Clue Hunt + Cryptogram = Las Vegas!!

I was making breakfast this morning for the kids when I notice a paper taped to the top of the doorway into the dining room. It read: This is the year of surprises. There are a could of things that I know about you. You like mysteries, puzzles, and brainteasers. Well if you want to know what you are getting for your birthday, you are going to need to do all of these. You are now on the case of the "Happy Birthday". Your first clue: In the house there are 2 towers that encase the flame. On the 5th tier of the right tower, the smoke is stolen. Find the thief and find your next clue. It was in a book called the Smoke Thief, on the 5 shelf of a bookcase on the right side of the fireplace. Clue 2: When you need to sit and “think, think, think” you should flip it’s lid to find the next clue. It was under the cushion of the couch where I usually sit. Clue 3: When the answer is as “black and white” as left is right, you will find your next clue. It was taped behind a black and white picture of the kids, the one on the left side of the picture collage. Clue 4: if you are a “survivor” you will never be “in death”, but if you do you will find the next clue. It was in the jacket of a JD Robb book, Survivor in Death. Clue 5: b i r t h d a y c e f g j k l m n o p q s u v w x z when what is on top is now on bottom, and bottom on top you will now have the key, but to find question look where the Arctic winds blow. It was on the side of the window air conditioner in the family room. The Answer: Dqub shcm kqxy shc qmv xhltx nh evxqy (what I found) Pack your bags you are going to Vegas (Translated) The kids and I had so much fun running around the house and looking for the clues, then Ted helped me with the code. We had so much fun!! And I am going to Vegas on Thursday night until Sunday night!!!!!