We have been experiencing and unusually warm January this year.  In fact, we are expected to reach a high of 65 tomorrow.  This is very different from the freezing rain, snow, and icy streets we are used to.  We've had some really cold days, but always seem to bounce right back to warm.  Three weeks ago, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and headed to the state park just outside the base.

We took the GPS to try some geocaching, but it died near the beginning of the trail.  We were only planning to do a small portion of a 2-mile trail and then head back.  Since the geocaching didn't work out, we ended up doing the entire loop.  I had to carry Tyler through some of the most difficult spots, but all of the other kids did great.  They were really tired at the end.

Tyler turned 2 on Wednesday.  We had his birthday cake last Sunday since Ben was working swing shift, and Wednesday is karate for Sydney and basketball for Zack.  This is my attempt at a Mickey Mouse cake.  Tyler loved it, so that was good enough for me.

He couldn't figure out how to blow out the candles.

We were able to open his presents and have some cupcakes on his birthday when Ben was able to take a 15 minute break.  I can't believe my baby is 2.  It's getting a lot easier, but I will admit that I get a little sad occasionally when I realize that there are phases we will never go through again in our family.  I kind of like the new phases though.