Live blogging of today’s inauguration of the Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Refresh for Updates)

12:38pm - The Star Spangled Banner is sang to start the Presidential procession.

12:31pm - Rev. Joseph Lowry closes with the benediction.

12:24pm - Some excerpts from President Obama’s Inauguration Speech:

“Challenges are real, serious and many, but will be met.”

“Hope over fear.”

Quotes scripture, “Time has come to set aside childish things.”

“All are equal - all are free!”

“Greatness is never a given, it must be earned.”

“We must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, being work of rebuilding America.”

“Question is not whether government is too big or small, but if it works.”

“We are ready to lead once more.”

“Patchwork heritage is a strength not a weakness.”

12:04pm - Chief Justice John Roberts starts the swearing in of President Obama. A couple of fumbles so far in the deliver by Barack but he finishes strong. His nerves had to be sky high…and now he is PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

Such a huge build up for a 20 second oath.

12:00pm - High noon arrives as a group of violen, cellos, etc. play a composed arrangement.  I am glad Aretha got to sing, the right woman for sure on this special day, but her voice sure isn’t what it use to be.

11:57am - Associate Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens rises to give the oath of office to Vice President Joe Biden.  So now we have a new Vice President. Interesting question: So for this brief moment is Bush President and Biden his V.P.?

11:52am - Time for some soul from the great Aretha Franklin as she sings ‘My Country Tis of Thee.”  I hate to be a fashion critic today but the massive bow on Aretha’s hat is extremely distracting.

11:47am - Pastor Rick Warren, of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, is introduced to give the invocation.  A powerful and inspiration prayer by Pastor Warren.

11:43am - And it’s time! President-elect Barack Obama is introduced and walks out to a new nation.

11:40am - And there he is….Barack Obama in the warmup tunnel. This historic image is tainted with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in front of him.  Yes, Nancy is a fan of botox.

11:38am - Same procedure as Joe Biden is introduced with about five-six others.

11:36am - President Bush is introduced, shakes as many hands as possible, then awaits for the new guy to arrive.

11:32am - First glimpse of President Bush at the Capitol as he makes his last walk through the building as President of the USA.

11:29am - Small delay as it is taking some time to deliver Dick Cheney to his seat. He always finds a way to steal the show.

11:28am - And her comes the beautiful Michelle Obama accompanied by Jill Biden.

11:27am - Laura Bush and Lynne Cheney take their turn down the stairs.  Laura Bush = CLASS!

11:24am - The children and grandchildren of VP-elect Joe Biden make their entrance with the Obama girls close behind awaiting their turn.

11:22am - Huge ovation for Bill and Hillary as they are introduced to the crowd and walk down the stairs to their seats.

11:20am - Here comes the Bush twins: Barbara and Jenna

11:14am - Presidential procession begins with former President George H.W. Bush and wife Barbara.  Followed by Jimmy Carter and Rosalyn.  Carter has to look and and be thinking “Wow! This is more people than those who voted for me in 1980.”  And here comes former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.  This could have been her really big day.

The Clinton’s and Bush Sr.’s truly seem glad to see each other, hug, embrace, and talk a long time before being reminded they have to walk in.

11:08am - Dan Quayle, Al Gore and spouses walk in together.  I forgot former VP Walter Mondale is with this group walking out.

11:01am - Everyone has arrived, but Dick is holding up the show. It is taking them several minutes to get Cheney out of the car and into the wheel chair. I would love to hear the banter back and forth between Obama and Bush in the limo right now.

10:58am - The motorcade is just around the corner.

10:51am - President George W. Bush, along with President elect Barack Obama, leaves the White House for the last time and hops in the limo for the ride.

10:49am - Vice President Dick Cheney is pushed out in a wheel chair and helped into car. He hurt his back yesterday.

10:46am - First Lady Laura Bush and First Lady-in-Waiting Michelle Obama board a limousine together at the White House for the short ride over to the Capitol.

10:44am - Very cold day in D.C. with temperatures in the low 20’s and a wind chill around 11.

10:41am - The ‘Lion’ Ted Kennedy is in the house, or on the steps I should say, and is moving around rather well. God Bless Teddy!

10:35am - Al Gore must be ‘fuming’ at Barack and his motorcade. Tons of SUV’s and massive vehicles…oh wait Al believes the common people should drive the fuel saving cars.  It would be funny seeing a Presidential processsion of Mini’s.

10:30am - Governors of all 50 states begin to walk in and find their seats for the ceremony, and yes even the mayor of D.C. gets a seat as well.

10:28am - Oil prices have fallen below $34 this morning in early trading.  Remember the price of oil was $34 dollars a barrel on inauguration day.

10:22am - President Bush leaves good luck message in Oval Office desk for President Obama.

“I won’t provide any details, but the theme is similar to what he’s said since election night about the fabulous new chapter President-elect Obama is about to start, and that he wishes him the very best,” White House press secretary Dana Perino said Tuesday.

She said the two-term Republican incumbent wrote the message to his Democratic successor on Monday and left it in the top drawer of his desk, which was crafted from timbers from the H.M.S. Resolute and given to the U.S. by Great Britain in 1879.

10:20am - President Bush and wife meet for White House photo op with soon-to-be President Barack Obama and Michelle.

After a formal farewell to President George W. Bush and lunch with congressional leaders, Obama will head up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, where he and his family will watch the inauguration parade from a reviewing stand. The parade begins at 3:45 p.m. ET.

10:13am - U.S. stock market down in early AM trading.

10:00am - 90 minutes away from the start of the ceremony that will officially make Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States.

CHIME IN: Leave comments with your thoughts on today’s historic occassion.  Send inauguration pictures to Bumpshack@gmail.com to be posted.