"February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March."

February at Edwards started as a dreary and windy month. Although only three hours from Las Vegas, the climate is completely different. I thought all deserts were the same... How wrong I was! Brandon's work load didn't seem to hectic yet, so we managed to watch a lot of movies and take in some of the California scenery.

The kids activity this month was to bake and decorate Valentine's cookies for all of the single students in the class. Ashton was way more interested in the stickers than the cookies...

On Valentine's Day, our family drove to Malibu and dipped our toes into the Pacific. Ashton loved the ocean and the beach and all that went along with it. It wasn't warm enough to "swim", but she did manage to get herself completely soaked playing on the shore.

Brandon flew a 'new' jet this month, too. During the beginning stages of TPS, he flew only the T-38 to get reacquainted with the aircraft. Now he's flying the T-38 and the F-16. He's very excited to add more airplanes to his list and loves the experience each one gives him.

On the 27th of February, we did a little day trip to Tehachapi with our friend Lindsay. It's a quaint little town that boasts having four seasons {a rarity in these parts}. It's located in a valley between gorgeous mountain's topped with experimental windmills.

And, finally - Ashton continues her love for coloring and all things art related.

If you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you haven't done much today. ~Author Unknown

How in the world did nearly seven months manage to pass without any updating? This TPS experience has been amazing, but it has honestly been flying by. I thought it would drag on as Brandon studied and worked ~ and Ashton and I would be up to our own devices to find entertainment in the desert. I couldn't have been more wrong! Between play dates and social events, our calendars have been booked. Here's a glimpse back to bring everyone up to speed:

~ January ~
We spent much of our first month just trying to get acquainted with the local area.
We also got acquainted with our fellow TPS friends (whom now seem more like family). Aside from the 1st Friday and Road Rally mentioned below, we also had some dinners out with the classmates, hosted dinner for the single students, had a 'ladies roll call' for the wives while the men were at the Club, we (the wives) were honored at a Welcome Coffee at the Commandant's home, and Brandon spent a weekend in Vegas for a Dos Gringos concert.

There is no such thing as an ordinary day.

Another weekend is upon us. Is it just me, or is time flying by? Probably not for everyone in the Midwest who have had to endure some bitterly cold January days ~ but, for us - it's hard to believe we've been here for two weeks! It's finally starting to look like a normal house here - especially after I was left alone for several hours today while Brandon and Ashton had a 'date'. I was able to hang most of the pictures and do a sizable chunk of organizing. It felt great to get some things in order, although my shopping list continues to grow with items I feel we *need* to have in order to complete my nesting process.

Brandon had a silly little day with Ashton from what I've been told. She's quite the talker these days, and I'm sure she kept the questions and comments flowing at a continuous rate the entire time they were gone. They started their date by touring some of the museums on base & ended with a tasty meal at McDonald's. Here are a few snapshots he took while they were being tourists...

Charging toward the B-52 ~ which she would describe as being a 'huge airplane'.

Posing pretty in front of the SR-71. I wonder if she'll always be a willing participant in her father's quests to explore all things airplane related??

I'm also attaching a few more pictures which were taken the same day as Brandon's class picture {see previous blog}. We've met some great people & I'm sure at the end of these 49 weeks we'll look back at these pictures and remember how awkward and nervous we all were.

The class & their better halves. :)
I'm not sure what the relevance of this picture is - but, it'll be fun to look back upon this experience and remember all of the faces that made Edwards AFB bearable.

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.”

We have survived the first week of Test Pilot School and are happy to report that the transition into California living has been smooth. Last Friday, the school had a 1st Friday event so all the families could meet. Ashton was excited to see a LOT of little people her size to play with! On Saturday, the 'senior' class hosted a Road Rally where they had the junior class (ie: Brandon & his fellow classmates) and their families driving all over the base looking for random things. We're not quite sure how this happened, but out of six teams - we managed to win! Yay us!!

{In case you're wondering what this random picture is - this is the sight we see as we stare blankly across the barren desert ... aka Edwards Air Force Base. Jealous, aren't you?}

Ashton was also very excited last Friday when several packages arrived on our doorstep. Thank you all for all the fabulous pink things that she got! Even the bubble wrap was pink...

On a final, and extremely exciting, note ~ tonight Ashton *asked* to use her 'potty chair'. And - it was a success!! Now... let's hope this more than a one-time deal. Wish us luck!!

Simple pleasures are priceless treasures.

Our little lady turned two today.

She had a pretty fun day celebrating. Thanks to everyone who called to wish her a happy birthday! We truly appreciated it!

We're getting settled into our new house, but still have a long way to go before it can completely feel like home. We have met a few neighbors, have some events planned for this weekend, and can't wait to see what this year has in store for us. We don't have internet at our house yet, so my posts will continue to be sporadic for about another 2 weeks. Once we get everything hooked up, I hope to write more! Until then - hope everyone has gotten off to an amazing start in 2009! Cheers!

“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!!