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!!

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!