Hello from Australia!

We left Milwaukee via car to O'Hare Airport on Sat. the 8th. We got there in plenty of time. Accidentally went to the wrong desk, but because we had a sensational desk lady help us, we were able to get our bags checked through to Melbourne but only get our boarding passes to LA. We got to our gate with plenty of time, however, they switched our gates twice on us!! A little frustrating, considering how much we had to take on the plane. But, all in all, we got on. The flight was delayed to the point that when we got to LA we had only 1/2 hour to get to the International area and get our boarding passes and such before the plane was scheduled to leave. There was a not so nice lady who met a group of us at the American Airlines gate and basically left us to eat her dust on the way to International. However, once we got to the Qantas International check-in, we received the absolute best service possible. There was initially some small issue with my (lisa) Visa. But one of their agents walked us through security and right up to the gate where the plane was waiting. They were so very very helpful, we could not possibly be more grateful. They even helped us get Luke's carseat installed and helped me find the the passports when I (or someone) placed them in the overhead bin instead of in the satchel I had to put all our important stuff in (can you say freak-out).
Luke did extremely well on the flights. He actually slept through the landing on the first leg, and then dozed on and off, doing this and that on the LA to Melbourne flight. We discovered that cartoons can entertain even without the sound and the Wiggles make him laugh.
Grandpa Kramme came and picked us up at the airport once we arrived. Customs was a fun adventure. We did get somewhat chuckled at by some people when they saw our wrist leash that we used on Luke. But, it came in very handy because he didn't always want to hold our hand and there was a point between when we got off the plane at Melbourne and we got through customs that we didn't have our stroller. So, it came in extremely handy.
We came to Grandma & Grandma Kramme's right away and Luke played hard. He sleeps in a pack n' play (a/k/a port-a-cot) in the office here. After a couple hours he woke up quite freaked out, I'm sure not knowing where he was. But after a brief snuggle he went back to sleep well, only waking twice in the night. He woke up at 5:30 this morning, and we eventually went shopping and picked up a highchair for him (and his cousin Zac when he visits). Some wonderful medicine for me, who seems to have a sinus infection or something similar. And also some sandles for Luke and Tim.
We came back home and everyone worked out in the yard, except Lisa who was trying to get the silly pictures to upload.
Luke got to swim in the sea shell pool and had a great time splashing water all over Grandpa and Grandma's wonderfully redone deck!
Tim and Luke sleeping on the couch prior to us leaving for the airport

waiting for our flight at O'Hare

still waiting

strapped in the carseat and ready to take off for Australia!

eating dinner with Grandma!


eating at his little table



playing outside this morning




watching Grandpa through the screen


That's all for now!
We'll keep you updated as we can!