Inauguration expected to be crowded

(NBC) - They are packing up and heading to Washington, people from every corner of these United States. Some from small towns and some from sprawling metro areas, and they are all converging on the national mall for the same reason.

"We're here in DC watching history being made," said Lucy McCladdie Miller.

Hannah Owens is from Montgomery, Alabama and shares a birthday with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Robert Owens cannot believe what his children are about to witness.

"I cant explain it, just overwhelmed with joy to be here," said Robert Owens.

The history is inescapable and so is the sense of change.

"This has been a long time coming, as the song says," said Angela Edwards from Richard, Virginia.

"Just really excited about the future of our country right now," said Chris Corcoran from Sacramento, California.

Obama buttons, Obama hats, sweatshirts and anything else with the next president's likeness is high fashion. With temperatures lingering around the freezing mark, layers are the look that is in and with record crowds, everyone wants to get a head start Tuesday.

The green family of Miami is excited.

"We came to see the best president," said Aalesha Green.

Remember the name because she wants to be president, too. For now, though, being a reporter seems pretty cool. A little girl with big dreams on the eve of a day that proves big dreams can come true.