Birthday Bash

We arrived late Friday night in Salt Lake City. By the time we had gotten the rental car, and driven to Provo it was after midnight. So naturally, we stopped at Smith’s Grocery Store and picked up a few essentials. Yes, we needed breakfast for in the morning, but you can totally tell that I sent a hungry husband and two hungry children into the grocery store unaccompanied. But at least he remembered the Peanut Butter Captain Crunch. Mmmhhhhmmmmm!!!!!

Then we swung by Taco Bell because the kids were starving and really wanted some “hot, soft tacos!”. I’m sure we looked like the most negligent parents on earth, but everyone was able to go to bed with full tummies and smiles on their faces. Also, it’s just fun to go to the grocery store and grab some fast food at 1 in the morning. That’s a luxury we don’t get in Switzerland, where everything closes at 7 or 8! (Well, there are McDonald’s that are open later, but ewwww!)

And what was the first thing I unpacked, well after toothbrushes and toothpaste? All the goodies we brought to share with our family and friends. It was strangely comforting to have a bit of home with us. 🙂 And no, we didn’t eat any of it ourselves. We gave it every last bit of it away. We were too full of Krispy Kreme doughnuts anyway. (8 dozen in 4 weeks!)

Saturday we slept in, did some real grocery shopping, did a bit of clothes shopping, and that was pretty much it. But Sunday was when the fun really started. You see, it was my birthday. And I invited a few of my most favorite people over to help me celebrate.

From left to right, Pete, Joe, Me, Dan. My three “little” brothers have grown up to be awesome men. It was the best present of all, being able to hang out with them and their families. I love you guys so much!

And then this lady showed up with her two kids and made the day that much more special. We grilled sausages, ribs and hot dogs. There was potato salad, a veggie tray, tons of fruit, chips, drink and, of course, ice cream for dessert. But the best present of all was just the fact that they came to hang out with me. Chris took a ton of photos for me, to help me remember the day. I am so glad he did, I was too busy having fun to try and document any of it. 🙂

Dan grilled the first round for us out on the balcony of our rental house. We attended church at that building, and walked most of the time. The kids loved being able to do that.

There is something very magical about cousins. The instant you meet them, there is a connection, and you are friends for life. It also helps if you share a love of watermelon and guns! 🙂

Elle and Johnny finding ways to entertain themselves even though we had absolutely no toys in the house. Isn’t she stunning?

A kitchen full of people I love, what better present could I ask for?

The ribs I had been baking in the oven, were still raw when we tried to serve them. So Joe threw them on the grill for us, and we sat outside, chatting and enjoying the gorgeous view. Chris did a great job choosing this place, didn’t he?

These two share many of the same interests like ballet and the need to read Harry Potter books constantly, no matter how many times they’ve already read them. Cousins are cool.

There weren’t a whole lot of serving dishes in the rental, but we were able to make do. The kids loved the bar stools, even if they were pretty high. I loved all the space!

Sophie loved her cute, chubby cousins. She laid on the floor, letting them pull and suck on her hair for a good 20 minutes, just laughing and smiling the whole time. You know it’s true love when she doesn’t complain about her new headband getting covered in baby slobber!