Philadelphia Trip 2012

This weekend we had the pleasure of having Ian's brother and his family visit us!  Neal, Makensy, Sophee and Kamber got here on Saturday and we had a blast hanging out with them.  We were able to take a trip to Philadelphia and took the train to a yummy bakery in New Jersey.  


Fun Photo's Below!

Ian and I in front of Geno's, famous philly cheesesteak!

Across the street at Pat's, the rival philly cheesesteak of Geno's.

(We like Pat's better!)

 Sophee and Kamber in front of a Philadelphia Philly statue.

Below are photos from Benjamin Franklin's grave site.

FREEZING!

Liberty Bell and Independence Hall

Inside Independence Hall

 

Courtroom-The original Pennsylvania Seal still on the wall.

Assembly Hall-The room where the most important decisions were made that make our country what it is today.  The only original object in this room is the wooden chair at the front (far right) where the likes of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin sat.

 Sophee!

The next day we decided to jump on a train and visit Carlo's Bake Shop, the home of the amazing deserts seen on "Cake Boss."  Buddy wasn't around that day, but I had the best brownie of my life!  We tasted all kinds of yummy treats including cupcakes and cannoli's! 

On the train!

We were lucky to get inside and wait in line for only ten min!

WE'RE HERE!

Although it was bitter sweet to leave Utah we were VERY excited to get to New Jersey!  We were looking forward to finally being able to settle down and have a house of our own.  We had heard good things about McGuire AFB.  McGuire is actually part of the Nations only tri-service joint base MDL.  Mcguire AFB, Dix Army base, and Lakehurst a Naval base.  Let's just say that the actual military base is HUGE.  Over 20 miles huge.  It's set away from all major cities, mostly surrounded by farmland and lots of trees.  We are looking forward to spring and summer.  Not to mention motorcycle and bicycle rides!




Our Journey:

We drove through Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, to New Jersey. We WILL NOT step foot in another U-haul for another three years at least.  I swear it.

Our first stop was dinner with Jay in Laramie Wyoming.  We stopped to re-fuel the U-haul at Jay's work.  It was a quick visit but a lot of fun.  I love hanging out with Ian and his siblings, it's always entertaining!  We got Jay a generous supply of pickles as a Christmas present.  I guess he really likes them!

The next day we drove and drove and drove some more until we reached Lebanon Missouri where Ian's Aunt Maxx and Uncle Randy live with their family.  I had been wanting to meet them for a while and was so glad we finally were able to visit!  They made us dinner and we had a great time getting to know each other.  That night we stayed in a "cabin-like" hotel on the river, and returned to the house for breakfast.  We loved eating real food after being on the road for a few days!

 Missouri River at Sunset

 We made sure we got down to the river early enough to see the mist over the water.  It was beautiful!

 Down at the river, it was freezing!

Kansas  City

We finally got to see the girls!  We couldn't believe how big they had gotten since we last saw them in May. These two always put smiles on our faces!

Home, sweet sweet home!

We are absolutely loving our new house.  Three bedrooms and 2.5 bath with no kids is a cause for celebration!  We are finally starting to feel settled and it feels great.  Once we started unpacking boxes we realized how much we had forgotten about!  It's nice to have all of our belongings in one place and not spread over two or three states.

Gotta love the military life!

T'was the season

The year 2011 was definitely a crazy year for this Lefler duo.  We were married in May.  Ian left for basic training at the end of June and I moved back home with my family.  Two months later I flew to Texas to be with him at graduation, only to move to Mississippi a short week later to be near him while he was attending tech school.

After four months of the beach and Cajun food Ian graduated his technical training and we made the long drive back to Utah for the holidays!

It was a crazy two weeks full of family reunion, friends, holiday festivities and preparing to move across country.  Ian was grateful for some down time and we enjoyed visiting with those we had missed.  We were able to visit my brother Zac which was probably the biggest blessing I could ask for.

It was great to see some snow while we were there!

We celebrated Ian's birthday on Dec. 24th.  My parents took the whole family out to breakfast and we later enjoyed a get together with lots of cake and presents!  

Ian got some short western books (which he loved,) Angry Bird pj's, Legos, and a helicopter.  What more could a man ask for?

Cody, Ashlee, Ian and I were able to visit Grandma and Grandpa Curtis and Aunt Andrea to help put up Christmas decorations.  We were grateful for the chance to help because we didn't have decorations of our own this year!  We had a lot of fun.   

Helping mom with Christmas cookies, a shooting trip with Cody, and snowfall.

On one of our down days Ian and I picked up my nephew Alex from his daycare so we could visit. That little reunion will be one that I never forget!  That little four year old boy literally ran to me, threw his arms around my neck and said "I missed you Naynee."  This is the rainbow that he drew for me and his Mommy.  He said if I keep it and look at it I will be happy.  He was right!  Spending the afternoon with Alex made us miss our nieces even more!  We couldn't wait to get to Pittsburgh to see them.

Ian and I both agreed that Christmas 2011 was probably the best Christmas either of us have ever had.

So far :)

A1C Ian Lefler-Graduation from Tech School

After four long months of Tech School at Keesler AFB Ian graduated on Dec. 8th 2011.  He was the only airman in his class to never "wash-back" or fail a test.  We will both admit that it was difficult to live apart for those four months, but we are truly grateful for the blessings and opportunities we have been given in return!

A1C Lefler accepting his training certificate from Lt. Col McLemore.

I am so proud of my Airman First Class!

Ian's mother, Barb, was able to fly to Mississippi to watch the graduation ceremony. It was wonderful having her there.  She is one proud Air Force Mom! 

 After the ceremony Barb and I were given the opportunity to visit the simulator room and catch a glimpse of our air traffic controller in action.  It was awesome to see him in uniform performing his duties!

Later that evening Barb treated Ian and I to dinner at a Cajun restaurant, we are already missing the food!

We left the next day for Utah....

  

...and said PEACE OUT! to Mississippi.