“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.

When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way.

In two weeks, Brandon and I will be bidding a fond farewell to Vegas. It's amazing how quickly the past few months have gone by. The last couple of weeks have been an absolute blur. We're both anxious to move on to the next place and see what California has to offer.

We were supposed to have our "Farewell" tonight ~ however, Brandon is stuck in Detroit after spending a week in Sweden. His departure from Europe was delayed due to weather, and that sent this whole chain reaction of delays into action. It's a bummer that he'll miss the party.

Tomorrow we leave for Iowa to celebrate Thanksgiving. We're both looking forward to getting away, but I am starting to panic about all the things we're leaving unattended here. One day after we return from the holiday break, we'll start the process of packing our 'household goods'. Brandon still has to work that first week in December, and squeeze in his "fini flight". For all we know - this might be his last F-15 assignment. By December 4th, our belongings will be hauled away - and for the first time EVER, we'll be homeless. We're not scheduled to arrive at Edwards until the 8th, and they claim to have housing available for us - yet, it could be a bit sketchy considering the current TPS students have not departed from their temporary housing. We're hopeful to be lucky enough to get one of the newly built homes. Cross your fingers!

Last week, I had my last 'wives coffee' with the Aggressor wives. It was a little sad as I said good-bye to my friends, without knowing if we'll ever cross paths again. We've had a lot of laughs and fun times in the past two and a half years, and as I've mentioned before, they've become family.

This assignment has been incredibly busy for Brandon. On top of being newlyweds when we got here, becoming first time parents, and working on his Master's Degree - he's also been gone... a lot. In 2006 he was only gone for 7 days, in 2007 he logged 114 days away, and in 2008, we were away from each other for a total of 111 days. In the days when he is working from home, there are the two Nellis Red Flags which occupy much of his time. I know that Edwards will also be a busy time for him, but at least he'll be home!

Sorry for not including new pictures! Brandon has our camera! We'll upload some as soon as we can!

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

Special thank you to all the men and women who are sacrificing so much for our freedom. Your bravery does not go unnoticed. We salute you.

Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die. ~G.K. Chesterton

Happy Veterans Day.

Aviation is proof, that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.

Last weekend was the Nellis Air Show ~ marking the last demonstration of the year for the Thunderbirds. As always, it was an amazing show.

Pretty cool stuff.

We invited Ashton's BFF, John Paul, to join us ~ he was pretty excited.

She was just happy to have some crackers...

They were so cute together.

This is when I hate to think about leaving her buds behind...

{ Heritage Flight ~ F-22, F-15, and P-51. }

The weather for this Airshow could not have been better. On Friday, the doors were opened to only military and family - which meant much smaller crowds and a lot more child-friendly atmosphere. Brandon has been in Mountain Home, Idaho, doing some Aggressor stuff ~ and was very sad to miss it. I'm sure Ashton will tell him all about the "too noisy" jets when he gets home.

"I think that people who can't believe in fairies aren't worth knowing."

... the latest craze in our "all things girly" house.

Every morning, Ashton asks to have her wings put

on while she watches the Wiggles.

I think Maxwell wants his own wings.

This outfit just so happens to coordinate perfectly with her fluffy heels...