“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.”

We have officially ended our Las Vegas journey. Last week we packed up the remainder of our belongings and headed south. I was the lucky one that got to drive with two cats and a toddler... Quite an experience. Our house will not be ready for us to move in until January 2, so for the first 5 days we stayed in a TLF (Temporary Living Facility), and the rest of our time will be spent visiting family in Iowa & Indiana. It feels like we've been living in a suitcase since Thanksgiving... I guess we kind of have been!

I'm a little behind on the blog, so I'll post a few pictures from a couple of weeks ago at Brandon's farewell (you know, the one that he wasn't present for), and a few from Ashton playing at the park two days before leaving Vegas.

The Farewell ~ held at a Tapas restaurant on the strip.

As a gift to Brandon, his Commander, "Ord" presented me with a matted and frame picture of the Aggressor jets with signatures and comments from all of his fellow 64th & 65th Aggressor squadron people.

Apparently there was some inside joke involving this picture which was taped onto the back of the print. Perhaps one day Brandon can tell the story.

Deep in conversation.

Slick (in the center) was also honored at the Farewell.

More of the smiling faces we'll miss.

We had awesome weather the last week in Vegas and we took full advantage of playing outside. Our house was empty and we lacked all of the videos and cartoons that Ashton loves - so to fill the void, we had a few play dates and an afternoon at daycare as just a few of the sources of entertainment.

She loved this airplane toy ~ I couldn't resist the photo opportunity.

Cutest girl ever.

Off to California!!

When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been...

... and there you will always long to return.

Tonight was Brandon's "Fini-Flight" as an Aggressor pilot. It was a bittersweet sight to watch him taxi his familiar blue jet for the last time - and perhaps his last time in an F-15 for a while. While we don't know what the future holds, we do agree that change is good and we're both ready to dive into whatever lies ahead.

We both love the backdrop that surrounds Vegas.

Rolling into his parking space.

The gorgeous desert sunset.

Tradition in the military world is to hose the pilot down during his final flight. Unfortunately, my camera was having issues so you can't see that part - but, you can tell he's pretty wet in the above photo. He also gets a champagne shower from the rest of the squadron clan.

Considering it was only 60 degrees outside, that cold water did not feel at all refreshing.

We're going to miss these guys!!

Cheers!!

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~Seneca

Our move has officially begun. For the past 3 hours, I have watched three hard working men pack the last two and a half years of our lives up as if they never even happened. Things are really happening fast now! We're so excited, too. Ashton seems to be rolling with whatever we're doing ~ and I am relieved for that. I'm sure she's a little curious about what's going on ~ especially since she's taking a nap in our bedroom closet due to no other available space. Poor thing. She's managing well, though.

We returned on Sunday after a relaxing trip to Iowa. It was nice to have Brandon's undivided attention (no work, no school stuff). He was a bit jet-lagged after his Sweden trip, but he bounced back surprisingly quick. We spent some time with the Yegge's in Ankeny, but the majority of the week with my parents in Forest City. As always, time went too quickly, we ate too much, and we didn't have the time to see all the people we had wanted to see. It was still a great trip - and it even ended with a snowy white drive to the airport. So beautiful!

Brandon drove to Minnesota on Saturday to pick up an airplane he "inherited" from an older gentleman who passed away over the summer. He visited with this family last winter, and in July we received news of his passing ~ and news of our recent gain in the airplane department.

Yes, my friends, *this* is the airplane.

And, here is the tail portion. My parents have officially turned their garage into a hanger. :)

A little out of sync, but no less important ~ Brandon was honored when the Swedish Air Force offered him a flight in their Gripen fighter jet. The base they flew out of, Lulea, was very far north, and a BIT colder than Nellis. He also flew a trainer jet while he was there - but, I can't recall what it was called.

There's no doubt the guy on the left is Swedish. ;-)


Like a kid in a candy store.

Very cool experience in a very strange looking aircraft.