On the way to the Sand Box

We have arrived! As did all of our luggage-- always a bonus! However, the trip getting here didn't start out as we had anticipated... a bit surprising, but it ended up being all for the better- God is good in working things out that way!

When we arrived at the Minneapolis airport, with our 7 pieces of not-so-small check-in luggage and 3 not-so small carry-on items (not including Ben, who technically could be considered just that!), we expected nothing but the usual- fairly normal check-in, pay a few luggage fees, wander through the security check point, take off some stuff, put some stuff back on, grab a snack on the way to the gate and sit back, relax and play some sudoku before boarding. Well, much to our chagrin, it didn't go as planned. We were actually fortunate to discover that our original flight to Phili had been delayed, as check-in seemed to be taking much longer than usual. Eddy and Ben's e-tickets were located , processed and baggage tags printed, but mine (Jess's) seemed to be more difficult to locate. So difficult in fact that they couldn't find it all. As it turned out, our travel agent (one of the few times we have ever used one) had never issued my ticket. Not so good when you are trying to fly somewhere!

Frantically we began the process of locating our agent, who we had only contacted through email- great. Using our good friend Kevin's smart phone and calling our other good friend Jeff, to use his blackberry, we made a search for the agency and started calling numbers. By this time 2 hours had passed and we were losing flights right and left... The ridiculously helpful check-in agents weren't looking too hopeful for us getting out of there that day- swell. After a few short, but nerve racking minutes we found someone at the agency to help us, who immediately issued my ticket, and assured me that had never happened before, and why hadn't I called earlier? I stated, as calmly as I could, that had I known the ticket I purchased wasn't going to be issued, I'd have called right away--How foolish of me to assume it would be! Ugh.

To make a long story shorter, the fabulous agents at the counter worked their magic and found us a completely new route, on a completely different carrier to get us reconnected with our itinerary in Frankfurt. So, we hauled our ridiculous amounts of junk over to United and re-started the check-in process. Not all our stuff made the cut; our beloved little generator was refused passage due to the potentially dangerous fumes wafting up from its box. But everything else got on, and not a cent was paid on luggage fees!

To top it off, someone along the way bumped us up to economy plus- more leg room in the cattle car! And when we got on our connecting flight to K-town, we discovered the plane was a chartered private liner- only business class! Three course meals, champagne, chocolates, magazines, lazy-boy style seats, a bassinet and toys for Baby Ben... a dream! So much so, that when the plane arrived in the Sand Box, and the seat belt lights chimed off, not a person on the plane moved- no usual shoving and pushing or tapping toes as the door opens. Really who wants to rush off that plane into the desert? Nope, we all basked in the final comforts of the west...

Ok- that's it for now- we are doing well, adjusting and acclimatizing. It's a slower process, but we're all taking it in stride. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers... More to come!

Photos: Our fabulous little fam... What made the packing list, you ask? The obligatory inflatable ducky bath!... Ben LOVES it... Ben and the duck in our little flat in K-town, oh- and our propane tank which needed filling- great for the child play area, eh?