"Happy Birthday in India, Happy Birthday to Mom!"

Wish we were there to put a candle in a mango to celebrate your birthday with you! We love you lots and will be thinking of you all day (and night) and hope you are doing something fun in honor of your birthday. Here are some favorite memories everyone wanted to share with you in hopes of making you smile...

"Grandma-Happy Birthday today. For her birthday I can flush her down the toilet and have somebody draw on her. Just kidding! I love you. Be nice to everybody on your birthday and remember to take a bath so you aren't dirty. I want to give her some flowers and a toy robot. Love, S"

"I can't wait to see you again. I miss you. Happy Birthday. I wish I could be in India to celebrate your birthday. I would give you $40 and a lots of hugs and kisses. Love, G"

"Before Gma & Gpa went on their mission, they went to Dollywood with us. The whole time we were always talking, laughing, and having fun the whole day. Later that evening Gma and Gpa revealed their mission call. It was to INDIA!! That was probably the best Dollywood trip ever.

Happy birthday Gma. If I could, I would give you a scrapbook of every single thing that has happened since you have been gone. Sincercely, F"

Joan- Happy birthday! Hope you have a wonderful time having such a unique birthday in such a unique location. Your birthday this year will be nothing like any birthday you have had or will have. Thanks for being such a great example of service to me and to the boys. We love and respect and miss you so much. Thanks for being on a mission and letting us wish you happy birthday from afar. (even on your vacation, you were serving as you made COTA bracelets with us) love, jaimeMom- I am so glad that you are able to serve a mission right now. We are so proud of you and we pray for you every day. We love hearing your stories and experiences. I hope that you are having an amazing birthday in India. I love your sense of adventure and I love that it has taken you all over the world. Just think of all the places where you have yet to visit! I love you so much and I am so excited to be able to travel with you when you get back. Love always, Jack

My kids can say a lot of things about me, but they can never say I was a dud!

With a 40% chance of thunderstorms, we weren't sure if we should venture out (particularly with their no returns no refunds for rain policy). But then when we heard the high was going to be 96 degrees, we figured at least we'd have fun until the storm rolled in.
I almost had a panic attack on the Vortex and Cave-in, but alas, I survived with no tears. The children were stoked. Only F braved the half-pipe though.6 children + 7 peaks = an 8 am sleep-in! (even on vacation they have been up around 6:30-7) am)

No our vacation has not centered around restaurants

But, we have insisted on a few key meals:

Fried bean burrito from Taco Time

Apple beer and pasta bar at Brick Oven

Sandwiches from Sconecutter

Lime Rickeys from Artic Circle

Burrito, enchilada style, from Cafe Rio

Carmel brownies from Kathy

Orange rolls from Provo Bakery

Frappes from Grandpa

and anything with Grandmas homemade freezer jam

So far we have played and had tons of fun with the cousins. Putt-putt, Classic Skate (yes, it looks exactly the same, sans the lockers), swimming, Nickel-cade, sprinklers in the backyard, "resorting" at the Zermatt, jumping on the tramp, tye-dyeing tees, and bbq-ing with family and friends.

How are we ever to return to real life? Now all we need is for Jack to quit his job and join us in our life of perpetual vacations. Lotto ticket anyone?

Our vacay within a vacay!

No, we are not stopping in Germany or Switerland, but we are headed to the Zermatt Resort in the morning. We are all watching the clock in anticipation! What is happening to Utah? I can't decide if I like it or not. Soaking in the hot tub in the mountains, I think I will love the changes. However, driving around town in the traffic, construction everywhere, overwhelmingly crowded neighborhoods, restaurants and shopping centers that dominate the landscapes, and the bleach blonde, big hair, size 2 boob jobs in their workout suits driving their escalades make me not sure how I am going to weigh in. I need a few more days...

Get your popcorn, your life's gonna change!

August 8th baby! You know where I'll be! Well, besides not in VA but rather, visiting the fam in Provo.

Glued to the TV for the season premiere. It will make you wish the useless degree from byu you got was in dance, not women's studies. Oh, maybe that's just me,