November 26 means...

that it's a pretty special guy's birthday.

This guy really does have a certain way about him.

He likes to read, and watch football, and take photos, and watch "House."

He likes Whoppers, and a good steak, and a good glass of wine, and banana laffy taffies.

He's a sucker for a good Van Morrison song, and an underdog, and his girls.

He's extremely stubborn. And sometimes grouchy. And a little set-in-his-ways. (Cmon...he's a guy.) But he's also forgiving and a little bit of a pushover.

He'll do his best to shoot the biggest buck he can find, but he'll cry at a sentimental movie or at any memory of his daughters when they were younger (just don't tell him I told you).

He loves us.

And we..and I...love him.

So, I think I need to send out a huge "Happy Birthday" to Gary.

Wanna join me with the cyber birthday shoutout?

(I had to add that photo right there. It just seemed sorta appropriate!)

We (mostly Sydney!) have been missing Gary lately (seriously, Sydney has counted down the days for him to come home. Last night, she literally squealed, "my Daddy's coming home tomorrow. Aaaaaaahhhhh!!!!").

He's been in Salt Lake City all this week. He's seen snow, and eaten good food, and just been enjoying himself too much (believe me...he's called and rubbed it in several times! LOL) He's been enjoying views like this...

and this...

and, yes, even this...

(He went to the Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz game. I won't even say how jealous I was of his courtside seats! He knows who the "real" sports fan in the family is!)

But he's flying home today. Just in time for his birthday.

We'll make him a cake (I'm thinking something with homemade caramel frosting). We'll have a little party. We'll give him some gifts (I'm really excited about one of them, and hope he likes it). We'll sing "Happy Birthday" and tell him he's a pretty great guy, Pop, and husband.

And I'll mean it.

Mostly for moments like this.


(These are two of my favorite recent pictures of Gary. He and Scout on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland, this past Summer.)

He loves his girls like nobody's business.

So...

Happy Birthday, Gary!

Hurry Home. (We've got a really yummy looking cake...and whoppers and banana laffy taffies... waiting on you!)