoln exhibit was really well done... and the section of American Presidents was incredibly interesting. I think even the kids dug parts of it.. believe it or not.

While we are having our DC adventures... Jack was in Vegas and then Phoenix to watch his Eagles lose their superbowl shot... sorry honey!

Shawn said his favorite part of the ball was that when we were in the taxi on the way back... the motorcade (we assume Obama's) passed us on the street... Everywhere we drive there are lights, limos, tuxedos and gowns.. the city is alive with excitement.

We are back and in bed pretty early... lots to do tomorrow and Tuesday. The funniest part is that right before I wrote this blog, Shawn had rented the movie "my best friend's girl" and there is a scene at the beginning were the badass guy is sitting in his apartment ... doing what? Watching the movie Ghost and crying!!! Brittney said "Oh Shawn! You got owned!" The Universe totally rocks! More to come tomorrow...