This was a big week- Deborah and Mercy both had big birthdays. Deborah turned 60, and Mercy turned 1.

Happy Birthday Deborah!

For months, literally months, we have been prepping our house for this party.
Some might ask, “what can you do for months to prepare for a party?” Well its funny you should ask. We moved in to this house about 2 years ago, and there has been this list of small projects that we needed to do, but right after we moved in, Covid started, so we didnt have any people over. In the midst of Covid, Mercy was born, so we were very busy with that. However, hosting a party for some 40 or 50 people was an impetus to get some things done, inlcuding:

• pressure wash the driveway
• touch-up painting
• decorate the house (thank you Lori, the interior decorator)
• get a new couch
• run electrical wires in the studio
• install a motion detector light.
• add “italian lights” above the porch
• replace a rotting board on the deck
• rake and blow and mow the lawn
• repair our outdoor furniture.
• new furniture (used, actually) in the studio

Why list these things? Don’t tell Taylor, but it was actually fun. Watching a few videos on Youtube can make anyone confident enough to try out new house projects, and Taylor and I worked together and got a lot done, and it was awesome to open the doors to welcome so many people we loved.

Taylor did a great job pulling off the surprise. It went like this: We told Deborah that we were doing a combined birthday, for her and for Mercy, and that family would be there- so Deborah knew that some people would be there.
Taylor followed up by sending a same-day email to everyone, saying that our neighbor was having a retirement party, to there would be a lot of cars on the street. Well played Ted (I think that was his idea).
When they pulled in the driveway, Deb cried a bit- she is such a good friend to so many people, it was nice to see her honored.
It was also strange preparing for a party without her, because Deborah is usually so hands-on with decorations and food and table arrangements, that Taylor was a bit at a loss. Gia Lineberry stepped up to the plate and helped with Table arrangements though.

Deborah was honored, and everyone had a blast. The whole night was amazing.

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What about Mercy’s birthday?

Mercy turned 1 this week! Her actual party will be next week, but we did get to take her out for pizza on Friday night to my- I mean her- favorite pizza place, cugino forno. By far, the best pizza in town, and if you haven’t been, you should check it out.

For her birthday, Taylor and Rosie woke her up (usually I do), and she had a few balloons around the house to play with.
Because she likes riding in her little red car, we all walked Rosie to school together and Mercy really seemed to enjoy herself.
Rosie made her a “rainbow loom” bracelet that says “sisters” on it, but she will really be celebrated next weekend.
For now, here are some pictures from this week:

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