Mark's Birthday

So Mark and I are trying to get better at life's celebrations, (i.e. birthdays) We tend to be last minute about everything these days. I had come up with a great idea this summer for his birthday--it was to be the birthday of all birthdays. I would whisk him and Isabella away the night before to my parents' house for a surprise BBQ and a Cherries Jubilee BR ice cream cake. My parents' gift to Mark was a gift certificate to REI, so after dinner we would pop over to the store so he could pick out a treat. Then we'd get up early Saturday morning and take a long drive out to the ocean for a day of kayaking. (Mark is an avid kayaker, but has not been out since moving to California.) I was so excited to execute my plans. A total surprise. A birthday to not be forgotten. As it turned out the week before Mark's birthday both he and Isabella got sick. Kayaking postponed. BR ice cream cake order pushed back a week. Then I got a call from the kayak rental that there were no kayaks available for the following weekend. Kayaking postponed again. BR ice cream cake order pushed back yet another week. Family plans interfered with the weekend after that. Kayaking canceled. BR Cherries Jubilee ice cream cake would have to be eaten by Dad. Bummer. In the end, I did whisk Mark to Mill Valley on the last weekend in September. The BBQ turned into a quick lunch of clam chowder and Dad and Mark ate the BR ice cream cake (Mom and I opted for Its-its). Mom babysat Isabella while we headed to REI for Mark's b'day treat. Better luck next year.

Dad was on his way to a Cal game but not before singing the fight song for the Isabubs.
I think the growling scared her.

Happy Birthday Mark. :)