Ace's Birthday Bash

Life has been a bit hectic lately!  Here it is, well into the month of April, and I'm just getting around to blogging about when Jeff, Jami, and the kids were here in MARCH!  

At any rate, the Downs came to visit us during their spring break this year, and we had such a blast together!  They drove all day on Saturday, March 19th and finally arrived in the evening.  After a quick tour around the house, and letting Jami rest (she's just getting out of that pesky first trimester with Lucky Number Seven), we visited well into the night and then went to bed.  It was a big day the next day...

It was Sunday! :)  And while the Sabbath is undoubtedly an important day, this particular one was especially important.  Ace was leaving the single digits of life!  That's right, Ace turned the big 1-0 at our house!  We felt nothing short of honored. :)  Apparently, Ace had been waiting anxiously to open his gifts, so that's how we started the morning.

Ace led us in singing "Happy Birthday"...

And then the unwrapping began!  He got a couple of Wii games (awesome!), and some clothes from Mom and Dad.  He's growing up to be such a handsome guy!

Bowen was SO excited to give Ace the present he had picked for him!  Bowen was pretty sure Ace would share. :)

Ace also got a Bocce Ball set.  If only we had grass outside.  And only if it was sunny and dry!  Go figure, it was rainy and cold the week they were here.  It was totally annoying!

After presents were done, it was time to get busy getting Ace's birthday cake ready!  I've been waiting for a reason to make this cake for over a year, and Ace provided the perfect reason!  

Rose helped get the ganache ready for the top of the cake.  I'm glad she was there to do it right, since I totally  screwed up the first batch!  Turns out, if you heat chocolate chips and cream too long, the oil from the chocolate separates and it makes a disgusting chocolatey-oily mass.  Gross.

Ace helped me get the cake assembled.  He did an awesome job, too!

   

But presentation is crucial, so I touched it up...just a little. :)

Behold!  The Chocolate Mousse Crunch Cake!  Oh, and the birthday boy... 

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Ace was only a little excited to get those super tall candles lit!

        

Then it was time to make a wish and blow out the candles!

       

       

Well, the cake turned out (as you may have guessed) superbly delicious!  I think Ace had a good day.  And I'm glad he did.  I remember when that cute kid was born, and even shared a room with him for a short while when he was about 18 months old.  He's such a good-hearted boy with a deep desire to do that which is pleasing in the Lord's sight.  I sincerely hope I can raise Johnny to be a boy like Ace.  Happy Birthday, Ace!  We love you!