My 37th Birthday in Brookhaven 2016

I had a fun birthday this year!  We celebrated on the actual day of my birthday even though it was Wednesday, and it did not disappoint. Kevin got home a little early. We played with the kids and took some commemorative timer photos, as usual.

The Clouthers on a timer, Miranda has a lot of props

Also on a timer because it's fun

Running from the tickle monster!! Save yourself!!

The babysitter arrived, and Kevin and I went to dinner at a new ramen place in Port Jefferson, Slurp! I also had a little Japanese soda with the glass marbles you push in, just like on my 35th birthday. The ramen was pretty good though not quite up to Chuko (in Brooklyn) standards. Then even though it hadn't been part of my original plan, Port Jefferson Ice Cream Cafe opened for the season- on my birthday! Kismet! So I got some moose tracks on a cone.

Ramen at Slurp in Port Jefferson

Moose tracks ice cream at Port Jefferson Ice Cream Cafe

Then we went hiking on the Rocky Point Trail near our house. It was getting a little late but it seemed like a good idea. I was excited to bust out my Charlottesville hiking boots which hadn't gotten a lot of use while we were living in Brooklyn then Floral Park. So apparently rubber rots and the soles of my boots just came right off. Yes I hiking in shoes with no soles. Whatever. I'm flexible.

My old Charlottesville hiking boots- lasted exactly 0 minutes on this trail.

Rocky Point Trail

Kevin at the beginning of the trail

Happy-nature-face

Okay, here's a sad story about climate change. Because of warming temperatures, the Southern Pine Beetle has taken up residence in the Long Island Pine Barrens. If we could get a single day of the temperatures dropping below -6 degrees they'd freeze to death but alas, we haven't had any nights cold enough in ages. So the beetles are destroying the Pine Barrens.

Southern Pine Beetle destruction

Did I mention we started out on this hike a little late? And then it got dark and we had a little trouble seeing the trail markers. We went the wrong way for a little distance while I made joke about the Blair Witch just to make things a little more tense. Haha. Actually it was pretty fun having a little adventure together. Like the time during our honeymoon we went down that dark narrow hill road in Folegandros, Greece in the dark-- disaster. Haha.

On the right trail again...

We made it home before the kids bedtime, with four little mini-cupcakes to celebrate with them. Luckily, I'd already had the ice cream because the kids definitely weren't in a sharing mood!

She's only got eyes for the cupcakes

Blowing out my candle

Bird's eye view

Gobble gobble!

Mmm-mmmm.

Nothing left but crumbs.

Finally it was bedtime! Miranda tucked in James. She went to sleep in her crib to dream about cupcakes. And Kevin and I watched the end of the Netflix show Love. This year, I also had a lot of calls, cards, and even gifts from family and friends which doesn't always happen as you get older. A very good birthday!

Good night kiss

Watching Love