MORE OBAMA!: Post Inauguration Pics (Parade and Parties)

Ahhh .... Everybody loves a parade! Usually we're only excited during Mardi Gras time but a historical Presidential Inauguration gave us something else to marvel at.

After Barack Obama took the oath of office and greeted/spoke to America, and had lunch with his new staff, he hopped in his Presidential Cadillac limo (with Michelle and the kids ... and of course the VP and his wife) ... and, surrounded by Secret Service agents, led a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue ... up to the White House gates.

Halfway down the street, the First Couple shocked (and startled) everyone (including the Secret Service) by jumping out of their limo and WALKING along the street! A first for ANY President.

They walked hand-in-hand for about a mile ... waving to the cheering bystanders and smiling wide. They were soooo cute!!!

They eventually got back in the limo and made it to the White House ... where they positioned themselves in the grandstands in front of the mansion to watch the parade in their honor.

The parade featured bands from both Michelle and Barack's high schools as well as our own GSU Marching Band.

Once the parade was over the First Family made the trek to the White House for their first official night in-residence.

The girls got ready for a slumber party -- which included a scavenger hunt and a special visit by the Jonas Brothers.

The President and First Lady got ready for a night of dinner and dancing ... at TEN different Inaugural Balls.



-- SEE ALL THE INAUGURAL PARADE PHOTOS HERE

(photos by jae c. hong, evan vucci, Pablo Martinez Monsivais, charlie niebergall, alex brandon, gerald herbert, charles dharapak)

LATER THAT NIGHT ...

At one of the FIRST balls Barack and Michelle attended, the Neighborhood Ball, (which was televised on ABC), singing star Beyonce serenaded the First Couple with "At Last" (which she sang in and for Cadillac Records).

The First Couple continued to dance the night away at several Inaugural Balls. (Only two of which were televised). Here are just SOME of the shots of them gettin' their groove on:

(The Bidens got their dance on too! lol)

SEE ALL THE INAUGURAL BALL PICS HERE

(photos by alex brandon, elise amendola, charles dharapak and lauren v. burker)

MORE PICS: The Nation Watches & Celebrates President Obama

Million of Americans gathered at the Capitol/National Mall Tuesday (1.20.09) to see BARACK OBAMA become the 44th President of the United States.





In my previous blog, I showed you some of the images taken on that special day ... but here are some more:




Not every one got a chance to be at the big venue ... some watched the big event at watch parties, at school or at work ... sharing the emotional moment with those around them.






Employees at this SEARS gathered in the electronics department to watch the ceremony.




And Times Square in NYC was filled with people watching the large screens and screaming their support for Obama.



SEE MORE SHOTS FROM AROUND THE NATION/WORLD HERE.



(Photos shown above by -- larry mccormack, john partipilo/the tenneseean, and gary emeigh/the news journal)






BACK HERE IN THE SBC ...





Students at Pine Grove Elementary got an extra special history lesson Tuesday.

Students got to watch the Inauguration in Class!

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE SCHOOL HERE.

(photos by Val Horvath/The Times)

Centenary College also hosted a viewing party for students and faculty to see the big event.

And the Robinson Film Center also hosted a viewing party. Hundreds showed up to watch.


SEE MORE LOCAL WATCH PARTY PHOTOS HERE

ACROSS THE RIVER, IN BOSSIER, the city hosted the ONLY local Inaugural Ball. I wish I would've known earlier than a week ago so I could dazzle the locals with MY beauty ... but there were still some awesome looking Obama supporters in attendance :)

• SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THE LOCAL BALL HERE. (photos by Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times)

• SEE VIDEO OF THE BALL HERE.
  
  
  

(more to come!! stay tuned!!!)

EVENT PICS: Inauguration Day of President Barack Obama

They came, they saw, they were a party of history. Millions of Americans took over the Nation's Capitol Tuesday (1.20) to see the Inaugration of Barack Obama.

Some slept in the cold to assure they'd have a good view of the historic event...

When dawn came, there were already people waiting in line .... to enter the National Mall.

The press was in position ... ready to get their shots and sound bytes ...

Actor Denzel Washington was there early to make sure he got his seat.

Then the flood gates opened ...

Meanwhile .. in other parts of the world, people were celebrating Obama's big day in their own special way ... Above, some supporters build a tribute on the beach. Below, at Madam Tureaud's House of Wax in London, a mother and her baby pose with Obama's wax likeness (U. S. passport holders got in free on Tuesday).

BACK AT THE CAPITOL -- Just after 12:30 pm (EST) -- everyone is seated or standing in their spots ... and the ceremony finally began ...

Attendess look on as dignitaries (including past Presidents and White House staff) take their seats.

First Lady Michelle Obama and former First Lady Laura Bush take their seats.

Barack Obama waves to the crowd as he takes his seat and leans over to speak with outgoing President, Bush, as his daughter looks on.

After an opening ceremony prayer, Queen of Soul ARETHA FRANKLIN sings for the crowd.

After another speech (and a horrible poem) Barack Obama finally takes the oath of office. He places his hand on Lincoln's Bible ... and less than 40 words later, it is announced that his officialy PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. (He re-did the oath Wednesday because Chief Roberts flubbed it).

Obama's first act as President -- smoochin' his First Lady! :)

Seconds after the oath (and during kiss) ... the crowd erupted in exciting applause ... screaming O-BA-MA!

After the applause died down, Obama gave his big speech.

There were no big quotes or catchy phrases -- just a simple explanation of the state of American and how WE need to help OUR country get better. (Read Obama's speech HERE. See the video HERE).

There was applause during the speech and after the speech ...

There was also a lot of emotion as the moment set in for some Americans ... Change has come!

align="center">Even Oprah and Stedmond were there ... celebrating the moment.

After his speech ... outgoing President Bush hugged Obama in congratulations.

And Obama gets a thumbs up from his daughter Sasha ... as they prepare to leave the ceremony and head to the parade.

The best part of the ceremony for me was seeing all the Presidents and staff there in support of Obama. Even more so ... all the AMERICANS there in support of him.


My least favorite ... that HORRIBLE poem recited by that Elizabeth chick ... WTF was SHE thinking? Where was Maya Angelou or Nikki Giovanni .. hell or Jill Scott even!!! UGH.


Regardless it was an inspiring day ...

FOR MORE INAUG DAY PICS .. GO HERE and HERE.

** And stay tuned for more posts featuring pics of the Big Day and the Parade!