Family Reunion

The Artists' Studio Tour started off the month.  Even though I was knee-deep in preparations for the big family reunion the following weekend, I took a few hours off to check out three or four studios with a friend. 

The following weekend was supposed to be rainy and gray, like most Junes in the Pacific NW.  But lo and behold, the sun came out with the arrival of our first guests on Friday afternoon. 

Antonio Mazzola and the Birthday Boy, Ol' JB himself

It was a special event, for sure, a family celebration to honor my father on his 90th birthday. Relatives came from all over the United States.  The farthest and most special was the arrival of our cousin Antonio Mazzola from Germany with his wife Renate.  Jeannette, Bill, Matthew, and I met Antonio in 2009 on my first trip to Sicily. He wanted to come for the reunion and meet his American cousins--what a shock we must have been!  (Following the reunion, Antonio and Renate travelled around the state to visit family and then down the coast to San Diego.)

The big dinner was Saturday night at the Grange hall.  That afternoon we decorated and Inlaws and Outllaws rehearsed.  It was a memorable night.

from left: Joe Jr (in back), Roger, Bill, Marc, and Tony on drums

Seventy-two relatives joined in the dinner and many of them stayed over through the weekend, biking, kayaking, whale-watching, and partying.  Many came to an impromptu potluck at Rosalie and Tom's on Sunday so we were able to get a group shot:

The following week I got the worst cold I can remember--surprise, surprise.  But life must go on and I pushed through, for Roger and I were due in Spokane for the State Grange Convention.  I had volunteered to be a delegate representing the San Juan County Pomona Grange.  We had a very interesting time but I cannot tell you about it here on the blog as only Grange members are allowed to know the inner workings and the secret handshakes.  One evening we did play hooky and walked around downtown Spokane and their very beautiful riverside park.

click here to see pictures of Spokane Riverside Park

On our way home from Spokane, we stopped to see friends with some land near Cle Elum.  They have a place right on the Yakima River and we got to explore some of its features with them.

Roger, Shelley and David at the "Grand Canyon"

You would think that was enough events for one month, but this was not the case.  One more adventure awaited us.  The wedding of Hilary and Abe took place at the Washington Park Arboretum on June 30th.  It was fun to see family, friends from the island, and friends from our old neighborhood in Seattle all at the same celebration.

And it is always good to see the grandchildren having a fun time. 

 In July--I rest.