my requisite election post

So, I wouldn't feel like a "real" blogger if I didn't put a little something on here about the election.  I have to say that it is great to live in a swing state and to know that your vote REALLY counts, (not that anyone else's vote doesn't count but you catch my drift)  We have been bombarded for the last few weeks with ads, phone calls, polls, and lots of campaigning in our area by the presidential hopefuls.  Our kids really got into the spirit of things and knew all the candidates and their platforms........or at least a distorted view of things per what they overheard with their "rabbit ears".  I have been trying to convince them that Obama is not a terrorist regardless of what their father might say.  Which reminds me, have I mentioned that Travis is a complete political junkie?  He has eaten, breathed, and slept politics for the past year and is a walking encyclopedia of news reports and "insider information".  I am interested and I feel like I am informed on the important stuff but by last week I just wanted it all to be over and to never have to listen to another reporter or talk show host put their two cents in.  

We were driving home on Sunday from having dinner with the family and as we got onto the freeway, Travis jokingly said, "Hey guys, if we go left we can head downtown and hear Barack speak and if we go right we can see Sarah Palin".  We all laughed and headed towards home.  No sooner had we gotten on the freeway than we were passed by a HUGE motorcade of police cars, and large white vans with heavily tinted windows.  It was a sight to see and we couldn't believe our timing as we pulled in right behind them.  It was pretty cool to see how every on-ramp and side street was being blocked off on all sides.  Then, to make things even more exciting, they got off on OUR exit.  Did we follow them?  Heck ya we did!  I mean, sure it might have been a school night and our two youngest were already asleep in the back but how could we pass up such a great opportunity to be a part of something like this?  We ended up in a small town about 10 miles from our house, parked about a mile from the local fairgrounds and then hoofed it (me in high heels) with all our kids to the rally.  It was a crazy atmosphere with "Redneck Woman" being blasted over the speakers followed by "North to Alaska" and a few other classics.  Can you guess which candidate we were about to hear? ........maybe a certain hockey mom with a penchant for lipstick and one-liners.  As kooky as Sarah Palin is, I have to say that it was awesome seeing her in person and hearing her speak.  She was funny, confident, and had the perfect audience of country folk and conservatives in the crowd cheering her on.  She is definitely someone I am intrigued by and seems like the type of person I would like to be friends with even if she isn't the most qualified person to help lead our country.  It was a very cool experience for all of us and I am glad that we were spontaneous (now that my blisters are all healed) and didn't just go home.  I don't think my older two kids will ever forget it, especially the part where they were freezing and wanted to buy hot chocolate but we didn't because it was Sunday.  Here are a few pictures from that night.........taken on a cell phone so forgive the poor quality.