Happy 9th Birthday, Jace!

Surrounded by his cousins (all boys!) as he reads his cards and opens presents

On top of the world. Before going to Bear Lake, I asked him what he would like to do for his birthday. He wanted a big shovel for digging in the sand and one extra hour at the beach. This beach bum's easy to please! We probably didn't even need to buy him a present! This is what he did all day; his cousins played with the water basketball hoop that he got.

Here is a moat that he dug. Pools, reservoirs, you name it, he dug it.

He also requested a Dutch oven Pineapple-Upside-Down Cake. Jared made two.

Let me share the highlight of today. Jace has wit. Here it comes out again, and I'm glad I have pictures to remember this by.

I forgot the candles and so we used wooden matches instead. I was kicking myself for forgetting and hoping he would be okay with this. Before lighting the candles, someone asked Jace how old he is now. He told them, "Two."

It was difficult to keep all 9 matches lit at the same time, and when we finished singing "Happy Birthday", he quickly blew out the only remaining 2 matches that were lit. Look at him above, trying to contain his laughter.

Then he quickly exclaimed, "I told you I turned TWO!"

So silly! I love my Jace so much who brings laughter into our home often. He is a joy to have. Happy Birthday, Jace!