The New Year

So, my sister Desi (see the Birds of a Feather blog) took care of writing all about Christmas for me...she even stole my pictures to put on her blog so I feel no guilt jumping right into the new year! Last semester (I work at a college and time is counted in semesters for me) was a very busy one for me. I was working my normal job plus supervising apartment complex which held over-flow housing for ECU. On top of that we had soccer, gymnastics, and church callings to handle. Needless to say, except for my adorable nephew's blessing I did not make it out of Greenville until Christmas break. It wasn't that much fun, in fact it was downright depressing, so for the new year I made a commitment to travel at least once a month! January took the cake by providing three very exciting trips for me and two for the whole family!

Our first trip away for the New Year! Yes...I love dressing them alike, although they did pick out their own clothes this time.

The first trip of the year was to Knoxville to visit the Quayle family, or if you ask the girls, "Baby Elliott's house". Just an FYI, Elliott is the icing on the cake for my girls. I don't think that there is anything in the world that can compete with the little guy. If they were stranded on a desert island with only Elliott, they would be just fine.

Luckily the girls still remembered how to travel and although we had to take out the camera to pass some time at the airport, once we were actually on the plane it was naps all the way to Charlotte!

Morgan with the camera..."Mommy make a funny face!" Anything to keep them entertained right?!

The girls were out before the landing gear was up--it must be the Fuller gene!

We had such a blast at Desi's house that I left the girls and Dave there and traveled solo back to Greenville in time to catch a ECU bus up to Washington D.C. for the Presidential Inauguration. We had a total of 76 students, six of which I was in charge of. I thought that keeping track of Abbie and Morgan was difficult, but it was nothing compared to keeping track of my six among the millions on the mall. I used all of my parenting skills including holding hands, grabbing coats, continuous counting, and my favorite...shouting above the crowd.

My RA Pariss and I gearing up for the cold.

I am so glad that I went, it was an experience like no other. I have never seen so many people gathered together at once. The positive vibe of the crowd was exhilarating. We got of the metro and there was just a sea of people that you got dissolved into. It felt as if you were in a human washing machine getting tossed and turned all the while moving with the crowd. We waited about an hour to get up out of the metro station, but we finally climbed those steps.

First view of Washington D.C. getting off the metro!

An hour in...is it a sign?

We can see a light...

We think we can, we think we can, we think we can!

View from the top!

Once on the street we were literally carried with the crowd once again. We actually got pushed over a couple of barriers, but because of it ended up in a better spot on the mall than we had anticipated. We could see the capital (far off) but were directly in front of one of the jumbo-trons. To our rear was the Washington Monument with a wreath of people about it --it was actually a beautiful sight animated with the gentle wave of all the flags.

I wish I could describe the feeling of being with that many Americans who at that point in time were so thrilled to be a part of the United States of America. I cheered and cried with the crowd and was glad that the President acknowledged the people the built this country. I am so thankful to have been a witness to such a historic event for our nation.

The girls with Grandma Sue--thanks for making the drive to visit!

Barely back from the inauguration and we were off once again this time for a quick trip to Minnesota for a college friend's wedding. I am ashamed to say that we are now fully accustomed to the weather of North Carolina. We arrived late at night and Grandma Sue was there with the warm van ready to pick us up. Dave caught sight of her and headed outside with the girls while I headed to get our luggage. I watched as they zipped up coats and headed through the first set of doors. Dave grabbed Abbie's hand as the second set of doors opened permitting that lethal blast of Minnesota winter to hit the girls full on (did I mention that it was six below?). Abbie stopped dead in her tracks and started to cry while Morgan turned tail and ran back through the doors into the airport. There are no words to describe the respect I have for "all ya all" living up north! It was just so COLD!

Some swimming fun...

We met up with our wonderful college friends the Hory's (Matt, Carey, and baby Karah) and had a blast! Although it was short we made the most of it swimming in the pool, going to the wedding, and dancing all night long at the reception. I couldn't have asked for a better dance partner than Carey!

The Barnes and the Hory families all dressed up and ready to go!

The Walsh Quad RA's (just a couple years older)!

The weekend ended with the trip back to the MSP airport...being a typical Barnes, Dave made us leave way to early so we got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. So much time in fact that we got to explore a bit which ended up being one of the best parts of the trip. We took more pictures at the airport than we did the rest of the weekend. They had everything there, just look and see!

They had trains you could ride....

They had trains you could drive...

They even had planes you could fly!

They had not one, but two Snoopy's...

And things to make you look goofy...

They even had Minnesota Wildlife...Moose and Wolves and Bears OH MY!

All in all a great month and a great start to the New Year...you all better watch out, we may be coming to visit you next! Signing out from the MSP tower, over and out.